Photo Index - Other Maker - Patternmaker-fabricated Portland, OR

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Other Maker
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Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Sander
Machine Size:	14" disc
Submitted By:	Reuben Deumling

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Patternmaker-fabricated Portland, OR
Date of Manufacturer:	1920s
Serial Number:
Last Updated	2/14/2012 1:17:10 AM

Comments:

This is one of a number of machines built pretty much from scratch by one Elmer Knight of Portland, Oregon. I own four of these machines, the others which will also be listed here are a small shaper, a bandsaw, and a jointer. Other machines by Mr. Knight include a drill press (I might have the option of acquiring this at some point) and a lathe (in the possession of one of his children).
According to his son, Roger Knight, these machines were all made in the 1920s by his father who went on to become a patternmaker here in town. He also taught patternmaking at Benson Polytechnic High School. The machines feature lots of fine detail both in the castings and machining.

This machine consists of several aluminum castings, making up the base, table and tilt mechanism. The knobs to lock the table angle are also aluminum, as is the disc. The motor is a 1/4hp Wagner which was originally a sleeve bearing motor. In the course of configuring the motor to mate with the disc, the front sleeve bearing was swapped for a ball bearing. The motor endbell incorporates an aluminum flange which receives the machined surfaces at the center of the disc, which consist of a sleeve that fits over the end of the motor shaft and inside the flange in the endbell. Thrust support appears to be provided inside the motor endbell flange. There is no axial play.
Initially I figured this was a kit consisting of a set of aluminum parts which would then be mated to a motor of one's choosing, but upon closer inspection this setup seems to involve a custom fit, a lot of effort to modify this particular motor to mate with the disc sander components.

Photo 1:

Comments: 3/4 view; table can tilt 45deg in both directions
Source: my photo

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Photo 2:

Comments: rear view; inspection port allows access to a radial commutator and brushes that very audibly pull away from it as it spins up
Source: my photo

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Photo 3:

Comments: photo shows how the disc and motor mate; the sleeve which is slipping over the motor shaft will disappear entirely inside the flange in the endbell, leaving a 1/16" gap between the steel ring and the flange. the pin driving through the steel ring aligns w
Source: my photo

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Photo 4:

Comments: another shot of the endbell. The oil cup no longer corresponds to a sleeve bearing surrounded by felt (as is the case with the other bearing)
Source: my photo

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Photo 5:

Comments: the casting and machining fit and finish is quite good
Source: my photo

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Photo 6:

Comments: radial commutator, brushes, etc.
Source: my photo

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