Photo Index - Production Machine Co. - 8 " Horizontal sander

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Production Machine Co.
Greenfield, MA; Providence, RI; Cranston, RI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Sander
Machine Size:	8"
Submitted By:	jordie field

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	8 " Horizontal sander
Date of Manufacturer:	1915-1920
Serial Number:	42-606
Last Updated	11/24/2012 3:51:55 PM

Comments:

Last weeks estate sale find in a near north suburb of chicago. The basement and garage were filled with wood furniture debris, tons of picture frames and old player pianos from the turn of the century. The sale was in day 5 of 6 and the house was still full, and interestingly in its original 1906 condition. I finished a search of the basement and then went outside into the garage which was still completely full of wood, player pianos and detritus. I spotted the red adjustment wheels only as the machine was covered with large blocks of wood and a cardboard box. Both sides of the machine were obscured with piles of wood. The bottom part of the cart/wheels the machine was on was buried in mud and saw dust. (Anyway) it took two attendees the better part of ten minutes to reveal this amazing machine in its entirety. Also eventually revealed was a 1/4 horsepower century induction repulsion motor pat. 1914 which purrs like a kitten. I had the the attendees plug it in and flip the switch to reveal machine could still turn over. I immediately told them to stop and unplug it as the grease and oil were dry for sure. I did this to help in the negotiation price, and to see if I would even bother. (I needed the better part of a day to clean and grease machine and motor.) Both sander and motor were removed from cart as I was in my new, white interior, white Toyota prius and didn't want it destroyed. Looked on owwm to see that only one other submission of a Production Machine company Sander had been made but is of a much later machine that is double badged, so I think this is a pretty good find. I also looked at many of the other sanders which have nothing similar to the belt adjustment configurations. Very well manufactured, all cast iron, I can barely lift this little machine. Every element of the machine moves silky smooth.

I had to remove the sander plate to more easily photograph the Production Machine Company, Greenfield Mass. U.S.A. letters cast into the base. On the other side cast into the base is: "type 606" Also: next to the sander plate is a serial # (42-606) The early nomenclature may mean that this example is an early one. This machine has babbitt bearings, grease fittings.

I also suspect that the machine maybe missing a fence of some sorts. The sanding surface under the belt is keyed in with a tongue and groove, and it also looks like the same thing exists for a fence??? Parallel to the sander surface is a machined dado with two threaded holes which may hold down a fence. I would be greatly appreciative to find a drawing, or another example of this as I run a foundry and could easily fabricate a facsimile to an original. Thank you for looking at this, and reading my experience.

Photo 1:

Comments: Side view of machine
Source: emilia f. w/canon

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Photo 2:

Comments: tracking adj. for belt
Source: emilia f. w/canon

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Photo 3:

Comments: drive side/ babbit bearing
Source: emilia f. w/canon

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Photo 4:

Comments: belt size adj. moves tracking arm.
Source: emilia f. w/canon

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Photo 5:

Comments: top showing possible missing fence
Source: emilia f. w/canon

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Photo 6:

Comments: markings in casting
Source: emilia f. w/canon

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