Photo Index - Grand Rapids Machinery Co. (miter trimmers) - Universal Trimmer

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Grand Rapids Machinery Co. (miter trimmers)
Grand Rapids, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Universal Trimmer
Machine Size:	5-inch cutting height
Submitted By:	Jeff McVey

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Universal Trimmer
Date of Manufacturer:	Circa 1889 - serial number 60
Serial Number:	(View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	4/16/2005 7:13:03 PM

Comments:

I acquired this machine a few years back on a trip back east, in Michigan. While this particular one has no knives, I have since picked up a second one, which does.
The key point of this machine, and the reason for the patent, is that the carriage (and knives) move in a slight arc. This is supposed to provide even more shearing action than would be provided by a trimmer whose carriage moves in a straight, horizontal line. This feature was carried forward in the very similar Perkins trimmers, which continued in production (eventually by American Wood Working Machinery Co. and Yates-American) until the early 1930's.
In looking at the intricate - and delicate - cast features of this trimmer, I'm surprised that nothing's broken. This thing is much more complex than Fox's trimmers of the same era. It must have been a bear to do the machine work on the rough castings!
If anybody else has one of these, please let me know, so I can add it to the trimmer registry.

Photo 1:

Comments: front view
Source:

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: rear view
Source:

Direct Link
IMG Code