Photo Index - Wadkin Ltd. - RB Surface Planer - Bench Type

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Wadkin Ltd.
Nottingham

True Manufacturer:
Wadkin Ltd., Nottingham

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Jointer
Machine Size:	9" Buzzer
Submitted By:	John Vannisselroy

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	RB Surface Planer - Bench Type
Date of Manufacturer:	1926
Serial Number:	RB 117
Last Updated	8/5/2024 6:02:48 AM

Comments:

This machine sold in March, 2017, in Dunedin, New Zealand.

It was one of a dozen purchased by New Zealand Government Railways in 1926, as part of an upgrade of their railway workshops, and was most likely installed at the Hillside Railway Workshops in Dunedin. It was later sold (probably when the workshops were closed down 2012/13).

It is numbered RB 117 - and as Wadkin started their model numbers at 105 it is just the 13th RB made by Wadkin & Co. It was tested at Wadkin's Green Lane works, Leicester, England on 18th October, 1926, before being shipped to New Zealand.

It has a 5" diameter round cutterblock which holds two 9" cutters on a slight skew. This machine was converted to single phase a few years ago, and the cutterblock spindle is now driven via two vee belts instead of the original gears. The new motor is rated at 1750W. I now own the old 3-phase motor.

Photo 1:

Comments: General view.
Source: Seller's photograph.

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Photo 2:

Comments: End view showing fence and "Surty" type guard - actually an "Ideal" guard made by JT Peat Pty Ltd of Sydney, Australia.
Source: Seller's photograph.

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Photo 3:

Comments: End view showing details below table.
Source: Seller's photograph.

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Photo 4:

Comments: Skewed cutterblock.
Source: Seller's photograph.

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Photo 5:

Comments: Original stand for motor, gearcase, and motor - note the gear teeth. These components are now mine.
Source: Seller's photograph.

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Photo 6:

Comments: Machine tag.
Source: Seller's photograph.

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