Photo Index - Union Mfg. Co. (Buffalo, NY) - Treadle grinder

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Union Mfg. Co. (Buffalo, NY)
Buffalo, NY

True Manufacturer:
Union Mfg. Co. (Buffalo, NY), Buffalo, NY

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Grinder, Bench
Machine Size:
Submitted By:	Jeff Joslin

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Treadle grinder
Date of Manufacturer:
Serial Number:
Last Updated	8/11/2017 1:39:48 PM

Comments:

These pictures were sent to us by the owner, Michael Rutland. The text below is his.

My earliest recollection of the grinder is in the late 1950s. It was kept in the garden store of my maternal Grandfather who was a Wheel Wright & Coach Builder having served a 7 year apprenticeship that his parents had to pay for. Consequently, his tool chests comprised mainly of carpentry items, some specialised, associated with his expertise. It is therefore assumed that the grinder had to be set up in his workshop to be used. Unfortunately, I have no idea whether the grinder was new or second hand when my Grandfather first owned it.

Just after completing my 5 year Mechanical Technician apprenticeship in 1969, his property was vacated, so I asked for and was given the grinder for use in my home work shed. I was mainly concerned that the open design would allow grinding wheel grit and metal swarf to find its way into the bearings and on to the gear train. Hence, several covers were made and installed, as can be seen in [Photo 6]. The home made replacement adjustable steel tool rest is shown in the photo titled Toolrest. These extras have minimised wear and enabled the grinder to give good service ever since. That said, I must admit, it took a while to learn the art of standing on one leg and operating the treadle with the other leg, especially when sharpening jobbing drills.

Photo 1:

Comments: As inherited. The sheet aluminum tool rest is not seen in the rest of the photos.
Source: Michael Rutland

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Photo 2:

Comments: Closer view of mechanism.
Source: Michael Rutland

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Photo 3:

Comments: Foot pedal and base.
Source: Michael Rutland

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Photo 4:

Comments: New tool rest.
Source: Michael Rutland

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Photo 5:

Comments: Base; "UNION.MFG.CO . BUFFALO - N.Y. . U.S.A."
Source: Michael Rutland

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Photo 6:

Comments: With covers in place to keep swarf out of the mechanisms.
Source: Michael Rutland

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