Photo Index - E. C. Simmons / Shapleigh Hardware Co. - Keen Kutter timber borer

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
E. C. Simmons / Shapleigh Hardware Co.
St. Louis, MO

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Other
Machine Size:
Submitted By:	Jeff Joslin

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Keen Kutter timber borer
Date of Manufacturer:	Ca. 1890
Serial Number:
Last Updated	10/20/2005 12:00:00 AM

Comments:

This timber boring machine is for sale on the AmericanArtifacts.com site. Text and photos reproduced with permission.

"This unusual boring machine has a hollow 2 jaw chuck, hollow spindle, and matching hole in the top plate of the frame to allow the use of long shank bits. The name 'Keen Kutter' is cast in the iron top plate. There is no mention of a boring machine in Heuring's Keen Kutter book and I have not seen or heard of another example.

"One of the crank extensions with locking collar is a machined replacement. While it is probably stronger than the original, it is not identical. Also, the steel rack on the same side is broken and a screw has been used to secure it to the wood frame. Both of these repairs are old and neither affect the machine's function.

"The automatic lift engages when the sliding member contacts the adjustable depth stop, causing the crank shaft to slide to the right, engaging the lifting gear. A similar mechanism causes the shaft to shift to the left at the top of its travel to lock the mechanism up. The auto lift works well, but the auto latch works only with some practice and help from the user."

Photo 1:

Comments:
Source: Image courtesy and copyright Richard Van Vleck, AmericanArtifacts.com

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments:
Source: Image courtesy and copyright Richard Van Vleck, AmericanArtifacts.com

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 3:

Comments:
Source: Image courtesy and copyright Richard Van Vleck, AmericanArtifacts.com

Direct Link
IMG Code