Photo Index - C. O. & A. D. Porter Co. - Single spindle carving machine

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
C. O. & A. D. Porter Co.
Grand Rapids, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Other
Machine Size:
Submitted By:	Eric LaVelle

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Single spindle carving machine
Date of Manufacturer:	1885-1895
Serial Number:
Last Updated	11/21/2005 12:00:00 AM

Comments:

I purchased this machine from a local machine collector/dealer. Unfortunately I have no information on the history of this particular machine.

The machine is small but solid, weighing maybe 150-200lbs assembled. The bearings are bronze instead of the normal babbit found on most machines of this period. They were fitted with oilers which are missing from mine, but easy to replace. Machines of this sort were used to make most of the ornate carvings found on Victorian era furniture. They allowed fast carving of hardwoods which were slow and difficult to work by hand. To use it, the operator holds the workpiece and pushes it against the cutter. It takes considerable practice to use it effectively.

Photo 1:

Comments: pic of the machine from the back side
Source: my wife

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Photo 2:

Comments: close up of manufacturer name
Source: my wife

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Photo 3:

Comments: 1887 advertisement
Source: owwm.com

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