Photo Index - Oliver Instrument Co. - Type S-4 Die Making (Filing)

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Oliver Instrument Co.
Adrian, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Other
Machine Size:	Bench Top, 14"W x 16"L
Submitted By:	Carl Bukowsky

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Type S-4 Die Making (Filing)
Date of Manufacturer:	December 1926
Serial Number:	3431
Last Updated	5/1/2020 10:40:22 AM

Comments:

Purchased through eBay in February 2020 from a guy located in NJ. I'm not sure how long he owned it but it was well cared for, and in very good condition. I researched the manufacturer, Oliver Instrument Co., who is still in business (as of 2020) in Adrian, MI. I contacted Oliver Instrument Company, and they have provided me with the details on the original sale (the initial owner, Hillside Tool & Die Co.) and the date it was originally sold (December 10, 1926). I will clean it up, fix what's damaged or missing to fully restore this one, and I'll then put it to good use in the home shop.

UPDATE - April 2020

The restoration is nearly complete now (as seen the latest pictures). During restoration I was able to get some great information on the original design (copies of actual drawings of parts I was missing or were damaged) from the manufacturer ( a special thanks to Mary Smith, a very nice and helpful lady!). She and another long-time engineer working there found an original replacement part I needed, the clamping screw for the chuck jaws that secure the file. I used copies of original manufacturing drawings provided by Oliver to create a replacement two-step drive pulley from a 6" diameter slug of ductile (cast) iron, a replacement for the chuck tool, and to make a replacement pointer, used to indicate the degree of angle for the table.

I researched the details on the original colors for the machine and the GE motor. It seems that black was very common for machinery back in the late 1920's. The GE motor is in fact from the late 20's based on catalog information that matches the design features shown. I also found that the Harvey Butterfly Die Filing Machine, also manufactured during the same time period shared a lot of common design features with the design used by Oliver Instrument Company. I added an oil level sight glass port on this machine (replacing the lower pipe plug) to make checking oil level easy (as was used on all the Butterfly machines). I cleaned and repainted the GE motor, refurbished the wick oilers, and installed a new grounded power cord with an in-line ON/OFF switch. In the near future, I plan to add a guard to cover the belt and pulleys, which will include a place to hold a collection of hand tools used with this machine. I am also making another bracket to fit on the hold-down post, used for positioning the file roller behind the top end of the file.

Photo 1:

Comments: As Purchased on eBay
Source: TBF Works: In the Shop

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Photo 2:

Comments: PO included a variety of files
Source: TBF Works: In the Shop

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Photo 3:

Comments: Original Badging (No SN or Model No.) A sight glass was added to make checking the oil level easy. Repositioned the lower badge to make it level; installed crooked at factory.
Source: TBF Works: In the Shop

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Photo 4:

Comments: SN is stamped on collar of the casting for the holddown post.
Source: TBF Works: In the Shop

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Photo 5:

Comments: As restored, missing file roller bracket and file roller.
Source: TBF Works: In the Shop

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Photo 6:

Comments: The Before and After. Note that the original chuck tool was missing; PO used a homemade tool. Replacement was made using Oliver Drawing, PN 27, Sept 1917.
Source: TBF Works: In the Shop

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