Photo Index - Berlin Machine Works - Model 431

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Berlin Machine Works
Berlin, WI; Beloit, WI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Sander
Machine Size:	48”
Submitted By:	Paul Mullen

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Model 431
Date of Manufacturer:	1912 to 1915?ish
Serial Number:
Last Updated	11/3/2021 1:53:19 PM

Comments:

Sometimes the machines find you, and this is the case here. I received a call from my BIL, who’s cousin had just purchased a barn on a large lot and “there is a machine in the basement that he wants you to take a look at” A few weeks later, I clapped eyes on this big girl. I think he wanted to sell it, but when I explained the market segment for old machines was pretty small, and the market segment for old machines weighing several tons was even smaller, he was resigned to have me just get it out of his barn.
It is clearly an old flat belt machine, and although the wide sheaves are gone, the shafting remains. The shaft ends have been converted to V belt sheaves, and there were 4 single phase motors powering it. A 5 hp motor runs each sanding drum, and a 3hp motor runs the conveyor. The drums are 8” in diameter and have an internal spring mechanism that looks like it allows the paper that is wound around the drum, to be tensioned. There is also a thin strap at each end of the drums to lock the paper in place. Conceivably, with a motor for each drum, each drum can be operated independently of the others.
The machine is in remarkable shape, and had been running not so long before I saw it, and was still hooked up to a working dust collection system. There is one small repair where a corner of the outfeed table was bashed, but it was nicely done.

Photo 1:

Comments: Outfeed to the right
Source: Personal photo

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Photo 2:

Comments: Infeed side to the left
Source: Personal photo

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Photo 3:

Comments: Machine as found facing the outfeed table
Source: Personal photo

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Photo 4:

Comments: Machine as found, facing the infeed end
Source: Personal photo

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Photo 5:

Comments: Dust hood removed, showing sanding drums
Source: Personal photo

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