Photo Index - Wadkin Ltd. - CK | VintageMachinery.org

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Wadkin Ltd.
Nottingham

True Manufacturer:
Wadkin Ltd., Nottingham

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Radial Arm Saw
Machine Size:	14", 2hp
Submitted By:	John Vannisselroy

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	CK
Date of Manufacturer:	1936
Serial Number:	CK 349
Last Updated	1/11/2024 4:20:31 PM

Comments:

I know nothing of the history of the machine between the day it was tested at the Wadkin's Green Lane Works, Leicester, England (23rd July, 1936), and the day I saw it advertised for sale in Christchurch, New Zealand, in October, 2017.

I bought it disassembled, for parts. However when I got it home I noticed it had a few early CK features, and I realised it had a little historic significance. After a month or three of indecision I plugged in the motor and it ran fine, so I decided to reassemble it and see if it was worth keeping.

It is a "transitional" machine. Wadkin & Co. became Wadkin Ltd. in late 1935 or early 1936. The tag on this saw says "Wadkin & Co." but it also carries a "Wadkin Ltd" tag. The Wadkin and Co. tag is also unusual in that Wadkin used cast brass/bronze tags up until early 1936 then changed to etched sheet brass tags. Only a few machines received "tin" Wadkin & Co. tags before the change to Wadkin Ltd tags.

Around 1936-1937 Wadkin began casting electrical switchgear cabinets into their machines. This machine predates that, having brackets for an external switchgear box.

To see a typical Wadkin CK, see Andrew Hill's 1954 example on this site.

Photo 1:

Comments: As advertised for sale. Note the "Made in England by Wadkin Ltd. Leicester" tag.
Source: Seller's photograph.

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Photo 2:

Comments: Front of the base, showing the two brackets that once held the electrical switchgear cabinet.
Source: My photograph.

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Photo 3:

Comments: Note the open base. Later machines have enclosed bases.
Source: My photograph.

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Photo 4:

Comments: Note the crank handle for raising/lowering the arm. Later CK saws had a gear box and used a handwheel on a horizontal shaft.
Source: My photgraph.

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Photo 5:

Comments: The "Wadkin & Co." tin tag.
Source: My photograph.

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Photo 6:

Comments: A copy of the test of this machine - dated 23rd July, 1936.
Source: AMS

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