Photo Index - Waterville Iron Works - Philbrick 1889 patent

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Waterville Iron Works
Waterville, ME

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Jointer
Machine Size:	16"
Submitted By:	Robert Bernstein

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Philbrick 1889 patent
Date of Manufacturer:	circa 1889
Serial Number:
Last Updated	1/24/2007 8:06:33 AM

Comments:

I recently purchased this unusual mechanism fairly early 16 jointer which has one label cast four times symmetrically into the machine, stating Waterville Iron Works, Waterville, Maine. Affixed to the machine but not cast in is a cast plaque stating Patd. Feb. 5, 1889. The patent was issued to Frank B. Philbrick (of Waterville, Maine) who assigned half to Frank B. Webber (also of Waterville, and Philbricks business partner), It is interesting that the patent matches this machine so closely.

The machine consists of three main parts, one base/column, and two table/supports. The infeed table height is adjusted by the counter-balanced lever and the outfeed table height by the hand screw. Both tables work with the same eccentric circle mechanism, a chief claim of the patent. The mechanism is smooth.

The machine has a two knife square head cutting block, each 16 knife attached with five cap screws (modern replacement screws). Another modern note is a little bit of Teflon plumbers tape at the top end of the outfeed height adjustment turnbuckle. The machine has four stations consisting of two threaded holes each for the fence, which is also bevel-adjustable. There is no guard, though there is a series of threaded holes on the infeed table, that may have been associated with a guard.

The machine has large amounts of green paint that appears original and traces of gold paint on the raised lettering of the manufacturers name.

The machine is quite light. This may have been thought a desirable design characteristic. The patent in stating the designers goals (the chief goal however being the cams that raise and lower the tables) says the machine embodies cheapness, simplicity and strength.

No other examples of this machine are known to me, though.

The earlier history of the Waterville Iron Works seems not yet successfully documented. The later history also not yet satisfyingly documentedis brightened by the very shortly later1901patent and production of the Alvin O. Lombard steam log hauler, with caterpillar tracks, the progenitor of all the steel tracked machines used throughout the twentieth century.

Photo 1:

Comments: front view, overall
Source: R. Bernstein

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Photo 2:

Comments: rear view, overall
Source:

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Photo 3:

Comments: fence and shaft detail
Source: R. Bernstein

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