Photo Index - Yates-American Machine Co., Inc. - Model N4, 5hp reversible

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Yates-American Machine Co., Inc.
Beloit, WI; Roscoe, IL; Liberty, NC

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Shaper, Wood
Machine Size:	1-1/8" by 9" spindle
Submitted By:	Doug Westlind

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Model N4, 5hp reversible
Date of Manufacturer:	08/25/1943
Serial Number:	B-19604 (View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	8/10/2008 11:07:41 AM

Comments:

The N4 shaper has been a quest machine for me for quite a while. This came from, of all places, Coos Bay, Oregon where T. J. Forrester found it while trying to make a deal on some old growth Doug fir lumber in an old defunct millwork shop. According to Sarah at Yates American this machine was shipped to Wright field in Dayton, Ohio in August of 1943. From Wright field it ended up in a factory in Coos Bay making Myrtle wood gift boxes and from there it ended up in the millwork shop. It is curious that my Yates American band saw also came from Wright field, I wonder if the two machines were once before in the same shop and are again reunited? This shaper is fitted with a really nice GE 5hp motor and v-belt drive. It surprisingly came with the original fence and guard. The hoist dial is in .001" divisions making elevation changes easier. The wiring on this machine is a little different than on most other shapers. It has a reversing motor starter with on/off buttons in the table lip, an emergency off on the foot brake and the reversing foot switch will reverse the motor instantly. I still don't know why one would want to instantly reverse a shaper but I did try it for fun. The motor takes about 2 seconds to come to a halt and reverse itself full speed the other way. Kind of a scary thought actually. This shaper was in a state of neglect when purchased. The previous owner said he had just replaced the bearings but he replaced the original ABEC 7's with ABEC 1's so it got new bearings on the spindle and motor, new paint, and all new wiring. Spindle run out is less than 0.001".

Photo 1:

Comments: Full frontal showing brake, reversing foot pedal, and grduated hand wheel
Source: Doug Westlind

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Photo 2:

Comments: Back side showing motor , belt drive, and in table exhaust vent
Source: Doug Westlind

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Photo 3:

Comments: T-slotted table, original fence and guard, and table insert for in table chip collection
Source: Doug Westlind

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