Photo Index - Parks Woodworking Machine Co. - Parks 20

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Parks Woodworking Machine Co.
Cincinnati, OH.

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Planer, Wood
Machine Size:	20x8
Submitted By:	Christopher Buckman

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Parks 20
Date of Manufacturer:	Still Looking
Serial Number:	202009
Last Updated	2/12/2009 8:03:47 PM

Comments:

This machine was part of a 4 machine haul that took place a few years ago. This is going to be one of those all too rare experiences when it comes to vintage machinery. My father is a maintenance director at a local health care facility (not to mention one of the best hore-traders I have ever met) and subsequently knows maintenance directors from other local institutions. He called me up one day and said that one of the old schools in the area had an old woodworking shop in one of their buildings and he knew the maintenance director. They had a new shop with newer and safer equipment that had been donated and my father asked the director what they were going to do with the old shop. Well the words "Not too sure, but if you think you can use the stuff, take it because we need the space." Needless to say, we took all that they had which included this Parks 20 planer, Unisaw, DeWalt GA RAS, and Delta 28-350 BS. The machinery hadn't been started since the mid-70's, but didn't have anything other than dust and a few spider webs covering it.
The planer was the most difficult piece to get down 2 flights of stairs and in the truck. We had to take it apart as much as possible and remove the top from the base as we were told that Parks had assembled the machine in place back in the 50's. Despite sitting idle for the better part of 30 years, the bearings on the 3HP 3 phase motor spun for about a minute and a half after spinning it by hand. It was incredible to see the care that they took putting this together. It also had the original set of knives installed complete with the Parks logo printed on them. There were also two brand new spare knives underneath the machine in the base.
The photos below are of the machine as we took it to Michigan for future assembly. The machine is now assembled, but currently seeking a good tune up and knife replacement. I have a 5HP single phase motor to replace the original, but through the discussion forum I am looking to add a VFD and larger (perhaps 7.5 HP 3 phase). I will be posting some questions on the discussion board regarding this machine and the others with pics of the other machines to be posted later.

Photo 1:

Comments: Pic of the top with 4-knife cutterhead on the right.
Source: My camera in dad's polebarn.

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Photo 2:

Comments: Pic of the cutterhead and chain drive for infeed and outfeed rollers.
Source: My camera in dad's polebarn.

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Photo 3:

Comments: Pic of the base and 3HP 3 phase motor. You can see the BS and Unisaw on the left.
Source: My camera in dad's polebarn.

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Photo 4:

Comments: Pic showing base, tranny, and starter.
Source: My camera in dad's polebarn.

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Photo 5:

Comments: In action after reassembly.
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Photo 6:

Comments: Another action pic.
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