Photo Index - Walker-Turner Co., Inc. - SM705 Belt/Disk Sander

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Walker-Turner Co., Inc.
Jersey City, NJ; Plainfield, NJ

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Sander
Machine Size:	4"x52.5" belt/10" disk
Submitted By:	Richard McGowen

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	SM705 Belt/Disk Sander
Date of Manufacturer:	early 1940s - War Years
Serial Number:	13 639
Last Updated	2/3/2009 10:43:11 PM

Comments:

Full story to follow later.

Additional photos at:
http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/rcmg52/Walker%20Turner%20Sander/1940s%20SM705/

This model is a SM705 (the designation for a SM700 sander along with a stand).

This version is distinguished by its main body casting, the second of several variants used. Last photo below shows this second version featuring two distinct upright portions with a reinforcing web running in between. An earlier version was produced without this webbing. Starting around 1940, or shortly thereafter, this second version of the casting was introduced. Later still, by model 5510, the main body was filled in solid between uprights for yet more strength. Also the first two versions, used on models SM700/SM750, did not use a pulley cover leaving the step pulley opening exposed.

This early-1940s SM705 sander features an aluminum disk. An earlier version I date to 1939 features a cast iron disk.

In 1940, W/T badges changed to an orange(red) round badge prominently bearing the Walker Turner name in black lettering as is used on this machine.

In original form, this machine lacked any of the bright nickel plating evident on earlier models. Most hardware was bare steel or coated with a black, shellac-like coating. From close examination, beleive this to be original. One plating exception was that the T-knobs still have their original zinc plating. Earlier and later versions of these T-knobs were nickel plated. During the war, nickel would have been a rationed material, so it absence leads me to beleive this machine may have been made during WWII. Also castings are of a rougher quality. Accurately cast and machined, but not finished to remove casting slag and other cosmetic flaws, perhaps another war-time practicality. For these reasons I list the date above as being during the War Years.

Restored: Stripped to clean metal; new bearings throughout; new rubber cover for drive drum; components blackened in most cases*; corner bolt blocks zinc plated as original; color matched machine paint to W/T green/gray color as original; black painted accents used where original.

* Some parts are nickel plated as I batch plated pieces for another machine and these were in the mix. :^(

Photo 1: