Photo Index - J. A. Fay & Co. - Foot powered mortiser

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
J. A. Fay & Co.
Keene, NH; South Keene, NH; Worcester, MA; Norwich, CT; Cincinnati, OH

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Mortising Machine
Machine Size:	n/a
Submitted By:	Art Shaw

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Foot powered mortiser
Date of Manufacturer:	probably before 1861
Serial Number:	haven't located it yet
Last Updated	9/15/2009 2:38:56 PM

Comments:

I traded this machine with a friend of mine for a WF & J Barnes #6 1/2 metal lathe. He had acquired it about 18 years ago at the sale of a small private museum. There is no name on it, only a patent date. Jeff Joslin has traced the patent to Edward Joslin, and the patent papers say it was manufactured by J. A. Fay & CO. It is very well engineered. The chisel holder slides up and down in dovetailed ways, the fence adjusts with a handwheel, the lever that reverses the chisel is very positive, the turned wooden finial at the top holds the set of chisels, and there is a slot where a wedje can be tapped in to loosen the chisel. The bracket to hold the table is missing, the fence bracket has been broken and welded. I think I will be able to restore much of the original colour and freehand decoration. There is a mortiser shown under Witherby, Rugg & Richarson that has all the same features on a slightly different column and base.

Photo 1:

Comments: side view
Source: photo by Art Shaw

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Note the decoration on the side of the column
Source: Photo by Art Shaw

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 3:

Comments: The chisel holder slides in dovetailed ways
Source: Photo by Art Shaw

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 4:

Comments: Patent date
Source: Photo by Art Shaw

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 5:

Comments: The finial held the chisels
Source: Photo by Art Shaw

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 6:

Comments: patent drawing
Source: Jeff Joslin

Direct Link
IMG Code