English Machinery Enthusiast , Jack Forsberg's Story

[Andrew Joiner]

Jack Forsberg has posted many pictures and videos here of his beautiful machinery. I'm sure many of you have wanted to know more about him and his work. Jack has graciously agreed to answer a few questions in a recent PM. Sounds like he's willing to answer questions from any of us as well.

Jack,

When and where did you start woodworking? How old are you? How big is your shop?

Do you do woodworking for a living and what's your specialty/ favorite type work?

Please tell us about your first old machine and how it got to be such a passion for you.

Thanks for doing this Jack.

[jack forsberg]

I'll start with my past and post on my machinery rebuilds later.



I started woodworking as a little boy making toys on a scroll saw and taking pallets to make tree houses and go carts and what ever i thought i could. I would dream of the things i could make and then go out and try with what ever tools i could find or wood i could get and build them .I would do nothing but think of building all the ideas in my head . I knew at a very young age I was going to be a woodworker. I was 8 years old the first time i went to the lumber order desk and my eyes just made it over the counter. I think the men there had more fun than me as I order my own lumber loaded it on my bicycle and went home. There are a few of this type of yard around still but most are gone now and shopping carts replace factory carts.

My first summer job in woodworking I was 15 years old and i work at a small two man shop making pick nick tables and wooden lawn furniture. I got $3 an hour and work long days in western red cedar hammering by hand finishing nails all day long. Not many tools in this shop only a sears 12" RAS with a carbon steel blade you would hand file as it got dull. One day I think the second week i was there the owner came to me and said "you are not to bad with that hammer boy". As we sat and had morning break he told me that they were glade that they had picked me over an older man for this job and they were pleased with how I was working in the shop. I was just heaving fun and people were giving me money fore it. I had only one other job after this with a great bunch of craftsmen (Craftsman i am grateful for knowing who spent the time to teach me all they knew). By the age of 25 I was on my own.

Its was at this point that I was looking at machinery to outfit a shop for the first time. All the places i have worked at had some good industrial machine and the shops in High school did too. at this point in my life i knew nothing of OWWM. I got shinny new and i payed. it took me a few years to get the few machines that i needed. I worked out of a 2 car garage of 350 square feet for a number of years with a TS planer jointer band saw and RAS. I made a living there but it was hard. My wife wendy Girl friend at the time wanted to get a house and we had a hard time getting money from the bank because i was self employed but i had saved enough for a down payment for a small house and i told her it had to have a 2 car garage and same land. Wendy has always supported my crazy dreams and agreed I would work from home. We were very lucking to find what we did as i look back now at the city growing in around us.

the shop building years were fun and this was my time to for fun in woodworking again for me. Working for clients is not the same as building for the sake of building and i did not hold back. My shop was going to be wooden as all woodworking shops should be. I built a 1000 square foot shop in back yard and at the time i thought this is plenty. it had no siding or window by the time i had to get back to work and pay my bills. It took many years to finish it but it was like i was a kid again making my tree house and it lit a fire under me.

the Machinery came in slowly at first based on my work. I was doing more mill work and needed a better planer and jointer. At this point all i had was a small hitachi . i up graded to a shiny new 20" General with there 8" jointer . The shop production improved and i took on more work. My friends were always looking for wood or things that may interest me and this is how i came to be introduced to OWWM. I got a call one morning about a funny drill press a friend had that picks up scrap mental on the side. He had not taken it to the yard because he thought it was still useful. "jack come look at this drill press" he said and I was of to see what it was. when i got there there was a big lump under a blue tarp and i remember thinking that one heck of a drill press. He pulled the tarp off and and there it was a Wadkin Bursgreen hollow chisel mortiser. At the time i did not know it was a Wadkin but i knew it was a mortiser even though it just had a drill bit in and no chisel in it. I do not know what came over me but this machine was the coolest i had ever see and i had to have it. My friend could see my eyes pop and with a laughing voice asked "could you use something like that jack"?. I was all over it like kid in a candy store. "It looks like the machine we had in my high school wood shop class" i said. My friend said the Guy he got it from had picked up some machines and it did come from a school shop. He had keep it for a few years and when it came time to power it up he did not have 3 Phase. I asked "what is 3 phase?". "Oh that's that power they use in the big industrial parks and i am not sure but its does not work on house hold power this machine". "Do you still want it"? he asked. My answer was " how much". " Well i got 25 into it jack". "$2500 is a lot of money buddy and just don't have it now" i said. My hopes of have the mortiser drop like a wet sack of potatoes. My friend started laughing again and said "No Jack $25".

the inter net is what did it for me. Its was 10 years latter that i would find all the OWWM i could every hope for and that is when I got" ARN desesee" (Wadkinitis real bad). The information and all of the forums lit a fire under me again. It was at this point I realised i could have what ever machine i needed or wanted or that i thought was cool. The hording began. Up until this point i had not work with any "real Wadkin" only the Wadkin Bursgreen (Sagar years) gray stuff. This was the best machine i had worked with and if i saw one i was on it. there were lots of great machines to pick from but it was The wadkin JY bobbin sander( a pattern makers machine that blow my socks off). It was a sad thing but i had never seen one before. This was one of the first i striped down and rebuilt from the ground up. The machine tags and the quality of this machine let alone the beauty and function set me on a mission.

The dream of the Wadkin Temple was going to have just Wadkin machines and i set out looking for anything Wadkin. The first time i laid eyes on the PK I said OH MY GOD!. than i saw a big Wadkin Lathe come up for sell. Its was happening i was going to get the shop of my dreams. I have spent the last 4 years "Jackifining" these amazing machines and i see an end in sight. It has been a major disruption to the wood working but my shop is coming back together better than i could have ever dreamed. I am going to build until the day i die ,but this time the machines will last. I can only imagine the relationship with machine like these will bring me after years of using them solely. What has yet to come out of me in woodworking with these machine will set me apart from the world as it goes it way. I will become a better artist/craftman as I have always been and build ,build,build until the day i die.

I see each one of these forks in My road as part of becoming a Master Craftsman and master of oneself.


The mill shop(AKA the Wadkin Temple) is almost done.

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/shop001_zps8eaddd1f.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/shop001_zps8eaddd1f.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/shop002_zpsbc0c8800.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/shop002_zpsbc0c8800.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/shop003_zps994231a9.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/shop003_zps994231a9.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/unloadcc006_zps4070eeb5.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/unloadcc006_zps4070eeb5.jpg.html)

[Andrew Joiner]

The Wadkin Temple is amazing! What's on the trailer?

[Jim Andrew]

Jack, I think you have it named right! You may have outdone the whole forum, but I have seen some fantastic shops posted here. We'll have to see what comes up. Don't think I'll try to compete with you.

[jack forsberg]

the mill Shop was to make room in the bench shop by moving all the mill work and mill machinery to it. The 2 wadkin machines on the trailer are 18" wadkin RASs with 28" cross cut . The 2 shops are small with the bench shop only at 1200 sf and the Mill shop at 1000 sf(2000sf under the roof if you count over hangs) The 2 car garage on the house not seen here is wood storage for my slabs . so i have about 2500 sf to work with not counting the outdoor work areas. Power is single Phase with the use of VFDs and a RPC with transformer to runn many of the 3 phase machinery. I have 120/240 at 100 amps single phase with 208/340/600 60amps 3 phase to run the machinery. all this was built from industrial surplus .

the bench shop(AKA the fitting case work shop)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0023-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0023-1.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0436.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0436.jpg.html)



we build every thing. the window doors siding hard ware. the widow use old glass that we save and i do like the historic windows.

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0114.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0114.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0115.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0115.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0116.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0116.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0121.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0121.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0120.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0120.jpg.html)


as for the work that puts bead on the table and keeps us going it is all of my design . i will not do others designs. So we are the designer and the maker.

here is a an 1850 stone church we added to and did all the the furniture in as well.
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/003-2.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/003-2.jpg.html)


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/004-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/004-1.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/005-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/005-1.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/006-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/006-1.jpg.html)

[Jeff Duncan]

The part I find amazing is you have time to do all that and still make a living! I'm happy when I can actually take a week off once or twice a year for a vacation, forget about time to work on my own projects:o

I think you definitely have the Wadkin market covered in your area:)

JeffD

[Erik Manchester]

Jack certainly has an impressive collection of beautifully restored British industrial woodworking machinery in a custom-designed shop to die for, but what is truly impressive is that these machines are in use every day as he earns his living.

I have been to visit the Wadkin Temple when I lived inly 5 minutes away, hoping to visit again someday, unquestionably worth the trip.

[jack forsberg]

you have to make time for yourself as no one else will Jeff. i will only post one more of my work as most people want to see the tools.

this is the last job we did. I am very behind the times as my designs come from a pencil
http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/crow008_zps5a659349.jpg.html?sort=3&o=55


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/crow006_zps2cd90ed5.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/crow006_zps2cd90ed5.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/crows006_zpsf960b31c.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/crows006_zpsf960b31c.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/crows002_zpsb044b95d.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/crows002_zpsb044b95d.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/crows012_zpsfccb1cb3.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/crows012_zpsfccb1cb3.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/crows016_zps1ada3881.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/crows016_zps1ada3881.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/crows018_zps8f637f99.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/crows018_zps8f637f99.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/crows019_zpsc2908c24.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/crows019_zpsc2908c24.jpg.html)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW3gpYdhQAA


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/newel008_zpsa89bec24.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/newel008_zpsa89bec24.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/crows001_zps6d119328.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/crows001_zps6d119328.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/turning004_zpsfb8dcaa2.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/turning004_zpsfb8dcaa2.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/turning001_zps4846e62b.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/turning001_zps4846e62b.jpg.html)

[Andrew Joiner]

Very nice work Jack. The live edge church furniture and handrail are very cool. I'd love to see more of your work as well as the machines.


The part I find amazing is you have time to do all that and still make a living!
I was thinking the same thing, Jeff. It takes a lot of time and energy!

How old are you, Jack? Do you work alone?

[jack forsberg]

much of my work is on film so it is not on the computer. most of what we do is mill work. I am 52 year old and only have Adam full time and use a number of sub. I and Adam do mill work.


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IM000346.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IM000346.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IM000270.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IM000270.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IM000302.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IM000302.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadephilpes283.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadephilpes283.jpg.html)

we do get to do some fun stuff too.



http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/CCI07142013_00018_zps6e34bf5a.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/CCI07142013_00018_zps6e34bf5a.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/3beb0f1d-7f0f-4952-a48e-ba59b387e4c0_zps1b597c81.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/3beb0f1d-7f0f-4952-a48e-ba59b387e4c0_zps1b597c81.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/007bb7d5-1dca-40ff-9632-61cf954d8edf_zpsb45f9083.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/007bb7d5-1dca-40ff-9632-61cf954d8edf_zpsb45f9083.jpg.html)

[Frederick Skelly]

A great story! Glad for your success! Your work is really something to behold. Wow!
Fred

[Bill ThompsonNM]

Wow. Very inspiring!

[jack forsberg]

I will try to show the machines i rebuilt in the order i did them . this will be pic heavy.

Wadkin JY bobbin sander. This is a pattern makers machine that has cast into the table dust collection. It has oil bath bronzes works with wicks that oil the ways all internally when running. full rise and fall of 9" bobbins with tilting table and self load spindles for standard papers. This one is as rare as rocking horse poo.


1942

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/100-0002_IMG.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/100-0002_IMG.jpg.html)


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/100-0002_IMG.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/100-0002_IMG.jpg.html).

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rockwell40c016.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/rockwell40c016.jpg.html)


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rockwell40c007.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/rockwell40c007.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rockwell40c018.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/rockwell40c018.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rockwell40c006.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/rockwell40c006.jpg.html)

[jack forsberg]

1950s Delta 40C 14" RAS

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rockwell40c039.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/rockwell40c039.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rockwell40c036.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/rockwell40c036.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rockwell40c045.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/rockwell40c045.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rockwell40c041.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/rockwell40c041.jpg.html)

[jack forsberg]

Powermatic 95 1962

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/100-0005_IMG.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/100-0005_IMG.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/scrollsaw024.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/scrollsaw024.jpg.html)


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/scrollsaw026.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/scrollsaw026.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/scrollsaw022.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/scrollsaw022.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/scrollsaw025.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/scrollsaw025.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/hardwoodflooring004.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/hardwoodflooring004.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/scrollsaw029.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/scrollsaw029.jpg.html)

[Bruce Mack]

A great story! Glad for your success! Your work is really something to behold. Wow!
Fred
Stunning work, Jack. Thank you.

[jack forsberg]

1942 Wadkin RS 10 pattern makers lathe 8 feet between centers.

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkinrs005.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkinrs005.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0063-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0063-1.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0074.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0074.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0080.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0080.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0081.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0081.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0406.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0406.jpg.html)

[jack forsberg]

1952 Bursgreen (before the Wadkin take over) 16" MZF band saw.

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0145-2.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0145-2.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0139-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0139-1.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0154-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0154-1.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0319.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0319.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0327.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0327.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0328.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0328.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0325.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0325.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/CCF08202009_000014-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/CCF08202009_000014-1.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0320.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0320.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0329.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0329.jpg.html)


i sometimes modified my machines and is this case i added a counter balance to the guild post.

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/009-17.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/009-17.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/008-21.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/008-21.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/007-23.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/007-23.jpg.html)

[Doug Ladendorf]

Jack, your beautiful work with wood is matched by your work with machines. Thanks for sharing here.

I see no one has mentioned Jack's YouTube channel: http://m.youtube.com/channel/UCI6jpIs2zjN9DmVvK2ZAWXA

[CPeter James]

Jack,

Really nice things. Could I ask what the serial number of your Wadkin RS10 lathe is? I am trying to figure out the vintage of my RS6 which looks a lot like your RS10 as far as the headstock goes.

Thank you.

CPeter

[jack forsberg]

Jack, your beautiful work with wood is matched by your work with machines. Thanks for sharing here.

I see no one has mentioned Jack's YouTube channel: http://m.youtube.com/channel/UCI6jpIs2zjN9DmVvK2ZAWXA

Thank you Doug. I do the machines as best i can to remind me to always do my best.

1951 Bursgreen parallelogram beds with skewed knife head. very rare machine.


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0203.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0203.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0197.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0197.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/Picture017.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/Picture017.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/Picture018.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/Picture018.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/Picture023.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/Picture023.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/Picture029.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/Picture029.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/Picture030.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/Picture030.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/016-4.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/016-4.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/021-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/021-1.jpg.html)


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/022-2.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/022-2.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/026-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/026-1.jpg.html)

[jack forsberg]

if you can tell me the test number i can date it. also the machine number is useful . that the number after the the RS on the tag


Jack,

Really nice things. Could I ask what the serial number of your Wadkin RS10 lathe is? I am trying to figure out the vintage of my RS6 which looks a lot like your RS10 as far as the headstock goes.

Thank you.

CPeter

[jack forsberg]

the Wadkin PK 18" slider

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0505_1-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0505_1-1.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0508.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0508.jpg.html)


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0513.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0513.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0527.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0527.jpg.html)


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0514.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0514.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0516.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0516.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0526.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0526.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0530.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0530.jpg.html)


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0532.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0532.jpg.html)

[jack forsberg]

the Wadkin DR 30: high speed band saw.

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkindr021-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkindr021-1.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/003-5.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/003-5.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/003-10.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/003-10.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/004-7.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/004-7.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/002-14.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/002-14.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/004-9.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/004-9.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/018-2.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/018-2.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/013-6.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/013-6.jpg.html)


coin test run


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYVqoiWFeBg

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Thanks for posting all of this Jack, your work and attention to detail is remarkable. Any one piece of that portfolio is something unto itself, but to see it in its entirety is profound and inspirational, machines and millwork.

Do you have all the machines you want now, or is there something that's next on the list?

[jack forsberg]

Thanks for posting all of this Jack, your work and attention to detail is remarkable. Any one piece of that portfolio is something unto itself, but to see it in its entirety is profound and inspirational, machines and millwork.

Do you have all the machines you want now, or is there something that's next on the list?

thank you Steve. No i am still looking for a few special machines like an EQ spindle moulder and a Sagar disk sander. also tool room tooling machines.

1959 Stenner BL chain chisel mortiser.Have not seen another in the world.

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/SrennerBL040.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/SrennerBL040.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/001-38.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/001-38.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/stenner3002.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/stenner3002.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/stenner3004.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/stenner3004.jpg.html)


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/stenner3005.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/stenner3005.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/stennerfinish006.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/stennerfinish006.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/stenner2003.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/stenner2003.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/stennerfinish008.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/stennerfinish008.jpg.html)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3uCDK59Qtw

[jack forsberg]

the Wadkin RM 26" over under true pattern maker planer. 1942

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_01961.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_01961.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/IMG_0192-1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0192-1.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/008-17.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/008-17.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/008-25.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/008-25.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/016-5.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/016-5.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/015-6.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/015-6.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/006-36.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/006-36.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/002-40.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/002-40.jpg.html)

the head was completely rebuilt to take modern molding tooling.


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/head003_zpsce131e2d.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/head003_zpsce131e2d.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/head012_zpse742970a.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/head012_zpse742970a.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/head015_zps800a11cd.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/head015_zps800a11cd.jpg.html)

[Loren Woirhaye]

Jack, is that a clamshell cutterhead?

Do you have an opinion on them?

[jack forsberg]

Jack, is that a clamshell cutterhead?

Do you have an opinion on them?

Hi Loren

if you are referring to the plate type head from Oliver( a German patent) than yes this is a plate type head.

the Wadkin head is a marvel of engineering where as the Oliver is faulted. These plate type heads were introduce to stem the severity of injury with chip limiting plates and not because square heads were losing knifes. The plates add there own problems but to be fair the design is still in use. The Oliver head is nothing special other than its perpetuation on the dangers of old tooling by lumping wadkin type tooling all together as unsafe,dangerous.outlawed. There have been in more resent years tooling flying off heads of the most modern. the popularity of the screw down carbide that cracks if not over tightened or dirt under its set is claimed safer than gib heads now. The knifes are so small no one is alarmed by this. Yet this modern tooling is a type of blot down knife cutter head. Why would a modern maker of machine cuter tooling go back to this type of knife holding arrangement? the answer is simple. Cutting geometry

Loren i think the problem is that people think that this type tooling is outlawed but the fact is it is in the industry today. Much of it in consumer grade tools you can get at home depot.

Any one who owns a Hitachi planer jointer knows that there heads are fundamentally the same style as the Oliver clam shell cutter block ,a square head with rounded plates. Oliver used bolts to hold down knifes and plates on a square head and called it the "safety head" . The Oliver heads have the same story attached to them being dangerous as the square heads do . The fault with the Oliver heads was that the plates pinched the knife in place and not under the bolt head. only pressure of the plates held the knifes and if they were not clean or the bolts in good shape could let the knife slip with catastrophic results. Still this was not common .

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/jointeraccident002.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/jointeraccident002.jpg.html)

now it should be noted that the Oliver head is a poor design and that in no way faults the plate type head of other makers like Porter or Wadkin or Robinson. To be fair to the Americans it was a German patent head sold to Oliver machinery Co so its really poor German design. The wadkin Plate type head is an engineering marvel on the other hand. For one the knifes are keyed in slots so the knifes can't slip if the pined plates become loose and they use studs and nuts to hold the plates/knifes on unlike the Oliver spanner bolts did. The Wadkin chip breaker is part of the head that is made of forged steel and not a separate piece screwed on like the Oliver. The wadkin head is no more dangerous than the gib slot cutting block is today.

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/Oliver_Clamshell1_zps44a14087.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/Oliver_Clamshell1_zps44a14087.jpg.html)

The modern Hitachi uses the plate type head mind you on a smaller scale (around 2.5" and not 6" round like the Oliver or wadkin) in the case of the Hitachi the 2 knife head spins at 10,000 rpm about 3 time faster than the older larger heads did to get the knife marks per inch of its glass finish. In fact it uses tipped knifes as and what most square head cutter blocks uses use today. all very old ideas in cutting/milling wood.

Hitachi head with knifes and plates
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/89f3dec8-df5e-40da-887c-62e02b28ac56_zpsd670ca66.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/89f3dec8-df5e-40da-887c-62e02b28ac56_zpsd670ca66.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/2-Pcs-Single-Flute-HSS-Electric-Planer-Blade_zps28903255.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/2-Pcs-Single-Flute-HSS-Electric-Planer-Blade_zps28903255.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/2PCS-Power-Tool-Part-Planer-Cover-Protector-Black_zps45a7feca.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/2PCS-Power-Tool-Part-Planer-Cover-Protector-Black_zps45a7feca.jpg.html)







here you can see that the Wadkin plate cutter block is tapered on the sides the jointer knifes plates/clams go.
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rmhead001.jpg


the wadkin head has keyed jacking/ knife adjustment screws and you don't need the plates to to hold the knifes from slipping like the Oliver head. the stud hole is through the head and the stud bottom on a small rim on the top edge.
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rmhead002.jpg

a set of Wadkin spent knifes(no life left) with the key slot at the back on the blade. only half of the knifes are useful in this design. the blade are about 1 1/2" wide when new. You are still able to get theses from the UK.

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rmhead003.jpg
i have found regular knifes placed in front of the key screw. this is very dangerous with this type head as it would only hold the knife like the Oliver
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rmhead004.jpg
the moulding blocks have a 12" section for square head moulding knifes in the jointer head and it does not upset the straight knifes.
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rmhead005.jpg

because the head skwes the knifes the cutting angle (rake) of the knifes gives a hard wood rake on one side of the head the t thinner gives the softwood side of the head. Taper is about 5/8" this is what skews the knife.
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rmhead006.jpg
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rmhead007.jpg
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/rmhead009.jpg

hope you enjoyed the view of the Wadkin Plate type head.

[Bruce Page]

We're looking at the "Leno's Garage" of woodworking!

[jack forsberg]

:d:d:d:d:d


we're looking at the "leno's garage" of woodworking!

[jack forsberg]

1946 delta 17" drill press with foot feed.

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/DeltaVFD005_zps210b3d75.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/DeltaVFD005_zps210b3d75.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/17-600003_zpsa731ee44.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/17-600003_zpsa731ee44.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/17-600002_zpsbef93077.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/17-600002_zpsbef93077.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/DeltaVFD003_zpsc4486ee5.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/DeltaVFD003_zpsc4486ee5.jpg.html)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIEwVt3kswU

[jack forsberg]

1935 wood metal SpeedAx bandsaw 1935


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/seepax_zpsb8a8311a.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/seepax_zpsb8a8311a.jpg.html)


http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/speedax005_zpsa295a9f1.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/speedax005_zpsa295a9f1.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/speedax006_zps10b39aa8.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/speedax006_zps10b39aa8.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/speedax007_zps917396fe.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/speedax007_zps917396fe.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/sprrdax4004_zps605b6f69.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/sprrdax4004_zps605b6f69.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/003-21_zpsde17244a.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/003-21_zpsde17244a.jpg.html)

i made the light and fences

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/002-42_zpsb3b9156b.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/002-42_zpsb3b9156b.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/speedxafinish002_zpsd59a08fe.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/speedxafinish002_zpsd59a08fe.jpg.html)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEnLzQUlhVU

[Doug Ladendorf]

Jack can you share some tips on your bright work? What is your schedule for cleaning, polishing, buffing?

http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/IMG_0526.jpg.html

[Loren Woirhaye]

Thanks. I have a pre-war German made jointer with a clamshell head in my stuff and I'll have to consider what to do with it when I make the time and space to get it running.

[jack forsberg]

Oliver bottom scroll sander 1946

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/oliver190D001_zps01a88c14.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/oliver190D001_zps01a88c14.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/oliver190D006_zps5ce018b2.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/oliver190D006_zps5ce018b2.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/oliver190D002_zps10f89dff.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/oliver190D002_zps10f89dff.jpg.html)
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/oliver190D016_zps7095caa2.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/oliver190D016_zps7095caa2.jpg.html)
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/oliver190D005_zps902f08a2.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/oliver190D005_zps902f08a2.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/oliver190D007_zps326ee77b.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/oliver190D007_zps326ee77b.jpg.html)
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/oliver190D015_zps3e94c1f4.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/oliver190D015_zps3e94c1f4.jpg.html)
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/oliver190D009_zpsa1a55d65.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/oliver190D009_zpsa1a55d65.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/oliver190D010_zps92242e5d.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/oliver190D010_zps92242e5d.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/oliver190D013_zps3592471a.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/oliver190D013_zps3592471a.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/oliver190D014_zps2e488819.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/oliver190D014_zps2e488819.jpg.html)

that's its for today i will post the rest of the machines later. Thanks for looking.

[Mike Delyster]

Thanks Jack.

Great story. Very nice woodworking and some beautiful old machines.

[Kyle Stiefel]

Incredible stuff! Thank you for sharing.

[Bruce Page]

Jack, I see a lot of custom brass and aluminum parts, many with straight and diamond knurling. Are you doing the machine work? What are your metal working machines?

[Lornie McCullough]

Jack... I have often thought your shop would be the perfect place to drink my morning coffee and make plans for the day. Such an inspirational facility. And then I would wander back to my own shop and work for the day.

Thank you for this "Ask Me Anything" thread. You have already answered the two questions I had.

Lornie

[jack forsberg]

Jack, I see a lot of custom brass and aluminum parts, many with straight and diamond knurling. Are you doing the machine work? What are your metal working machines?


Bruce i don't have any and yes i am doing the work.

[jack forsberg]

Lormie i have my coffee and stay. work get done that needs done. it is a shop trust me.


Jack... I have often thought your shop would be the perfect place to drink my morning coffee and make plans for the day. Such an inspirational facility. And then I would wander back to my own shop and work for the day.

Thank you for this "Ask Me Anything" thread. You have already answered the two questions I had.

Lornie

[Andrew Joiner]

Jack, Did you ever work in a British or European shop? How did you learn so much about European machines and methods of work?

[Jeff Duncan]

I think another aspect of collecting that would be neat to hear about is how you've acquired your equipment. I've found as my machines and needs got bigger, I've resorted to traveling farther and even having machines shipped across country. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you didn't get lucky enough to have all these rare Wadkin machines show up in your backyard? So care to comment on your perspective on obtaining these chunks of iron and how far you've traveled for them and/or had them shipped from?

JeffD

[Dennis McDonaugh]

Beautiful building. I see old railroad depots come up for sale occasionally and my fantasy was to convert one into a wood shop. The problem is, while they are cheap to buy, they are expensive to move and everything in my rural subdivision has to be site built.

[Rick Fisher]

Really beautiful machines Jack .. I am in awe

[Jim Matthews]

There's something cheerful and eager about these machines that no Apple product will ever display.

I can't imagine the hours that go into the care and feeding of these lovely old girls.
Nice to see at least one man that wants to see them dance, again.

(And make the coolest door, ever. That too.)

[jack forsberg]

thanks guys. For those that enjoy this sort of thing we hold an annual event at the Wadkin Temple. The Great Canadian Rust Junky Fest(GCRGF) is on the 5 of July this year and we will be melting some Iron and making a casting in our home made fourndry. The GCRJF is the Sturgis falls of iron Kit in the eastern Ont.

If your in Ottawa the event is free. Its a tool exchange and barque and lots of very talented people will be here in " Wadkinville". Information on the event can be found on my you tube channel(jack English machines) or PM me if you need information and want to come. I may even let you try one of the "Jackified"wadkins.