Development of the Wadkin RB Surface Planer.

[Vann]

The fourteenth batch on the Batch List:

Batch A 2572 - RBs 834 to 905 - 72 machines commissioned 23rd June, 1950:
RB 839, test 41647, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 849, test 41831, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 858, test 41973, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 876, test 42337, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 884, test 42634, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 886, test 42636, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag;
RB 893, test 42643, of 1952 - New Zealand - Wadkin Ltd. cast tag.

The first thing of note is the introduction of the 3rd type of fence.


This fence is the basic fence off the larger Wadkin RD surface planer (12" & 16"), but without handwheel adjustment. This fence has two gates, as opposed to the single gate on the first and second types of RB fence.


Note that it required a modified infeed table with a larger (and possibly repositioned) landing for the fence mounting.

The same fence was also used on the Wadkin RM planer/thicknesser.

These machines have the following features:
- 3rd type of fence, making its debut;
- 4th type of handwheels - cast aluminium, 3-spokes (same as batch A-2469 and A-2547);
- base casting with opening in boss for pushbuttons (same as batch A-2320, 2372, 2469 and A-2547); and
- base casting with opening for standard (and wider) electric control gear door (same as batch A-2469 and A-2547).

Cheers, Vann.

 

[Vann]

I've quietly been adding more RBs to the lists, but the thread has slowly been dropping down and might soon be on page three :shock: :eusa-snooty: It needs a bump.

So here are two more RBs, early ones, to add. RB 308 and RB 349.

RB 308.



RB 349.


Both surface planers appear to share the same features:
- second type of fence (with distinctive "classic" tall link);
- second type of handwheels - cast, knobbed; and
- base with no electrical provisions (no switchgear cabinet, no opening for "On/Off" pushbuttons), and therefore have the arched opening at rear.

In fact the biggest difference is that one was built in Wadkin & Co. days (pre-1936), while the other was built by "Wadkin Ltd".

RB 308, test 5098, of March, 1936 - United Kingdom - Wadkin & Co. cast tag; and
RB 349, test 7634, of Sept., 1937 - United Kingdom - Wadkin Ltd. tin tag.

Edit: test dates confirmed for these two machines.

Cheers, Vann.

 

[Vann]

I've quietly been adding more RBs to the lists, but the thread needs a bump.

As part of a separate project, I've been working on establishing Test dates for Wadkin machines leaving the Green Lane works in Leicester. This has taken on extra importance as Wallace has decided to discontinue his wadkinrestorations website, so there is no longer a quick reference for dating Wadkins.

Working with a contact at the firm who hold Wadkins records I've been working through the 1930s to establish Test dates for early machines (the wadkinrestorations site started at 1937). I have recently received information on test dates for 1932 and an RB surface planer turned up as tested early that year.

RBA 200, test 1493, of 2nd February, 1932.

I'll add it to the lists on previous pages.

Cheers, Vann.

 

[Guineafowl21]

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/wadkin-planer-old-british-iron-with-motor.138896/

Another one for sale here, @Vann

 

[Wolf]

The seventh batch on the Batch List:

Batch A 2258 - RBs 534 to 557 - 24 machines commissioned 30th October, 1945:
nil.

Another one where I haven't found pictures of any machines from the batch.

Cheers, Vann.

I have RB 540 if its of interest?

 

[Guineafowl21]

Are you still about @Vann? I found this. Not sure if it’s an RB. Seems to have a rack for advancing the fence.

 

[Trevanion]

Are you still about @Vann? I found this. Not sure if it’s an RB. Seems to have a rack for advancing the fence.

That's a Wadkin Bursgreen FS, which was originally the Bursgreen JR before Wadkin bought them. One thing to note is the parallelogram adjustment on the infeed and outfeed tables rather than incline ways.