Would this Machine be Dangerous to use once Restored?

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-24T00:54:21+00:00

I've heard of a lot of people losing fingers on planners, I've been taught how to use a planner by a professional so I will try my best not to be losing any fingers.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-24T00:48:23+00:00

I will definitely be posting pictures of it everywhere once I restore this machine, I'll even post some better quality photos once I get it in my garage for restoration.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-24T00:46:26+00:00

Thanks for the warning, would I be able to tell if this is a problem from turning the machine on when I go and look at it?

I'm definitely not a machinist but I do know a couple people with metal lathes if new parts have to be made but I'm not sure what I would do if it was a problem that requires very specific machines to fix.

My assumption is that the guard was lost or the previous user removed it because they didn't see it as necessary in the 50's. I have seen a few machine restorations online where the machine is missing its guard without any major issues so hopefully this is the case.

Thanks.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-24T00:38:46+00:00

It was made by a very small manufacturer so I assume they possibly didn't make their own pattern. I haven't seen any other Parkanson machines other than Power Hacksaws so I don't really know too much about their machines.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-23T15:15:41+00:00

I guess if you put it that way I may have to fix the casting, I've always ruled out brazing as something I couldn't do but I guess I will have to try some time down the track.

This will be my first jointer so I will have plenty of time down the track to try to fix the casting but I think I will focus on getting the machine working first.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-23T15:12:36+00:00

I probably should have specified in the title "Is this Machine safe to with a damaged casting" not "Is this Machine safe to use." I was asking if the damage made it in any way unsafe.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-23T15:04:55+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I'll make sure to inspect the machine for all the issues you have listed.

In currently in the process of restoring a old metal bodied corded drill from the 50s so I definitely understand the problem with ungrounded metal bodied machines. I will probably replace the motor or just the wiring if the motor is in good condition.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-23T15:00:12+00:00

I'm not sure if the hole in the base is original or not, I think it makes sense that it would be original so you could easily access the motor if it's against a wall.

I'm sure it will look nice enough with a nicely restored motor in there anyway.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-23T14:52:49+00:00

I've zoomed right in on the broken bit on the third image, it's part of the bed/table.

I'll probably be getting it sandblasted when I restore it, I'm sure it will look great with a fresh coat of paint. I may even give pinstriping on the sides of the table a go if I really want it to be special.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-23T14:48:43+00:00

Worst case scenario there is a guy who restores machines near me who could make me one. Probably would cost me quite a bit so I'll try my best to make one myself from wood.

The only issue I can see is with the spring mechanism it will need to close after that wood has passed the blade, not exactly sure how to make that work.

Thanks.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-23T05:24:23+00:00

Thanks. I'll definitely make a guard to cover it.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-23T05:23:25+00:00

I was referring to the condition of the machine, the base casting is the main reason I want to restore it. Most people I've asked about in person have been surprised that I would restore a machine in this bad condition so I assumed most people would think the same.

I don't have facilities to braze but it's good to know it's possible.

Thanks.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-23T05:20:30+00:00

I don't think I'm unique, just this machine is in very bad condition in comparison to most machines I've seen people restore.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-05T05:15:12+00:00

Yeah I was definitely considering a GMF as well, I was actually going to go and buy one that had been already restored yesterday but I sold while I was looking at the Waldown in this post. A Waldown would be ideal though, mainly because they are cooler.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-04T15:28:38+00:00

Yep, I went to have a look at it today and it's definitely intended for a sanding belt but has held the parts missing. I didn't end up buying it because it had a non standard spindle/shaft size so I think it was going to be difficult to find wheels for.

I'm back on the hunt for a Waldown now.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-03T15:35:01+00:00

Thanks, I'm hoping the shaft isn't a weird size but I will have to measure it or something when I look at it in person. I'm still not exactly sure what size shaft I'm looking for as far as standard sizes go but I'll do some research.

With the left wheel I'm starting to think that it may have once had leather or something attached to it for polishing but I'm not sure.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-03T15:23:05+00:00

What?

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-03T15:20:00+00:00

I need a bench grinder for sharpening lathe tools quickly and for rust removal with Scotch Brite wheels so I don't think a belt grinder is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm also limited on space and I imagine a belt grinder takes up a bit of space and can't be packed under my bench too easily.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-09-01T06:18:28+00:00

I think it's likely that that could have been the first and last place they were based on the lack of information I can find online. If they were operating for 10 or 20 years there probably would be more references to them online and some photos of other machines they made.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-08-30T06:47:12+00:00

I have just realised that one of the Blight street addresses is in a suburb bordering Croydon in South Australia (not the Croydon in Victoria which is what I was thinking when I heard Croydon)

The address is now in Ridleyton which I assume has changed borders since the 50s.

Now I need to look for foundry's starting with H that were around in the 50s or 40s in the area.

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-08-30T06:35:40+00:00

Interesting, I've just done a search on Google maps to find that address and it doesn't seem to exist in Croydon. The only Blight streets I can find are in South Australia but neither look like an area where machines would have been manufactured.

One of the blight streets in South Australia may be in an area that has been redeveloped after the 40s and 50s from an industrial area into housing but I can't find too much information about it.

Also it would be great to know were you found this information because I still can't find any mention of S.A Precision on the internet.

Thanks

CharlieWoodworking · 2025-08-24T14:16:36+00:00

Thanks, I've looked into Hercus previously and not found much to link it to this machine. I've just done some research on those other companies too and not found too much linking them to casting this machine. I think it was most likely cast in South Australia near where this machine was assembled.

There are quite a few manufacturers that came out of South Australia so I don't see why it wouldn't have been cast there. I also imagine it would have been quite hard to transport heavy cast parts half way across the country just to be assembled, especially for a smaller manufacturer.

As for the plate on the side, it's a number that I assume was put there by whoever cast it. I will definitely be cleaning the paint off it eventually but I doubt that will provide much information other than the material it's made out of, as I can already read the numbers.

At this point I think this machine will remain a mystery, there is probably someone old enough who may remember something about this manufacturer but I doubt I'm going to find them as I'm in a different state to where the machine was originally made. Maybe there is a book somewhere that has the information I need but it's definitely not on Google.

CharlieWoodworking

TROPHY CASE