Photo Index - Oliver Machinery Co. - No. 92-D power-feed mortiser "before"

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Oliver Machinery Co.
Grand Rapids, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Mortising Machine
Machine Size:	BIG - about 1500 pounds
Submitted By:	Jeff McVey

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	No. 92-D power-feed mortiser "before"
Date of Manufacturer:	1929
Serial Number:
Last Updated	7/15/2004 8:14:01 PM

Comments:

I obtained this machine in January, 2004, for $100.00 from a metal-working machinery dealer. Like me, it's ex-Navy. This one had been at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California. It made the 400-mile trip home through the snow in my friend's pickup, and I unloaded with a rented forklift.

The power-feed No. 92 was developed from the earlier foot-feed No. 91. The No. 92 has a 5HP, direct-drive spindle motor, and a 1.5HP feed motor. The early 1920's Oliver catalogs show the No. 92 with a three-step pulley arrangement to provide three different feed speeds. Later literature shows a Reeves-drive feed mechanism. Mine must be an intermediate (or special Navy) version, as it has a three-speed transmission between the clutch and 90-degree gear reduction box.

After getting it home, I made the necessary repairs to get it running. As the big spindle motor starts unloaded, my shop-built 5HP phase converter had no trouble starting it. It doesn't take much effort to operate the machine. With both motors running, light pressure on the clutch pedal is all that's required to engage the clutch and start the feed. The feed can be stopped at any point by simply lifting your foot.

The machine is well equipped. It has large handwheels to adjust the longitudial and transverse positions of the table. Table height is adjusted with a crank handle that is also used to adjust stroke length. An easily-removed, adjustable-position workpiece clamp, mounted at the front of the table, is controlled by a third handwheel. Other clamping provisions include two adjustable rods, and a steel lip that's mounted on the table's backfence. Backfence (and lip) height is adjusted by a fourth handwheel on the right-hand end of the table. Adjustable stops are also provided for table movement, workpiece position, and stroke of the spindle motor.

Unlike most mortisers, this one does not employ a drill chuck. Rather, it uses individual collets for each different-size mortising bit. The straight-sided collets are not bored completely through, are threaded on the outside, and furnished with a round, knurled nut to fit the 3/4"-24 threads. They're held in the hollow shaft of the spindle motor by a setscrew. This arrangement provides very positive adjustment of the bit within the chisel by allowing the entire collet (and bit) to be moved up or down as required. It also prevents upward slippage of the bit - which is known to have ruined many a chisel! While only one collet (a 19/64") came with the machine, it did provide me with a pattern to duplicate. I've already made one from 3/4" drill rod using my metal lathe and mill. It required no great skill as a machinist, but was rather time-consuming as many steps were involved.

Chisels are held in bushings mounted in a cast housing that is bolted to the bottom of the spindle motor. With this housing removed and a drill chuck (with a 3/4" straight-shank arbor) installed, the machine doubles as a power-feed boring machine.

The mortiser was also missing most of the required electrical controls, and a few other odds 'n' ends, but all the critical pieces were there. So, I think it'll make a very nice addition to my shop.

I'm just posting "before" pictures at this time, but will add more when the restoration is completed. At the moment, it's in more than a few pieces, spread throughout my shop.

Photo 1:

Comments: The 92-D in my shop - "before"
Source: Jeff McVey photo

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Photo 2:

Comments: feed motor "before"
Source: Jeff McVey photo

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Photo 3:

Comments: spindle motor & collet "before"
Source: Jeff McVey photo

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