Photo Index - American Machinery Co. (Grand Rapids) - Number 2

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
American Machinery Co. (Grand Rapids)
Grand Rapids, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Universal Trimmer
Machine Size:	5.75" x 15"
Submitted By:	Dennis Pantazis

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Number 2
Date of Manufacturer:	1892
Serial Number:	(View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	5/19/2005 10:58:57 AM

Comments:

Purchased from a elderly gentleman in Brookfield, Illinois May 2005. Unit found through online classifieds. Little known about the machine's history at this point.

Trimmer action is achieved by a rack cast into the underside of the blade carrier moved by a pinion.

Knives show stamp of "Detroit Knife Works" and are extensivly shimmed.

Adjustable fences on miter fences appear to have been reground more than once. The fillister heads screws show evidence of thread damage where they rubbed against the limit of the adjusting slots. The adjutable fences have jack screws of sorts to postivley position fence again the miter fence.

Miter fences lock with a 60 degree double 'dovetail' T-nut. The bed casting is machined to receive these nuts with a 160 degree arc. Rear of the arc is open and allows the nut to be removed.

The paint appears to be original to this machine. Red primer under black gloss paint shows at places of wear.

Bed of trimmer has common angles engraved in it. Notable feature of this trimmer is the range of angles includes both accute and obtuse angles possible at each knife.

Trimmer has what appears to be the original handle. The handle has a pawl which engages the pinion gear. Due to the long travel of the knives, it is possible to adjust the handle to achieve greater mechanical advantage in mid stroke or to return the handle to a rotating position to better suit the cut.

The pedastal base to the unit appears to be original. The pedastal is one piece cast iron and has a lip cast into the underside of the top to receive a large washer. A large 4 bladed wing nut draws a threaded stud in the underside of the trimmer tight against the top of the base and against the washer. The underside of the trimmer has a recess to recieve the base.

The original blade guards are intact and operable. However, one of the screws sheared off when trying to snug the gaurds tight. The original screws have been removed and modern hex head caps screws installed in their place.

Top of bed shows the number "35" stamped at the midpoint of the bed at the blade channel.

There appear to be 3 tapped holes in the fillet of the top casting which exit the casting in the blader holder channel at a 45 degree angle. There does not appear to be any room for a conventional gib or shim though.

The bed appears to be surface ground while the miter fences appear to have been simply fly-cut.

Photo 1:

Comments: Overall View
Source: My digi camera

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IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Rear of Unit
Source: My digi camera

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Photo 3:

Comments: Detail of Miter Fences
Source: My digi camera

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