No.394 was acquired in 2016 in a sorry state. It had rust spots, worn bearings, damaged thread dies, broken springs and no set-up spacers or spares of any kind…. Just the kind of challenge we love! GAME ON!
Spoke machine view under slide
Spoke machine top slide revealing top die
Spoke machine on worktable
Spoke machine inside view
Spoke machine front-side view
Spoke machine back-top
Spoke machine rear view
Spoke machine eccentric
Spoke machine close up of slide
Spoke machine front view
Spoke machine angled view
Work commenced on full disassembly, careful consideration on which faces could be re-ground and assessment of which components would require replacement.
Close up of main body
Phil Wood Spoke Machine Refurbishment
Brass handle bushing
Although Phil Wood still sell these machines, it is said that the older ones used better steel and certain components which reduces any movement during the rolling process to create a better thread. We can’t verify this although we can say No.394 is working beautifully these days and will continue to for many more years!