Millers Falls Beam Boring Machine (Antique)

[jobyb2006]

I am currently restoring a nice Antique Millers Falls Beam Boring machine. I just went to the Country Fair at a local farm/museum and got to use one that a guy had there for people to try, It was quite a coincidence since I had purchased one to restore and had not gotten it yet. Never used one, but it is a pretty ingenious and awesome tool, which apparently is still used today by quite a few people need to bore holes into larger beams. You sitt or kneel on it to hold it down...this one is adjustable for boring at angles, some models are 90 degree only, as most beam hole are 90's even on 45'd pieces 1/2 the holes are 90's.

anyhow my question is does anyone have or know what the model # may be or a source for info?
I have seen very similar machine called T-41, but really have no clue, I found some old advertisements for the machine but no model #'s, a longshot I am sure, but maybe someone here knows a little about them. I have locked online for a bit and found some interesting ads etc...

This one is not too bad, good thing is machine has all the parts and they are all original I think. it has engraving from I assume the original owner, I looked himup online, he was married in 1906, and wrote a review for some other old tool that was in a magazine or something way back when...I found the ad online as well.

its a pretty complicated machine actually, employs a few springs and levers and handles and stuff LOL..the wood base has 2 cracks I have to repair, I plan to strip it completely down, take it down to bare metal polish and oil all of the metal to attempt to keep away rust, I have already taken wooden base apart, and it is amazing how 2 bolts hold the 5 pieces together, the design is pretty ingenious, everything is rabbit jointed and fits like a puzzle. Anyhow I was thinking of some Oak Stain and a coating of some quality Spar, I cannot find color picture of original finishes, I think oak will look sweet though, am open to suggestions.. will be resuming this project on tomorrow, as its off to Six Flags Great America today for me..

anyhow here are a couple pics, and any help or advice would be great...thanks, Ill put up a picture or two when i am done if anyone cares to take a look...

 

[John in OH]

That is one cool machine!! It never ceases to amaze me how really clever the old folks were when it came to designing mechanical devices to make their jobs easier! Enjoy your restoration!

Suggest you post your question on the Old Woodworking Machine forum at: http://www.owwm.org/

 

[jobyb2006]

Thanks for the tip, have contacted the board for approval.

 

[woody 73]

Very cool but I wish you would have posted in the vintage tool section for all us vintage tool junkies to get a crack at it first.

 

[jobyb2006]

SORRY WOODY, I am not really that familiar with the forum here. when I get it done Ill post it there

 

[MAD]

Here is a catalog page with the No. 145 Boring Machine

 

[jobyb2006]

thank you very much..

 

[jobyb2006]

Well I finished it...I really like these things, looking for more, they are cool....enjoyable to work on and finish...

The guy that bought it is actually gonna use it, I called him cause I thought it might be for display and a little rusting started on a few parts, I thought i was gonna have to take it down again, the dude said don't worry about it, he'll hit is with wd-40 and he really cant wait to give it a workout.. he is waiting for a bolt that I forgot to send to him, he says he cant stop staring at it...I get that, LOL. the buyers nickname is "The Arm"...go figure...LOL

SLIDESHOW OF PICS
http://s189.photobucket.com/user/jobydogman/slideshow/Millers%20Falls%20Boring%20Machine%20145?sort=6

a couple select ones..

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[sometoyotaguy]

You did a great job on the restoration of that machine. I've been on the look out for one of those for some time now.

Any videos of it in action?

 

[jobyb2006]

thanks not this...no,,, as soon as i finished it I put it up for sale, didnt want to chance messing anything up since its a higher dollar item for me, I am just hobbyist restorer. vises, planes .etc..low money guy...lower money stuff. I just do it cause I cant afford to build cars anymore

looking at it, I could have ground down the flathead screws top a timy bit to take burrs of of the slots, from a century of abuse...it looks in the pics like I did it, since they are shiny now,,,LOL

apparently these machines get used a lot more than I thought, supposedly the best way to bore a super straight large hole in a beam, using only one man...with something that costs less a bunch of money, weigh a lot, and needs power..

I like em...not to use, but because they are cool...

 

[pendragon1998]

I love those sorts of tools / machines. You did a nice job. I am restoring a hand drill right now, but what I really have my eye open for is an antique post drill.