Does anyone know what this is and what it was for?

[nspec]

BCP beat me to the post. I like his idea better, and given that it's Maine, it sounds quite plausible. The only thing is, those saw blades don't really look like they're for cutting wood, and the how the 'auger' would fit in still has me stumped. I don't think it would guide a board very straight.

Perhaps that auger is 'floating' and is attached with chains to the hook suspended above it? Able to raise and lower it to accomodate different size boards?

 

[zing]

Okay, here's what I've got. It's obviously run off a belt, given the pulley. It looks like saw blades of some sorts in the middle. The larger auger looking thing doesn't really have enough pitch to the flighting to be a auger in the sense that it would feed material to the side. It looks like it perhaps guides material straight back towards the blades. Maybe even crimps the material some? Hard to see, but the first post where it is still in the brush, you can see on the side opposite the "auger", there is definitely some sort of crimper roller or another sort of feed roller.
The one thing that has me totally stumped, is the steel 'davit' that hangs over the whole thing with the hook on it. I really have no idea how that comes into play.

Sooo, my guess would be some sort of a grain or hay conditioner? Maybe after the crop was scythed and bundled, the bundles could be fed through here and be crimped and cut? That's a longshot, but it's all I got. Never seen one like that.

Hmmm, I forgot about that part. As I said, it was getting dark when I pulled it out so I didn't notice but I may have left that part back in the bog. It doesn't look like I have it in the final pictures. I will have to go back and have a second look at that bog to see what else is still in there.

I was also wondering what would hang from that hook. :confused2:

 

[nspec]

You've got it - I can see it in the second set of pics. The thing I called a 'crimper' looks like a roller of sorts. There is one on both the front and the back - they're on the shafts connected to the big wheels. The one on the back is all by itself, while the one on the front is beneath the 'auger'. (Or vice-versa)

 

[zing]

It looks to be an edger to rip boards as they come off a mill into the appropriate widths, trimming the sticking edge off as they are fed through. The blades would slide on the shaft allowing you to have boards of a consistant width. They typically would run off a line shaft over head or from underneath, often powered by water or a stationary engine. Trying to find a pic, but can only find a modern version.

Here's a modern one: YouTube - Cook's Board Edger

Does the castings have any name? Chase? Lane? or other identifying marks?

Next question, is it something you are going to sell? We collect stuff like this to exhibit at Fryeburg Fair. If it's runnable, we get it working and demonstrate it. It's not worth a lot other than for scrap, just hate to see it get junked.

I didn't think to look for any markings, and was kind of rushed as I still had to drive a few hours back to the city again. I won't be back there for a couple of weeks, but when I get there I will definitely take a more careful look at it. Maybe even take some daylight pictures.

WRT selling it, I will be honest that the idea of shopping it to the local antique shops was pretty quick to cross my mind. I have no use for it as a lawn ornament. It is pretty big though, so it isn't the type of thing that the average collector can put in his living room. An historical society like you are describing might be better able to find a way to display it. Like you, I would think that selling it for scrap would be a shame. I am from Nova Scotia, so that is a bit of a drive from Maine. Feel free to PM me though, and then in a couple weeks when I get another chance to look at it I will let you know if there are actually any markings or name plates, etc.

As you can tell, I haven't really thought this through very carefully yet. :laughing:

 

[zing]

Looks like a smaller version of this, to trim the edges of boards after they are sawed from the log.

Timber Frame Tools Sawmilling

I think you are on the right track too, but the "cutter" head doesn't have any teeth, I was wondering if it just used pressure to cut the plank into lath sized strips as they were fed through this roller.

 

[bcp]

I think that "roller" thing is just a roller. The flanges keep the sawdust and wood chips, chunks, and strips from building up and forming bumps like they would on a larger smooth roller.

Bruce

 

[Jeff Lary]

Look on the bright side if you damage it no one will know the difference:confused2:

 

[bcp]

Saw blades don't always have many close teeth. Here are some more like those on this machine.

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=DT10 18

Bruce

 

[Jay4200]

Here are the pics I got last night.

That's a late 1930's mother-in-law disposal machine.

Almost looks like it's just a glorified table saw. Really cool though - I'd paint it gloss black and put it in my front yard.

JayC

 

[atgreene]

Okay, here's what I've got. It's obviously run off a belt, given the pulley. It looks like saw blades of some sorts in the middle. The larger auger looking thing doesn't really have enough pitch to the flighting to be a auger in the sense that it would feed material to the side. It looks like it perhaps guides material straight back towards the blades. Maybe even crimps the material some? Hard to see, but the first post where it is still in the brush, you can see on the side opposite the "auger", there is definitely some sort of crimper roller or another sort of feed roller.

The one thing that has me totally stumped, is the steel 'davit' that hangs over the whole thing with the hook on it. I really have no idea how that comes into play.

Sooo, my guess would be some sort of a grain or hay conditioner? Maybe after the crop was scythed and bundled, the bundles could be fed through here and be crimped and cut? That's a longshot, but it's all I got. Never seen one like that.

There's no doubt in my mind it's an edger, seen and used lots of them. I suspect the upper loop with the hook may be the feed arm. Push it forward to engage.