This Parks Ball Bearing Machine Co. Wagon Shop Special, built around 1923, was used by the wheelwright or blacksmith for making and repairing wooden wagon wheels. In one machine there is a 12" Table Saw, 12" Jointer 22" Band Saw, Felloe borer, Spoke Tennoner and a Pole & Spoke Rounder. Today only the 12" Table Saw, 12" Jointer and 22" Band Saw remain. All other features have been lost to history. Ironically, there are no ball bearings in this machine if you don't count the band saw guide.
Purchased in the early 1990s as something to run with an antique gas or steam engine it was missing the main and band saw shaft bearing caps. Modern Babbitt bearings were installed until suitable period appropriate ones could be found. The table saw table lift mechanism was also missing parts that made it unusable most notably one half of a set of miter gears. The quest was on to find replacement parts. Little was done with it after initial repairs were made. Into storage it went until recently.
L. F. Parks started his woodworking machinery company in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1887. By 1900 the company was known as the Parks Ball Bearing Machine Co. Finally, in 1927 the name was changed to the Parks Woodworking Machinery Co. The company initially built angle iron framed woodworking machines that were lighter in construction than many of its contemporaries. Its product line evolved into more substantial machines over the years. Parks was dissolved in 1989. A remarkable run.
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Link to Part 2:
• Part 2 1923 Parks Wago...
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• Part 3 1923 Parks Wago...