woodworking machines à la togolaise

[promhandicam]

Hi. I thought you might be interested in some of the machinery that is in use here in Lomé. Just a note for Scrit - please make sure you are sitting down when you look at the pictures. ;D

First up is a wonderful home made rip saw. This was what was used to rip the ebony that I bought recently.



The wood to be cut is placed on a sled that runs on roller bearings. The fence which is attached to the sled, is only about 4 foot long so when about 2 foot of wood has been cut, the wood is held in place and the sled is pulled back to reposition the fence. Although the machine itself probably wouldn't be acceptable in the uk as the motor isn't braked, the guys using it did put on face masks goggles and ear defenders - they then proceeded to cross themselves several times before starting the beast up!

Next up we have a jointer


And a thicknesser


Chip collection is a man with a fork who shovels the chippings out of the door! Of particular note are the safety footware.

Then a couple of spindle moulders

Finally a table saw.

Hope you enjoyed the little tour!

Steve

[paulchapman]

Ah, just like the good old days ;D

Cheers

Paul

[davyowen]

That's one really big friggin' motor on the ripsaw

[jonnyd]

Plenty of good old cast iron there. Is it mandatory there to have every drive belt exposed?

[promhandicam]

Jun 14, 2008 16:41:50 GMT davyowen said:

That's one really big friggin' motor on the ripsaw

30 hp - I asked. ;D

Steve

[Alf]

Sheesh, there's a guard on the first one! What a wuss... ;D

[mel]

love the crown guard on the first photo
or is it a shelf in the distance ??
just like paul chapman says
arrrr the good old days
when planer blocks were square and could drag you in

[corset]

Brilliant, Today I was worrying whether I had enough eye protection when I knocking some tiles off. Puts in all in perspective
Owen

[promhandicam]

Jun 15, 2008 15:01:16 GMT corset said:

Brilliant, Today I was worrying whether I had enough eye protection when I knocking some tiles off. Puts in all in perspective
Owen

The old chap with the pink hat does actually wear his sunglasses when he uses the jointer. Interestingly the only person I saw in the shop with a missing limb was the cashier - I didn't like to ask her how she lost it.

I guess if there is the argument that if you use unguarded machinery, you might treat it with a bit more respect.

Steve

[jake]

Or they just sack the one-armed ones as a bit useless to them?

[promhandicam]

Jun 16, 2008 22:51:53 GMT jake said:

Or they just sack the one-armed ones as a bit useless to them?

You are probably right, however my day job for the last 8 years has been working with people with disabilities and and can't think of any cases of serious injury from WW machinery.

As an aside, I just noticed how all bar one of the machines are painted green - even the homemade one in the first picture. Seemingly Wadkin don't have the copyright on that colour for cast iron!

Steve