Burke No. 0

[Gary Ayres]

Hi -

thought I'd introduce myself as I just received a 'new' Burke No.0 today. Having found that there is very little information about the No. 0 online and very few pictures, I thought I'd better raise its profile a bit!

I live in the British Channel Islands and had the machine shipped over from mainland England after buying it on Gumtree. It has been in England for at least 35 years but probably much longer. My intention is to restore it to working order. It's in pretty good condition - the X and Y axes slide beautifully. The knee is stuck but I'm sure it will free up easily enough once it has been stripped down and cleaned up. The spindle runs freely but the oilers will need some attention. Also, of course, it needs some pulleys. Overall, it's a tiny gem...

Here it is:



I'll probably be back with some questions as I work on the mill over the next few weeks as I'm fairly new to machining...

Cheers,

gary

 

[Don B]

That will be a nice little machine, I was recently given a No.4 hand mill, I'm going to convert it to a little surface grinder this winter if time allows, there's some info on burke mills here.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=132&tab=4

But I don't think the 0 is there, I just recently seen a restored one in a thread someplace if I can find it I'll post the link.

 

[Gary Ayres]

I just recently seen a restored one in a thread someplace if I can find it I'll post the link.

Hi Don -

was it this one, by any chance?:



I ask because it's the only photo of a recently restored No. 0 I could find on the net.

I have already seen the link you posted - as you say, the No. 0 is conspicuous by its absence, as it is in most Burke sites and forums that I have seen.

The No. 4 is a nice machine, I reckon - should be an enjoyable way to spend the Winter months.

I lived in Nova Scotia - Truro - for a year in the 1980's. Loved it... )

All the best,

gary

 

[Don B]

Hi Don -

was it this one, by any chance?:

View attachment 79876

gary

Hi Gary

Yes Sir that's the one, if I had a No.0 I wouldn't be considering hacking it up but the No.4's seem to be plentiful enough.
Truro, it's a small world by times, my wife and I are hoping to move there in the near future, my wife has an ailing mother in New Glasgow and we have a Grandson in Halifax, split the difference so to speak, you'll know what I mean.
Good to have met you, hopefully we'll talk in the future.

Don

 

[Gary Ayres]

Truro, it's a small world by times, my wife and I are hoping to move there in the near future, my wife has an ailing mother in New Glasgow and we have a Grandson in Halifax, split the difference so to speak, you'll know what I mean.

I do indeed, Don.

Yes, No. 4's appear to be common in North America. I don't think any Burkes are common on this side of the Atlantic, though.

Good to chat with you too...

Cheers,

gary

 

[Gary Ayres]

Thought I'd add a couple of pictures as my restoration project is now under way. Smell that kerosene...

 

[Gary Ayres]

A few more pics. Stripped old paint from main casting and applied first coat of new matt black stove paint. Bit of an experiment to use that kind of paint on a machine, but it seems to work well on stoves...

Work in progress.

 

[Gary Ayres]

Three coats of matt black and the raised lettering picked out in grey. Oh - and I couldn't resist putting a couple of cherries on top even though the cake isn't fully baked yet. I know you won't blame me though... ;-)

 

[Don B]

Three coats of matt black and the raised lettering picked out in grey. Oh - and I couldn't resist putting a couple of cherries on top even though the cake isn't fully baked yet. I know you won't blame me though... ;-)

That looks great Gary...!)

 

[Gary Ayres]

Many thanks Don - very kind of you.