Rapidor Manchester re-build

[homecat88Participant @homecat88]

My first post on this site!

Having retired recently from a working life in the construction industry (roofing) I thought I would get myself some machinery and kit out my garage – no particular plans to make anything specific, just see where it goes, so I have a Myford ML7. a Warco ZX5015 milling machine – and just finished putting together an old school belt sander.

My latest acquisition is a Rapidor Manchester which is now stripped down ready for blasting and repainting,

A colleague has one of these and we were both curious as to how old these saws were so shared serial numbers – someone also posted a pic of their serial number so I worked out a theory – and please correct me if this is wrong!    all three machines are prefixed 3XM which I think is the model number followed by several digits — mine is 48185, my colleague’s machine is 44131 and the pic I saw online was 442401. So I assume the first two digits are the year of manufacture followed by the production run number for that year. Of course I would need a few more model/serial numbers to confirm this so if anyone with a Rapidor can post their model/serial number that would be very interesting – if enough numbers are posted we may even be able to work out how many of these were being made each year – a fascinating piece of history! Regards Nick

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi homecat88, quite a bit of info at Lathes.co.uk/rapidor/

Regards Nick.

[homecat88Participant @homecat88]

Thank You Nick – I have already looked this site – some useful info on the Rapidors.

My Rapidor had the cast iron base which carried the motor and intermediate pulley – these are not going to be re-used as I am going to put the new motor at the back of the machine so these parts are free to a good home if anyone wants to use them? (the motor is scrap – bearings gone)

I have attached a photo –

I am located in Southampton.

[garyParticipant @gary44937]

hi momecat88 my saw has number 3xm  412832  hope this helps.   gary

[homecat88Participant @homecat88]

Thank you Gary,

I will add this one to the list!

If My theory is correct on the Rapidor numbering system – your’s was made in 1941!

My Rapidor is now at the paint shop so will post some photos as the re-build progresses,

Regards nick

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