I cant tell just by looking who the manufacturer is but it sure doesn't look like a cheapie to me. Quite the opposite in fact, that looks like a classic British made job with plenty of cast iron or if not British then European at least. But a fair few decades old. Wallace or one of the Wadkin aficionado's might recognise it.
When well fettled those old behemoths last several lifetimes.
It's not a Wadkin, Robinson, Whitehead, Cooksley or a Sedgwick. Might be a Startrite or Multico. I don't think it's a metalclad as they had very clear and obvious labelling. I'd be interested to know as well.
Apparently the bed is 7" wide. I take it thats my width limit on pieces of wood? I'm thinking of doing a 20ft double ender boat and can't decide if I need a 10x6 or if this would be adequate?
A floor standing machine with a 7" width seems unlikely -could it be a 10" x 7" perhaps?
Multico are very good although the company itself hasn't existed for many years, no parts available -it doesnt look like any multico Ive seen, although quite similar to their small surface planer.
The reason i think its a Sedgwick is because they have the rollers on the thicknessing table as standard ,,the ones on the surfacing table are an addition on the op's photo
I think Beau nailed it. One sold on ebay recently. There is even a photo out of the instruction manual for it, apparently it weighs 520lb! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dodd-039-s-12 ... 7675.l2557
(completed listing so think that's ok to link, please delete if not)
Is it worth £300 is another question. My chief concerns would be the unsupported table extensions as they will have had massive leverage on the tables, making sure they have not bent/broken something, or resulted in the table rise and fall mechanism wearing unevenly would be very important. Apart from that the condition of cutter block bearings, motor bearings, blades, etc could all impact the price you'd be happy to pay.
Assuming http://www.doddeng.com/ are likely the same dodd manufacturer, so you may be able to get some literature on it if you asked nicely.
Not really. I had a Dodd 12" PT for many years and did not twig when first looked at this thread
Good machines though with simple but solid accurate machining. Be surprised if the Dodd in the link is the same as they were a small outfit I think based in Kent.