Perhaps the best thing that Sherwood gave the rope making community was his rope making booklet.

The  Rope Machine patented by  N.E. Sherwood  manufactured is a  similar machine to the Bucklin / Thomas Rope machine, but rather than three outside "planetary" hooks revolving off the center "sun" gear Sherwood used four. He also added a center gathering  hook from the center gear .   Sherwood's Rope Machine  later became known as the "NES Wizard" using 4 external gear driven hooks, and one center hook turned from the main gear.  The NES machine has  a 30 tooth main  sun gear, and 10 tooth external gears. My 5 hook NES "Sherwood" has Stamped in the casting  " NES MFG. CO, Detroit,  Mich.  NES WIZARD  PAT PENDING" on the casting, but also has a date stamped  in the wood handle grip.  "Pat 2-13-1917"

Although the center sun gear of the NES is held on by a thicker pin, like the 1901 Bucklin/ Thomas Manufacturing Rope Machine, the small outside planetary gears of Sherwood have  no bearings other than the rivets that hold the gears together.   The 5 hook NES machine is a much more rare find than the 3 hook  1901.  I would like information on how many years the NES machine was actually manufactured.

These  2 Photos   Thanks to  James Amstutz

According to the Patent Claims This Spreader tool
Actually earned the patent.  With a weight attached to the metal
hook on the handle, it would self slide down rope walk.

Main "Sun" gear has 30 teeth,  small  "Planatary" gears have 10 teeth
Each turn of the handle gives 3 revolutions of the hooks
while The large center Gather Hook makes 1 reverse revolution
 

My Rope Index Page

Guild of Knot Tyers

Berg Rope 1908 Machine
Hawkeye (New Era 1911)  Rope Machine
New Era 1911  Rope Machine
Meyer  1924 Rope Machine
Sherwood RopeMachine  1913
Thomas 1901 Rope Machine
Click here to view  Wonder Rope Maker
Ideal/Berg Rope Booklet
Rope Booklet  23 Pages:  Sherwood Improved Hand Rope and Wire Cabling Machine  Pat 1913
Rope Making  NEW ERA  14 page Booklet Pat 1911
Instruction Folder:  8 pages of Instructions for New Era Rope Machine
On to styles of Rope Makers
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