Hi vccomm, and
on a great score there mate!
A very interesting old edger.
I would suggest fabricating a side cover guard for the machine...sheet steel the same thickness as the original guard....half-moon shaped with small right angle lugs welded to it that could attach to the top and sides of the guard with self tappers.
I was thinking that this type of edger wires maybe able to be retrofitted to this machine and work satisfactorily.
See
HERE Many years ago I restored 2 Model 'T' Fords; a 1922 and a 1927 (the very last 'T' Model)....grumpy is quite correct, 7/8" ...and required a special spanner...quite a large brass knurled nut on the top of the plug, which secured the plug lead from the trembler coils.
We need to source the exact model of the Villiers for you, which will come in handy if you need spare parts in the future.
