High-quality black-and-white photographs of large old machines and tools

[Jon]

Milwaukee milling machine. Westinghouse Air Brake Company. 1910.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...e_fullsize.jpg

[tedg53]

I have a younger brother of this mill, it has a much longer table and was converted from a horizontal to a vertical mill at some point in it’s life, as well as switched to 230V single phase. Mine was built in the early 40’s and used to make products for the war effort then later used in a plant that produced automotive parts. Love that overbuilt old machinery.

[marksbug]

the navy had some that had a vertical attachment on them too. why buy 2 machines when you can have 2&1.

[Toolmaker51]

I have a 2B like it; back in a corner, covered up. It'll run, but it doesn't have motor bracket like that pictured; probably built for a line shaft. It has a low RPM motor ~750 something 3hp in a really large frame, like a 120 hp. Appears care was taken duplicating lineshaft RPM, machine sheave is about 24" diameter, motor about 6". I brought it in for one reason, swivel table, power feeds, 40 taper and a small R8 universal head, it ran, nice condition, cutting oil pump and dual screw. OK, 7 things, I mean 8...It will need a proper guard for that triple sheave belt arrangement.
I like old iron, if Milwaukee or K&T, all the better.

[Jon]

A Mesta employee machining a section of an engine crankshaft.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...t_fullsize.jpg

[Ralphxyz]

Does the table the guy is standing on revolve? I cannot imagine the engine that crankshaft goes in.

Ralph

[jimfols]

I am pretty sure the table rotates and the operator is administered a supply of Dramamine suppositories.

[marksbug]

thats one hell of a motor cycle crank....

[Toolmaker51]

A Mesta employee machining a section of an engine crankshaft.

Does the table the guy is standing on revolve? I cannot imagine the engine that crankshaft goes in.

I am pretty sure the table rotates and the operator is administered a supply of Dramamine suppositories.

thats one hell of a motor cycle crank....

What a coincidence; you're all correct! Though one might not be "quite right".
I scaled him about 5 units tall, chuck at 14 same units. So, if he's 5'5'', about a 12' chuck. Max RPM is maybe 18 or so. Takes really good tool grinding to produce finishes so far out of proportion between diameter - available speeds & feeds. Diameter not done yet, but cheek of crank throw looks good.
Reasoning says its cast or forging, but not turned from a big slug. It would depend whether this is a repair or repeated job.

Just noticed a 'mistake' in photographers framing of shot. If he'd set up a bit farther to right, there'd been daylight between turned diameter and tool-holder under the man's hand.

[marksbug]

I was thinken it was 14' turn table but it's probably metric... Iv'e never seen a press together cast crank but I haven't seen it all ..well not yet.