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

[Toolmaker51]

A Mesta employee machining a section of an engine crankshaft.

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

Some equipment needed to complete assembly of product.


A one track mind; just a day or so back, going on about infrastructure.

[Frank S]

!920 Betts Machine vertical boring and turning mill 16 foot diameter table
Betts Machine Co. - 1920 Ad-Betts Machine Co., 16 foot Boring & Turning Mill | VintageMachinery.org

[Ralphxyz]

Thanks Frank, wish I had room in my shop for one.

Ralph

[Frank S]

Ralph I used to have a 60" Bullard with 2 cutter towers just a much smaller version of that one.
I used it to turn the ID and OD of large combination brake/ clutch drums for oil field draw work winches

[marksbug]

HMM....OK SEND ME 2 OF THEM...i CAN ADD SEATS AND TAKE THE KIDDIES FOR RIDES.

[Toolmaker51]

Thanks Frank, wish I had room in my shop for one.

Ralph

Well, could your shop be put ON one? Hooking up power is the challenge...
I ran 8' and 12's building different molds one place, big pump housings in another. The mold shop had straight rams and single toolholders; everything is form tools. Running pump castings, turret in that puppy. Practically had to jump the clutch pedal from the table.
Supervisor teased me some, but knew I liked that machine.
"How you gettin' along with the King?" Aaa just fine Roy, I carry 90 dollars in my pocket...He looked puzzled You know, rolls of dimes!

[Frank S]

Well, could your shop be put ON one? Hooking up power is the challenge...
I ran 8' and 12's building different molds one place, big pump housings in another. The mold shop had straight rams and single toolholders; everything is form tools. Running pump castings, turret in that puppy. Practically had to jump the clutch pedal from the table.
Supervisor teased me some, but knew I liked that machine.
"How you gettin' along with the King?" Aaa just fine Roy, I carry 90 dollars in my pocket...He looked puzzled You know, rolls of dimes!

$90.00 in dimes is only around 4.5 lbs the same is true for quarters and half dollars unless you were talking about pre 1965 coins then you could add about a half pound in round numbers
But nickels would be 19.8 lbs
$90.0 in pennies would rip your pockets weighing in at 49.6 lbs
Interestingly enough using a roll of coins in your fist to increase your punch a roll of dollar coins add the most weight a roll of half dollars are too large in diameter for most fists maybe not mine but most. A roll of dollar coins the Susan B size that is weighs .893 lbs. but if it breaks you are out 50 bucks.
Quarters will yield and additional half pound of weight to add to your kinetic force
Nickels would be my coinage of choice still large enough in diameter to reasonably fill most fists and will weigh in at .441 lbs. not a lot less than quarters but only 2 bucks lost when you have to toss them

[Jon]

Planer. Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Company. July, 1904.

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

[marksbug]

i wonder how many of these old big machines were repurposed when they became obsolite with newer faster models. kinda like a ex wife, they still need loven....by somebody....or 2 or 3 or 4...my ex has atleast 4 more ex's after me.....please say it wasent me.....

[Toolmaker51]

While US had gigantic number of machines, many reduced to scrap. Profilers for example; could do complicated parts, went away as diecasting improved.
Planers handle work that re-designing still takes same amount of space; now they have milling heads.
Many went to foreign buyers and still run today. Other machines, like old lathes, went from factories to smaller users.
And no, she said it wasn't you, last time I saw her anyway.