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

**12bolts** · Sep 20, 2021, 04:04 AM

Based on the size of their equipment its probably where they store their spanners

**Isambard** · Sep 20, 2021, 09:14 PM

It appears as if 62" was the biggest diameter for solid blades, bigger were of the inserted variety. The motor on a 36" blade was 50 hp so they got to be big machines.
I think your estimate to be about right, at 4'.

**Jon** · Sep 26, 2021, 12:09 PM

Gang drill. Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Company. July, 1904.

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

**Isambard** · Sep 26, 2021, 02:43 PM

Bement, Miles & Co of Philadelphia, machine.

**marksbug** · Sep 26, 2021, 07:12 PM

i wonder what the gang was drilling working on the railroad all the live long day. ...perhaps a tick tok's grand maws grand maws?

**cmarlow** · Sep 26, 2021, 07:57 PM

There are 3 rods and two arms on the horses in front of the drill table and one more of the arms still sitting on the drill table. Anybody have any idea of what they were for?
Also, I see a pretty impressive set of change gears on top of those drills, almost like the back gear setup on a lathe. Are they to control the feed speed of the drill?

**Isambard** · Sep 29, 2021, 11:29 PM

Due to long term renovations, storage is chaotic. Man alone does not help. :-(
Anyway, tracked down a Bement cat that I have of era and the following is the
specs of the machine above:

Two-Spindle Locomotive Connecting Rod Drilling Machine:
Designed for drilling at one time both ends of locomotive connecting and parallel rods.
Distance between centers 10 feet max - 3 feet min.
Power - Will drill 3-1/2" hole in solid material and bore a 9 inch hole. IMPRESSIVE!
Spindles are independently driven, having 4 speeds, & 3 feeds through a distance of 15-1/2",
Quick return motion, lever counterbalance and lateral adjustment on cross-slide by
rack & pinion.
Each spindle is adjustable vertically. two lube pumps.
Countershafts & spanners thrown in.