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

**Jon** · Feb 21, 2021, 12:52 PM

Axle Lathe. Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Company. July, 1904.

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

**marksbug** · Feb 21, 2021, 01:16 PM

I love the trays under to catch the swarf&chipps!!! just like I do on mine!!!! it makes clean up a breezzee and the machine stays looking like new!!!

**Toolmaker51** · Feb 21, 2021, 05:03 PM

Chip trays are a plus.
Big parts, a lot of chips.
But not until it's loaded in the machine.
I'll take the jib crane and hoist; that has unique construction.
Practically guaranteed though, none left in existence.

And that shaft hook, it cantilevers with a yoke above shaft, and slings balance from below!
Does Jon award Tool Of The Week posthumously?

*2. Went back for another gander, 1904 but not a lineshaft shop. The motor drives a cogged belt, with the headstock gearing under or in the lathe bed? The headstock proper IS in the middle, tailstocks and carriages at each end. Chuck is actually a trunnion bearing.
Well worth examining full size. Enhanced maybe, but they still can't improve image beyond what is recorded. Incredible detail.

A slightly newer version; with conventional drive.

**NeiljohnUK** · Feb 23, 2021, 08:27 AM

Looks more like a single sided chain than a belt, similar to a 'silent' chain.

**owen moore** · Feb 23, 2021, 01:05 AM

That old Putnam lathe was made in the same town where they made the early Iver Johnson firearms.

**marksbug** · Feb 23, 2021, 09:48 AM

the chain of command is always belting out orders.hoist this hoist that. chip get back to work!!!

oops rong factory....silent chain of command my butt.it's all single sided..works make parts, the one command makes $$$ keep all these awesome pics coming and stimulating my 3 brain cells!!! or was that simulating?

**Jon** · Feb 28, 2021, 12:03 PM

Tapping machine for couplings. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation. 1942.

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

**Jon** · Mar 7, 2021, 02:42 PM

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

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

**Ralphxyz** · Mar 7, 2021, 02:54 PM

I only see two spindles, one @1-1/2" the other @3/4". Not exactly what I would call gang drilling.

Ralph

**Clockguy** · Mar 14, 2021, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Ralphxyz

I only see two spindles, one @1-1/2" the other @3/4". Not exactly what I would call gang drilling.

Ralph

I can remember back in Sept., 1966, I was ambushed by a gang of VC part way up the Mekong delta ....... and I shot both of them.

I guess it's all in how you see things, eh??