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

[Toolmaker51]

Practically rofl. Either too much invested in big equipment, or no one liked handling small tools. Figures show they equipped more than 500 plants here and abroad. Mesta "machines" can be found in factories throughout the world and as of 1984 had equipment in 500 steel mills. Mesta was the 488th largest American company in 1958 and the 414th largest in 1959. Bankrupt mid 1980's. How on earth?

When/ who ever a liberal yahoo goes on about 'infrastructure' of daycare centers and art projects, I refer to Mesta, Lowey, GE Locomotiveworks, Grand Canyon or Coulee Dams and so on; "No, while this is the scale of infrastructure, but not yet installed, it isn't truly infrastructure. That comes transporting it cross country, installation and commissioning it, and finally benefiting a large population. THAT'S infrastructure! Flat trumps every argument.
Incomprehensible how few get along without an inkling what it takes to hit a light switch, drive interstate highways, transport foodstuffs, build tracts of homes, . . .

[hemmjo]

I always listened to Paul Harvey on the radio. I see these photos and want to know "the rest of the story". Where did it go, what was its job, etc.

Search YouTude for "Paul Harvey The rest of the story" if interested. (in Paul Harvey, not the giant compressor)

I found this, Starting about 2 minutes in explains about a large compressor similar to the one shown.

(I also wish I could figure how to put YouTubes in just as a link)

[mr mikey]

Thanks for posting this video. Good stuff. I like old machines and equipment and antique engines. Thanks again. Mr. Mikey.

[Toolmaker51]

Note the initial commentator, in a standard compressor plant, amid centrifugal pumps, ~100hp electric motors, large castings entailing complicated coring, foundations, jackscrews, piping and control panels are glossed over; while oil sight tube, & revolutionary crane on wheels (crane + wheels = gantry, crane on ground = A-frame) a rarity, get vapid "Oh, that's cool" treatment.
Steampunk mentality personified. That's who screws black pipe, steam fittings and pressure gauges together for an electric lamp; leave off gauges, it's a 'industrial' shelf bracket. Everything about appearance, zero on merit, capability, applicability.

[Jon]

Monongahela Railway Company traveling crane. Alicia, PA. August, 1934.

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

[Toolmaker51]

Just when it seemed I had crane designations in tow;

[Jon]

Mesta Machine Company vertical bar shear. West Homestead, PA. 1905-1925.

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

[Jon]

Blooming mill engine. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation. Pittsburgh, PA. August, 1886.

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

[mr mikey]

Hello, I saw this picture of an old lathe and thought this would great to post. Looks like 1920's. I'm not sure what make this is. Notice the machinist is wearing a tie. Thanks. Mr Mikey.

[marksbug]

well of coarse we wear ties.