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

**mlochala** · May 25, 2021, 06:02 AM

It blows my mind to think of how it must have been machining those gears back then, although I don't really know how old this photo is.

Another thing to consider, between the engineer(s) who designed this monstrosity and the machinists that made it, the design and building process has to be so precise to get the backlash correct on those gears. Not sure how you would even adjust that on this machine.

I wonder what it was used for?

**Howder1951** · May 25, 2021, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by mcthistle007

Yes Good Question,What were they Used for? Where are the Top Caps? Certainly Don't Put Your Fingers Anywhere Near Those Gears When Turning!

Looks like a gears for some large metal rolling equipment. the journals run on solid bearings and I am guessing those puppies will transmit something like 4-5000 HP.

**Toolmaker51** · May 25, 2021, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Howder1951

Looks like a gears for some large metal rolling equipment. the journals run on solid bearings and I am guessing those puppies will transmit something like 4-5000 HP.

.......or something very much like rolling equipment. Such operations run best not by spur gearing; hypoids and various helical engagements have what it takes.

**Floradawg** · May 30, 2021, 10:14 AM

I'm assuming you're in Oklahoma City. I'm gonna get over there one day to see the Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

**Floradawg** · May 30, 2021, 10:18 AM

It's probably just a part of a very large machine that they are supplying. Maybe a propulsion assembly for a ship or unique locomotive vehicle. Who knows?

**Jon** · May 30, 2021, 11:49 AM

Driving wheel lathe. Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Company. July, 1904.

Fullsize image: https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...e_fullsize.jpg

**jimfols** · May 30, 2021, 01:22 PM

436

I like the open air electrical switches.

I thought of two operators but there is only one cross slide handle.

**IntheGroove** · May 30, 2021, 02:11 PM

The motor appears to be DC...

**stillldoinit** · Jun 6, 2021, 11:06 AM

I an electrician in the Navy and the ship I was on was 240 volt DC, the main distribution switch board was open knife switches just like what Is on the big lathe. The ship was an old merchant marine converted for amphibious assault transporting marines and their equipment with the boats where the front ramp drops. I hated that ship but gained valuable experience. I cringe when I see old open equipment but it seems people were more careful in their jobs.