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

[Toolmaker51]

Run a few vertical lathes, never saw one with such low clearance between ways and chuck.
Every wheel set I've been around were paired on axles and turned simultaneously.
Never-the-less, a very limited work envelope, rail-wheels and maybe bowls from turbine water pumps. Good for their business, perhaps slightly lower cost, but far lower resale value.

[bruce.desertrat]

Better rigidity, too; this is a specialized machine to crank out wheels. I don't expect resale value was ever accounted into the system; this was designed to be used to make wheels until it was scrapped.

This isn't what a railroad shop would install; they'd want to ensure that the wheels were properly concentric to each other, but if you're making hundreds or thousands of wheels to ship out this is the machine you would use...notice the stack of blanks waiting alongside

[Toolmaker51]

Better rigidity, too; this is a specialized machine <snipped>.....notice the stack of blanks waiting alongside

And the cute little hex wrench, securing wheel to fixture.
I'll bet there is some kind of key driving it!

[Isambard]

Actually, companies like Sellars, Niles etc made those specifically for railways. With a fixed crosshead, they were made to machine both wheels & tires.
Wheels had to be machines prior to pressing on axles...

[Jon]

Wire mesh machine. American Steel & Wire Co. Donora Works. Donora, PA. 1915-1917.

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

[Jon]

Clearing trimmer in raised position. Wyman-Gordon Company, Grafton Plant. Worcester County, Massachusetts.

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

[Toolmaker51]

Notice it's surrounded by floor plates; most of the operating gear and immense concrete foundation. What isn't below, of course is above, such as cylinders above ram, and ladder on right side. Guessing this press rated at 1500 ton, not sure dieset makes, but these presses and larger very prevalent in the auto industry.

[Isambard]

Going by the model #, it is a 3000 ton x 20' between columns.

[the harmonious blacksmith]

The drive chains in lieu of belts were practical non slip at high torque. Some of those motors only turned 600 rpm. I had one on an old Warner and Swasey turret lathe. It was only 3 hp but was huge. I've also worked with machines that had leather gears on motors running against iron gears. These usually had brass ends with many layers of leather between. These motors appear to be 3 phase, and the open knife switch to the other side of the motor is 3 pole. Fuse size seem to be for low (220) volt rating. Also note the adjustable eccentric on the gear shaft on the opposite side has broken ways on the left side, the farthest travel setting. I've owned two shapers, still have a 20 inch Steptoe , set up to cut internal keyways. I wish I had one of the Gould and Eberhart 24 inch that I used in the past. They made fine machines with herringbone gears and were very smooth cutting machines. I once recut a 19 inch bevel gear on one. They made a 60 inch draw cut shaper but I never saw one. But I ramble...

[the harmonious blacksmith]

Love your photo of "The Little Giant" - Ismabard Kindgom Brunel. What a Victorian engineering genius!