Vintage work crew photos

**Toolmaker51** · Dec 23, 2018, 11:16 AM

In town we have at least one remaining 2 story work shop. It's a corner lot on a hill. Instead of constructing ramp, access to upper floor is around the corner [uphill]. Been a mechanics shop forever. It's probably always been, but first maybe truck, tractor, or stationary engine clientele - go in to first floor it's clear. I'm guessing 12" or 14" X braced timbers on narrow [not 24"] centers. The uprights, not exactly studs, are big too; every other one is gusseted to the trusses too.

In comparison, my 16 foot ceiling was supported with 15 8" x 8"s, three rows 15 feet apart. The perimeter walls are brick, where eaves terminated 2" x 8" joists and trusses. Finally got rid of entire roof and ignorant 2":12" pitch with fabricated 4":12"s.
I saved part of the original ridge beam. It had lapped & bolted joints with pier washers to make up it's 100' length. It gusseted center posts with mitered timbers, like the secondary beams did.

**suther51** · Dec 23, 2018, 02:44 PM

Many of the old dairy barns in my area are built in to banks for walk in access to the loft, around here we call, them bank barns. One barn I worked on had access to 3 stories this way. 3rd floor was a built up ramp of dry laid up stone with a ramp bridge over the 2nd story access door. Guys from NYC bought it and were determined to save it. Has not had cows in it in a long time.
Eric

**Jon** · Dec 23, 2018, 09:21 PM

Tobacco warehouse. Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1906.

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

**marksbug** · Dec 25, 2018, 02:34 PM

I like those barrels!! when i was in switzerland this year..or last year dont remember witch time, they had some like that ,but they were campers!!! yes I said campers. for camping in!!!although they were a little longer.

**Jon** · Dec 25, 2018, 05:53 PM

Workers in the main boiler room of Camp Holabird, MD February 9th, 1919

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

**marksbug** · Dec 26, 2018, 10:27 AM

it would sure take a lot of crabs to fill those boilers....but oh the party that would ensue.

**marksbug** · Dec 26, 2018, 10:46 AM

yup that could just be him!!!

**suther51** · Dec 26, 2018, 11:22 AM

Those floor boards have quite the belly in them, must be some kind of cavity under them, auto ash removal?
Eric

**Ralphxyz** · Dec 27, 2018, 03:21 PM

True Back Braking work, those big boilers consumed a lot of coal all loaded by hand.

Ralph

**Toolmaker51** · Dec 29, 2018, 03:28 PM

You can see stage of drawing the cartridge case is in? It's no little .50 cal. Lady on left has flat blanks to her right, and is holding a first draw. Another is probably in the dieset, punch visible directly to right of her [back to viewer] hand. The white 'paint' is drawing lube - mostly lard and kerosene. I'd estimate that press is 250-300 ton minimum, judging by the flywheel/ clutch; driven from the overhead, no less! Cannon cases aren't too different than shouldered arms, primarily straight taper, not bottle necked like rifle cartridges.
I didn't hit web results for cannon brass, yet this depicts process clearly.

https://www.petersoncartridge.com/ou.../drawing-brass