Thread: Chain Making Machine

Well, I know at least one member of this forum is familiar with these machines. This is my second Brimfield find of the day.

Its not real old, with allen screws and all. But its an old type machine. This is a chain making machine. As in jewelery. I never saw one until today. it looked kinda cool with all the cams and pushing, pulling twist/bend/cut. I have not actually have it making anything, but it moves freely enough that I can imagine.

I rate coolness 10 and usefulness 0.

I think Gold Machinery in Pawtucket, RI probably has some on their website, and not cheap either. Maybe you could find one like yours and see who made it or at least what they say about it.

Larry

You ain't seen nothing till you see one of those run...... they are just super cool to watch.... it like the best Rube Goldberg contraption you could imagine..... years ago I went to a jewelry manufactures trade show in Providence, RI..... they had bunches of them cranking out chain..... super neat and Very expensive...... and you said Brimfield was pretty bad? I haven't been in years.......

Thanks L,

This machine came from RI as well. RI was or is, jewelery capitol of where ever. the seller was the former user and also spoke of Gold and Sobol (as in buying some of his old machines). He was uncertain the maker of my machine, but mentioned a probable name. Which is out in the car now.

Rivett, I agree, if I get this under power and feeding the proper wire, its go to be cool to watch. If it does not work, then, I think I am in trouble.

I guess I should not complain too much about Brimfield I got a few nice things and had a good day -walking and talking. But, was a highly visible minority of sellers that should be ashamed of them selves.

"But, was a highly visible minority of sellers that should be ashamed of them selves."...... Does that mean you had your mask on?..... that is what one of my best friends says when he is buying things cheap.

That is a beautiful machine. I have a similar one and they are a wonder to watch, much akin to a screw machine. They only work with one diameter wire and are designed to make one style chain. The ingenious part is the way the links, made of individual wire segments, are connected together. (Drumroll...) The wire they used is filled with a solder core. When the chain was completed, the whole was dusted with some kind of talc to keep the links from sticking together and then it was passed through a conveyer furnace. The Italians were the masters of these kind of machines, but the Germans also made some beauties. More modern machines can be fitted to make various kinds of chain. Gold Machinery has indeed bought up almost the entire inventory of manufacturing equipment from Providence, the onetime center for the American jewelry industry. Their website contains numerous examples of these exquisite machines. Sadly, many such machines were purchased by the competing players in the industry and then destroyed so that others could not enter the marketplace. Get the right sized wire (Rio Grande in Albuquerque) and give it a spin!

Isnt that so true? I never complain when I get a bargain deal