Steam drill

Some PM members are only interested in machine tools.
Some are interested in steam engines.
Some, who are interested in neither, will find little to appeal to them here, but they are probably otherwise occupied, typing furiously into the ‘Manufacturing’ forum at this very moment.





Made by Brown, Wilson & Co., Vauxhall Ironworks, London, c.1867.

It had a reversible single oscillating cylinder. Steam was supplied through an India Rubber hose. Compressed air could be used as an alternative. No doubt the operator, given the choice of air or steam in a rubber pipe at close proximity to his face would favour the former, while his boss would be keen on the farthing per year saved by not having to wastefully use another steam engine to compress air. On the other hand, a burst steam hose has to be replaced at great expense. India Rubber doesn't grow on trees, you know. Or does it?

Two bevel pinions were located on the end of the crankshaft. One was fixed to the crankshaft and turned the spindle. The other, smaller, pinion was fitted loose outboard of this. The two driven bevel gears normally whizzed round together. However, the small handwheel pressed the loose pinion into service (friction drive). This turned its own bevel gear at a slightly faster speed than the main one (different ratios). This caused the inner vertical spindle to descend (because the smaller bevel wheel was threaded to act like a nut on the inner spindle).

The drill was provided with bits and pieces to allow it to be wall-mounted and used like a radial arm drill.

Much was made of the advantages of a powered portable drill. The traditional ratchet brace was regarded as wasting a skilled fitter’s time, while the employment of apprentices to do the work usually resulted in a fitter having to correct the mess, while labourers tended to do a good job but were slow. Ratchet drills ‘afford the readiest excuse for lazy workmen and apprentices skulking and idling away their time. A seat and the monotonous click of the ratchet brace, with the gentlest pressure of the screw, is, with such men, the greatest luxury of the erecting shop….’. So said ‘The Engineer’ in 1868.

The steam drill’s exhaust beat gave the foreman audible indication that drilling was proceeding, and all was well with the world.

Asquith,

Nice idea! Fore runner of power tools? A bit of a pig to shift around and set up maybe, but it seems like a good idea.

Would this be the same Vauxhall Iron Works established by Alexander Wilson around 1857 to manufacture marine steam engines? Later to become the UK's largest car manufacturer. I guess it is the same, I just haven't heard of Mr Brown before.

I see the Port of London was still using a tug with Vauxhall triple expansion engine in the 1960's.

A seat and the monotonous click of the ratchet brace, with the gentlest pressure of the screw, is, with such men, the greatest luxury of the erecting shop

Click to expand...

I can assure the readers of 2007, the exact same scene can be seen in our erecting (assembly) shop right now. Substitute the ratchet brace for a ratchet wrench.

Peter,
The drill weighed about 130 lbs. Apparently no problem for a man and a boy.

I think it must have been the same firm.

A photo of some of the workers here:-
http://www.vauxhallandkennington.org.uk/vauxhallcars.shtml

Seems to be a bit top heavy with middle management, judging by the hats.
Planing machine just visible on the right.

Reading about the history, it seems that the name comes from something like Falke’s Hall, being the manor house of Falke de Something, one of King John’s hit men. He was rewarded with land and title for his evil work, and his coat of arms included a griffin. The griffin or griffon is still on the logo of Vauxhall cars today.

What with the vibration from the single cylinder engine, the rather awkward weight distribution and clamping to the work with a chain, that must have been a bit of a monster to set up and even worse if it got a bit loose. It would have been particularly awkward to rig for holes in the side of something (like the boiler?? shown).

For US readers who may not know who Vauxhall cars are - think General Motors (from 1925). Many would claim that Vauxhall produced the first sports car in about 1911 - the Prince Henry. But that is another topic.

Asquith,

Asquith, Note the spiral drill in use during the 1860's - spade drills being commonplace for decades after this time.Curious comment by * The Engineer * about ratchet drilling being a luxury for the fitter - I rather think the bowler hatted foreman would be scrutinising progress quite keenly and the fitter likely being paid piece rate. It does however give a clue why so many early machine components had square cored holes with good clearance for the hand forged bolts located within.Apologies for computer glitch !