What's new
What's new
By:
Advanced search…

Recent content by Asquith

  1. A

    When did Ambrose Shardlow Co. Ltd. of Sheffield start making micrometers?

    Spyke, I know very little about Shardlow's connection with Slocomb. An article by David Eaton about Shardlow in the Newcomen Links journal quotes this extract from an undated Shardlow catalogue:- 'Shardlow reviewed all types and makes of micrometer in production and selected the Slocomb design...
  2. A

    When did Ambrose Shardlow Co. Ltd. of Sheffield start making micrometers?

    Rivett, 1917, with help from Slocomb. I can send you more information in a few days. John
  3. A

    P. Roch - vernier calipers - stainless

    Having seen the patch of rust on the back, I was surprised to see that the calipers were made of stainless steel. Firth Stainless, in fact, from Sheffield. Stainless steel is susceptible to corrosion pitting in the presence of a wide variety of circumstances and substances (otherwise it...
  4. A

    P. Roch - vernier calipers - stainless

    P. Roch of Rolle, Switzerland. There had once been a micrometer in the box. A magnifying glass would be a useful accessory. I’m not a fan of vernier calipers. Typically, the vernier scale is only about 0.6” long, with 25 divisions, difficult to read. My Chesterman height gauges have a vernier...
  5. A

    Who invented the first offset portable boring head, when?

    The 1923 Buck & Hickman UK catalogue includes two candiates: The Casler Offset Boring Head and the Garrard Adjustable Boring Head. I haven't delved any further.
  6. A

    Bastard file -name origin?

    As sfriedberg says. Why should something that is simply an intermediate grade be credited as an invention by anybody, and credited to a named individual? The word bastard has long had a variety of uses, including 'intermediate'. 'Bastard size' is still used today. I have seen a 1767 advert for...
  7. A

    Foundations query.

    I agree with Joe. There’s a considerable amount of out-of-balance force wanting to move the engine fore and aft, so the addition of a concrete mass is a great help The late Runcorn-Widnes transporter bridge was powered by a Crossley horizontal single-cylinder gas engine fix to the steel tower...
  8. A

    Gears for a 150 year old mill

    I’ve seen numerous examples of wood/iron gearing in windmills and watermills, and I occasionally run an 1861 steam pumping engine with applewood cogs in an iron flywheel. I hope they remain intact, as re-cogging a wheel with wooden teeth is an immensely skilled job. I have no relevant experience...
  9. A

    Large Vertical Lathe

    Tyrone - We don’t know how long that last machine had been in harness when it was photographed! John - The use of horizontal is confusing, but was quite common, referrring to the faceplate's face being horizontal. I’ll offer photos of machines by John Hetherington & Sons of Manchester, one...
  10. A

    Large Vertical Lathe

    Yvon, Thanks for the information. The last remaining British submarine factory is at Barrow-in-Furness. I don’t know what’s there now by way of big machines, but when it was Vickers' yard in 1901 they had this thing. 30 ft swing, built by J. Whitworth & Co of Manchester, turning a naval gun...
  11. A

    Large Vertical Lathe

    Whoops. My mistake. Apologies. Correct data:- Max 12m swing. Table diameter 11m.
  12. A

    Large Vertical Lathe

    This machine, at the Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée at La Seyne, appears to be another Schiess. The text on the cross beam is not legible, apart from the French for ‘vertical lathe’.
  13. A

    Large Vertical Lathe

    A small Schiess VBM, given free with the king-size one, which could swing 10m (32ft 10") Table 4m dia. Retractable columns. Form Engineering, 6 Aug 1909
  14. A

    Large Vertical Lathe

    Peter, IY was indeed the registration code for Düsseldorf (from 1928). More puzzling was the right hand steering wheel. Bizarrely for a country so keen on regulations, I found that ‘It was not until 1922 that left-hand-drive began to take hold in Germany, and even then the new configuration...
  15. A

    Large Vertical Lathe

    Jim, Thanks for the link. The eye-catching Meccano magazine covers, and the Meccano construction kits, were great recruiting sergeants for the engineering industry! Covers like these:- http://meccano.magazines.free.fr/html/1933/3308/3308_fc1.htm...
See more

ABOUT PRACTICAL MACHINIST

With more than 10.6 million unique visitors over the last year, Practical Machinist is the most visited site for metalworking professionals. Practical Machinist is the easiest way to learn new techniques, get answers quickly and discuss common challenges with your peers. Register for the world’s largest manufacturing technology forum for free today to stay in the know.

Learn more about us.

STAY CONNECTED

Facebook Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Pinterest Twitter Tiktok

Register Become a forum member. Register today.

Sign Up Sign up for our e-newsletter.

© 2023 Copyright Practicalmachinist.com. All Rights reserved.

Top