Machining a pump body.

[clear out]

I was picking up some wood machinery from a large Foundry in Sydney.
I thought there might be interest in a few photos.
I took a video of one of these being machined but when I tried to post it ‘Computer sez no’.
H.
Couldn’t resist sneaking in the corebox made of wood in the metalforum.

[AndrewOC]

That is great to see, HB.
Someone queried (on Facebooooke) if there were facilities in Aus to build a large steam engine. I tried to encourage them that there would be, without knowing details!
cheers,
AndrewOC

[clear out]

Hi Andrew,
Pity you weren’t there with me, we had a neat guided tour of the partially demolished Foundry and in getting out the Patternshop machinery we checked out most of the machine shop. They had some interesting old gear in a few spots including a huge anvil.

Speaking from a completely ignorant perspective just how many large castings are in a steam engine ?
I thought it was mostly heavy fabrication and machining, for the boiler, tubes and crankshaft.

I guess the mob we use for the cast iron Ewheels could do cylinders depending on the size.
The mob I visited in Melbourne last November could do anything if needed.

With the mining industry still full on we need the capacity to cast big pumps etc.
I’d hate to be paying for it
H.

[AndrewOC]

Well I probably could have been available!

20 years ago I visited (worked nearby at the time) and asked if they still had the sheet metal hammer in that ~1928 catalogue, lo and behold the boss guy thought they probably did. I was mainly interested in the design and measurement of the air-spring in the mechanism...
Then I see the sad news posted by you

a.

[AndrewOC]

Then on Facebook today, someone posts this!
- as we all know Zuck reads yer mind!

So, HB, could you ask them if 'we' can have the patterns for it? Come to think of it- the fly press patterns as well... and... and.....




a.

[clear out]

Andrew you need to read the post I put in the Foundry part of the forum.
There is a photo of a massive pile of pulped wooden patterns.
I guess they didn’t want China or India getting a head start on replicating the good old arn.
H
Can you put a link to that or more info so a Luddite like moi can find it.