It is interesting how were made first machine tools in times when there were no machine tools

Jackshafts existed well into the 1960's. Western Electric still had jackshaft driven OD/ID grinders when my father apprenticed in 1959.

I would like to hear the clatter if the belts and all of the machines engaged and doing thier jobs. Time travel back

@CharlesRiverMuseum

3 ай бұрын

Come by the Museum sometime and we'll run them for you!

Nice

Anyone could tell me what is the main distribution shaft rotating speed?

Anyone knows what they used as belt dressing, back in the day? (Belt dressing, is applied to the belt or pulleys to maintain friction between the two)

@steamachinesculpture8476

2 жыл бұрын

Although not quite "back in the day" of the Cabot Lowell Mill (circa 1813-) the book I refer to for belt dressing "Treatise on Leather Belting" published in 1931 has recipes that very well may have been used on the museums line shaft system used throughout the late 19th and twentieth century in a paperbag factory located across the river from the museum in Waltham. The book stresses the importance of keeping the leather belt clean from any oils gathered from the bearings. For this chalk was used to soak up the oils and then scraped off. I would guess that this would apply to the leather belt treatment of the early days of the mill (the chalk crayon was invented in Waltham in 1835) In addition to keeping the belts dry from contaminating oils , It was important to maintain and replenish the natural greases that helped the leather remain supple and flexible. Cod oil and tallow was warmed together to form a paste which was swabbed onto the belt. Neatsfoot oil is referred to as well as castor oil. "Ordinary brown soap" was also used to make the belts sticky but this seems to be used only in emergencies as a sticky belt would attract dust , abundant in a textile mill, which if not addressed with a proper dressing would have detrimental affects on the belt. (I despise the use of sticky dressing in my own shop) I'm quite sure when these mills were being set up, the mechanics would have referred to Oliver Evan's book "The Young Millwrights and Miller's Guide" which I do not own but have glanced at. Within you will find an impressive list of chemical mixtures for all things related to setting up and running mills especially gristmills. Hope this helps.

1:10. How the heck does that sideways turned belt stay aligned on the pulleys???

@CharlesRiverMuseum

9 ай бұрын

Alignment is a relative term here. They can shift a bit here and there, as long as they stay engaged. That is part of the beauty of the simplicity of the system. It comes down to friction (to drive) and tension (to stay engaged).

@ben91069

8 ай бұрын

And the pulleys are not flat but convex shaped, so they automatically ride where there is least resistance.

what were the belts made of?

@CharlesRiverMuseum

8 ай бұрын

They are leather. Easy to repair or replace.

What is the price of this line shaft

@Banjoandguns

Жыл бұрын

Priceless as it would take you years if not a lifetime to accumulate all that.