Old-school modern industrial forging industry film

[Brad Johnson]

An industry-produced film showing mid 20th century industrial forging systems. Cool tech that hasn't changed much in the half century or so since the film was made. It's still basically a "More Heat! Bigger Hammer!" scenario, though metallurgy and automation have improved a bit since.

Nothing like a little 16mm film goodness to dredge up memories of junior high.

http://youtu.be/v2_0V58ocq4

Brad

[just Warren]

Thanks, added it to my list.

Despite not being mechanically adept and having no formal training in this stuff I love the old machines and techniques.

Giant wheels upon which giant belts are attached that turn other machines and the look of them is awesome as well.

Somewhere along the way I've picked up an fascination with Babbitt bearings. Just a beautiful solution to a common problem that didn't need fancy-pants technicians to fix or maintain.

[RoadKingLarry]

My jr. Year of high school  I was working weekend cleanup in a drop forge shop. They made medium sized stuff like u-joints and digger teeth and other stuff I don't remember. Mostly I  shoveled slag and pushed a broom but I'd worked my way up driving a forklift and even spent one day welding "handles" onto blanks. That was gonna get me a 15 cent an hour raise. That was the week I blew out my knee at football practice thus ending my manly man job and my football career.
I only got to see the forges running a couple of times but it was kind of impressive.