The Ford Barn

t-head · 12-27-2012, 09:04 AM

We found this incredible film from the Library of Congress (click here to watch it) in it a group of men
forge weld one area of a large ring. They use the heat from a fire and weld it the old fashioned blacksmith way, after multiple heats and much hand and steam hammering. Take a few minutes to watch this fascinating look back at how it was done well over 100 years ago. The ring is presumably a piece of a generator or motor.

The film was made by the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company during 1904 and filmed by
camera man, G.W. “Billy” Bitzer. The film above was shot on April 18, 1904, at the Westinghouse
Electric & Manufacturing Co. in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Garage Dog · 12-27-2012, 11:14 AM

WOW that is unbelieable how hard these guys worked back then and both films are so interesting. What is one of the guys throwing on the hot medel? THKS for posting that.

t-head · 12-27-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garage Dog

What is one of the guys throwing on the hot medel? THKS for posting that.

That is a good question, I think it may?? have been some form of a flux to protect the hot medal from the oxygen.

Maybe a Ford Barner with blacksmithing experience will know?

graeagle1 · 12-27-2012, 12:02 PM

The flux is Borax

RichardW · 12-27-2012, 02:11 PM

Not a PPE anywhere in site.
Makes my day sitting here in front of a computer seem kinda lame.

Craig Lewis · 12-28-2012, 02:18 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

That's an amazing video.
Talk about "when men were men" ... these guys swinging them sledges were tough as nails. Hard to believe the shot where 4 guys are all swinging towards each other, talk about faith in your fellow worker!
Near the end that guy holding a piercing spike thingamajig looks like he took a direct hit on the leg...watch him jump...everybody just ignored him and carried on.

It makes one wonder if the Asians are working this hard building the next empire? ...just like these men in the film demonstrating the blood sweat & tears of building the old America that's slipping away as our pasty fat kids sit at computer games sipping sugar drinks and latte with their biggest life decision being weather they should be straight ...or otherwise.

Ed Saniewski · 12-28-2012, 06:43 AM

Thanks T Head, it looked like only one guy was wearing gloves.

Jim Johnston · 12-28-2012, 08:45 AM

A little trivia - My Grandfather, Fred Hahn, worked at that Westinghouse plant in the early 1900's.

Special Coupe Frank · 12-29-2012, 01:58 PM

That is awesome ! Thanks for sharing.

My maternal grandfather, Herbert Shifflett, worked as a Blacksmith for the B&O RR, at the Mt. Clare works, in downtown Baltimore from 1926 to 1969 (when they closed the facility).

He worked between two big forges, making leaf-springs for locomotives.

The Mt. Clare shops were torn-down as part of Baltimore's re-development efforts in the 1970's, so I never got to see them... this gives me some idea of the environment my Grandad worked in for 43 years.

Special Coupe Frank

12-27-2012, 09:04 AM	#1
t-head Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: In my machine shop. Posts: 1,047	Don't Miss This Very Interesting 1904 Forge Welding Film from The Library of Congress We found this incredible film from the Library of Congress (click here to watch it) in it a group of men forge weld one area of a large ring. They use the heat from a fire and weld it the old fashioned blacksmith way, after multiple heats and much hand and steam hammering. Take a few minutes to watch this fascinating look back at how it was done well over 100 years ago. The ring is presumably a piece of a generator or motor. The film was made by the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company during 1904 and filmed by camera man, G.W. “Billy” Bitzer. The film above was shot on April 18, 1904, at the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co. in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Last edited by t-head; 12-27-2012 at 11:21 AM.

12-27-2012, 11:14 AM	#2
Garage Dog Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 50	Re: Don't Miss This Very Interesting 1904 Forge Welding Film from The Library of Cong WOW that is unbelieable how hard these guys worked back then and both films are so interesting. What is one of the guys throwing on the hot medel? THKS for posting that.

12-27-2012, 12:02 PM	#4
graeagle1 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 3	Re: Don't Miss This Very Interesting 1904 Forge Welding Film from The Library of Cong The flux is Borax

12-27-2012, 02:11 PM	#5
RichardW Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Deer Park, Texas Posts: 100	Re: Don't Miss This Very Interesting 1904 Forge Welding Film from The Library of Cong Not a PPE anywhere in site. Makes my day sitting here in front of a computer seem kinda lame.

12-28-2012, 02:18 AM	#6
Craig Lewis Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Parksville B.C. Canada Posts: 880	Re: Don't Miss This Very Interesting 1904 Forge Welding Film from The Library of Cong Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) That's an amazing video. Talk about "when men were men" ... these guys swinging them sledges were tough as nails. Hard to believe the shot where 4 guys are all swinging towards each other, talk about faith in your fellow worker! Near the end that guy holding a piercing spike thingamajig looks like he took a direct hit on the leg...watch him jump...everybody just ignored him and carried on. It makes one wonder if the Asians are working this hard building the next empire? ...just like these men in the film demonstrating the blood sweat & tears of building the old America that's slipping away as our pasty fat kids sit at computer games sipping sugar drinks and latte with their biggest life decision being weather they should be straight ...or otherwise.

12-28-2012, 06:43 AM	#7
Ed Saniewski Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Denville NJ Posts: 964	Re: Don't Miss This Very Interesting 1904 Forge Welding Film from The Library of Cong Thanks T Head, it looked like only one guy was wearing gloves. __________________ Model A Ford Club of New Jersey http://www.mafcnj.org Model A Pick Up Owners and Enthusiasts http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/group.php?groupid=5

12-28-2012, 08:45 AM	#8
Jim Johnston Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 106	Re: Don't Miss This Very Interesting 1904 Forge Welding Film from The Library of Cong A little trivia - My Grandfather, Fred Hahn, worked at that Westinghouse plant in the early 1900's.

12-29-2012, 01:58 PM	#9
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: Don't Miss This Very Interesting 1904 Forge Welding Film from The Library of Cong That is awesome ! Thanks for sharing. My maternal grandfather, Herbert Shifflett, worked as a Blacksmith for the B&O RR, at the Mt. Clare works, in downtown Baltimore from 1926 to 1969 (when they closed the facility). He worked between two big forges, making leaf-springs for locomotives. The Mt. Clare shops were torn-down as part of Baltimore's re-development efforts in the 1970's, so I never got to see them... this gives me some idea of the environment my Grandad worked in for 43 years. Special Coupe Frank