Machinist - Big Jobs Require Big Tools.1938
by Mike Savad
Title
Machinist - Big Jobs Require Big Tools.1938
Artist
Mike Savad
Medium
Photograph - Colorized Photo
Description
Hand colored photo from 1938
Original title: Vertical boring mill, 47 years old, machining 8" railway mount slide
Photographer: Unknown
Location: 500 N Beacon St, Watertown, MA
The Watertown Arsenal, established in 1816 on the Charles River in Watertown, Massachusetts, served as a vital American military site for over a century. Initially replacing the Charlestown Arsenal, it expanded significantly during the American Civil War to produce gun carriages and erect new factories. Later developments in the 1890s transformed it into a major manufacturing complex for artillery pieces. Operational through World War I and II, the arsenal ceased Army activities in 1968, repurposing its land by 1995 for civilian use. It now hosts a mixed-use development, previously listed on the EPA's Superfund National Priorities List.
This machine, a Vertical boring mill or Vertical turret lathe (VTL), is crucial for enlarging or refining the internal diameter of holes in large workpieces like turbine casings and engine blocks. Featuring a rotating horizontal table and a vertically oriented spindle with versatile cutting capabilities, VTLs are indispensable in aerospace, automotive, energy, and heavy equipment manufacturing industries.
A railway mount slide facilitates the movement and support of heavy artillery along railway tracks, ensuring stability and precise firing. Integrated with a mobile platform on the railway, it enables rapid deployment, making it essential for military operations requiring flexible and potent fire support.
Uploaded
July 14th, 2024
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