Battleship New Jersey's Machine Shop

[@leelawrence1557]

I was the LPO of the BB62 machine shop from 1985 to 1987. The stuff we fabricated on here was tough work at times. We made tons of gears, mainly spur gears. I made a helical gear for a lube oil pump. We fabricated remote operated gearboxes, I could go on and on. My name should still be stamped in the deck of the grind shop: MR2 (SW) LAWRENCE.

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

We show the names on the floor in the video!

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

Also, heres a picture of your group: photos.app.goo.gl/WVGFbqpALfjiABBYA

[@therestorationshop]

@@BattleshipNewJersey Wow, that's super cool to see the loop closed like that. Awesome! Much respect sent out to Lee Lawrence and his group for being out there keeping us safe.

[@wdcjunk]

Were all those pecker holes in the radial drill press table when you were there Lee?

[@leelawrence1557]

@@wdcjunk Yes. And I'm sure a few more appeared after I transferred.

[@johngroberts952]

The amount of planning that goes into building something like this is mind boggling.

[@moose2577]

I think in one of these videos he said there were 2 tons of blueprints!

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

So. Many. Blueprints. A very large room with boxes stacked to the ceiling.

[@sorryociffer]

@@BattleshipNewJersey Awesome they still exist! Hope they are being preserved!

[@havefaith96]

Those blueprints should all be digitized!

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

We're working on it. Most of them require a special scanner that we don't have though, they're huge!

[@MicanTorban-hh8ql]

I think that working in metal shop on the ship is wery exciting 👍. I am working in metal factori for 33 years, and for 20 years I'm working on the vertical cnc lathe machine, programming it , set tools and other things which are necessary for production and in the actual work on the machine. We produce workpices which weight is few tons. 8:15

[@thebubbacontinuum2645]

When you give a tour of a machine shop, you need to have a machinist describe each machine. Machining nerds need details. Great video.

[@000-v8v9w]

Yes the bullard is called a VTL, vertical turret lathe.

[@paulhunt598]

@@000-v8v9w I was troubled by the same mistake and jumped to the comments to make the same correction. I didn't see any turret, so I thought that it was a vertical lathe.

[@roceye]

I think that was a Bridgeport on the left.

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

There is a Bridgeport on the left, right behind the Bullard vertical turret lathe which is right behind the drill press.

[@wilde.coyote6618]

Lodge and Shipley Lathe.

[@homebuiltedmmachines9471]

MR2 Fleming here I did not serve on the New Jersey but I have spent a lot of time doing repair work as a Machinery Repairman in the Navy. Made lots of electric motor and pump shafts, repaired, straightened, fixed what ever it took to get back on line. MR is a GREAT Rate and directly transferable to Civilian work which I did (and still working at age 71 as a Machinist) for the last 30 year. Yes I would have liked to have see more details of the "real machine shop" with someone who knew there way around the shop. Seeing this kind of made me "homesick" for those Navy days I can still smell that shipboard smell. My son is currently First Class in the Navy stationed in Japan.

[@NSResponder]

My grandfather worked at the Bethlehem steel shipyard at Sparrow's Point in Maryland. In the 1970s, they were dismantling a navy ship, not sure what class, and they found a machine shop that didn't have a door. it had been sealed airtight since 1943. All the machine tools inside were in pristine condition.

[@josephstevens9888]

I bet that would have been fascinating to see - a life size time capsule!

[@AmericanThunder]

I hope they preserved those machines!

[@SealofPerfection]

Old myth, it's been told about a bunch of ships.

[@loftsatsympaticodotc]

Wow oh wow. If not a "myth" What a find! Like Christmas to a budding machinist. What happened to them ?

[@NSResponder]

@@SealofPerfection I believe my grandfather. If you don't, that's your own problem.

[@gateway8833]

I really never appreciated the Navy until I witnessed this very Battleship fire in Beirut. Later in Combat Operations I would come to love the A-10, but there is nothing that compares to hand of God that a Battleship brings. Thank you to all those who served on her. Thank you for all your work keeping her alive.

[@aristarchan1]

My father had a machine shop for many years, and I worked in it on-and-off when I was a kid. I ran all the machines, but my favorite was an old WW2 Kearney and Trecker knee mill with the vertical head, which came off a Navy ship. We used that thing daily for years, and when he died it was sold and is still operating today, doing accurate work. Thanks for the wonderful, informative videos. Preserving the history of these marvels is incredibly important.

[@ypaulbrown]

@aristarchan1 if you watched close, there was a Kearney and Tracker horizontal mill with a vertical head in the machine shop.....Your dad probably had a horizontal mill with a vertical head also.....a very fine machine....

[@cuttablespark1812]

I have been waiting for this video. Machine Shop, Shipfitter shop, Winding Shop, etc are the spaces I like to see. Spaces that showed trade skills, the people behind the curtain.

[@leelawrence1557]

What is now the machine shop office had a tool and cutter grinder and two pantographs for engraving. I see they are gone. That tool and cutter grinder got used a lot. In the heavy side of the machine shop I see the electroplating sink has been removed. That was installed in 1985. In the lathe side (before you go into the office) that Standard Modern 16" lathe was installed in 1986, right before the 86 WesPac. Most of the original equipment actually had WW2 War Department brass tags attached. All of the equipment in that shop was fully functional and used a lot. A shout out to MR2 Scott Miller who found the worm shaft and leather belt to get the Vertical Turret Lathe (VTL) running. Yes the VTL is belt driven. Made by Bullard.

[@larryfairfield8137]

I just found and watched your video outstanding. I enlisted Oct 1970 as a Machinery Repairman and served on seven ships; retired June 1992

[@danschneider9921]

My wife's grandfather was a Chief Metalsmith aboard the USS Colorado in WW2 and later recalled for the Korean War on the USS Iowa. He loved the work and was very proud of what they could do at sea.

[@robertlian2009]

Hi Ryan, I was Turret 2 Officer from 81 to 84. Would like to correspond with you on video you did on 16 inch regunning. We did replace the center gun of turret 2 in 1984. Quite a process. Really enjoy your videos.

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

You can email [e-mail] if you'd like.

[@theodoreshasta7846]

Ryan - You are doing a wonderful job, and I really appreciate learning about this remarkable ship which was built before I was born. The men took her into battle must have been very special. It makes me realize how easy my life has been.

[@Finallybianca]

Was a Tool and Die machinist years ago and miss the work.

[@peterloverci1002]

Hi Ryan, Great video. I was an MR2 aboard 2 tenders from 87-92. First onboard USS Orion AS-18 stationed in La Maddalena, Sardinia (Italy) and onboard USS Cape Cod AD-43 out of San Diego. R2-31A was our shop designation. Also worked in Nuclear repair on fast attack and SSBN’s. I loved serving and I miss it very much. Can’t wait for the museum to open up again so I can enjoy it in person. Thanks for making these videos. It’s obvious that you have a passion for history and I enjoy how you explain various parts of the ship. Keep up the great work. MR2 Peter A. Loverci Milford, CT

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

By the way, were open on weekends right now! We highly recommend checking our website before planning a visit though because, you know, things change fast this year.

[@leelawrence1557]

@@peterloverci1002 I was onboard USS Cape Cod from 1982 to 1984. Made the 83 WesPac.

[@marclaforest3282]

As a machinist i feel like little boy into a toy store watching this vidéo !!!!

[@Tuning3434]

Mechanical Engineer here, and def. not professionally working in a workshop myself... but same.

[@operator0]

Same. Need more time examining the equipment on camera, preferably by a knowledgeable machinist. Does the museum hire machinists? If so, would they be able to run any of the equipment? It's been a long time since I've run a manual machine, but this would be a really interesting job, even if the parts being made are simple.

[@throngcleaver]

Same here. I love the old iron. My oldest lathe is a 1933.

[@squigmontlucas6150]

@@throngcleaver got you beat New York wire had a lathe that was built in 1917.. k & t machine in Ashland Virginia had one that was built in 1918, and I cut threads on it 10 years ago.. it cut them perfectly....

[@chriscarter7182]

I was really hoping to see an old Monarch EE lathe here!! If I have my history correct, this lathe was developed for use onboard a navy ship. I’ve used numerous lathes thru my work-life, the Monarch is my, hands down, favorite!

[@ColKorn1965]

As a machinist I approve this message. I've machined 2 1.1 inch dummy projectiles for the staff at USS North Carolina to be used as teaching aids. Love these ships.

[@nickhannaford3253]

Some lovely machine tools, no DRO’s in sight😄. I did my apprenticeship as a Toolmaker. Remember the first day having to learn imperial measurements as a lot of the machines were so old. We were only taught the metric system in school. Hated the old stuff to start with then grew to love the quality. They definitely don’t make them like they used to. Hi from 🇬🇧.

[@ged5868]

There is a DRO on the Nardini or similar lathe. One passes the headstock on their right when entering the "office" area

[@MasterofCrude]

I actually walked this magnificent ship through the Gatun lock , Panama Canal. On my 21st birthday. My Right hand on Her Port side........ USS Fort Snelling LSD 30 EM2c. May 27,1968

[@josephstevens9888]

Happy belated 21st birthday Jack!

[@MRC1776]

As a retired MRC and re-enlisted on-board the USS Missouri as a MR2 this is a great video of the history of our great Navy. Our current naval ships machine shops are still very close to this one. Oh the good ole days...

[@donaldfischer1428]

I was an MR for 22 years. Was on the John F. Kennedy (cva-67) 72-74, destroyer tender and 3 sub tenders in Charleston SC. Been to A and C schools in San Diego. I loved these old machines, not these new fangled ones where the "machinest" just sits there and watches it. Retired in 94 as an E-8. Now I understand the MR rating doesn't exist anymore.

[@davidzimmer2694]

USS Orion AS-18?

[@donaldfischer1428]

@@davidzimmer2694 the Hunley, Holland and Canopus.

[@drubradley8821]

WOW... If those machines could talk.. I could sit for a life time and still not have enough time here every story.. Really amazing... Thank you.

[@bigwrenchgarage1360]

Having worked a decade in a shipyard, I've never seen a machine shop so clean! That's some great equipment in there. Would love to have that shop!

[@ZBFLEX]

It’s amazing how those machinist we’re able to work using the lathes, milling machines etc. while the ship was rolling from side to side and moving up and down while steaming through heavy seas.

[@MrCantStopTheRobot]

I'm impressed that you committed some of the comment-suggestions to practice, like flashing the deck elevation diagram in the beginning and doing slow-mo's. I've designed some fictional ships for an art project, and one of the things I contemplated was how to lay out a machine shop. This video was a windfall.

[@JerzeyBoy]

Is there a place where you place your renders?

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

Like our raw footage?

[@chuckfinley6156]

that armored deck with the crew men's names stamped on it was as awesome as Stanley's Cup. that is so cool.

[@taxicamel]

...and did he say "...6 inch armoured... deck"? 6 inches in one thing ...but "armoured" is something else. "Armoured plate steel which is carbonised by heating the steel in the presence of carbon (usually charcoal) for long durations (often several weeks)". It appears the hardness alone is in the vicinity of 500BHN ....then there are the physical properties and toughness, etc. I wonder what the "outer" materials thicknesses are (hull and top deck)? apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1027340.pdf

[@aevangel1]

6:56 & 7:12 That's not just any drill press, that's a Radial Drill Press. A very versatile machine.

[@hellbounddeciple]

I caught that also. Still use one today. Fun machine to tap holes on

[@BlackEpyon]

Move the drill itself, not just the work piece? Yeah, I can see where that would be useful.

[@jockellis]

That machine shop is fantastic. I work in a shop that rebuilds industrial gearboxes. Lots of modern CNC equipment but still a number of machines the age of this stuff.

[@squigmontlucas6150]

I currently work in a shop that has 20 ft 16 foot and 12 foot vertical boring Mills and an 8 foot bulliard.. these machines made parts for battleships in world war II.. in the seventies and eighties the machinist who ran them made reactor components for the nimitz-class carriers..actually the entire reactor vessel and reactor head, along with many of the valves..today we are making missile tubes for the next generation Columbia class Boomer..and pay load tubes for the Virginia class attack submarines.. along with various other stuff for the Navy.. we also have an old Lodge & Shipley lathe looks pretty close to the one that's on that ship..

[@southjerseysound7340]

The metal shop in my highschool was equipped mostly from machines that came out of ships in the Philly naval yard. I was always amazed at how big the equipment was and it was all built in place and cut out when they sold it. I still remember the pictures he had from buying it all. But as things go they got rid of the metal shop after Mr Search retired in the early 2000's. It's truly a shame that they pushed him out because I can name at least 20 people who most likely wouldn't have been productive members of society if it wasn't for Greg Search myself included. I still ended up not graduating from my hs. But thanks to him I joined the Navy and still managed to become a naval aviator by taking the hard knocks route. Granted I had to work 3times as hard but I still managed.

[@dave8599]

At san jose state univ. we had lots of ex navy ww11 era machines in the industrial tech machine shop class. good American made stuff, this was back in the1980s

[@jodyburton0351]

20 seconds in: "We're at Frame 134 if you're following along in your booklet of general plans at home." Well, yeah, who isn't? Nice tour, though. I imagine crew that worked on this vessel and others like it enjoy seeing it again and showing family where they used to work.

[@SuperFreightliner1]

I was an MR on the John F Kennedy CV-67 and it seems like you had more machines than we had. We had a great bunch of guys in the machine shop and I am retired now as a tool maker for 45 years. I enjoyed your video and salute all our military personal . Thank-you We also had electrical room that had a neat sign on the door that read ----Let us remove your shorts !

[@robertgutheridge9672]

At least a couple of the lathes in the second to last room look to be mid eighties era . Or if they are original then they where upgraded

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

Some of those are very much so eighties machines. The WW2 era iron can be seen with it's solid castings and curved lines. The eighties machines were encased in sheet metal.

[@robertgutheridge9672]

@@AndrewTubbiolo thatt was what i thought

[@micahatticus4257]

The Standard Modern lathe (SM) is definitely 80s or 90s. I wonder how they got it in.

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

@@micahatticus4257 I would imagine vertically down wider portals then horizontal. It's not like it's an American Pacemaker. I don't think the fit would be too tight.

[@micahatticus4257]

@@AndrewTubbiolo Yes that seems to be a good way to do that and maybe with the Headstock removed also.

[@johnbeauvais3159]

The names and art are always the coolest thing for me, makes you wonder if any of them thought about who might see it after they left, or how long after we would still be able to appreciate it

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

One of those guys is in this comment thread!

[@2ebarman]

A few years ago I was interested in how much such a ship actually cost when it was built. It's hard to understand what some amount of money cost 80 years ago, but I remember finding out that this ship cost 1/1000 of the US GDP at the time she was built. Right now if a ship were to cost 1/1000 of the US GDP it would cost roughly 20 billion dollars.

[@diamonddigs6206]

US GDP has gotten a little better since then. it would cost about 2 billion to actually rebuild that ship.

[@loftsatsympaticodotc]

That proportion shows the high percentage of defense spending that preparing for or being in a war costs- aside from the human tragedy and living hell that war ALSO is, because of political differences of opinions among nations.

[@Beck-Built]

Would love to see more of the machine shop with a focus on the machines! Great vid!

[@ironmyno]

This might be the coolest tour I've been on. Definitely the beat KZbin tour hands down! I'd have never gotten to see this orherwise... Thank you so much!!!

[@henrycarlson7514]

Interesting, Thank You. A fine example of the strength and durability and redundancy built into the Battleship. So glad that you and you're team can make use of the machinery and spare parts. Not to mention how much of the old gear is still usable. Thank You for sharing with the world

[@funone8716]

I have a small 24" Bullard that I bought out of Attica prison in NY. The navy gave it to them years ago. I guess it was in a ship yard at some point.

[@gregwarner3753]

Once upon a time I was an MR-4. That machine shop is a machinest dream. All the tools needed to repair or make anything that would fit. The only 'improvement' I would make would be to install electrical position indicators on the tools. These are not control computers but great time savers. On the ship, DE ?, we had a small lathe, a drill press and a box of files.

[@bruisedbananas9616]

It's absolutely amazing we were able to turn out these engineering marvels one after the other as they were needed for the war effort. The man hours it took to build this floating city must be astounding. They're so complex too.

[@NoelBarlau]

The machine shop on the tour of the Missouri is what got me into machining. I've been a volunteer in the machine shop at the Dixie Wing of the CAF, and someday when we live on Oahu I'll be volunteering on the Mighty Mo. It's on my bucket list.

[@stevenblankschein5670]

Hi like your videos. I was a machinist at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey Ca. One thing I noticed on you tour of the ship’s repair spaces was how unkept the active spaces were. Our shops were kept clean and neat for many reasons. Safety, fire prevention and morale of the shop personnel. I know you are working with volunteers. But a clean shop is a more productive shop. I might sound like a old fart (because I’m an old fart) but I do know of what I speak. Keep up the good work. And I will look forward to your videos.

[@barrykery1175]

Seeing the boiler stacks brings back a memory. On my destroyer, in the passageway on the main deck is an access port to each stack. We had to climb inside of the stack with a fire hose and wash down the inside of the stack. The fire hose aimed up, not down. So you stood in all of the sooty water that was splashed off of the inside of the stack. Two boilers per stack. You stood on a flat platform, inside of the stack that was between the two boilers. Barry

[@miketorres8441]

You've got a million or more in very old, but excellent machine shop equipment!

[@mrkeiths48]

MR's .....unsung heroes of the entire Navy.

[@Shipfixer]

I've been on some large ship repairs and refits. When it comes to the largest pieces of machinery, like engines, etc., they sometimes cut a large hole in the hull and remove it that way. Afterwards, the plate is welded back along with any structural ribs or bulkheads. As far as large primary and intermediate shafts, they are removed underwater with divers and cranes. Great video and explanations! Instant LIKE & SUB!

[@davidncw4613]

Super cool. I have worked for various industrial contractors my entire civilian life as a Millwright and Pipefitter. Former Hull Techs are among the finest hands in the heavy industrial workforce.

[@MontegaB]

Man, the history these machines have made is incredible. So nice to see it so well preserved, thanks for what you do!

[@petepeeff5807]

Thanks for the tour. The first real machine shop job I had in the 80's was for a retired NCO machinist mate. (Sorry don't know ulitamate rank not Navy background) Machine shop owners tend to be perfectionists, this guy took that to a whole new level!!! He ran that shop like a boot camp. Saw a lot of guys roll boxes in on Monday and out on Friday. Me, I learned a lot about life from that guy in the short time I was there. Got laid off on Christmas eve.(no hard feelings just buissness) He called the school and wanted me back in Feburary when work picked up but I already had another job. Can't say I was sorry. It sure was interesting to see where he spent his Naval career.

[@byronking7266]

Fascinating video... This and so many others. Really gets into the guts of those old battleships. They were more than just gun platforms, although that was the primary mission. They were floating industrial facilities for repairing damage/battle damage far from home. Navy used to have "tender" ships that were nothing but floating machine shops. Entire decks of industrial capability... Long gone. Aside from aircraft carriers, you won't find much of a "machine shop" on any US ship these days.

[@zoutsider88]

Excellent video! I love these in depth tours!

[@bigqueue]

Wonderful video, and so interesting to me because my dad was a machinist on the USS Forrestal (CV-59) and I am sure the machine shops there were similar, so I was very interested in your tour. I am glad I stumbled upon your channel, and plan on watching all your videos and hopefully visit your ship when all this Covid mess is over.

[@paulcampbell5202]

An excellent video! The "smaller" lathe with the markings "SM" is a Standard Modern brand lathe and is Canadian made (Toronto, Ontario). They are still in business, and to the best of my knowledge are the ONLY manufacturer of new manual (ie: non-CNC) metal turning lathes in North America. Given so many high schools don't have machine shops anymore, most of their production goes into US navy ships and submarines! Given the general shape of that lathe, I suspect it was in fact made at the earliest, in the 1970's, so it must have been dismantled to get down into the machine shop. Home shop machinists do that all the time getting ex-industrial machine tools into house basements! I have one of their older machines (1960's) and it has quite a different appearance. Hope that may be of some interest..

[@PorchPotatoMike]

Thank you. I noticed that a couple of them looked to be much newer design.

[@davmar9923]

In about 1970 I was employed (Civil Service, not military) at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (Pasadena, CA). One of my assignments was at the Morris Dam Test Facility in the San Gabriel mountains. That facility had a large machine shop with equipment dating from WWII. The machines were top of the line at the time they were originally purchased and were still in excellent condition when I worked there. I remember in particular a large vertical mill that had two-speed mechanically driven traverse on all three table axis. There was also a Shaper, which is a machine that has almost entirely disappeared from modern machine shops. There were other behemoth machines as well including a drill press with a rotary table and a huge throat depth. That facility had test bays open toward the lake that were used for testing of hazardous equipment and had heavy blast doors for access and used a system of mirrors to allow viewing into the chambers without direct exposure. Among the projects that I worked on was testing of sea water initiated thermal batteries that would power torpedoes and also internal combustion torpedo motors that had cylinders arranged in a ring with connecting rods pushing against a swash plate to rotate a shaft. The fuel contained both a hydrocarbon combustible and an oxidizer so that no external air supply was required and ignited the mixture by compression, like a Diesel cycle.

[@jacobcreech4382]

What a fascinating piece of history, enjoying watching from New Zealand. Have never considered there would be an on board machine shop but it makes perfect sense. Thanks for sharing.

[@leverman7517]

The tanker I was on (early 70"s) had a machine shop called M.R. Machinery Repair. MM's (Machinist Mates) were glorified pipe-fitters and gauge readers. Most of my work was paint chipping!

[@jd3497]

Ignoring the vertical mill, the surface grinder, openside planer, large power hacksaw and horizontal mill that all played a role in making parts to keep the ship running. A crucial part of the ship that deserves better treatment.

[@diconustra]

Yep - looks like some of the machine tools were added long after WWII.

[@markcooke2713]

Although not at sea, where I did my apprenticeship, we had a vertical lathe with a tag that said, property of the us war department, yours might be a little smaller, but it has made me wonder what its history was....

[@stratostatic]

Got a really good look at the storage areas though..

[@remington351]

I wouldn't be too hard on Ryan for that. I don't believe that he knew the names for the various types of machinery that you mentioned. So rather than stand at the operators stations and say "big machine #1 that I don't know the name of, big machine #2, big machine #3" I think Ryan just kinda moved along. No fault of his, unless you spent time in a machine shop as an apprentice I doubt anyone would know.

[@operator0]

We need Abom to get a special tour of the machine shop spaces and film everything.

[@thomasgronek6469]

Thanks for the Video. My father was a machinist during WWII,, I always wondered what his work-place looked like, I guess I have some idea now. He spent a LOT of time on the ships.

[@richardrickett3593]

i was involved in the re comissioning of the missouri in the 80s this is a trip down memory lane

[@leelawrence1557]

Richard Rickett, did you MR1 Todd Ulin?

[@richardrickett3593]

Name sounds familiar .

[@oldfatandtired6406]

Thank you for your service to our great Nation

[@Foxyjosh]

My grandfather was a machinist on the Roosevelt aircraft carrier. (The diesel version that is now an artificial reef) He loved to tell this story: One of my crewmates had to walk through the Marine's quarters to get to his station. The Marines were relentless and would write him up for every dress code infraction they could find. So one day, he went to his CO and complained. The CO replied: "You've been in the NAVY how long? Get yourself a repair ticket, go downstairs, and break something." So, the steam line to the Marine's pants press somehow spring a leak and they were sweating it. They assumed they knew who did it, they couldn't prove it, and they left him alone after that.

[@lsdzheeusi]

Them: "Did you see the latest episode of The Mandalorian?" Me: "Did you see Ryan's latest video on the Battleship New Jersey?"

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

We believe in both! Check out this episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGWQYXWZqLOKh7c

[@seatedliberty]

@@BattleshipNewJersey Massive guns, massive armor- this is the way.

[@jimtalbott9535]

@@BattleshipNewJersey Yes, BOTH! Excellent!

[@brettdavis80]

Real versus imaginary. I’ll take REAL

[@morning_glorymonster3473]

My girlfriend: "Did you see the latest episode of The Mandalorian?" Me: "Did you see Ryan's latest video on the Battleship New Jersey?"

[@jsimm4587]

Always wondered what a shop was like in a ship very confined but efficient ! Thanks for the video !

[@slmyatt]

The loving maintenance comes across even by video. A tribute to the height of the Industrial Age.

[@lelandrogers1078]

Nice to hear someone who knows the difference between doors and hatches.

[@davidmoran4471]

Thanks for this, my father was a motor mac on the USS Salute AM294, gives me a little look at what he saw. He was teaching at Norfolk Navy Shipyard when Pearl Harbor was attacked, and immediately volunteered for combat duty.

[@bluehornet6752]

People often wonder what made/makes America "great." I submit that it was the work done in spaces like that, under less-than-idea conditions, because it HAD to be done. Thank you to everyone who ever worked in those spaces. This American is extremely proud of you.

[@larryschweitzer4904]

I was an engineering officer on CVA61 during Vietnam. Some of the equipment installed originally was left overs from canceled ships at the end of WW2. It created problems getting parts. Our main machining space was much larger and had a huge lathe and radial drill press. There were no hatches big enough to get parts that size into the shop. As for getting large equipment into the ship after it was built, they would just holes in the hull while in dry dock. Ranger had 3 armor decks, Flight, Hanger and 4th. There was no armor on the sides. Instead a series of tanks and voids. They were used mainly for ballasting.

[@VærdAtSe]

Thanks for the tour. Please make another one, with more detailed look at all machines in the shop 😊 I would love to visit New Jersey one day. I have always admired the US ww2 navy ships. Best regards from Denmark.

[@stevewesley8187]

All the machine shop tools (lathes , drill press etc. ) are capable of disassembly , and could be transported to lower decks in that state and then reassembled in situ .

[@Icutmetal]

Only to a certain extent; the base castings are pretty large themselves in relation to the overall size of the machines.

[@MyklEnigma]

I love this particular video....im a machinist by trade....I run an engine lathe from 1980 or so...also use a horizontal turret lathe that dates from around the same time as your vertical turret lathe

[@fve9605]

Great video ,never seen the machine shop before , no wonder it took such a large crew.

[@mikemarriam]

There were over 50 sailors in each of the gun turrets.

[@Dog.soldier1950]

Finally the video/audio is watchable that said highly impressed with the state of cleanliness of the spaces

[@quikdrw]

I was an EM on-board the USS Butte in the early 80's. I used and recognized all of the equipment in the POWER shop. I don't believe that I have those skills, now though.

[@agwhitaker]

7:15 - Vertical boring mill actually, sort of a lathe standing on end. Good for working short length, large diameter parts.

[@georgegeller1902]

Yep. Not a "turret lathe."

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

Our machinist, who has been working in this shop since 1968 calls it a turret lathe.

[@stratostatic]

Not even close to being a turrent lathe.. I'm surprised there isn't a small Tool Room Lathe with a turrent attachment.

[@johnhupp8444]

Sometimes they are referred to as a VTL or vertical turret lathe.

[@yes_head]

Love the mustard-colored 70s-era fridge!

[@paschaldobbins8430]

Harvest Gold.

[@Nighthawke70]

The carrier LEXINGTON moored here in Corpus Christi still has their shops intact and fully operational. Their gear is 60's and 70's vintage with VFD or LED digital readouts and power feeds, but all American-made tools. I'm no machinist, but I still drool gazing past the guard mesh into the shop looking in on all that hardware and tooling. It's about one of my first stops while visiting the old girl.

[@johnkruer7557]

My first Machinist position was at NOS Louisville. I miss those big machines. Lots of Gun and weapons systems overhaul.

[@jockbeems4798]

Any machinist would love that shop equipment. I know I certainly would!

[@warbirdwf]

Another vote for doing another video of just the machinery in the machine shop. Jeez, all that excellent, made in America machinery like lathes, etc look almost brand new. I'd love to own some of it!

[@alanb76]

Thanks for the tour. I knew someone who was on an old Navy ship many years back, and they decided there was a space that was "missing", there was no access. After consulting the plans they cut a hatch into the space and found a machine shop there, complete with lathes etc. The larger machinery was installed before the next deck went on, someone forgot to cut the hatch.

[@SealofPerfection]

Old myth. Been told about many ships.

[@clauschristensen3288]

Quite a nice tour. It would be cool to see a collaboration with one of the machining channels going in to more detail about that machine shop. Abom79 would be a tight squeze but he might just be up to it :-)

[@brianw612]

I toured the BB55 machine shop years ago. They said some times while underway, other ships would come aside to get machine work done by the North Carolina, and it's crew was known for exceptional work.

[@johngalt6929]

Wow! I haven't seen a Bullard vertical turret lathe since the 70's. I ran one for a few years. That DoAll surface grinder is a classic also.

[@000-v8v9w]

I did also, at the General Electric co. Jet engine and steam turbine work.

[@johngalt6929]

@@000-v8v9w - I was at FMC Corp.

[@squigmontlucas6150]

Got one sitting about forty feet away from me.. another one down the road in the local machine shop in the little town I live in, southern York county.,.. It I'll. last time I ran the bulliard was two years ago.. sitting ever since the CNC vertical took over

[@larrygomer]

I've been a fixed limit Tool and Gage maker for 33 years . We still use Jones & Lamson Thread Grinding machines that have U.S.N. Serial numbers on them . I was hoping to see one of those . I would say if your in the middle of the ocean it would difficult to find a hardware store. I was told in the day they made their own fasteners and threaded rods and nuts . That was very cool to see . Thanks

[@udflyer98]

Great to see those old Sidney lathes 👍

[@iowa61]

One of the unique capabilities of the IOWA class is self-repair. They were also used to provide service and repair to other ships in the Battleship Surface Action Group after their reactivation in the 1980s.

[@georgedistel1203]

The company that I retired from had an old metal lathe and end mill that was bought surplus from the government in the late 50's early 60's thats what I learned on when going thru the apprenticeship program. They were well worn before I started using them bit really enjoyed the non cnc equipment.

[@billwalck1324]

Radial drill press. Gives 2 axis locational ability, and vastly improves accuracy. Also, not a turret lathe, but a vertical boring mill. Makes large-diameter pieces more machinable.

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

Our head machinist, who's used that machine since 1968, calls it a turret lathe.

[@stratostatic]

I think he's referring to the large peice of equipment you called a 'Drill Press'.

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

Sorry, he mentioned both in his comment, hard to keep up!

[@neritansevdari8977]

This is extraordinary! It is like a small town. It is selfsufficiant.

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

We often use the phrase A City At Sea, she really does have most everything!

[@jerredwayne8401]

Hell during ww2 this ship had 1000 more people on board than live in my town!

[@stevemccluskey7102]

Awesome to see old engine lathes, vertical turret lathes, vintage bridgeports, universal milling machines, DoAll surface grinders and plenty of other machines that were very similar to some of the vintage machines I learned to become a machinist on at College of the Redwoods in Eureka California. They had about 30 old vintage lathes and other machines from that era that had been purchased from the military and had all been crashed a thousand times by students such as my self. Those machines on board the Jersey would be worth a ton of money if you could get them out. They just don't build machines like that any more.

[@JerzeyBoy]

Thank you for showing me this. I never thought it would be that crazy.

[@wdcjunk]

What I would give to have those machines in my garage! I hope those museum workers who get to work in those areas appreciate all the history they're handling.

[@janvisser2223]

They normally do, is my exoerience. It is one of the reasons that they are volounteers.

[@Mike44460]

The machine tool you referred to as a turret lathe is a vertical turret lathe, VTL for short. The lathe is called and engine lathe. These would be one of my must see items if I ever get a chance to come visit. In addition, to stand on the bridge where the "Bull" did as he chased the Japanese around the pacific, if those walls could talk.

[@BattleshipNewJersey]

Our head machinist has worked in this shop since 1968 and that is what he calls it so that is the name that we use.

[@meme__salad]

At college we had some Bridgeport mills that were probably built in the 40’s but modified with a variable speed motor. If you take care of them they’ll last forever

[@timtyner3969]

Really enjoy your videos, I’ve been to BB-55 North Carolina many times, I will try to make it to the New Jersey this year to support you and the ship.

[@roceye]

Everything in that machine shop was made in America.

[@ssmt2]

Not everything. There is a Standard Modern lathe that was probably installed during the ships last overhaul and modernization in the 1980s. Standard Modern lathes are made in Canada.

[@mathewmolk2089]

Like the little brand new Jet horizontal band saw? - And as far as all machinery going back to WWII that lathe with the square headstock SM Lathe wasn't even thought of 'till Vietnam. And the way he just walked past the newer Bridgport with even a word. (Is there a more essential machine tool ?) That DoALL surface grinder is not that old and he didn't mention the Horizontal mill or the boring mill either, but he sure is obsessed with chain falls and the mono rail One more thing. - If the stock rooms are not habitable while under way what good are they if you have to shut the boilers down if you need a piece of 1-1/4 1045 cold finish ????? Something is not right here. - He defiantly needed an actual machinist mate with him .

[@matthewq4b]

@@mathewmolk2089 That Do All Surface grinder dates to the 1960's and was probably installed during her Vietnam War reactivation. The Canadian SM 20/60 Lathe dates from the mid 80's and was most likely installed during the 88/89 refit.

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

@@mathewmolk2089 I think by habitable he means it's hot as balls in there and nobody is going to be occupying that space for long. Not so hot that you can't walk in for a few minutes and grab some bar stock, but hot enough that you're not going to be in there for hours at a time welding or winding motors without dying of heat stroke. Imagine walking in a sauna at its hottest setting to grab the phone you forgot inside, compared to staying in that sauna all day long operating a drill press.

[@oaklecopel]

@@ssmt2 Canada is still in America... just not the United States of America

[@fryer05maverick31]

That Bridgeport was from the late 70's or early 80's had VS head on it.

[@josephdestaubin7426]

Interesting, I thought it looked a little bit out of place, like it was way to small for the company it was keeping.

[@deltamachine2059]

That kearney and trecker mill is beautiful

[@HK-qj4im]

Great videos. Thanks for preserving history

[@johnknapp952]

Though removing and repairing major engine components on large ships isn't done often outside of a shipyard, it has been done. I was on the Kitty Hawk in '93 when they spent something like 6 months removing one of the Steam Turbines that had a bad vibration. Required cutting a large hole from the Hanger Deck to the Engine Room going thru multiple decks and all the pipes, wiring and whatever else needed to be moved out of the way.