FX Smith's Sons cigar rolling machine

Century old cigar rolling machinery at FX Smith's Sons 150 year old fifth genration cigar factory in McSherrystown PA

[@ZERO_42069]

That machine is so cool, it’s crazy to think the stuff people invent

[@adwest68]

Chapeau for the engineers 😮

[@mrkrasker9609]

My mother worked as a wrapper layer for 30 years with Bayuk cigars in Philadelphia. She ran her hands over that suction plate so many time she wore down her wedding ring to paper thin.

[@jianfrancisco3895]

Wow ❤️❤️❤️

[@Raumance]

Very cool.

[@barrywebber100]

What an amazing complicated contraption! It seems to work very well. Sounds very loud, ear plugs advisable I should think. Thanks for posting.

[@c120flyer]

Watching this video makes me want to try one of their cigars! That is one cool machine!

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

So go to fxsmithssons.com and try a sampler for ten bucks free shipping.

[@wingwalker27]

Glad to see they have continued making the old Muniemaker cigars.

[@richardpowers6576]

This is what my Tuscarora cigars are made on , best smokes for the money !!! been buying for 40 yrs plus.

[@tokolosh6467]

That machine is damn gorgeous, would love to have one.

[@anduinsuchan356]

Just need lots of tobacco to go with it!

[@glennfiore678]

Thanks for making this video, great machine, love to own one or that large supply of those cigars already been made. Time to light one up. Happy Smoking.

[@l0udcheese]

I've been wondering how these things were made, now i know, machine made cigars are far more affordable than most hand rolled ones and they smoke just as well so i see no harm in buying them

[@zoesdada8923]

They taste like shit

[@burnburn9372]

morals maybe?

[@jeffreymontgomery4091]

Coolest machine I've seen in awhile!😊

[@jboreal7982]

That machine is amazing.

[@TheSingaporeSlayer]

Amazing engineering

[@joshusthegreat]

That's a great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@anduinsuchan356]

That thing is nuts!

[@joeyshoe9095]

FYI FX Smith's Sons make a fine smoking cigar. If you get a chance try the budget brands. The Lord Baltimore Perfecto and the Betsy Ross.

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

My fave budget is the White Orchid.

[@davidsnowman2079]

Very good video!!!!

[@jianfrancisco3895]

Cigars relax & extend your life ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@grahamkilpatrick4862]

Amazing. Notice both the binder and wrapper are natural leaf. I'd love to try one. Now this machine is in the Dominican Republic. So sad. Best of luck to FX Smith in the future.

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

You can still get them. They are made in the DR now, like everything else, because no one can afford the onerous regulations. But they still ship from the old factory in McSherrystown PA. Take a look at fxsmithssons.com

[@josegiovannyceballosjaimes2789]

I am interested in acquiring one of these machines, where can I buy it?

[@mariesimmons7748]

I worked in a factory on the same machines. Very good wages back then.

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

Thanks to government regulations, all those jobs have gone overseas.

[@OldeCountryHomesteading]

RIP Robert! It was good to know ya! Sorry we never could have met in this life!

[@chriram25]

I was about to ask for more videos.

[@WhitePony556]

RIP. I loved watching his how to roll videos. Where did you hear he passed?

[@RosembergSantos]

Awesome! Thank You!

[@bigpapi3636]

I like watching the head pick up the wrapper from the die cutter. I don't quite see how the filler is portioned and the wrapper is applied over it. I see the belts doing the rolling and the finished product but not filler and wrapper coming together.

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

First, the binder goes over the filler. That belt that doubles back over itself does that. Then the wrap comes along, sucked down to a die by air. A rod flicks out quick as a snake's tongue into a groove in that die & lifts the end of the wrapper. That starts the wrapper. Spin it on, & there you are smoothing it between rollers. Clicketty snick.

[@caseypainter578]

This machinery is really quite amazing! The quality of the tobacco looks pretty good for domestic.

[@Tombombadillo999]

Amazing! Hope this old techniqued and machinery lasts!

[@NooneStaar]

Do they still make them with this? I looked at their site and it stated something about regulation forcing them overseas, but I don't know of what regulation they mean or if the machine is still in use.

[@mike-s9h]

There are only three three letters that I can think of to describe what I am seeing here; WOW!

[@Pgcmoore]

outstanding!!!

[@goslingfamily4337]

Thanks for blowing out my ear drums

[@trinkladd]

Awesome

[@justfortoday60180]

unbelievable , make more videos R.B.

[@wsmith1213]

I have to try these now :-)

[@TheNunakun]

Looks great! 1st time I've seen the mechanical process, but these seem like legit cigars! I'd love to try some.

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

They are for sale... fxsmithssonscigars.com

[@TheNunakun]

@@RobertDavis-lm1oc I'll be ordering some soon. Cheers!

[@frankeez_world6000]

How much and where can I buy a rolling machine?

[@frankvalice311]

How much does it pay to work in a cigar factory it’s my dream to work with ciggars

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

Any more, it only pays in pesos... so probably not much.

[@Randy2747]

Impressive!

[@TenTen32]

what happens to all the off cuts of leaf ? Do they go into the hopper & get used as filler?

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

The broadleaf wrappers, yes. The others, no.

[@TenTen32]

thanks

[@davidbaca979]

Do these cigars go in the humidor

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

The whole factory is humidified

[@davidbaca979]

What I mean is are these cigars oven cured like alcapones or if I buy a box will I need to store them in my humidor??

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

@@davidbaca979 You could store them in a humidor, yes. I personally think a small Coleman or Igloo six-pack ice chest works tons better. Some people keep them in the basement. A fridge will dry them out, so don't use that.

[@silentsolja820]

i am looking to get into the business of crafting cigars and am interested in these machines. Does anyone know whom i can get in contact with to get ahold of one of these? Is there a newer version ? What is the name of the manufacturer?

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

No. 1) These machines were made to last over a century ago, in America, when and where machinery was made to last. The manufacturer was smart enough to license their lasting invention for so much per thousand cigars produced. Thus, the manufacturer only had to make as many as would sell, then set back and collect royalties forever. 2) People who say "i am looking to get into the business of crafting cigars" are generally intent on rolling dope, not gars. These machines are not suited to rolling dope. 3) If you get one, then you have to get two. One rolls gars using the right side of the leaf for binder and wrapper, the other uses the left side of the wrapper. So one spirals right while the other spirals left. Two women crew each machine. They have to know what they're doing. Someone else crews a stem removing machine. She has to know what she's doing. A skilled mechanic has to adjust and feed each machine. He better know what he's doing. Each machine is gonna pump out six thousand a day. So, all in all, between the crew needed, the training, and the production, this is not what you start up a new business with. 4) There is a reason why all your cigar makers have moved overseas... and it's not wages. Government bureacrats love regulation and hate factory production. Regulation is their lifeblood, they hate production because they despise the working class. No, you will not overcome the ATF, the FDA, OSHA, and all the rest where those who used to be big in the business for a century have already failed. Sorry to break the news. Roll by hand or get 'em made in the DR.

[@silentsolja820]

Robert Davis you’ve provided a list of reasons why not. I’m here to find out the name of the manufacturer at least. I really need this machine. How can an American own this machine in Pennsylvania and I can’t?? Can you be a little more helpful?

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

@@silentsolja820 Sorry, no. The company was AMF, founded in 1900 by inventor Rufus L. Patterson, went belly up 1985. All gone now except for its offshoot, the bowling company. So out of business, & therefore no helpful info available.

[@miltonsalguero4456]

En que lugar hacen estas máquinas me llama la atención me gustaría poder tener una usted todavía tiene esta máquina me gustaría visitar su fábrica?

[@ryananthony6416]

La máquina se encuentra en McSherrystown Philadelphia. Tiene 100 años. Sigue buscando a mi amigo.

[@robertbrandywine]

They don't use as good tobacco for these, but that rolling machine looks like it can roll a more consistent cigar than a hand roller can.

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

It's the identical PA and CT tobacco sold to hand rolling sweatshops in the DR, Nicaragua, and the rest. Consistency is good ... but it's really the output that's key, just like all mechanization. Two gals on one machine can output five or six thousand cigars in a shift. That's what makes them so affordable by comparison. Just like everything else that was automated a century ago.

[@robertbrandywine]

I don't know, just speculating, but since those countries sell higher-profit cigars perhaps they buy the better tobacco from PA and CT so that it is tobacco from the same farms but not the best leaves those farms produce. Do you know?

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

No farm sorts leaves. I've been there. They just pile them on carts, hang them in barns to air dry, and sell them to Lancaster Leaf. They grow corn, alfalfa, soy, tobacco, tomatoes... it's just another crop. Once leaves get to the factory, though, that's a different story. One place may age their leaf in big wet piles in a tropical environment, essentially slow mulching them, until fermentation makes your leaves smell like raisins. Then they get to work rolling by hand, spending a fortune on fancy boxes & elaborate bands, and another fortune marketting raisin gars at trade shows and in print and on line. They aim at a stick so exotic strong you smoke one and you can't taste anything for the rest of the day. The other place just takes your air cured natural goodness and makes a mellow stick you can enjoy one after the other all day long. They aim at an authentic tobacco experience. It's like fine brandy versus craft beer. Here's the deal: To say worse stuff goes into beer... no. That's snobbery. Trot on down to your local brew pub, order a steak, enjoy a game on the wide screen, suck down a couple quality IPAs, and go home with a growler.

[@Frank-bc8gg]

Robert Davis That is an excellent way of putting it, thank you for your very helpful comments and clarifications.

[@miltonsalguero4456]

Hola buena noche me pueden dar idea o una dirección donde comprar una máquina de esas para fabricar puros.

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

No. No hay que no hay. Estas máquinas fueron hechas hace cien años. Ya no estan disponibles.

[@patrickgoldberg6642]

its gotta smell wonderful in there

[@grunthostheflatulent269]

I'm guessing they hire strictly non-smokers, right? (although I did see a Cuban woman smoking one of the products in a doc once -- you know, just for tight QC -- veeery dedicated workers they are..)

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

They smoke. Fart proudly Grunthos.

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

In this country, you are prohibited from smoking in the work place. Those who smoke must step away.

[@MarkPalmer1000]

They go out on break and light up a Marlboro.

[@maui4564]

Not gonna lie. I’d lose my mind in a place like that

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

Factory life is not for everyone. But at one time, in Pennsyltucky, steel mills, cutting chops, sewing factories, and every other type of manufacturer, were the heart and soul of every small town.

[@maui4564]

Robert Davis I live in a small town of a few thousand and I understand what you mean. But here in New Zealand in my small town, factories have been closing down in the last 50 years and only have kiwi fruit and Mānuka and mussels going for us. Everything is imported now and only now and we don’t even make our own clothes with the sheep we muster. Also I think I want a cigar plant here now😂 then I won’t have to buy em from over seas bc cigars are over priced in NZ

[@Food-of-bihar]

i want to this mahine

[@mobeusamphisbaena]

Automation is necessary.. The principle quite meticulous... leave a part of the circuit of automation with the operator. The dyes are necessary but the remaining could be compensated by levers and more synchronous dancing between the mutually dependent operators... I will now look for a quieter automation , although there be a loss of rate by around 26 %... But pray tell ey? They could listen to some music at the cost of that 26%

[@bigdividends5487]

Do people even sell these machines anymore?

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

No. Never did. As I understand it, the original manufacturer of these machines didn't sell them, but leased them out at so much per thousand cigars rolled.

[@ADPIONEER]

Robert Davis I want one of these machines.. any suggestion on the next best thing?

[@RigidRecords69]

Madness

[@erikdevries9208]

And what did you do with your life? I laid tobacco leaves on a suction plate. Why did you do that? It's the part of the process they couldn't automate.

[@nitro914]

A German must of invented that machine.

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

Not in the least.

[@zomaninc]

Sad to see it come to this. 😢

[@MrStephen777]

Turning people into machines too operate a machine, the noise is also horrendous.They would be better employed hand rolling cigars and smoking them at same time. ARTS AND CRAFTS/

[@RobertDavis-lm1oc]

Stephen, get a grip. That whole line of argument was lost in the 18th century. All those honest hard working fellows who braided buggy whips lost their jobs. Not coming back. Grandma doesn't spin wool by hand in her cottage any more, Dad put down his scythe, Ma no longer gleans the field. Those jobs are gone. Even the guy who drove a dung cart round the city shoveling up horse poop... that job is extinct. Time marches on. Try to catch up here. If you really can't stand it, move to a third world country, where you can enjoy giardia while rolling cigars for a buck and a half an hour. As for noise, turn your volume down.

[@daw162]

I grew up near where this factory was. I worked in a couple of other factories around there and you need to get a touch of reality. Some folks like to clock in, do their job and go home, and they aren't filled with a romantic youtube comment type of idea that they'd give up on when they found it to be work in the first place. Some people are miserable in a factory, but others like the satisfaction of doing and making things, and not something that has to be oversold for what it really is (expensive cigars are pretty much a farce, marketing). This coming from someone who does a lot of woodworking by hand. The real shame in this case is the government regulating regular folks out of work.

[@FirstLast-uz6eq]

mids

[@18661873]

Blasphemy.

[@kingkezz9188]

ew machine rolled cigars 🤮🤮🤢🤢. You either roll em like the cuban masters... Or you don't at all.