Running a 120+ year old Travelling Head Shaper for the First Time - Belt Driven Machine Shop

In this video I get my travelling head shaper running and do some test cuts on an old cylinder head.
This shaper was built by Redman in Halifax, England around 1900
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Instagram - @iron_jonsey
Wills Instagram - @steam_workshop_uk
Thanks for watching!

[@douglasmcdermott2830]

Now that’s a living room worthy machine

[@robertqueberg4612]

I thank you for the chance to watch your start-up of a unique version of a metal shaper. This layout, is more like short stroke planer. Start a cut, and go next door to the pub for a half pint of ale, while the chips build up. Thanks again.

[@ngongagozambo7410]

Love this old machines. I don't own such time-honored equipment, but I do own an old AEG column drill and an electric hacksaw from the early 70s and I really enjoy working with them.

[@graemewhite5029]

We had a huge Butler travelling head shaper at a textile printer's I worked at in the late 80's. It's table was bigger than your whole machine ! It was one of a couple of remaining machines (vertical slotter and a big twin wheel grinder) still driven from a lineshaft. The electric motor for the line shaft was sited in the roof and had an old fashioned "over centre" star delta starter to fire it up. I had to use the vertical slotter (first time in a couple of years) and when I started up the line shaft, we got covered in grass, fluff and feathers as some sparrows had built a nest inside the motor ! The place closed in the 90's and all the machines including some old long bed Lang lathes (with flat shears) went off to Pakistan, along with most of the textile machinery.

[@stovepipe666]

Nice to see the old stuff still working

[@killerkane1957]

Shapers are amazing. I have a small one in my shop that I never use. But, I love it none the less.

[@user-gy9qv4ml5y]

120 year old machine and it still works quite well

[@grahambird1570]

As an apprentice in the 70's, I spent some months using a Bigger Version of this Machine, doing Key ways in Huge Gears ... Useful !

[@iron_jonsey]

Thanks, for sharing. Im planning to use it soon to put an key way in a large pulley!

[@derekwilliams4877]

very interesting machine, the clapper box should have been swung the other way so the tool comes away from the cut on the return stroke.

[@iron_jonsey]

Agreed, will definitely do that next time. Although the old style fixed tool holder does make things tricky.

[@RustyInventions-wz6ir]

Just found your channel and subscribed. Nice machine.

[@iron_jonsey]

Thank you!

[@russellnixon9981]

Just became aware of your channel. great shop. Only seen these cut gears so that show how much I know. Amazed it has survived in such good condition and a treat to see it being used. Look forward to seeing more,

[@iron_jonsey]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@machineshopatthebottomofth3213]

Very nice!

[@plainnpretty]

Nice machine thanks

[@castironmachines]

Impressive to see dovetail ways on a shaper of this age. Looking good!

[@iron_jonsey]

As far as I'm aware, almost all travelling head shapers had dovetail ways and rams. It's something that I'd not given much thought to, as my pedestal shaper has square ways and it's around the same age if not a little newer! Interesting!

[@castironmachines]

@@iron_jonsey for whatever reason, many shapers that I've seen over here had dovetail ways in the real early days circa 1860s-80s then square ways became more common from then into the teens, although some companies stuck with dovetails all the way

[@darrendean21]

There's quite a large one of these in the Slate Museum in Llanberis N Wales ... along with quite a few other machines if the same era ,,

[@iron_jonsey]

Indeed! It's a Whitworth with two tables.

[@gerryoneill8881]

Very quiet system

[@graedonmunro1793]

just found you and love it! that machine is in good hands i would say , and won't get scrapped. close to the wall on the backstroke. really like your workshop with all the belt system. i have a Smith Barker and Wilson ( flat belt also) from approx 1918 and still use it sometimes, cheers

[@iron_jonsey]

Welcome! I have seen a couple of those around, good to hear of another in use!

[@philhermetic]

Fascinating machine and a good finish to say it hasnt had a shakedown yet!! Has it a known maker? Phil

[@iron_jonsey]

Thanks Phil! It was made by Redman in Halifax c1900

[@philhermetic]

@@iron_jonsey in the heart of the WestYorkshire machine tool industry, otherwise known as the Cleckhuddersfax Triangle!

[@philhermetic]

I have a Covmac lathe which although badged by the Coventry machine tool company it was actually made as war work by P&C Garnett in Cleckheaton.

[@glennmoreland6457]

Good 😐🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿😐