Watervliet Arsenal Museum Machine Shop

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Bob Pfeil of Watervliet Arsenal Museum guides a small group though the antique, belt-driven machinery in the museum. Machines demonstrated include a drill press, stamping machine, shaper, horizontal mill, lathe, planer, and grinder. At the end, a very large shaper is shown but not run. More machines are being restored so they too can be demonstrated. The museum's operating collection of antique metalworking machines demonstrates how objects were made over a century ago.,

Category:

Education

Tags:

• machines
• machining
• shop
• tools
• lathe
• mill
• shaper
• drill
• press
• belt-driven
• antique
• steam
• engine
• cutter
• steel
• bridgeport
• caliper
• gauge
• measuring
• inspection
• steam-powered
• boiler
• waterwheel
• boring
• drilling
• hob
• chuck
• tailstock
• headstock
• threading
• knurling
• turning
• rifling
• weapons
• manufacturing

[agwhitaker]

Now I am feeling old.

At 1:19 there is that Carvin horizontal mill,

- the dividing head sitting on the table is made by the LW Chuck Company,

and I have the exact same one in my garage machine shop.

Mind you, it still works just fine.

[Lex5576]

Many a fine piece of weaponry and artillery has left Watervliet over the years. It's probably the best of all the arsenals in the world for quality and precision. Every single barrel and breach produced has a section cut away and catalogued. Just in case something goes wrong, they can go back and examine the steel for imperfections or cracks. All M1 Abrams tank cannons are produced at Watervliet, and there's very rarely a problem with any of those guns. Not bad for a government operation.

[aryesegal1988]

AMAZING! :) Thank you very much for uploading this video and sharing with us! :] BTW, are you familiar with any other belt-driven factory museums that still exist, like the one you filmed? Thanks!

[Redlod79]

This would be the original arsenal. I never have been upstairs where this is.

[KentuckianaRifleman]

what symmetry, its beautiful in a way.

[rlewis1946]

Great history here! Could it be possible for the Museum to produce a "tour video" with Mr. Pfeil narrating? I would love to having him share his knowledge of these machines and the product they made.Thanks for posting!

Roy Lewis Atlanta, Georgia USA

[wattman72]

Ha...I live in Watervliet. I did not know about this factory. Love how quiet it is inside compared to new factory's. Loose clothing might not be a good idea though(ha ha). Thanks for the video.

[madinventor13]

not much different than my shop, My machines are pre ww 2 , they are my livelyhood. I often wonder how many other men in the past used my machines to earn a living, or even to fight Hitler.

[Southpointoh]

OMG.... I started working in metal shops when I was 12 yrs old. What a death trap. Now I have ran egyipment like that and it was a little scarey, since I had been trained on modern equipment. Now I know to show the history the machines needed to be in their original state. But the FIRST thing you learn is to wear safety glasses. None of Thoses kids had safety glasses on. I can't believe it!!!!

[granskare]

Rock Island Arsenal here has a nice arms museum; Browning Museum but nothing of the manufacturing process. We do have civil war buildings and a confederate cemetery as well as national cemetery...this works museum is really a nice thing to have :)