Thread: Mastro Livi's belts and wheels

Yep, that's the guy Neil. Here's a recent pic of Brian. The lady with him is the very talented knife, scissor and corset maker Grace Horn.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Great clip. Definitely pre dates whmis and msds's but love to watch the equipment run.
Would be awesome to try your hand at some of those old wheels and belts..
Before the days of guarding and HMIs when things were simpler. Not safer, but definitely simpler..

I don't think you would enjoy it as much as you think, Mike! Those old grinding wheels were rough-hewn sandstone, normally at least 4 feet in diameter. They were taken in at the back of the mill, and the grinder had to drill a hole in the middle and mount then on a stub axle.

Of course, they would not revolve evenly until dressed, so they were run dry and a length of steel was used that pressed into them, first knocking all the high spots off, then gradually forming them into the round. This would take over 30mins, all dry, and the whole mill would be filled with dust. Usually this was undertaken on a sunday so that only the grinders got the best of the dust conditions, and silicosis/grinders lung which invariably followed.

This process was repeated once a week to keep the wheel running true. During the course of dressing it was not unusual to reveal hidden faults and have the wheel fly apart, braining you in the process. but, hey - this could happen at any time - everyone loves surprises, don't they?

The belts powering the wheels hung from the ceiling, and at one time they seemed to loop around everywhere, just inviting you to trip, fall on one, and get well and truly mangled (they motive power was often water, and it takes a while to disengage the shaft from the input drive...

Regards,
Neil

Thanks Neil,

In the picture where the grinders are lying down the sparks are showing the wheels turning towards the grinder. Not trying to contradict or make a point, it's just interesting to see all of the different ways this has been done over the years.

I got the impression from the German video that the filming was relatively new in a very old factory. The use of line shafts dates the factory

Yes Mike, Grace was the woman who featured on a lot of videos about walking and talking a knife, pinning, etc. She seems very capable!

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by bluesman7

Thanks Neil,

In the picture where the grinders are lying down the sparks are showing the wheels turning towards the grinder. Not trying to contradict or make a point, it's just interesting to see all of the different ways this has been done over the years.

I got the impression from the German video that the filming was relatively new in a very old factory. The use of line shafts dates the factory

Yes, the Thiers pic clearly shows the sparks running in the opposite direction - I used it to show the technique as you can see from the posting, not the direction of the wheel, but as far as wheel direction goes we are talking about 1928 here rather than the 1870s, 1880s. so a much later period than I referred to.

Don't know anything about the old german factory you referred to - must have been in someone elses posting...

Regards,
Neil

Again, not razors but here's a video my friend made recently at Portland works which shows some 'old fashioned' grinding. Truly awesome!!

It's Andrew Cole throwing the sparks by the way

Here is a puzzle for you. My grinder spins with the top of the wheel turning towards me. The sparks fly the other way :<0)

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Here is a puzzle for you. My grinder spins with the top of the wheel turning towards me. The sparks fly the other way :<0)

I hope you are joking, but just in case you are not...
Your angle is too steep. The sparks are bouncing off the metal you are grinding, bouncing backwards, and the grinder is getting ready to snatch that piece of metal out of your hands and throw it at you.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

I hope you are joking, but just in case you are not...
Your angle is too steep. The sparks are bouncing off the metal you are grinding, bouncing backwards, and the grinder is getting ready to snatch that piece of metal out of your hands and throw it at you.

I believe most of our knife grinders grind with a rotation that sends the sparks downwards into a bucket with water in it. It's not going to throw the metal at us, just at the floor or bucket. I do have a leather apron that I wear for multiple reasons...