When men were men and the iron got nervous. Hard to imagine what this/these places were really like even with the film. I got tired just watching it......

 

Living near and working on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, also known as "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" these are all over the place. You find them as yard art in most fishing villages. This one is in Wanchese. 

I am 6'2" to give some perspective of the size.

 

Mark <><

 

Thanks for posting.  It makes me wonder if I know what a hard day of work really is like, after watching them move.   I am gratefull for my modern work tools.

Notice the use of off centered hammers in some of those shots; not only "japanese"!

I'd never seen anything like those free swinging drop hammers before....... B)

Also notice the two-handled sledges they use in making chain. Very weird!

More on the subject.....

 

http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-the-hingley-anchors.html">Titanic: The Hingley Anchors

 

 

URL corrected at request of publisher

there are several steps that you do not every day. First the use of a puddle forge to pick up hunks of molten wrought iron. Then there is the scarf to attach the 2 parts of the anchor. the use of filler material to fill the gaps when welding up the two parts of the anchor. then in the beginning the placement of the forge weld on the links is on the side not the ends. it is a great video

That film was shown on a continuous loop at the 2000 Flagstaff ABANA conference.  I must have watched it 25 times since then, and it never ceases to amaze.  They had only one chance to "stick" the anchor parts.  After the weld, it was too big to put back in the furnace/forge.  I like how they added white hot bars to fill in the gaps.

Knowing about "glut welds" (using filler to add to the parent material) is very useful and can be done on small stuff, too. I have found it particularly useful when I have miscalculated the length of a collar when doing collar welds. I think there is a bit in the old COSIRA books about doing a glut weld to make a square corner, but I have never managed this successfully. When you are welding two pieces that weigh in tons rather than pounds or ounces, the welding heat is there for much longer, and in this video must have been just incredible. I guess that's why they are all dressed like mummers when welding the anchor!

Another chain making video

 

Notice in the first video the height of the anvil, lower than normal to aid in maneuvering the large pieces of steel and so that the strikers can get full throw of their sledges.

 

Josh

Notice in the first video the height of the anvil, lower than normal to aid in maneuvering the large pieces of steel and so that the strikers can get full throw of their sledges.

 

Josh

 

Josh, in the "olden days" most anvils were mounted really quite low as a mercy to the strikers. Striking on a high anvil is tiring stuff!

Thanks Mac,,,I am not sure how I missed that in Flag back then...But glad to see it now!

Another image of manly swagger with a two handled sledge no less....... B)

Oh, that little thing?

notice all the "japanese style" sledges!

 

Spent two afternoons splitting wood wedge---good practice for striking!  (and vice versa, I was amazed at how well I held up...)

I like the title of that pic.  "no sissies.jpg"  No doubt about that!

I like the title of that pic.  "no sissies.jpg"  No doubt about that!

I dunno, the guy with his head centered between the chains looks a little.....Well, he just doesn't look like he gets dirty much.....

These chain thumpers just fascinate me........

How do you like that saw in the background? Almost looks like a huge hacksaw!

Geez the sledges those guys have make my 25 lb'ers  look small.

Nothing to add but thanks macbruce and all other contributors - I had watched that first film at least six times before, but this thread has made it so much more enriching - what with all of the new material and personal gems.

 

I was up on the side of a mountain Monday whining about my 10 pounder....... wahh wahh wahh