Work is currently underway to complete the installation of a plate funace to simplify the heating of plates before pressing in our recently installed press (see below). We have taken delivery of an old furnace which has now been stripped down and is to be rebuilt to its new larger size in our works. The new base has now been laid and we are installing the remaining steel work.

The furnace will be capable of handling plates of up to 10' X 11' (3048 X 3352) and heating them uniformly to temperatures suitable for forming.

Last summer saw the purchase of several new pieces of equipment. The latest is this Asquith 7' Portable Universal Radial drill. The machine has a drilling height range from 18" to 10 ft, and the head can be aligned to drill holes from any angle. The machine itself weighs 6 tonnes and is moved about the workshop on wheels, allowing it to be placed anywhere around the job. The machine will remove some of the hard labour involved in using hand drills when drilling rivet holes and stay holes. It should also speed up the turnaround of drilling jobs.

Another addition at our Lamerton works is a 700 tonne upstroke flanging press. The machine was manufactured in 1975 by John Shaw and Company. Originally installed at the British Rail works in Crewe. The press then moved to a pipe fitting manufacturer in Warrington in 1995. Now the press is installed at our works in Lamerton, Devon. The press will primarily be used to produce flanged plates for steam boilers such as back heads, throat plates and tube plates. Also it will enable us to develop large pressings like those for fire box side plates. The press has a bed of 12' X 8' (3657 mm X 2438 mm) and a daylight of 5' (1524 mm). The machine has a pressing force of 700 tonnes. It is also hoped that apart from benefiting the steam fraternity immensely, this press will also offer capabilities to a range of businesses in the South West.

This picture shows a 4ft diameter tubeplate for a locomotive boiler. More photos of pressings can be seen in the photo gallery.

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