Re: East Broad Top Niles Slip Roll reactivated

CCdW Wrote:
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> I love to see old machinery being brought back to
> life. It is especially meaningful if it operates
> to its original capacity. (This includes railroad
> rolling stock) If they could run some iron through
> the rolls and post that on YouTube it would be
> great.

What was shown was a test run only, to test the machine's main mechanism and the power rig. A number of other things need done to the machine before it can actually roll steel. If you notice the roll is running in reverse because only the reverse belt is reinstalled so far. The lift mechanism for the rear roller needs finished and some other things. Possibly in the summer we will be ready to roll some steel.

> To that end I have to wonder if that rolls are in
> their original location. For instance if a sheet
> were run through at a large radius wouldn’t it hit
> the wall? Also how do the handle a large sheet? Is
> there a crane? Same questions for the brake.

There is no indication the roll has been anywhere than where it is. It is integrated into the floor in a concrete foundation. It is further from the window than it appears, easily able to roll 4'+ deep sheets. More perplexing is how close it is to the bending brake which would make getting full cylinders off the machine tricky. There are a couple beams laid across the roof trusses above the brake and roll that we believe were used to help support the steel sheets.

Christopher D. Coleman

[www.febt.org] Friends of the East Broad Top
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