Saltford Brass Mill

Annealing furnace, containing reconstructed muffle furnace with counterbalanced lifting door

Reproduction of rolling mill in its original location. It would have been driven by a waterwheel whose remains can still be seen (located behind the wall to the left)

These cast iron lintels are thought to have been beams for tilt hammers

Hub of working waterwheel, with chain drive to lineshaft for generator. Note the detailing on the cast iron spoke

End view of working wheel. Note how the spokes fit in the wheel rim castings. The wheels here are of the undershot type. Such wheels are suited to situations where there is only a low head of water available. Their efficiency is very dependent on the closeness of fit between the paddles and the masonry

on the River Avon, west of Bath

A former 'battery' mill for working brass into hollow-ware vessels by hammering ('battering') and rolling.

Although much of the equipment is long gone, two waterwheels survive in whole or part (one of which is workable), together with an annealing furnace and various items related to the business. There are numerous display boards relating to the mill, to the history of the copper and brass industries, and to the production processes.

See website for details of open days. The website also has links to papers by the leading authority on the local brass industry, Joan Day.

See Also

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