Buckley and Taylor: 1892 Visit to Works
Note: This is a sub-section of Buckley and Taylor
1892 Visit to Works [1]
MESSRS. BUCKLEY AND TAYLOR'S CASTLE IRONWORKS, OLDHAM
On Saturday afternoon last, the members of the Crompton Mutual Cotton Class paid a visit to the above works (Buckley and Taylor), at Greenacre, Oldham.
In the absence of the senior partner of the firm (Mr. Ald. S. Buckley, J.P., ex-mayor of Oldham), the party was shown over the works (which have recently been considerably enlarged and extended, and fitted with the most modern engine-making tools, &c.) by Mr. J. Buckley and Mr. W. Taylor.
Mr. Samuel Gartside, works manager, who has been connected with the firm for nearly a quarter of a century, and been actively identified with the development of the concern from its original small beginnings to the present dimensions, explained the use and objects of the various machines and tools, &c., and gave interesting particulars of the work in progress.
The pattern-shops were first visited, and much time was occupied in going over the extensive stock of patterns of all shapes and sizes, a special feature being the immense number of sections for wheel moulding of all sizes of bevel, spur, and helical wheels, which have been sent out to all parts of the world.
The foundry, turning shops, smithies, fitting and erecting shop were afterwards visited, and parts of engines in all stages of manufacture were inspected, from those of a few horse power to a pair of triple-expansive engines intended to develop 1,800 indicated horse power, with a boiler pressure of 160lb. per square inch.
Great interest was taken in some recently put down special tools, such as for entirely finishing connecting rods and other pal is by once fixing, with¬out moving them from position special milling machines for shaping the teeth of large wheels, &c., movable large planing machines, tools for drilling bolt holes in cylinders, covers, &c. in position, Mr. Gartside explaining that the parts of modern high-pressure engines had now become so ponderous that it was found more convenient to fix the work in position, and to move the different heavy and other tools to it rather than to move the work about the shop to the different tools, as formerly.
The complete tour of the works occupied about three hours, and a most interesting and instructive visit was brought to an end by the vice-president of the class, Mr. J. W. Stott, moving a vote of thanks to Messrs. Buckley and Taylor, expressing the interest they had taken in what they had seen, which was seconded by the president, Mr. Truscott and suitably responded to by Mr. W. Taylor.
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