Thomas Shanks and Co

Scissors-punch machine in operation in Chile in 2022.

1847.

Slot drilling machine for cutting slots for cotters in engine connecting rods, etc. Source not identified, but a very similar engraving was published in The Record of the International Exhibition, 1862

Drilling machine with four spindles. Friction drive. See above regarding source

January 1872.

1873.

1888.

1888.

c1890. Slotting Machine. Exhibit at the Summerlee Museum of Industrial Life.

1896.

1898.

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1901.

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1901.

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1901.

1901.

1901.

1901.

1903. Planer with electric drive.

1903. Slotting machine.

1909. Motor driven lathe.

1909. Turbine casing boring machine.

1909. Radial drilling machine and slotting machine.

1909. Vertical and horizontal planing machine.

Thomas Shanks lathe made for John Brown and Co. Centre height 102 inches, diameter of faceplate 15 feet. Note size of man in photograph. Described in article in Engineering magazine, 25 March 1910.

1910. High speed vertical drilling machine.

1912.

1914.

1919.

1921.

1924.

Planing Machine.

Thomas Shanks and Co of Union Iron Works, Johnstone were makers of machine tools, up to the largest sizes.

Founded by Thomas Shanks.

1843 Producing screws.

1848 Slotting machine weighing 59 tons made by Shanks for Fulton and Neilson of Lancefield Forge. Described and illustrated in The Practical Mechanic's Journal, April 1848.

1866 Planing punching and plate-bending machines to Japan. W. and A. McOnie made the 60-hp engine, shafting and boilers. The steam hammers for the same place are made by Glen and Ross.

1888 Boiler-making Plant. Article and illustration.

1911 Heavy quadrupled geared double-bed lathe.

1927 'UPPER RENFREWSHIRE - IRON TRADE DEPRESSION.
The most important case before the Valuation Appeal Court for the Upper Ward of Renfrewshire held at Paisley yesterday , was that; by Thomas Shanks & Co. ( Ltd.) , Union Iron Works, Johnstone, in liquidation, against a valuation of £1470 on their works, and suggesting £800 as a reasonable figure.
It was explained by Mr Daniel Gardner, writer, Glasgow, for appellants, that the firm, which was established 100 years ago, through unfortunate circumstances had gone into liquidation in March 1925. The figure was one which had been fixed in a boom period. The criterion they should apply was what was the lettable value in 1927.
Mr Grey, the Assessor, said that during a period of prolonged trade depression the owner-occupier would be entitled to claim a rebate, but no such consideration could be extended to tenant occupiers.
The Court modified the valuation, and fixed it at £1000.
The Assessor asked for a stated case in appeal.'

1927-8 Liquidation - plant and equipment advertised for sale.

1928 The machine tool business was acquired by Craven Brothers; the staff transferred to Reddish where the products were manufactured.

See Also

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Sources of Information

• The Engineer of 23rd February 1866 p134
• The Engineer of 24th February 1888 p152-4
• Machine Tools by James Weir French in 2 vols. Published 1911 by Gresham
• Mechanics Magazine Volume XXXIX (39) 1843 Pt2 p224