couldn't help it, new ....very old... toy

[Fantom]

Well I couldn't resist ....I think I need to start going to some TA (tool anonymous) meetings.
Came across this beast on CL and the price was right. SO now I am the proud new owner of over a ton of steel. I already have a few dies that will work with this setup but will need some more.
Also looking for specs, this is an old unit (but in great condition). Does anyone know about the company and this specific ironworker?
As far as I can tell from some basic searches the company started making sheet metal machinery around 1937 up to the late 60s. I'm guessing this was one of the early machines they offered.
Can't wait to clean it up a bit and start using it.

 

[Scalp]

WOW...talk about heavy metal! Yes, there are support groups for people like you somewhere down near the scrap metal dealers' area on Broadway in Port Coquitlam. The condition starts at an early age with a fascination with simple hand tools, grows and stays with you all your life, and eventually ends when your lower back finally gives out. There is no actual cure although there is a term for it: Gear Acquisition Syndrome, or GAS, and can extend to Land Cruisers, cameras, athletic equipment, fishing gear, and used metal parts.
~Bill

 

[Enigma]

Wtf is it?

 

[AJAEbj42]

^^ What he said....

 

[BC40]

replacement for tin snips and a hole punch?

 

[Fantom]

replacement for tin snips and a hole punch?

yep, pretty much .....only very big tin snips and hole punch. Should be able to shear 1/4" thick flat bar with the bottom piece and punch shapes in thicker material depending on the size of the punch.

 

[Tmax]

LOL. Matsky too bad you are such a fool otherwise i could have hooked you up with some machines at least 50 years newer than that pos for free or scrap value.

that thing is just an anchor. i would have invested in a nice mill/drill press. maybe get an oven so you can do horseshoes too. LMAO.

 

[wrongway around]

1/4 " and thicker hmmm. By the time you can do that the machine can't fit in your trunk. Least not any of the ones I've used . I saw a big old hand brake at 192st and 90th on the corner for sale at the end of a guys driveway in port kells tonight . Probably cheap. But you might need two trunks to transport it , and doesn't have wheels.

 

[Fantom]

well this one doesn't fit into a trunk or truck either, not that it would need to. Considering that this one has the capacity to cut 1" round stock of mild steel it should be capable of doing 1/4" thick for the length of the bottom blade which is about 4" long. The shorter the length the thicker the piece usually (to a limit of course). Most of the manual brakes were not designed to do more than 16ga or thinner, regardless of their length. If you wanted to do thicker you would need a hydraulic unit.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

I just love those huge 'finger munching' exposed gears -

 

[Fantom]

yeah, this was before the days of WCB, safety guards and having to wear bubble wrap when you step foot on a job site.

 

[Crimson Cruiser]

The modern version...

http://www.edwardsironworkers.com/ironworkerHome.html

 

[Fantom]

Well the new one sure is nice, especially with that setup.
I quickly cleaned mined up a bit and tested it out, punched a 1/2" hole in 1/4" plate like nothing, sheared 2"x1/4" with no effort. The dual ratcheting action of the teeth make it effortless. Figuring it's about a 50 ton unit.

 

[cruiserpilot]

That Edwards tool is crazy! Stacey David is the guy that got me into fabrication way back when he started
the original 'TRUCKS'. The guy is genius, what I wouldn't give to park my truck in his shop for about 10 days

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

What is with that guy's crazy 'hairpiece' ?