Mechanical hammer
Category
Machinery and industrial devices
Date
circa 1750 - circa 1820
Materials
Metal, Wood
Measurements
2020 mm (Length)1300 mm (H)660 mm (W)
Order this imageCollection
Finch Foundry, Devon
NT 56156
Caption
Acquired second hand, probably from the Tavistock Iron Works around 1820-25, these are the last surviving authentic water-powered trip hammers, still working in England. The two huge hammers, one three quarters of a ton the other one and a quarter tons were used in the mass production of the Finch’s ‘edge tools’. When in full production the smaller steeling hammer, would beat at two hundred and forty beats per minute - four every second!
Summary
Trip Hammer (steeling) - One of two large water powered, belt driven mechanical trip hammers. (left hand side) Secondhand, probably from the same Tavistock ironworks that employed the Finch's before they started the Foundry. The striking plate and anvil base almost certainly renewed several times.
Provenance
Transferred to the Trust from North Dartmoor Museums Association in 1994 - no OKMDL number but listed in transfer inventory as item 1119 and described generically as Hammer machinery.