Portsmouth block-making machine, Cross cut saw, 1805.

Made:
circa 1805 in London
maker:
Henry Maudslay

Belt driven pendulum, cross cut saw, Ref.No. 681, with 3ft. diameter blade, one of Portsmouth block-making machines

These machines, designed by Marc Isambard Brunel to make pulley blocks for the Royal Navy; are the first purpose designed and integrated system for quantity production in the world.

British power in the eighteenth century relied on the sailing ships of the Royal Navy. A single fighting ship such as Nelson's Victory needed over a thousand pulley blocks and, during the Napoleonic Wars, the Navy purchased about 100,000 a year. The pulley block was a natural subject for the early application of mass production.

Machines for cutting and shaping wood were not new, but the core idea behind Brunel's system was to design a suite of machines in which each did a particular job in sequence and the workpieces were passed from one machine to the next.

This idea of rational manufacture fitted in well with eighteenth century Enlightenment ideals. Brunel's system was adopted for the Navy by Sir Samuel Bentham, the brother of Jeremy Bentham, the Utilitarian philosopher.

The machines continued to be used for well over a hundred years. Perhaps the greatest puzzle behind the feat is why the system remained a notable and highly regarded 'one off', but did not lead to similar techniques in other industries. In spite of its success British manufacturers and government largely ignored the principles it established until they awoke to the power of 'the American system of manufacture' over fifty years later.

Details

Category:
Hand and Machine Tools
Object Number:
1949-256
Materials:
cast iron, wrought iron, gunmetal, paint, oak (wood) and steel (metal)
Measurements:
2336.947kg
type:
powered saw
credit:
Board of Admiralty

Parts

Frame carrying windlass and pinion shaft

Frame carrying windlass and pinion shaft

Frame carrying windlass and pinion shaft with winch for drawing log through; and 3 loose floor boards

Object Number:
1949-256/2
type:
frame
Frame carrying stop-dog for log

Frame carrying stop-dog for log

Frame carrying stop-dog for log, bolts to /2. NB ironwork of stop appears modern

Object Number:
1949-256/3
type:
frame
Joint pin to carry swing frame /5

Joint pin to carry swing frame /5

Joint pin to carry swing frame /5, and 2 eye bolts with nuts & washers to fit /1 pt 3

Measurements:
overall: 65 mm x 77 mm x 1691 mm,
Object Number:
1949-256/4
type:
frame
Upper swing frame

Upper swing frame

Upper swing frame complete with eyes for both joints and eyebolts for counterweights and 2 pairs of bearings for jockey pulleys

Object Number:
1949-256/5
type:
frame
Lower swing frame with saw spindle

Lower swing frame with saw spindle

Lower swing frame with saw spindle with nut & washers and a jockey wheel

Object Number:
1949-256/6
type:
frame
Pairs of struts with racks for controlling /6

Pairs of struts with racks for controlling /6

Pairs of struts with racks for controlling /6

Object Number:
1949-256/8
type:
struts
Arbor with winch

Arbor with winch

Arbor with winch, 2 pinions and 2 roller guides for engaging racks /7

Object Number:
1949-256/9
type:
arbors
Arbor with wheel

Arbor with wheel

Arbor with wheel, 2 pinions and 2 roller guides for engaging rack /8

Measurements:
overall: 415 mm x 1403 mm x 381 mm,
Object Number:
1949-256/10
type:
arbors
Arbor with pinion to engage wheel on /10

Arbor with pinion to engage wheel on /10

Arbor with pinion to engage wheel on /10, winch, bearing bracket and 2 screws

Measurements:
overall: 160 mm x 350 mm x 160 mm,
Object Number:
1949-256/11
type:
arbors
2 counterweights to hang from /5

2 counterweights to hang from /5

2 counterweights to hang from /5

Measurements:
overall: 1055 mm x 310 mm x 155 mm,
Object Number:
1949-256/12
type:
weights
Weighted lever to trap log, to fit on /2

Weighted lever to trap log, to fit on /2

Weighted lever to trap log, to fit on /2

Object Number:
1949-256/13
type:
lever
Two saws

Two saws

Two saws

Object Number:
1949-256/14
type:
saws
Saw guard; 4 joint wedges from /1 (modern)

Saw guard; 4 joint wedges from /1 (modern)

Saw guard; 4 joint wedges from /1 (modern), numbered for their planes; bearing bracket for /10 with 3 screws; a jockey pulley fast on its arbor and another with loose iron pin & collar (these from /5), and another fast on its arbor, with 2 bearing brackets (from /1 pt 3); 4 wedges for chocking log; 2 small jockey pulleys, supposed made in Museum; a heavy spanner; 2 bolts with plates & nuts to conn...

Object Number:
1949-256/15
type:
saw guard
Countershaft arbor with wheel and drum

Countershaft arbor with wheel and drum

Countershaft arbor with wheel and drum; 2 bearing brasses for countershaft; pin with 2 bearing plates for hanging countershaft frame; madeup block (one side plate broken in 3 pieces) probably from countershaft frame; jockey pulley on arbor in frame intended to slide in guides; and a clamp for gripping the saw

Object Number:
1949-256/16
type:
arbors
Countershaft frame

Countershaft frame

Countershaft frame. The bearing brasses for this are item 16

Object Number:
1949-256/17
type:
frame