Image ID: 25727

Mr Knowles' brushmaking machine

Courtesy of Reg Baker

Carlton Hill
Carlton
England

This is a close-up shot of the hand-operated machine used by Mr Knowles in the manufacture of wire brushes. In the pegged rack are the strands of material used for the bristles cut to the appropriate length for the width of the finished brush being made at the time. In front of the rack are U shaped strands of wire. These are cut to length from coils of wire and then bent. The thickness of the wire and the length of it depends on the type of brush being made. At the time of the photo a consignment of 3 inch diameter were being made for Fisons Laboratory at Loughborough, Leicestershire, for bottle cleaning. The wire is placed in the clamps of the machine with the U shaped end on the right clamp and the open end on the left clamp. The clamps are then screwed down firmly. The left one, whilst rigid in its frame, is tensioned on a spring which allows it to move forward as the wire shortens due to the twists being put in it. 3/8 inch of wire is necessary to give the clamp sufficient to grip it safely. This is then cut off when the brush is made, all that remains is for the rough edge to be filed. The right clamp is fixed to the drive wheel and turns with it, causing the wire to twist and retain the bristles which are placed in layers between the wire, commencing from the left clamp. The large wheel is the driving force, geared to the small one to which the right clamp is attached. The machine has been in use since 1880.

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Keywordsindustrymachinerybrushwirefactoryworkshopmanufacturingtoolsequipmentworksrackclamp

Carlton Library