Cast Iron ****.

[ManowarDave]

Hello all,

Currently holidaying with the family near Caernarfon. The other day we took a trip out to Llanberis and among other things visited the Slate Museum. If you're ever up this way it's certainly worth a look (and free entry too).

I've recently picked up the cast iron bug when I bought an old table saw. So to see all the monstrous old cast iron preserved here was an absolute joy. I had to be dragged away as the car park ticket was due to expire.

They had a mill, wood shop, pattern making, engineering shop and foundry all on site. Due to the piss poor internet coverage not all photos have uploaded to dropbox yet but here is a selection of various bits of kit for you all to join me in drooling over.

So without further ado and in no particular order.

A 80HP motor 50 ft 5 in diameter. Powered all the machinery on site via flat belts.

A nod to H&S

A selection of various lathes. The bed on the first one was about 4m long.

Nice big band saw.

Saw shapener.

Saw Mill.

Pillar Drill.

Pneumatic power hammer.

Shaping machine.

Slotting machine.

Slate cutting table saws.

Nice old vice.

Handheld pneuamtic drill.

The pattern loft.

 

[treeturner123]

Yes, I went a number of years ago and the size, complexity and range of works they carried out is staggering.

Do I remember rightly that there was also a hospital/doctor's surgery for the workers and their families?

Phil

 

[MusicMan]

Phhhwwooarrrr!

 

[Trainee neophyte]

All the woodshops around me (all 3 of them) have monstrous 12' tall pre-war band saws. I shall have to get some photos for you all, now I have discovered your proclivities.

Anything you do in the privacy of your own workshop, as long as no one gets hurt, is your own business.

 

[AndyT]

I've been there and agree with everything you say.
I don't think I have any photos though, so thanks for the reminder - I need to go again!

 

[ManowarDave]

Phil,

Yes, there was a hospital on site, a bit further around the way. Unfortunately, due to my "proclivities" as Trainee neophyte puts it, we never got that far...

Stunning amount of history in the area. Will definitely be making a return trip at some point.

The Sygun Copper Mine yesterday was also a good afternoon out, although a little claustrophobic at some points. :|

Today was a potter up to Llandudno and Conwy beach. Tomorrow we're booked on the diesel engine up Snowdon.

Saturday it's back home to start putting the saw back together. :mrgreen:

 

[Bm101]

If you are on the railway Dave, look out for the peculiar fact that Snowdon attracts Young Serious Looking Men In All The Gear (sometimes even with Ice Axes (!) attached to their £400 packs in Summer) closely followed by young families with 3 kids under 7 year olds in badly fitting wellies going up the Pyg track (for the miners) . The young fellas don't seem to notice them for some reason. Lol.
Make sure you walk down the tracks a bit from the cafe and put some coins on the tracks especially if you have kids with you.It will blow their tiny minds when the train flattens them. I still remember my Dad showing us when I was a nipper so it sticks with you.
If you have time after, go to the zig zags. These are the waste from the old slate quarries on the other side of the Llanberis valley. Park up somewhere unassuming and just head up there. These are not tourist sites and there will be no signs, but if you take care and stick to the main paths they are safe. Well worth a wander if you have time. Will give you a real sense of some of the harsher realities of a miners life.
On your way down, if you like your music, keep an eye out for slate waste among the millions of tonnes piled up that will fit nicely under your speakers. Four bits of blutack and a 3" slate bed is the best vibration killer known to man. Don't let the Farmer see you lol. DAMHIKT. :shock:
If you still have time, get you and yours over to Betwys-Y-Coed. It's not far. Bit touristy but you can't blame them. Forget Swallow Falls and head to the Fairy Glen. It's just a river. And some rocks. You can pay a quid or two (or it used to be) or you can go on the other side for nowt but you won't get the little walk. We used to go swimming there. It remains one of my best memories. If you have littleuns and it's hot they will love it here, paddling and bathing in the river. Or get in yourself. Heaven.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[gregmcateer]

Phhhwwooarrrr!

Wot 'e said :lol: