An Old Machine Shop

[Nixelplix]

Here's some pictures of an old machine shop in my hometown of Colusa, California. You can see parts of the pully system that powered things in some of the pictures. Pretty cool old place!

 

[Nixelplix]

Continued...

 

[buckman#10]

nice pics thanks
that wetstone would still be plenty useful and probably even the vice could be cleaned up to work

 

[A.W.U.K.]

That equipment looks pretty old! I think I've only seen leg vices in museums.

Any clue what powered the shafts? A steam engine?

Andy

 

[Nixelplix]

Yes, I'm pretty sure it was an engine of some kind that powered the shafts. I'd love to have the old wetstone, but I'm not sure who owns the building!

I think my dad mentioned something about it being powerd by a steam engine, but I'm not sure that the shop is that old.

 

[A.W.U.K.]

I expect there was a steam engine when the place was first built, even if it was swapped for a diesel engine later.
If there was a steam engine, you should be able to see at least a brick base for the boiler. It might be a little away from the shop because of fire risk.

The roof trusses are interesting, King-post trusses fabricated from flat boards. I've never seen that before, though it might be common round there.

Andy

 

[Nixelplix]

Cool-- I'll have to look around for a little bit next time I'm in the neighborhood. Some of the old railroad tracks that used to run through town are exposed near this building.

 

[TorzJohnson]

Cool pics. I grew up in Yuba City so I've been through Colusa a lot of times but I don't remember noticing that old building. There used to be an old Allis Chalmers tractor shop down by the levee in Yuba City, but that was leveled long ago.

 

[Nixelplix]

it's between 8th and 9th on Main St, right across from the levee for the Sacramento River.

Edit: Just took a trip w/ google maps and I see now that it is on the alley that goes through that block. It is closer to 8th street.

 

[Nixelplix]

Here's the street view I found:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...bp=12,303.6427619071434,,0,1.1912940606929407

 

[c00per]

My girlfriends grandparents live literally down the street from there . Down fifth street. Small world

 

[beau5278]

I saw a show on the History channel a while back that had a similar old machine shop,that one was powered by a water wheel.There is also a display near High Falls in Rochester,Ny of a similar setup.It's a shame for that post vice and grinding wheel.Any old engines laying around?

 

[Nixelplix]

Small world indeed!


I'm suprised that building is still there! I'm sure there might be old engines about, because the shop basicly moved next door and has been there with all its assorted build-up for who knows how long! I'll ask my dad about it next time I see him-- he should know.