As part of the Black Country Living Museum’s (BCLM) ambitious Forging Ahead development project an Industrial Quarter will be created to reflect the region’s rich heritage in manufacturing.

A key part of this will be the recreation of Smith Edge Tools – a Drop Forge from Roway Lane, Oldbury which was most famous for manufacturing hammers up to 28lb.

BCLM collected the Drop Forge equipment from the site when it closed in the early 2000s including the gantry and motorised mechanism, stantions, anvil bases and tups (hammers) with the aspiration that these could be installed in a working forge at the museum.

The equipment has since been stored in an external compound awaiting restoration.

Forging Ahead has created the opportunity to repurpose the equipment which has recently been recovered from the compound and reviewed to understand what repair work is necessary.

It is apparent that X2No. Flywheels on the main drive shaft are in need of repair – being cracked and in some cases missing sections of the outer rim.

The flywheels are comprised of two semi-circular sections bolted together over the main shaft.

BCLM are seeking to have the flywheels repaired in readiness for the installation of the equipment in the recreated Smith Edge Tools.

Fig 2. Flywheel #1
2 section flywheel (bolted together)
< 104cm diameter >
Width (total): 14.5cm approx.
Inner rim: 12cm approx.
Rim: 1cm approx. Drive shaft measures
32cm circumference (approx.)

Fig 2a. Flywheel #1
DETAIL of damage

Fig 2b. Flywheel #1
DETAIL of damage

Fig 3. Flywheel #2
2 section flywheel (bolted together)
< 104cm diameter >
Width (total): 11.7cm approx.
Inner rim: 8.6cm approx.
Rim: 1.4cm approx.
Drive shaft measures 28cm circumference (approx.)

Fig 3a. Flywheel #2
DETAIL of damage

Fig 3b. Flywheel #2
DETAIL of damage