1962 AC factory tour

I was talking to my father tonight and he began discussing a factory tour of AC he and his uncle went to in the early 60s. It was some type of promotional thing and Uncle Louis buying a new D17 got him in. As he remembers, at that time AC had the largest metal turning lathe in the world??? It could turn down a shaft in the 60' or 65' in length??? Dad said the only other lathe of this size was in Germany?? Anyone have more info?? Thanks, Ryan

Dad got a trip for buying a D-15 and he brought back a book "Land of Power" that the step in-laws ended up with,, grrrrr. Would like to get another copy some day. The lathe must have been a big show because I remember dad talking about it.

My dad saved the brochure from his tour in 1962. The tour was broken down into stations. Here is the text from Station 2 "Largest engine lathe in the West Allis plant, and one of the biggest in the world, is this unit installed in the No. 3 Shop. Known as a 144-inch-diameter engine lathe, this tool can machine pieces up to 12 feet in diameter and more than 45 feet in length. The huge pieces machined on this lathe are placed in position by two 100-ton cranes installed especially for this purpose. This lathe, for example, could machine a 200-ton forging into a shaft weighing 160 tons, creating an almost incredible 40 tons of steel shavings in the process."

Edited by Dave (Mid-MI) - 21 Sep 2010 at 8:36pm

  Hello Ryan  There is a picture of my son standing on the TOOL holder in the OAN either the spring or summer 2005  Our Coming Home committe had a tour of different buildings.   Our  Union Grove Club is going to feature THE CENTURY OF ALLIS CHALMERS FARM EQUIPMENT in 2014 with a day of activties in West Allis, and caravan to the show in Union Goive WI.  I don't know if the lathe is still there, but it sure was IMPRESSIVE!!!   Allen

What did happen to all the equipment ALLIS  had in West Allis ?? Anyone have any facts on the - test pit -AC had ? I heard one time there was alot of concrete involved !!

The test pit or Underbalance Bunker is still in the main bay of West Allis and is still in use, there is only two of its kind in the US,  And as for concrete some of the floors in the buildings are over 10' thick,   just imagine most of that was poured in the early 1900's.

This is a great thread. Very interesting.

I have seen the big lathe at the Allis Chalmers factory in operation. I was on a plant tour during service training in the 70's. I remember their was a big shaft with some turbine blades on it being machined. The machinist had stopped it from turning and was up on a ladder, 8 feet or so, measuring something.

is there any buildings left in west allis that can be toured today.

Doug  N IL   From my knowledge the main erection floor is still in use by a company called Regenco,  the East/West buildings have been converted to Offices etc. Our Club's contact said that he would work on our committee for acess in 2014  The Century Of Allis Show     Doug MO  What I saw in 2005 of the test pit was very inpressive, they would lower a rotor turbine into the pit get ready to test then put 12" timbers in place, then install 50 ton doors on top of the timbers.   Also we had a 3'x12' Allis sign on a trailer that we placed by the out door of the parade for pictures.  When we went back to get the trailer the workers were preparing to move a turbine pump  with the overhead hoist that they set out for display, anyway standing in the rain ready to get in the truck I saw this turbine get lifted 15' in the air and travel into the building out of sight.  That was the last time I have been there.     PS  looking forward to 2014 to see what is left and what is NEW  Allen

We also got a tour during the GOTO at union grove of the Regenco building and it was impressive.  I like the plans for the 2014 show, that should be a good one.

A suit coat for a vacation trip. Times sure have changed.