[BITList] Popular Wrench Fights a Chinese Rival - NYTimes.com

[Malcolm]

Hugh,

 

In our yard we also had a big hammer. It was slung with a rope from a ring
that was welded under the stern of a fleet of tugs that we looked after. Its
only job that it did was to loosen the propeller's nut off and then help to
knock off the propeller. It always needed two men to swing it about and you
had to be very quick on your feet when they ever missed the spanner if it
was your turn to hold it. You quickly realised that all the men over 50
years old never held the spanner, it was always us young fit and strong ones
had the job and we used to boast about it because the old buggers could not
do it. Ah! the folly of youth.

 

Malcolm. 

  _____  

From: bitlist-bounces at lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com
[mailto:bitlist-bounces at lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com] On Behalf Of HUGH
Sent: 10 November 2012 13:39
To: BitList
Subject: Re: [BITList] Popular Wrench Fights a Chinese Rival - NYTimes.com

 

Frank,

 

My first hammer, Kincaids's apprentice school, was something like 4.5lb,
maybe more.  It was used for hitting the end of a cold chisel to remove
about half an inch from the sides of a thick rectangular lump of boiler
plate that was later squared off,  bevelled and polished, before being
scrapped. I suppose it was my 'prentice piece. I was introduced to the 28lb
(mundy) hammer later in the fitting (erecting) shops.  There was an even
heavier item that was hung from the crane hook. All good fun.

 

Hugh.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20121111/3ccf5c1d/attachment.htm