jamesmaher

October 31, 1936

from National Library of Ireland on The Commons

• 7 older comments, and then…
• Swordscookie said:

  Great shot. Looking at the implement the man on the left was operating I suspect that it helped them to form up the cask? Any experts out there to tell us how it was done?

• National Library of Ireland on The Commons said:

  Swordscookie Would indeed welcome input from any coopers out there! It looks as if the foot pedal thingy (technical term) helped to increase pressure on the hoops??

• Michiel2005 said:

  Looks more like a fire, the foot pedal would pump air into it to increase the heat. The hoops are heated before they are put around the cask.

• Swordscookie said:

  I think you're right Michiel! I was looking at the shape but when you view it at original size you can see it a lot better and it seems to be a portable furnace - for heating the rivets perhaps? I like the specialised anvil the other cooper is working on, specially adapted for his needs and no need for bending the back unnecessarily!

• National Library of Ireland on The Commons said:

  Michiel2005 Swordscookie Ah, that makes sense - a sort of brazier type affair...