100? Year old gap bed shear

IaLeo

Well-known Member
I am harboring an old foot operated 42" shear in my shop for 20 years and have never used it. It cut some 18 ga galv metal cleanly when I first got it. The casting says Bertsoh & Co., Cambridge, Ind.
patented Oct 14 90. I am assuming the 90 refers to 1890.

It is probably only worth $20 scrap but I am hoping to find a little history on it before I part with it. I first saw it in 1968 used as an important, but little used adjunct to the shear line as it could trim the ends of circular sheet pieces cut on the rotary shears-parts that were eventually rolled in cones.

It is not terribly rusty, but the many colored coats of paint are flaking off and a 1-1/4 inch diameter cast post that holds one of the upright return spring is broken and will need a skilled weld.

I hope someone can enlighten me on that manufacturer and their tools. Thanks, Leo
 
Looks like they are still in business...

http://www.megafab.com/Bertsch_Overview.html

I wish you were closer, I'd love to have a shear! As long as it's structurally sound, the bed not cracked or
the ram bowed or broken, it will have more than scrap value.

Clean it up, get it working, put it on Craigs List, I would ask $500, can always come down.
 
( would like to hear about the rotary shear. I had a Marshall town and had to scrap it because parts were no longer available. I replaced it with a Swedish made Pullmax nibbler.
 
I will have to circle the shear again. There is a heavily painted over tag on the front of the ram that appears to have a number and the way it is riveted, I believe it was put on at the factory.

The bed and frame are all in good shape to the best of my knowledge.

Although at this time I am not inviting visitors to see it, it is located about 18 miles south of Waterloo, Iowa off I380.
It is mounted on a sturdy pallet and I think it weighs at least 500 lbs. I have to assess how much time it will take to clean off and repaint. I just don't have much of need of it anymore.

The rotary shear mentioned is not mine-it was the factory's that I engineered at (notice I did not say "work" at : ) ) but I bought some odds and ends when the company moved to a new building after 90 some years. There is also a hundred +/- year old wooden two pedestal desk that is destined for the furnacs some day.

IaRoy, I am bummed to hear that. If you care to talk to me, I welcome the chance, maybe over coffee at a restaurant of your choice. I still drive 20 West occasionally on family business, if that makes any difference. Leo
 

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