Video Parts (3)
This clip is Part 1 of a 3-part film.
`HOOPING UP', MAKING CASKS AND BARRELS Part 1
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “The Oak tree renders the most preferable wood for barrel making.” Workers sawing tree in forest with two man saw - tree falling. “No barrel can be longer than its log. These are cut into desired lengths.” Worker cutting log with power saw. “A barrel is a chunk of air, all bound ‘round with staves and hoops. Splitting the log for staves.” Workers splitting sections of log into quarters with axes and wedges - man trimming quarter with power saw - man placing staves in press. “Staves are ‘given the air’ for seven months in which they dry. Then they dry in a kiln for two weeks after which they are shipped.” Worker stacking staves outside - view of piles of staves in yard - view of staves entering kiln - men pulling staves from kiln. “A barrel has flat ends, or heads. These are made just like the staves.” Worker carrying split logs in a wheelbarrow from freight car - logs being cut by power saw - workers stacking wood in high piles in yard - worker putting wood together to form top - man operating saw cutting round tops. “Staves are given their final preparation in the factory, planed and beveled.” Workers planning and beveling staves using power machinery. “Hooping ’em up.” Cooper placing staves in hoops. “The steam box gets the barrel used to moisture.” Steaming barrels - worker adding final hoops. “No sooner out of the steam room than the barrel is dried.” Worker wheeling barrels in line. “Often staves are broken.” Worker replacing broken stave. “Large iron bands hold the barrel in shape much better than any corset ad guarantees to do.” Bands being pushed farther to center of barrel by machinery. “Creating the well-known bunghole.” Woman worker using power drill to cut bungholes - worker placing barrel into machine for trimming ends. “Putting a head on each end of the barrel.” Worker operating machine which pushes head into barrel ends. “Off come the iron bands, the barrel is planed and steel hoops adjusted.” Worker planing revolving barrel - hoops being adjusted by machinery. “Making steel hoops.” Lengths of steel coming out of machine - worker riveting ends together - worker placing them on stretching and shaping machine. “The inside of the barrel is glued and the outside painted by machinery.” Barrels on conveyor being glued and painted. “Nine months have elapsed since the oak tree was felled. Here, at last, is the finished product.” Men sawing tree in forest, tree falling - barrels rolling out of plant - view of barrels piled high in plant yard. “And now, loaded with various American products, the barrels start for all corners of the globe to develop our commerce.” Workers rolling barrels from plant, up ramp, into freight car. “The End.” “Produced by Ford Motor Company.” [1919]
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