For Rick Rowlands

[Towntalk]

Thanks Rick.

[Rick Rowlands]

Forging is a process of squeezing and forming steel into various shapes.  In forging, the grain structure of the metal is manipulated to give greater strength than can be obtained through casting.  There were various types and sizes of forging presses built, from a 35,000 ton United forging press built for Alcoa (built in Youngstown) down to small 500 ton presses such as the one pictured. 

William Tod Co. operated a munitions department during WWI which utilized a couple of forging presses.  I believe they built their own presses for this work, and the post card depicts one of those presses.  I do not know if they ever built any presses for outside customers.

[Towntalk]

Rick,

What was the William Tod 500 Hydrolic Forging Press used for?