Washboard Factory (15 Images)

[Mike Buckley]

I uploaded these images for the people who enjoy seeing photos of manufacturing machinery and equipment. They aren't displayed for critique. Photos 6 & 7 were captured by my wife and post-processed by me.

The Columbus Washboard Company was founded in 1895. When investors bought it in 1999, the company moved to Logan, which is also in Ohio. Maximum production took place in the 1930s at about 1.6 million washboards per year. Today the company makes 30,000 to 40,000 per year. About 40% of them are used to make music, 30% for decor and 30% for washing clothes. Most are bought by Americans and Europeans but they are sold all over the world.

The company representative explained that they know of only two other companies making washboards: one in Mexico and one in China. This company employs four part-time people and only two of them at a time work in the production area. The other two people handle administrative requirements and attend to retail customers. During the 5 1/2-hour work day, the pair of production workers makes at least 200 washboards and up to 300 on a good day. That's about one every 2 to 3 minutes per person on average.

The center part of the conventional washboard is made of stainless steel, galvanized steel or glass. The material and pattern in a particular washboard has to do with what it will be used for. Washboards used for purposes other than washing clothes or making music may be made of blackboard, cork board and the like.



Photo 1: The Final Product -- Washboards Displayed in a Wash Tub




Photo 2: Makes the grooves on the end of each part of the frame (I think)




Photo 3: Slotter -- produces the slot down the middle of each part of the frame (I think)




Photo 4: Gravity-Fed Nailer (no longer being used)




Photo 5: Station with Power Nailer




Photo 6: Stainless Steel being fed into the crimper (not displayed)




Photo 7: Crimper and Crimped Metal




Photo 8: Crimper and Crimping Cylinders (no longer being used)




Photo 9: Hand-Powered "Clamshell" Printing Press, Dies and Printed Name Plates




Photo 10: Stitcher




Photo 11: Vise and General Work Station




Photo 12: Drill Bits, Saw Blades and Other Tools




Photo 13: Cart




Photo 14: Caster




Photo 15: Safe

[Shadowman]

For some reason I went directly to images 6 and 7, tell the missus nicely composed, seven appears a bit soft; did she use settings already chosen by you or did she expose herself?

For the remainder of the series, nicely done; I almost feel shortchanged as the equipment is so well maintained.

[Mike Buckley]

I already passed along your compliments to the wife, John. She always shoots in Aperture Priority and chooses all of her own settings. She checks the histogram religiously after every capture and adjusts the exposure if needed.

[Manfred M]

Fascinating series, Mike. I love these old industrial settings.

All of the equipment is likely from the 1930s through to the 1960s, so the production technology is still very much what was in place during the heyday of the company.

[DanK]

A very interesting series. I particularly like # 10


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[rudi]

Fascinating series indeed !! A lot off craftmanship was needed for what looks a 'simple' washboard !!

[Donald]

Enjoyable and informative.

Covers all the bases!