Tube Drawer in Birmingham

[west1947]

Hello There,

There was a company called Tube Investements Ltd in Rocky Lane Astom Birmingham. Don't know if they are still around.

[ScouseBoy]

About 40 years ago I remember going on a visit to a Tube factory in Birmingham.

There are at least two different methods of steel tube manufacture.   One sort of tube is seamless.

[brummie nick]

A bit off topic, but my Brother In Law worked for a Birmingham firm of Tube drawers, He told me a story of An American firm that sent over a piece of tubing claiming  it to be the smallest tube ever made, the Birmingham firm sent it back, with one of their tubes inside it.    

[Kwjones10]

Hi all
   Perhaps I can shed some light on this posting , I worked for Tubes for 20yrs
The company was founded 1897 in Rocky Lane , Aston Cross ,Birmingham
and amalgamated with several conduit companies( electrical tubing produce)
In 1907 , you say that on the certificate it had the name Pudd, I think this is red
herring ,  part of the equipment on the drawn bench was the PLUGBAR this was the inner part of the reduction die , perhaps this is what they refere to, his correct title was a cold wall tube drawer, he would have to transport the hollows
From the pilger mills to the draw bench ,no mean feat, as these hollows could weigh tonnes, he would then submerge the hollows into the pickle tanks, which were actually steam vat full of industrial soap,  then after a few hours be transferred onto the draw bench  so that the dog would start the reduction process
The tubes that they produced were used mainly in the dockyards, for the
manufacture of steam Boilers,  and depending on the order book the rest would be Set aside for Honing and converted into hydraulic cylinders, some as long as 30'
the shorter ones were sent to Dowty to increase the coal output, (Pit Props) ,these
We're charged to hold the main roof in place,
I left the company back the 80's and I believe it was latter knocked down in the
 90's  ,In its day Tubes was the main cold wall drawers in the district, although the
 black country was well noted for this culture and had some of the best people
In the world , I know I worked with them  for over 20yrs
If you require further information please email me

I hope this has help you
Regards

[youngtug]

I doubt that gun barrels would be made of drawn tube, if so I most definitely would not fire one.

  http://www.border-barrels.com/articles/bmart.htm

Although there was also the damascus type of gun barrel http://firearmshistory.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/barrel-making-pattern-welded-or.html

[ScouseBoy]

There are more than one way of manufacturing steel tubes.        There are seamless  steel tubes which I guess could involve "drawing"  the steel out.

[youngtug]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          


  http://youtu.be/_PEZ3vNsNNs
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WAx6NCB324&feature=youtu.be

[west1947]

Hi Kw Jones10,

My dad worked at Tubes for over 45 years, he was a crane driver I believe in the forging dept. He retired about 1969-1970 His name was Bill West I don't know whether you would have known him. West1947.

[Gardner of Birmingham]

Hello Gail - you wrote this a long time ago; I wonder if you will see my reply...?!

I've been researching my own ancestor, Albert Gardner, and found the census page that I'm guessing you saw.  Albert's younger brother, Jesse, matches your ancestor, and in searching what a Tube Drawer was I stumbled across your entry!

It would be good to exchange notes about our common ancestry if you like.

Jason