As promised, Shop tour of Tromblay Tool near Mukwonga, Wisconson
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Here is the post that I mentioned that I would share from a shop visit to Bill Tromblay's Tool company in Wisconsin. Bill is such a mild mannered man, that it is hard to imagine the skill and talent that belies your first impression of this gentleman. Bill not only has a machine shop, but has many additional skills as well. He is an airplane engine rebuilder, an excellent welder, solder-er and braze-er, as well as a tool designer, and he makes you think that he is just learning about metal shaping, but he has many metal shaping and assembly skills.
I made the stop to Bill's shop along with Jim Hery as we were on our way to Dan Pate's Route56Wingnut event last week, so we were limited in time. I am optimistic that Bill will jump in and make any corrections, additions or add information as he sees fit. Bill Trombley is NOT a show off! I asked him to pose for most of these photos. Shown below in one of the pictures is Bills brother Jim and Jim's son Tony. It is a close knit family of very skilled and talented individuals. Tromblay Tool LLC is located near Mukwongo, Wisconsin and if you have a question regarding any of their work capabilities or need any of this type of work done, PM me and I will provide some contact information, or PM Bill himself here on the forum. Along with MANY other things that I know very little about, aircraft work is an endeavor that I am not very knowledgeable about, but hopefully my newfound friends Bill Trombley and Kent White can provide some valuable information for my consumption. Please bear with me if I have misconstrued any of these descriptions. This black engine is 4cylinder inverted inline Rolls/Royce Gipsy engine. Attachment 47037 This grey engine is a 6cylinder inverted inline Ranger Aircraft engine Attachment 47038 This is a 1956 Rolls Royce Nene 10 motor that Bill is designing and manufacturing replacement oil lines and fittings as they are no longer available for purchasing. Attachment 47039 Attachment 47040 Attachment 47041 These next two pictures show some aircraft seat riveting. Attachment 47042 Attachment 47043 Attachment 47044 Attachment 47045 Attachment 47046 This is an example of the type of machine work that has been completes on Bill's 'lights out' CNC machine. Attachment 47047 Attachment 47048 This shows one method that Bill uses to back purge when repairing the component shown in the above photo. Attachment 47049 Attachment 47050 The next three pictures show some cowling work that Bill is doing for a DeHavalene Arenco biplane that he works on for the upcoming Reno air races. Attachment 47051 Attachment 47052 Attachment 47053 Attachment 47054 Attachment 47055 Attachment 47056 Attachment 47057 Attachment 47058 Attachment 47059 Attachment 47060 Attachment 47061 Attachment 47062 This is the very first one of the Peter Tommasini wheeling machines to be brought into the US. I have brought in an additional 32. The word is getting around. Attachment 47063 Attachment 47064 Attachment 47065 This is a photo of his magnetic brake, but it is the only picture that I have showing the cast iron sheet metal brake that he recently acquired after selling his fabricated one. Attachment 47066 The following two photos shows that Bill has made an upper wheel with sharp edges on a longer adjustable upper shaft for doing some detail work on the cast wheeling machine Attachment 47067 Shown here is one of the ideas that Bill has devised to make detailed shapes in panels. I am trying to get him to share some of these many additions that he has made for Peters machine. Attachment 47068 Attachment 47069 Below are Bills brother Jim and Jim's son Tony, both of which showed us some of their work. These are two talented guys as well. Attachment 47070 Attachment 47071 Attachment 47072 Attachment 47073 |
Very impressive shop owned by a guy with even more impressive skills! Thanks for the photo tour, Will.
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Thanks Will and Bill for the pictures of the shop and projects. Aircraft work is precision work.
Mike. |
Thanks for the pics, Will. Bill's place looks great.
One question- what is the blue CP cast iron reciprocating machine? One of the pics shows Bill and Jim standing with it? |
The Man The Legend Great Guy I have the privalage to call my friend
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Will thanks for sharing the photos of the Tromblay’s shop and projects.
Bill. the shop and projects are impressive! Steve |
Cliff, the blue CP machine in not a reciprocating machine, but rather a large rivet 'punch', and is one of the reasons we stopped at Bill's shop. Jim Hery has just acquired one of these punches and Bill offered to provide some paper work and additional advice on how to use it, and is here showing how he modified it to use some Erco (thanks Dan) tooling.
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Thanks, Will. Didn't think it looked like a reciprocating machine, but the tooling in it didn't look like punch tooling even though it's beside that turret punch.
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Will those are Erco dies
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Here is a picture of the plane that Bill crews on that races at places like Reno, Nevada. By looking at the legs in this picture, I would venture to say that Bill, and the lady on the cowl are not related.:lol:
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