Kirkaldy's Testing Works, the world's first independent testing house. We are a working museum & educational learning centre located in the heart of London.
Joined September 2013
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BIG Accessories for our BIG working 116 ton, 47’ 6” long, 161 year old Universal Testing Machine.
These would be attached to the carriage to aid material bending like pillars and beams etc.
Based in London SE1, book a tour of the world’s oldest material testing works.
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Ever wondered what’s underneath your feet in London.
This is Southwark Street, SE1.
Book a tour to another world, the 1st ever Independent Material Testing House.
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Why do we get so many 5 star reviews?
Come book a tour to the world's oldest independent material testing works based in London SE1 and discover for yourself.
Facts Not Opinions has been our motto since 1874 for a good reason.
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Testing samples on our 1920 Brinell Hardness Machine.
We can test a wide choice of materials from lead which has a measurement of 5 BHN to mild steel that is 120 BHN but do you know how hard glass is?, well it has a measurement of 1,550 BHN!.
Makes you think.
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Fun Fact.
The average height of a London bus is 14’ 6”.
Length of our working Universal Testing Machine, built in 1865, is 14’ 7”.
Book a tour of Kirkaldy’s Testing Works & find out why we have “Facts Not Opinions” carved above our door.
Based in London SE1 via the 381 bus.
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"The Lightest & Strongest Machines in the World".
To support Premier Cycle Company's motto Kirkaldy's Testing Works carried out Pulling & Bending Stress tests on their steel "Helical Tubing" bicycle frames in 1893 which were proudly published in Premier's sales brochures.
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In 1883 London was introduced to the Hydraulic Power Company, a vision to offer a cleaner more compact alternative to steam engines to power London.
Pressurised water was pumped around by a series of Pumping Stations at 700-800 pounds per square inch (55 bar).
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From 1893 the system pumped 6.5 million gallons each week which grew to 32 million gallons by 1933.
But this water pressure did not satisfy Kirkaldy's needs so an intensifier was installed raising the pressure to 4,500 psi ! (310bar).
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Next tour of the world’s oldest independent material testing house based in London SE1 is Saturday 18th April @ 2:00pm.
🎟️ via Eventbrite 🔗 in our bio.
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What do you keep in your safe?
David Kirkaldy kept his prized possessions in his large safe, a fine set of Kirkaldy patent micrometers, for accurate measuring, along with other calculating and measuring instruments.
Learn why we have “Facts Not Opinions” carved above our front
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Kong the Eighth Wonder of the World broke free from his “Chrome Steel” chains during his 1933 Broadway debut.
If they were tested by Kirkaldy’s Testing Works he may have never escaped.
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Load testing Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932.
In 1865 David Kirkaldy commissioned a 116ton, 47’ 7” long water powered Universal Testing Machine that can apply 1,000,000lb of force.
We still operate that machine today in London SE1.
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Today I removed and cleaned this 100 year old ‘device’ on our Charpy Impact Tester but what is it ?
#VictorianEngineering #charpy #londonmuseum #londonhiddengems
#Castrol #STP
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Kirkaldy’s Testing Works reach was impressive.
Another interesting customer was Duple Coachbuilders, established in 1919 they were famous for their busses and assisting the WWII war effort by building the fuselages for the Halifax bomber.
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BIG machines need BIG tools, ours is 116 ton in weight, 47’ 7” long and can apply a force of 1,000,000lb and is powered by water.
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Facts Not Opinions retweeted
9 Aug 2025
A visit to Kirkaldy’s Testing Works, the temple of destruction standard.co.uk/going-out/att…
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The mark of David Kirkaldy’s Testing Works Works where “Facts Not Opinions” prevailed.
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Located in London SE1, we are the world’s oldest independent material testing house.
🎟️ via Eventbrite, link in our bio.
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