Popular Technology; or, Professions and Trades. Vol. 2 (of 2)Hazen, Edward
History
Popular Technology; or, Professions and Trades. Vol. 2 (of 2)
Hazen, Edward
Industrial arts; Occupations
4. In forming the body, or containing part, the plate, forged and
rolled as just described, is cut into a circular form, and placed on a
block of soft wood with a concave face, where it is beaten with a
convex hammer, until it has been brought to a form much like that of a
saucer. It is then placed upon an anvil, and beaten a while with a
long-necked hammer with a round flattish face.
5. It is next _raised_ to the proposed form by forging it on a long
slender anvil, called a _stake_, with a narrow-faced hammer, which
spreads the metal perpendicularly from the bottom, or laterally,
according to the position in which it may be held when brought in
contact with the metal.
6. After the piece has been thus brought to the proposed form, it is
_planished_ all over by beating it with a small hammer on the outside,
while it rests on a small steel head on the inside. During the
performance of these operations, the silver is occasionally _annealed_
by heating it in the fire; but it is worked while in a cold state,
except in the first forging, when it is wrought while a little below
red heat.
7. The several pieces which compose a tea-pot of ordinary
construction, amount to about fifteen, nearly all of which are rolled
and forged in the manner just described. The knob on the lid, the
handle, and the spout, are sometimes cast, and at other times, the two
pieces of which they are formed are cut from a plate, and brought to a
proper figure by impressing them with steel dies.
8. The figures seen on the cheaper kinds of silver tea-pots, as well
as on other vessels and utensils, are commonly made by passing the
plates or strips between engraved steel rollers, or by stamping them
with steel dies. The dies are commonly brought in sudden and violent
contact with the metal by means of an iron _drop_, which is let fall
from a height upon it.
9. After the several parts have been brought to the proper shape, and
to the requisite finish, they are firmly united together by means of a
solder composed of about three parts of silver and one of brass and
copper. Before the spout and handle are soldered on, the other parts,
which have been thus united into one piece, are brought to a certain
degree of polish.
10. This is effected chiefly in a lathe, by holding against the piece,
while in rapid motion, first a file, then a scraper, and afterwards
pumice stone and Scotch stone. It is then held against a rapidly
revolving brush, charged with fine brickdust and sweet oil. The handle
and spout are next soldered on. After this, the vessel is annealed,
and put in _pickle_, or, in other words, into a weak solution of oil
of vitriol. It is then scoured with sand and water, and the whole
operation is completed by burnishing the smooth parts with a steel
instrument.
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