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
7. In almost every kind of turning, a tool called the _calipers_ is
necessary for measuring the diameters of the work. In its form, it
bears some resemblance to the compasses or dividers. One or both of
the legs, however, are curved; and one kind of this instrument has
four legs, two curved, or two straight, at each end, with a pivot in
the centre, on which it is opened and shut. The former of these is
employed in measuring the dimensions of outside work, and the latter,
for that on the inside. This kind is called the _in-and-out_ calipers;
and it is especially useful in turning a cylinder, or pin, which shall
exactly fit an internal cylinder already made, and _vice versâ_.
8. There is but little difference in the management of turning
different substances. The principal thing to be attended to is to
adapt the velocity of the motion to the nature of the material; thus
wood will work best with the greatest velocity that can be given to
it. Brass should have a motion about half as quick as wood, and iron
and steel still less; for, in operating on metallic substances, the
tool is liable to become hot, and lose its temper; besides which, a
certain time is requisite for the act of cutting to take place.
9. When compared with many other mechanical operations, the art of
turning may be considered as perfect in its accuracy and expedition.
The lathe is, therefore, resorted to for the performance of every work
of which it is capable; nor is its use confined to the production of
forms perfectly cylindrical, for it can be easily made to produce
figures of irregular shape, such as lasts, gunstocks, &c.
10. The lathe was well known to the Greeks and Romans, as well as to
many other nations of antiquity. Diodorus Siculus, who wrote in the
time of Julius Cæsar and Augustus, says that it was invented by one
Talus, a nephew of Dædalus. Pliny ascribes it to Theodore, of Samos,
and mentions one Thericles, who had rendered himself very famous by
his dexterity in managing the lathe. The Greek and Latin authors
frequently mention this instrument; and, among the ancients, it was
customary to express the accuracy and nicety of a thing by saying, it
was formed in a lathe.
[Illustration: CABINET MAKER.]
THE CABINET-MAKER, AND THE UPHOLSTERER.
THE CABINET-MAKER.
1. It is the business of the cabinet-maker to manufacture particular
kinds of household furniture, such as tables, stands, bureaus,
sideboards, desks, book-cases, sofas, bedsteads, &c., as well as a
certain description of chairs made of mahogany and maple. Many of the
operations of this business are similar to those of the carpenter and
joiner, although they require to be conducted with greater nicety and
exactness.
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