Ornamental turning : a work of practical instruction in the above art

Preface

I N submitting this volume on the art of ornamental turning to his subscribers and the general public, the author desires to first tender his sincere thanks to those gentlemen, who by their courteous encouragement prompted him to undertake the task.

The work is introduced with a view to assist amateurs who are interested in the development of the resources connected with this most interesting and scientific amusement, and it is hoped, that the large amount of detail displayed will facilitate the manipulation of the various instruments and apparatus described.

So many works have been published descriptive of plain hand¬ turning that it is the author’s intention to proceed at once with the necessary details of all that appertains to that branch of the art from which this book derives its name. In order that the tyro may participate in the reproduction of the various specimens illustrated, the descriptions of each will be rendered as concise as the amount of minutiae required will admit; and if the book proves to be of interest to the large number of influential patrons who desire to honour it with perusal, the author will feel amply repaid for the many hours of labour expended in its compilation.

_

Introduction

T HE art of decorative turning necessarily embodies many distinct classes of work, which may be applied to either the surface, cylinder, or the shaping of compound solid forms, polygonal figures, and a variety of other and distinct shapes; the different instruments being applied in combination with almost equal facility for all and any of the same.

The decoration of the surface, by various groupings of fine lines, and the intersection of circles together with other curves, has been liberally treated in different works for some years past, and practically leaves little to be said ; it has therefore been con¬ sidered advisable to pass over this particular section, and at once enter upon the descriptive analysis of the tools and apparatus used for the production of the numerous specimens illustrated.

Although the group above referred to as not necessary of repetition has received the advantage of description by so many experienced authors, it is only within the last two years that the art of decorating compound solid forms has been treated to any extent.

The details connected with the manufacture of the instruments are published at the express wish of many scientific amateurs, who delight more in making tools than applying them to their several uses.

It is obvious that to do full justice to many of the specimens is a difficult task, and as the autotype process was found some years ago fairly successful in connection with a publication entitled “ The Turner’s Manual,” in which the author was interested, he has vi.

INTRODUCTION.

adopted the same, failing to find a better substitute. In nearly every case the specimens have been turned by himself, but he has much pleasure in expressing his due appreciation of the kindness of many gentlemen who offered to lend any of their work for the purpose of illustration, and to the Earl of Sefton, Captain R. P. Dawson, and the Rev. C. C. Ellison, his best thanks are due for the loan of the specimens illustrated by their kind permission.

As this book is devoted to the description and illustration of the modern ornamental turning lathe and apparatus, reference will not be made to such tools and appliances as were available only in the very early period of the lathe’s history, and which although interesting from a literary point of view, are not likely to add to the experience of amateur turners of the present gener¬ ation ; in conclusion it is scarcely to be anticipated that so large an amount of detail will be absolutely free from slight errors of some kind, and should such be discovered the author will feel grateful for information, in order that it may be corrected in the reprint.

CHAPTER I. The Ornamental Turning Lathe

Brief description of its Manufacture. — Reference to Screw Guides.—Mode of employing them, also the Chasers as used for the purpose of reproducing the Screwon the work. — Manner in which the Pulley is put together, the number of Circles of Divisions drilled in the face, and the way they are sub-divided and figured.—Position of the Index.—Description thereof, as made in a plain form.—Advantages derived from the Adjusting or Compensating Index.—Necessity of drilling the Zeros or starting points on an arc described from the Index when in its place.—Outline of Improved Overhead Motion explaining its advantages.—Improve¬ ments to Crank-hook .

CHAPTER II. Mode of Chucking and Adjustment of Work

Showing the various ways of holding different subjects while operated upon.—Reference to American Scroll Chucks. —Die Chuck as invented by Mr. Bennett.—Boxwood Spring Chucks.—The advantage of Metal Chucks of a similar form.—Cement employed as a means of chucking special objects.—Component parts.—The Face Plate as used for holding flat surfaces.—The manner in which ivory work is attached by glue and released by im¬ mersion in warm water.—How to hold materials of large diameters .

1 to 6

TABLE OP CONTENTS.

viii.

CHAPTER III. Adjustment of Tools, Chucks, &c

Indicating the manner in which different objects are shaped by hand, or the Slide-rest.—To be subsequently decorated by the Revolving Cutters, by which Beads, Pearls, Facets, Reeds, &c., are produced and equi-distantly spaced.—The partial rotation of the Mandrel under the guidance of the Worm-wheel and Tangent-screw.— Rectilinear and other movements in combination

CHAPTER IV. Division Plate and Index

Description of the Index as made in a plain form, also with the power of adjustment.—The importance of the latter arrangement.—Its use as a means of sub-dividing the different divisions, if necessary.—The manner in which the eight Circles of Division in the face of the Pulley are figured to avoid errors in counting.—Detailed descrip¬ tion of Automatic Counting Apparatus as invented by T. I. Ashton, Esq. —The advantages derived from its employment.—Its Manufacture fully described and illus¬ trated by two views of the Apparatus.—Table of Divi¬ sions contained in the different circles drilled in the face of the Pulley.

CHAPTER Y.

The height of Centre of the Tools.

The importance of extreme accuracy in centering all Tools and Cutters when so required.—The means adopted to arrive at a satisfactory result.—Showing the different descrip¬ tion of centering guages.—The most certain test to employ.—The elevation or depression of the Tool by the ring of the Slide-rest, and means of fixing the same ...

CHAPTER VL

Grinding and Setting Tools.

Reference to Tools having straight or angular edges.—The Goneostat, its manufacture, and manner of employing it; improved plate-glass tablet upon which it is worked.— The different Slabs used to sharpen the Tools, and

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

cutting powders required.—The different Sockets neces¬ sary to hold the cutters, drills, &c.—The correct angle to which the cutting edge should be ground.—Newly designed instrument, by the Author, for setting the edges of Round-nosed Tools.—The necessary Cones, and mode of sharpening Bead and Moulding Tools.—The Vertical Grinding Machine.—The Horizontal Machine. —Description of a Combined Machine, embodying all three on one stand, showing its simplicity and con¬ sequent advantages. .

CHAPTER VII.

Materials appropriate for Ornamental Turning.

African Black Wood the best of hard woods.—Hints as to cutting and preparing the ends to prevent cracking.— Cocus being next in texture, King, Zebra, Coromandel, and Cam Woods as suitable for plain turning.—Box¬ wood employed for trials of different work, previous to operating on the more expensive materials.—Indian, African, and Green Ivory, their different textures and colour.—Mode of preparing them.—Selection of Ivory for such works as require several pieces.—Small pillars or handles cut from Scrivelloes.—Ivory used when cut plain ways ... . .

CHAPTER VIII.

Polishing of Ivory and Wood.

The process of polishing Ivory when left in the form by plain turn¬ ing.—The various patterns left bright from the Tool. —The use of the brush with whiting and water.—The work dried with boxwood sawdust.—Lamb’s Wool Pad as used in the grinding machine.—Reference to stem of Candelabra, Reeded Columns, &e.—Bees’-wax as applied to blackwood patterns.—Hardwood Lacquers and their effects .

CHAPTER IX.

Overhead Motion.

ix.

The Overhead Motion as fitted to the Single-bent Arm.—Im¬ proved plan, with Double Standards, Triangular Bar Sliding Carriage, Tension Bar and Guide Pulleys.—

X.

TABLE OP CONTENTS.

Advantages of this arrangement requiring one band only to drive any, or all of the different Revolving Cutters, &c., &c.—Its rigidity, freedom from vibration, and adjustment of the Tension ...

CHAPTER X.

The Ornamental Turning Slide-rest.

Its early and incomplete form.—Its Manufacture.—Use of Set Square and Set Bevel, and the objection to their em¬ ployment.—General advance in the design of the Slide-rest, showing its improvement-—Fluting Stops and Socket for Spiral Wheels.—Bridle to place the Top Slide under control without the use of the Lever.— Metal Cradle by which the rest is set parallel or at right angles to the bed, without the necessity of Set Squares.—Compound Slide-rest of the latest con¬ struction, with all improvements.—Self-acting Appa¬ ratus for grading Quadrant to Top Slide.—Divided Arc to determine any Angle between the two points.— Improved Fluting Stops . .

CHAPTER XI.

Automatic Stops.

Self-acting Slide-rest, with Automatic Stops, invented by T. I.

Ashton, Esq.—Description of its Manufacture.—Outline engraving of Automatic Stop to Top Slide ; its full des¬ cription.—The Metal Turning Slide-rest.—Loss of time in the Nut, and the proper way to prevent it.—Adjust¬ able Index to Micrometer.

CHAPTER XII.

Slide-rest Tools and Gutter bars.

The advantage of the latter.—The Gouge Cutter-bar.—Internal Cutter-bar.—Universal Cutter-bar, invented by Mr. Garvin Jones .

CHAPTER XIII.

Tools appropriate to the Ornamental Slide-rest.

Slide-rest Tools and their uses.—Newly designed Parting Tools.

—Socket Handle.—Steel Bar to increase the length of the Tool in the Slide-rest.—Use of the Slide-rest Tools for various purposes.

TABLE OP CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIY.

The Eccentric Gutter.

Its Manufacture and different applications for the shaping of various forms, such as pillars, and surface solids.— Autotype plate of examples of its production.

CHAPER XY.

Tools for the Eccentric Gutter.

The necessary Tools to be used in the Eccentric Cutter.—Mould¬ ing Tools for deep figures.—Improvement in form of Tools.— Descriptive analysis of their various uses

CHAPTER XYI.

The Vertical Gutter.

The Vertical Cutter.—The same as invented by Dr. Stodart.— .Necessary Tools for the same.—Improved Tools with their cutting edges on one side.—Description of the way to employ them.—Autotype plate of their production...

CHAPTER XVII.

Horizontal Gutters.

Spindle for Circular Cutter, also for Circular Saw.—Socket to hold short Tools.—Reference to the same Tools, as used in Vertical Cutter.—Autotype plate of examples of ornamental subjects produced by the instrument ...

CHAPTER XVIII.

The Universal Gutter.

The Universal Cutter, with guide-pulleys on each side.--Explan¬ ation of its defects.—Description of more recent one, illustrating its advantages.—Reference to its increased power.—Autotype plate of work executed by it.

si.

Xll.

TABLE OP CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX.

The Drilling Instrument.

Explanation of the Instrument.—Reference to same with Pulley in front showing the advantage of it in this position. —The Internal Cutter.—Illustrations of Drills.—Details of how to make them.—Their various uses described.— Bent Drills and their employment.—Autotype plate of specimens of their production

CHAPTER XX.

The Curvilinear Apparatus.

Its improvements.—Illustration of same, attached to Slide-rest in a new way.— Engraving of Templates and improved Rubber.—Autotype plate of examples, and vase pro¬ duced by it . . ... 114 to 120

CHAPTERS XXI and XXII.

The Eccentric Chuck.

Details of the mode of Manufacture.—Engraving of the Chuck.

Autotype plate of Decorated Cylinders, with full ex¬ planation of their production ... ... ... ... 121 to 134

CHAPTER XXIII.

The Ellipse Chuck.

Its Construction and Improvement.—Additional steel ring.—

Examples showing the results obtained by the various movements.—Description of ivory miniature frame, with autotype plate.—Details of the manner of equally dividing the Ellipse with the Segment Apparatus ... 135 to 148

CHAPTER XXIY.

Compensating Index for the equal division of the Ellipse.

Details of the Instrument as fitted to the back of the Lathe-head.

—Description of its Manufacture.—Reference to the

TABLE OP CONTENTS.

Xlll.

impossibility of defining a rule, by which the eccentri¬ city of the Sliding-ring of the Chuck, and the Compen¬ sator can be governed.—Brief scale of the proportions of the Ellipses, and the required movement of the Slide of the Compensator.—Engraving of the Apparatus fitted to the Lathe in its complete form.—Simple example of work equally divided, showing the advantage obtained by employing the Instrument ... .149 to 154

CHAPTER XXV.

The Rectilinear Chuck.

Details of its Manufacture.—Improvement in the manner in which the Main Screw is fitted, enabling the adjust¬ ments to be made when the Chuck stands at varying angles, thus facilitating the necessary movements.— Manipulation of the Chuck.—Autotype plate of specimen of work turned by the Earl of Sefton .155 to 162

CHAPTER XXYI.

Dome or Spherical Chuck.

Details of the mode of Manufacture.—Improvement in the Frame that holds the Tangent-screw.—Worm-wheel arrange¬ ment to base of right-angle arm to hold the work in an oblique position.—Two engravings of the Chuck.—

Autotype plate of examples of work produced by the

chuck, in combination with the various revolving cutters 163 to 177

CHAPTER XXVII.

The Segment Apparatus.

Description of the Apparatus as made in the simple form.—Also as fitted with the Worm-wheel and Tan gent-screw.—Im¬ proved Spring Action to keep the Screw from contact with the Wheel,when not in use.—Reference to improved action, in preference to the Cam.—Description of the Apparatus employed as a means of sub-dividing the work.—Also as a Dividing and Wheel-cutting machine, as arranged for the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres ... 178 to 181

XIV.

TABLE OP CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Spiral Apparatus.

Description of the Apparatus as fitted to the front of the Lathe-head.— Mode of Manufacture.— Explanation of the advantages of the Worm-wheel and Tangent-screw in preference to the Ratchet and Detent.—Engraving of the Apparatus as thus fitted.—Details of the improved arrangement of the Apparatus as fitted to the back of the Lathe-head.—Full-page engraving of complete Lathe-head with it attached. — Its employment in combination with the Ellipse Chuck. — Improved Universal Joint.—Engraving of Second View, illus¬ trating the Dividing Chuck and Divisions on Worm-wheel.—Mode of Hinging the Frame of Tangent-screw.

—Illustration of extra Arbor, designed by the author, to increase the length of twist.—Explanation of the advan¬ tages claimed and due to the arrangement ... ... 182 to 191

CHAPTER XXIX.

Surface Spiral Apparatus.

Details of the manner in which the Apparatus is made and attached to the Lathe.—Its connection to the Mandrel and Slide-rest by Mitre and Round-edged Wheels.— Application of two Universal Joints, to combine the motion of the Mandrel with the Slide-rest, without the necessity for Mitre-wheels. — Engravings of the Apparatus .192 to 194

CHAPTER XXX.

The Reciprocator.

Engravings of the Instrument (two views), showing improve¬ ments in its construction.—Details of its Manufacture.—

Table of Change-wheels for Single Gearing.—Also for Double Gearing .195 to 200

CHAPTER XXXI.

Manipulation of the Spiral Apparatus.

Description of the Apparatus as applied to the production of Fine Threads.—Also those of longer Pitches, produced by Double Gearing, rendering more appropriate work for Decorative purposes—Compound Spiral Turning. —Autotype plate of Specimens of Work. ... 201 to 209

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

XV.

CHAPTER XXXII.

Spiral Apparatus and Ellipse Chuck in Combination.

Autotype plate of Elliptic Casket.— Manner of reproduction.—

Details of the necessary settings ... ... ... 210 and 211

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Examples of Surface Spirals and Reciprocator.

Autotype plate of examples of work produced by connecting the Slide-rest to the Spiral Apparatus, when the former is set at a right angle to the Lathe-bed.—Examples of patterns emanating from the employment of the Reciprocator.—Full details of the various settings and instruments used ... ... ... ... ... ... 212 to 218

CHAPTER XXXIY.

Ivory Candelabra.

The selection of the material.—Necessity for maintaining the proportions of the design.—Autotype plate of specimen Candelabra in ivory, with six branches, and Centre Tazza and Sconce.—Details and settings to facilitate its reproduction ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 219 to 224

CHAPTER XXXV.

The Spherical Slide-rest.

Illustration.—Full details of its Manufacture.—Description of Improvements.—Reference to importance of the Seg¬ ment-stop with Adjusting Screws.—Also the additional Arm to receive the Wheels of the Spiral Apparatus ... 225 to 229

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Manipidation of the Spherical-rest.

Diagram and Illustration of Curved Tools.—Engravings of Circular Parting-tools, invented and patented by the Rev. C. C. Ellison.—Autotype plate of Specimen of Work, also by Mr. Ellison.—Instruction and Settings for its reproduction ... . ... 230 to 237

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Vase Ornamented with Spherical SSde-rest.

Autotype plate of Vase.—Details of Settings and Instruments

required in its reproduction ... ... ... ... 238 to 212

XVI.

TABLE OP CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Elliptic Cashet.

Autotype plate.—Description of the manner of Chucking the various parts.—Arrangements required to re¬ produce it .

CHAPTER XXXIX.

The Geometric Slide-rest.

Engraving of the Apparatus, as invented and patented by Capt.

R. Pudsey Dawson.—Explanation of its connection with the Spiral Apparatus, by which the various Geometrical Designs are obtained.—Plate of Six Examples, showing the results.—Details of Manipulation . 247 to 251

CHAPTER XL.

The Ellipse Cutter.

Engraving of the Instrument.—Full details of its Manufacture.

—Reference to the inventor, Major James Ash.—Mr.

Perigal’s Completion of the Instrument by addition of Worm-wheel and Tangent-screw.—Description of Primary Examples of work to be produced by its employment. 252 to 259

CHAPTER XLI.

The Epicycloidal Cutter.

Two Engravings of the Instrument.—Its Manufacture.—De¬ scription of various Improvements fully entered into.—

Engraving of small Drilling Instrument and Eccentric Cutter designed by the author.—Manipulation of the Instrument. . . 260 to 267

CHAPTER XLIL

The Bose Cutter.

Engraving of the Instrument.—Necessary Details for its Manu¬ facture.—Six primary Examples of its Employment.—

Application of the small Drilling Instrument and Eccentric Cutter, to extend the variety of work ... 268 to 275

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

XVI1.

CHAPTER XLIII.

Circular Miniature Frame.

Autotype plate of the Frame.—Details of the Instruments and Settings required in its reproduction.—Explanation of the Best Mode of Chucking . 277 to 280

CHAPTER XL1V.

Electrotyping.

Advantages derived from Electrotyping in Intaglio, and kindred

work. 281 and 282

FULL-PAGE AUTOTYPE PLATES.

[In order to facilitate the entry of any notes that the amateur may wish to make in connection with his progress in reproducing the various designs contained in this work, as well as for their retention, blank pages have been placed to precede the various plates. It is hoped that this provision will prove of considerable service.]

v

1. Examples of work executed by the Eccentric Cutter

2. Simple examples of work done with the Vertical Cutter

3. Patterns descriptive of the use of the Horizontal Cutter

4. Ivory Vase decorated, or reeded, with the Universal Cutter

5. Ivory Tazza, and other specimens of Drill work

6. Vase and examples of the use of the Curvilinear Apparatus

7. Examples of Decorated Cylinders, executed with the Eccentric Chuck

8. Elliptic Miniature Frame in Ivory, equally divided by the Segment

\* Apparatus

\ n 9- Specimen of work produced by the Rectilinear Chuck, turned by the Earl of Sefton

9a. Examples of work decorated with the Dome or Spherical Chuck 10. Specimens of work produced with the Spiral Apparatus - f, 11. Specimen of Compound Spiral Turning, executed by Capt- R. Pudsey

^12. Examples of Surface Spiral Decoration, produced by the Reciprocator

13. Ivory Candelabra for seven candles

14. Specimen Vase, turned by the Rev. C. C, Ellison, employing the Rose

Engine, Ellipse Chuck, and Spherical Slide-rest

n$fl5. Vase with deep base, turned and ornamented with the Spherical i Slide-rest

■ , 16. Ivory Elliptic Casket, turned with the Spherical Slide-rest and Ellipse 1^1 Chuck

Large Ivory Miniature Frame, highly decorated by various instru¬ ments

The whole of the Engravings contained in this booh were carried out by Messrs. Watson and Scott, of Imperial Buildings, Ludgate Circus ,

ORNAMENTAL TURNING,

CHAPTER I. The Ornamental Turning Lathe

The illustration represented by Fig. 1 is a lathe of the most modern description, and the author deems it expedient to give the details of such in the opening chapter, so that amateurs of little or no experience may be able to obtain an idea of the lathe most suitable for their purpose. As the details of the various adjuncts will be fully described in future chapters, the engraving is simply of a lathe of the particular type most suited to the art of ornamental turning.

It is a 5-in. centre lathe with traversing mandrel, which is bored throughout its entire length; and, as all lathes of high-class manufacture should do, runs in hardened steel collars; the mandrel is also perfectly hard. The latter being bored through adds considerably to the convenience of the lathe for many purposes; long rods of steel or other materials, for instance, may be passed up the aperture while the end projecting from the chuck is turned; and in the case of a large number of small articles being required, each one may be cut off, and the material withdrawn and again fixed.

On the rear end of the mandrel steel screw-guides are fitted, of different pitches, six being the usual and sufficient number. These are employed to reproduce the screw on the work, and are actuated by an eccentric, fixed to the headstock immediately under the mandrel. The eccentric carries a metal plate having six arcs, in each of which a thread is cut to match the steel guide; and when required to be used, the arc is placed in gear with the

THE ORNAMENTAL TURNING LATHE.

s guide by turning the eccentric round with a lever until sufficient piessure is obtained to allow the mandrel to move backwards and forwards with the necessary freedom, but without shake, while the thread on the guide is reproduced on the work.

The screw may be cut in the first instance with a double angle point tool (Fig. 26), placed in the slide-rest, or begun and finished with the chasers (Figs. 55 and 56), which are for internal and ex¬ ternal threads; but when the turner is sufficiently experienced, the slide-rest may be dispensed with and the chaser used by hand, fixed in the socket handle (Fig. 60). In adopting the latter course, the tool is held to the work, and the lathe receives a backward and forward motion by the foot on the treadle so that the pulley rotates the number of turns necessary to the length of screw required; the tool is released from cut while the lathe turns the reverse way, but again applied directly the return journey com¬ mences ; this may be easily acquired by practice. When the screw is partly cut, the guide may be removed, and the steel sleeve replaced so that it may be finished by continual revolutions of the lathe while the chaser is under the guidance of the hand. Left-hand screw-guides are equally applicable, but, being seldom required, are not made unless specially ordered.

The driving pulley is made of gun-metal from preference, and is put together in the following way in two parts: the body is turned all over inside and out, the former being necessary to the freedom of surperfluous weight at any part; the front is then recessed about lV in. deep, and undercut to about 4°; the face is then turned over on both sides, and a corresponding angle turned on the periphery, but the diameter left about iV in. larger than the recess in the pulley; a hole is turned out in the centre of the plate to pass over the socket which fits over the mandrel. The body is then placed on a hot plate until it expands sufficiently to allow the face to drop in, and when cold the two are firm and immov¬ able. The two angles agreeing, no joint is visible, and this is undoubtedly the proper mode to adopt. Some advocate soldering the faces in, but this is not to be recommended, and should not be used for high-class work.

THE ORNAMENTAL TURNING LATHE.

On the face of the pulley eight circles of division are drilled— namely, SCO, 192, 144, 120, 112, 84, 96, and 12. The zero or starting-point of each circle is drilled on an arc described. from the point of the index-peg when in its place, and set about midway on the screw at the lower extremity where the adjustment takes place; by this the index can be raised or depressed. If the zeros are drilled on a radial line, it is not possible to move from one circle to another without a re-adjustment, but, when placed on the arc, any of the series are available without this. Ihe complete

index is seen in its place. (Vide Fig. 1.)

There are various ways of fixing the ball that receives the pin of the index, either as seen in the engraving, or it may be fixed at the back, which some prefer; another, and very excellent way, is to have a strong steel pillar fixed at the back, with a hole at the top, into which the pin of the index fits, causing the blade to lay across the top with the peg towards the front of ^ the pulley. This is more convenient in many ways, and, when fitted m this manner, the arc upon which the starting-points are drilled is described by the index when in its place. In this position, also, it is more elevated, and a better light is available.

The popit-liead, or back-centre, is fitted with a steel cylinder and a leading screw of ten threads to the inch, with a drop lever, by which the screw is actuated. The screw is retained in its place by a metal cap, which screws on to the body of the head, and the front of the steel boss through which the lever passes is divided into one hundred equal parts, by which the movement of the cylinder may be read to thousandths. The front of the cylinder is bored out to a taper hole to receive the different centres, and the front of the leading screw is made long enough to eject them when the cylinder is wound in. The advantage of this needs no argument in its favour, when compared with the obsolete plan of being com¬ pelled to force the centres out when the screw is not made to operate upon them.

The hand-rest is made in the usual way, and is fitted with teerests of different lengths and forms. The boring collar is also a most useful addition, and this also carries a guide for slender

THE ORNAMENTAL TURNING LATHE.

turning, which is fixed to the head by a holt in the same way as the circular cone-plate.

The slide-rest that should accompany such a lathe may be either of those represented by Figs. 13, 14, and 17.

It will be observed that the heads are mounted on cast-iron bearers, which are 3 ft. G in. long, and these are fitted to a massive double frame of mahogany, the front of the bed being covered with the same material. The crank is made of wrought-iron, and the hook, which has two arms, is made of the same. This particular style of fitting up the lower part is an improvement by the author, and it will be at once obvious that, the treadle being supported at both sides, is far superior to the original way of a single hook attached to the centre-rail only. The foot can be placed on any part of the treadle without fear of springing it, and the action altogether is much better. The fly-wheel is of cast-iron (massive), and turned with seven speeds, suitable for quick or slow motion; underneath the bed is a nest of drawers, in which all the apparatus is fitted, one lock operating on them all.

The overhead motion forms a very important part of the apparatus employed in the art of ornamental turning, and that attached to the lathe (Fig. 1), also illustrated by Fig. 11, whereby it is fully described, is without question the most useful and convenient at present designed, and is now well-known as Evans’s Improved. It consists of two standards bolted to the frame and connected at the top by a triangular bar, fixed at each end by a nut and washer. Beneath this a steel spindle runs between centre-screws, and carries a pulley and drum, or two grooved pulleys; the top bar carries a frame which can be moved laterally, and this also holds another frame that works upon centres, and through which a tension-bar slides, having guide-pulleys at the front, and a counterbalance weight at the other extremity.

A band passes from the fly-wheel to the pulley on the spindle, which has grooves of different diameters, to alter the speed; a second band passes from either the drum or second pulley over the guide-pulleys on the tension-rod, thence to the pulley on the instrument in the slide-rest.

G

THE ORNAMENTAL TURNING LATHE.

The great advantage in this design of overhead is found in the second band not requiring to he altered, and it is obvious that this is a great boon. In applying it, all that is necessary is to pull down the band until it passes over the pulley ol the cutter-frame. The tension required for work of different kinds is alteied by moving the counterbalance-weight nearer to or farther from the centre-frame in which the tension-bar slides, the bar itself being also moved in the frame when required. It has been urged against this form of overhead that, in consequence of the guide-pulleys attached to the tension-bar, there is an undue amount of friction; hut this exists in theory only, and such a statement is perfectly erroneous: also, that the oil from the guide-pulleys, fiom the fact of being overhead, is likely to be dispersed ovei the turner’s head; this is also a delusion. If properly lubricated, there is not the least occasion for such a result, as practical experience has clearly proved.

The best evidence the author can put forth in support of these remarks is that he has now fitted this form of overhead to the lathes of many well-known amateurs—notably, the Earl of Clawford and Balcarres, the Rev. 0. C. Ellison, L. Y. Lloyd, Esq., T. Hutchinson, Esq., the lion. Wilfred Brougham, Sir Ceoigc Pecbell, Bart., and very many other distinguished amateur turners —who, one and all, express the greatest satisfaction, and testily to its actual superiority.