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Practical Mechanics for Boys

Chapter 1: The "How-to-do-it" Books
By James Slough Zerbe
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About This Book

This practical manual instructs young readers in fundamental shop practice, beginning with selection and arrangement of tools and a basic workbench, then explaining grinding and sharpening, setting and holding lathe tools, and correct filing and sawing techniques. It introduces methods for commencing lathe and drilling work, precision measuring and tests, and offers illustrated descriptions of mechanical devices such as gears, pulleys, couplings, universal joints, escapements and clutches, along with guidance on using machines and attachments. Emphasis rests on practical procedure, proper tool angles and speeds, and careful technique.

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This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Practical Mechanics for Boys

Author: James Slough Zerbe

Release date: August 11, 2007 [eBook #22298]
Most recently updated: January 2, 2021

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Joe Longo and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRACTICAL MECHANICS FOR BOYS ***

The "How-to-do-it" Books

PRACTICAL MECHANICS FOR BOYS



THE "HOW-TO-DO-IT" BOOKS

PRACTICAL MECHANICS
FOR BOYS

In language which every boy can understand and so arranged that he may readily carry out any work from the instructions given.

WITH MANY ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS

By J. S. ZERBE, M.E.

Author of

CARPENTRY FOR BOYS          ELECTRICITY FOR BOYS

M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY

CHICAGO           ::            NEW YORK

Copyright, 1914, by
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY

Made in U. S. A.

CONTENTS

Introductory Page 1
 
I. On Tools Generally Page 7

Varied Requirements. List of Tools. Swivel Vises. Parts of Lathe. Chisels. Grinding Apparatus. Large Machines. Chucks. Bench Tools. Selecting a Lathe. Combination Square. Micrometers. Protractors. Utilizing Bevel Protractors. Truing Grindstones. Sets of Tools. The Work Bench. The Proper Dimensions. How Arranged.
II. How to Grind and Sharpen Tools Page 26

Importance of the Cutting Tool. The Grinder. Correct Use of Grinder. Lathe Bitts. Roughing Tools. The Clearance. The Cutting Angle. Drills. Wrong Grinding. Chisels. Cold Chisels. System in Work. Wrong Use of Tools.
III. Setting and Holding Tools Page 34

Lathe Speed. The Hack-saw. Hack-saw Frame. The Blade. Files. Grindstones. Emery and Grinding Wheels. Carelessness in Holding Tools. Calipers. Care in Use of Calipers. Machine Bitts. The Proper Angle for Lathe Tools. Setting the Bitt. The Setting Angle. Bad Practice. Proper Lathe Speeds. Boring Tools on Lathe. The Rake of the Drill. Laps. Using the Lap. Surface Gages. Uses of the Surface Gage.

p. ii
IV. On the First Use of the File Page 48

The First Test. Filing an Irregular Block. Filing a Bar Straight. Filing Bar with Parallel Sides. Surfacing Off Disks. True Surfacing. Precision Tools. Test of the Mechanic. Test Suggestions. Use of the Dividers. Cutting a Key-way. Key-way Difficulties. Filing Metal Round. Kinds of Files. Cotter-file. Square. Pinion. Half-round. Round. Triangular. Equalizing. Cross. Slitting. Character of File Tooth. Double Cut. Float-cut. Rasp Cut. Holding the File. Injuring Files. Drawing Back the File.
V. How to Commence Work Page 61

Familiarity with Tools. File Practice. Using the Dividers. Finding Centers. Hack-saw Practice. Cutting Metal True. Lathe Work. First Steps. Setting the Tool. Metals Used. The Four Important Things. Turning Up a Cylinder. Turning Grooves. Disks. Lathe Speeds.
VI. Illustrating Some of the Fundamental Devices Page 68

Belt Lacing. Gears. Crown Wheel. Grooved Friction Gearing. A Valve which Closes by the Water Pressure. Cone Pulleys. Universal Joint. Trammel for Making Ellipses. Escapements. Simple Device to Prevent a Wheel or Shaft from Turning Back. Racks and Pinions. Mutilated Gears. Simple Shaft Coupling. Clutches. Ball and Socket Joints. Tripping Devices. Anchor Bolt. Lazy Tongs. Disk Shears. Wabble Saw. Crank Motion by a Slotted Yoke. Continuous Feed by Motion of a Lever. Crank Motion. Ratchet Head.p. iii Bench Clamp. Helico-volute Spring. Double helico-volute. Helical Spring. Single Volute Helix Spring. Flat Spiral, or Convolute. Eccentric Rod and Strap. Anti-dead Center for Lathe.
VII. Properties of Materials Page 79

Elasticity. Traction. Torsion. Flexure. Tenacity. The Most Tenacious Metal. Ductility. Malleability. Hardness. Alloys. Resistance. Persistence. Conductivity. Equalization. Reciprocity. Molecular Forces. Attraction. Cohesion. Adhesion. Affinity. Porosity. Compressibility. Elasticity. Inertia. Momentum. Weight. Centripetal Force. Centrifugal Force. Capillary Attraction. The Sap of Trees. Sound. Acoustics. Sound Mediums. Vibration. Velocity of Sound. Sound Reflections. Resonance. Echos. Speaking Trumpet. The Stethoscope. The Vitascope. The Phonautograph. The Phonograph. Light. The Corpuscular Theory. Undulatory Theory. Luminous Bodies. Velocity of Light. Reflection. Refraction. Colors. The Spectroscope. The Rainbow. Heat. Expansion.
VIII. How Draughting Becomes a Valuable Aid Page 95

Lines in Drawing. Shading. Direction of Shade. Perspectives. The Most Pronounced Lines. Direction of Light. Scale Drawings. Degree, and What it Means. Memorizing Angles. Section Lining. Making Ellipses and Irregular Curves. Focal Points. Isometric and Perspective. The Protractor. Suggestions in Drawing. Holding the Pen. Inks. Tracing Cloth. Detail Paper. How to Proceed. Indicating Material by Section Lines.p. iv
IX. Treatment and Use of Metals Page 112

Annealing. Toughness and Elasticity. The Process. Tempering. Tempering Contrasted with Annealing. Materials Used. Gradual Tempering. Fluxing. Uniting Metals. Alloying Method. Welding. Sweating. Welding Compounds. Oxidation. Soldering. Soft Solder. Hard Solder. Spelter. Soldering Acid. The Soldering Iron.
X. On Gearing, and How Ordered Page 121

Spur and Pinion. Measuring a Gear. Pitch. Diametral Pitch. Circular Pitch. How to Order a Gear. Bevel and Miter Gears. Drawing Gears. Sprocket Wheels.
XI. Mechanical Power Page 128

The Lever. Wrong Inferences from Use of Lever. The Lever Principle. Powers vs. Distance Traveled. Power vs. Loss of Time. Wrongly-Directed Energy. The Lever and the Pulley. Sources of Power. Water Power. Calculating Fuel Energy. The Pressure or Head. Fuels. Power from Winds. Speed of Wind and Pressure. Varying Degrees of Pressure. Power from Waves and Tides. A Profitable Field.
XII. On Measures Page 139

Horse Power. Foot Pounds. Energy. How to Find Out the Power Developed. The Test. Calculations. The Foot Measure. Weight. The Gallon. The Metric System. Basis of Measurement. Metrical Table, Showing Measurements in Feet and Inches.p. v
XIII. Useful Information for the Workshop Page 148

Finding the Circumference of a Circle. Diameter of a Circle. Area of a Circle. Area of a Triangle. Surface of a Ball. Solidity of a Sphere. Contents of a Cone. Capacity of a Pipe. Capacity of Tanks. To Toughen Aluminum. Amalgams. Prevent Boiler Scaling. Diamond Test. Making Glue Insoluble in Water. Taking Glaze Out of Grindstone. To Find Speeds of Pulleys. To Find the Diameters Required. To Prevent Belts from Slipping. Removing Boiler Scale. Gold Bronze. Cleaning Rusted Utensils. To Prevent Plaster of Paris from Setting Quickly. The Measurement of Liquids with Spoons.

XIV. Simplicity of Great Inventions and of Nature's Manifestation Page 152

Invention Precedes Science. Simplicity in Inventions. The Telegraph. Telephone. Transmitter. Phonograph. Wireless Telegraphy. Printing Telegraph. Electric Motor. Explosions. Vibrations in Nature. Qualities of Sound. The Photographer's Plate. Quadruplex Telegraphy. Electric Harmony. Odors. Odophone. A Bouquet of Vibrations. Taste. Color.
XV. Workshop Recipes and Formulas Page 160

Adhesives for Various Uses. Belt Glue. Cements. Transparent Cement. U. S. Government Gum. To Make Different Alloys. Bell-metal. Brass. Bronzes. Boiler Compounds. Celluloid. Clay Mixture for Forges. Modeling Clay. Fluids for Cleaning Clothes, Furniture, etc. Disinfectants. Deodorants. Emery for Lapping Purposes. Explosives. Fulminates. Files, and How top. vi Keep Clean. Renewing Files. Fire-proof Materials or Substances. Floor Dressings. Stains. Foot Powders. Frost Bites. Glass. To Frost. How to Distinguish. Iron and Steel. To Soften Castings. Lacquers. For Aluminum and Brass. Copper. Lubricants. Paper. Photography. Plasters. Plating, Coloring Metals. Polishes. Putty. Rust Preventives. Solders. Soldering Fluxes. Steel Tempering. Varnishes. Sealing Wax.
XVI. Handy Tables Page 178

Table of Weights for Round and Square Steel. Table of Weight of Flat Steel Bars. Avoirdupois Weight. Troy Weight. Apothecaries' Weight. Linear Measure. Long Measure. Square Measure. Solid or Cubic Measure. Dry Measure. Liquid Measure. Paper Measure. Table of Temperatures. Strength of Various Metals. Freezing Mixtures. Ignition Temperatures. Power and Heat Equivalents.

XVII. Inventions and Patents, and Information About the Rights and Duties of Inventors and Workmen Page 188

The Machinist's Opportunities. What is an Inventor? Idea Not Invention. What an Invention Must Have. Obligation of the Model Builder. Paying for Developing Devices. Time for Filing an Application. Selling an Unpatented Invention. Joint Inventors. Joint Owners Not Partners. Partnerships in Patents. Form of Protection Issued by the Government. Life of a Patent. Interference Proceedings. Concurrent Applications. Granting Interference. Steps in Interference. First Sketches. First Model. First Operative Machine.p. vii Preliminary Statements. Proving Invention. What Patents Are Issued For. Owner's Rights. Divided and Undivided Patents. Assignments. How Made. What an Invention Must Have. Basis for Granting Patent in the United States. Reasons for Granting Abroad. Original Grants of Patents. International Agreement. Application for Patents. Course of Procedure. Costs. Filing a Matter of Secrecy.
Glossary of Words Page 195
 
Index Page 213
 

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

p. ix

FIG.   PAGE
1. Bench vise 8
2. Pipe grip for vise 9
3. Swivel vise 10
4. Speed lathe 11
5. Calipers 12
6. Engine lathe 13
7. Center gage 14
8. Pocket screw and wire gage 15
9. Handy bench vise 16
10. Combination square 17
11. Uses of the combination square 18
12. A quick adjusting micrometer 19
13. Universal bevel protractor 20
14. Uses of universal bevel protractor 21
15. Grindstone truing device 22
16. Set of tools and case 23
17. The work bench 24
18. Hook tool 28
19. Parting tool 28
20. Knife tool 28
21. Right-hand side tool 28
22. Internal tool 28
23. Left-hand side tool 28
24. Tool for wrought iron 29
25. Tool for cast iron 29
26. End view of drill 31
27. Side view of drill 31
28. Hack-saw frame 35
29. Hack-saw blade 35
30. Plain hook tool 38
31. Plain straight tool 38
32. Proper angles for tools 39
33. Angles for tools 39

p. x
34. Angles for tools 39
35. Set of the bitt 40
36. Correct angle 41
37. Wrong angle 41
38. Too low 42
39. Improper set 42
40. Internal set 43
41. Set for brass 43
42. Surface gage 44
43. Uses of surface gage 46
44. Rounded surface 49
45. Winding surface 49
46. Hexagon nut 51
47. Laying off hexagon nut 51
48. Cutting key-way 52
49. Key-seat rule 54
50. Filing metal round 54
51. Filing metal round 54
52. Making a round bearing 55
53. Making a round bearing 55
54. Cross section of file 56
55. Files 58
56. Correct file movement 59
57. Incorrect file movement 60
58. Belt lacing 69
59. Belt lacing 69
60. Belt lacing 69
61. Belt lacing 69
62. Bevel gears 71
63. Miter gears 71
64. Crown wheel 71
65. Grooved friction gears 71
66. Valve 71
67. Cone pulleys 71
68. Universal joint 71
69. Trammel 73
70. Escapement 73
71. Device for holding wheel 73

p. xi
72. Rack and pinion 73
73. Mutilated gears 73
74. Shaft coupling 73
75. Clutches 75
76. Ball and socket joints 75
77. Fastening ball 75
78. Tripping devices 75
79. Anchor bolt 75
80. Lazy tongs 75
81. Disc shears 75
82. Wabble saw 76
83. Continuous crank motion 76
84. Continues feed 76
85. Crank motion 76
86. Ratchet head 76
87. Bench clamp 76
88. Helico-volute spring 77
89. Double helico-volute 77
90. Helical spring 77
91. Single volute-helix 77
92. Flat spiral or convolute 77
93. Eccentric rod or strap 77
94. Anti dead-centers for lathes 77
95. Plain circle 95
96. Ring 96
97. Raised surface 96
98. Sphere 96
99. Depressed surface 96
100. Concave 97
101. Forms of cubical outlines 98
102. Forms of cubical outlines 98
103. Forms of cubical outlines 98
104. Forms of cubical outlines 98
105. Shading edges 99
106. Shading edges 99
107. Illustrating heavy lines 100
108. Illustrating heavy lines 100
109. Lines on plain surfaces 101

p. xii
110. Lines on plain surfaces 101
111. Illustrating degrees 102
112. Section lining 103
113. Drawing an ellipse 104
114. Perspective at angles 106
115. Perspective of cube 107
116. Perspective of cube 107
117. Perspective of cube 107
118. Protractor 108
119. Using the protractor 109
120. Section-lining metals 110
121. Spur gears 122
122. Miter gear pitch 123
123. Bevel gears 124
124. Laying of miter gears 125
125. Sprocket wheel 128
126. Simple lever 129
127. Lever action 130
128. The pulley 132
129. Change of direction 133
130. Change of direction 133
131. Steam pressure 135
132. Water pressure 135
133. Prony brake 141
134. Speed indicator 142

p. 1

PRACTICAL MECHANICS FOR BOYS

INTRODUCTORYToC

The American method of teaching the mechanical arts has some disadvantages, as compared with the apprentice system followed in England, and very largely on the continent.

It is too often the case that here a boy or a young man begins work in a machine shop, not for the avowed purpose of learning the trade, but simply as a helper, with no other object in view than to get his weekly wages.

Abroad, the plan is one which, for various reasons, could not be tolerated here. There he is bound for a certain term of years, and with the prime object of teaching him to become an artisan. More often than otherwise he pays for this privilege, and he knows it is incumbent on him "to make good" right from the start.

He labors under the disadvantage, however, that he has a certain tenure, and in that course he is not pushed forward from one step to the next on account of any merit of his own. His advancement is fixed by the time he has put in at eachp. 2 part of the work, and thus no note is taken of his individuality.

Here the boy rises step after step by virtue of his own qualifications, and we recognize that one boy has the capacity to learn faster than another. If he can learn in one year what it requires three in another to acquire, in order to do it as perfectly, it is an injury to the apt workman to be held back and deterred from making his way upwardly.

It may be urged that the apprentice system instills thoroughness. This may be true; but it also does another thing: It makes the man a mere machine. The true workman is a thinker. He is ever on the alert to find easier, quicker and more efficient means for doing certain work.

What is called "Efficiency" in labor methods, can never obtain in an apprenticeship system for this reason. In a certain operation, where twelve motions are required to do a certain thing, and a minute to perform the twelve operations, a simplified way, necessitating only eight motions, means a difference in saving one-third of the time. The nineteen hundred fewer particular movements in a day's work, being a less strain on the operator, both physically and mentally, to say nothing whatever of the advantages which the proprietor of the shop would gain.p. 3

I make this a leading text in the presentation of this book; namely, that individual merit and stimulus is something of such extreme importance that it should be made the keynote for every boy who tries to become a mechanic.

The machinist easily occupies a leading place in the multitude of trades and occupations. There is hardly an article of use but comes to the market through his hands. His labor is most diverse, and in his employment doing machine work he is called upon to do things which vary widely in their character.

These require special knowledge, particular tools, and more frequently than otherwise, a high order of inventive ability to enable him to accomplish the task.

The boy should be taught, at the outset, that certain things must be learned thoroughly, and that habits in a machine shop can be bad as well as good. When he once becomes accustomed to putting a tool back in its rightful place the moment he is through with it, he has taken a long step toward efficiency.

When he grasps a tool and presents it to the work without turning it over several times, or has acquired the knack of picking up the right tool at the proper place, he is making strides inp. 4 the direction of becoming a rapid and skilled workman.

These, and many other things of like import, will require our attention throughout the various chapters.

It is not the intention of the book to make every boy who reads and studies it, a machinist; nor have we any desire to present a lot of useful articles as samples of what to make. The object is to show the boy what are the requirements necessary to make him a machinist; how to hold, handle, sharpen and grind the various tools; the proper ones to use for each particular character of work; how the various machines are handled and cared for; the best materials to use; and suggest the numerous things which can be done in a shop which will pave the way for making his work pleasant as well as profitable.

It also analyzes the manner in which the job is laid out; how to set the tools to get the most effective work; and explains what is meant by making a finished piece of workmanship. These things, properly acquired, each must determine in his own mind whether he is adapted to follow up the work.

Over and above all, we shall try to give the boy some stimulus for his work. Unless he takes an interest in what he is doing, he willp. 5 never become an artisan in the true sense of the word.

Go through the book, and see whether, here and there, you do not get some glimpses of what it means to take a pleasure in doing each particular thing, and you will find in every instance that it is a satisfaction because you have learned to perform it with ease.

I do not know of anything which has done as much to advance the arts and manufactures, during the last century, as the universal desire to improve the form, shape and structure of tools; and the effort to invent new ones. This finds its reflection everywhere in the production of new and improved products.

In this particular I have been led to formulate a homely sentence which expresses the idea: Invention consists in doing an old thing a new way; or a new thing any way.

The Author.