The watchmakers' hand book

WORKSHOP FITTINGS.

229. Before proceeding to describe the various forms of lathes and the several small tools that the watchmaker should make for himself as occasion offers, either during his apprenticeship or immediately after, with a view to increase his manual skill or to extend his experience, it will be well that he take note of the principal conditions that should be satisfied by the ordinary tools that he will have to buy, as well as the precautions to be observed in their use and some improvements of which they are capable.

230. The bench or board. This should be fixed in front of a large window that affords a good light. The various hooks, recesses, etc., for holding files, hammers, etc., as well as the drawers, should be well in sight, not only in order that the hand can at once take hold of whatever tool is required, but also to enable the workman to restore them to their place immediately after use. By doing so he will have no occasion to retain on the bench any but those tools that are very frequently or continuously used.

It is an excellent habit, conducive both to well-planned and rapid work, and which can be easily acquired by a little attention during an apprenticeship, to always place the same tools in the same places, as the bench will then never be encumbered. By this means loss of time in turning over a number of objects in order to find one that may be small is frequently avoided.

This observation is of minor importance to specialists who require but a small number of tools; but it is of the first importance to a workman that is engaged in the repair of watches.

231. The stool. Those with cane seats are to be preferred. The height of the bench and stool should be so related that the muscles of the chest are not too much cramped, especially if the workman is engaged on an operation that occupies a long time and obliges him to maintain a stooping position. The stool with a screw is advantageous in this respect.

232. The lamp. Certain precautions in regard to artificial light have already been indicated in article 218.

233. Oilstones. It is impossible to maintain the points of gravers in good condition if care is not taken to keep clean and flat the surface of the stone on which they are set; if it has suffered irregular wear, the level may be restored by rubbing the stone on a flat, smooth board, covered with a thin paste of fine sand and water. Most kinds of oil thicken on the surface rapidly, when the graver will slide over without being ground down at all, turning around in the hand and thus destroying the flat face and wearing the softer parts of the stone, rendering it uneven. A strong solution of potash or soda is very effective for removing this gummy mass; benzine is also recommended for the same purpose. Various substitutes for common oil are used; such as the mineral lubricating oils or petroleum. Dr. Latteux advocates the use of a mixture of alcohol and glycerine, the proportion of the latter decreasing as the extent of metallic surface in contact with the stone at once increases. Thus, for example, in setting a razor the stone will bite better if alcohol be in excess; but for a graver, of which only a small surface touches the stone, the amount of glycerine present should be relatively much greater.

234. Circular oilstones. Circular oilstones will be found very convenient for sharpening drills, gravers and other cutting tools, where it is desirable to have exact angles. An Arkansas or Turkey stone dressed down to circular form, and say 1½ inches in diameter, when mounted for the lathe will be found very useful. Apply the lubricant to the stone the same as you would to a flat one, and hold your graver or drill at the exact angle you wish the cutting edges to be and turn at a moderate speed. Truer angles and better work can be produced in this manner than by any other. Emery or corundum wheels can be mounted in a similar manner. Small circular stones can be obtained from material dealers and dental supply houses, in sizes varying from ½ × ⅛ to 3½ × ¾ inches. They can be mounted similar to Fig. 49, by turning down a piece of No. 30 Stubb’s steel wire to the size of the opening in your wheel and riveting the wheel firmly upon it. The best sizes for watchmakers’ use are ½ inch, 1 inch and 1½ inch in diameter.

235. Small grindstones. When it is necessary to remove a good deal from the face of a graver, the operation will take too long on the oilstone, and there would be considerable difficulty in maintaining the flat face; recourse must then be had to the grindstone, but it should be remembered that care is needful when using it. The grindstone must always be thoroughly wet in order to avoid heating the graver, as its cutting power would then be destroyed. The emery wheels described in paragraph 165 can be used for this purpose, but they are, for the most part, inconvenient on account of the rapid increase they occasion in the temperature of the metal. Some forms of emery wheel can, however, be moistened just as the grindstone.

When the cylindrical surface is rendered irregular by use, take a piece of sheet-iron, the tail of an old file or a cold chisel, and hold it with one hand firmly on a support against the edge of the stone, which is rotated by the other hand. The surface can thus be made smooth and true, providing it is only attacked gradually and the handle is not turned too rapidly. An excessive velocity will heat the iron, which is then less effective and is more rapidly worn down; whereas, with a slow motion, the iron will relatively wear little and the stone more. A rough diamond mounted at the extremity of a steel rod, affords an excellent means of trimming a grindstone, and is at the present day generally used in factories.

236. Glasses. Some particulars have already been given in regard to these simple microscopes in article 218.

237. Files. A new file should never be used for steel; it is best to employ it for some time at first on brass, taking care not to use it too roughly. If employed to steel at once, or if sharp, quick strokes are applied, the cutting edges of the file will chip off, and the hard particles will be embedded in the metal operated upon; the work will thus be bad, and the file itself deteriorated. A file that has been carefully used, and has passed gradually from brass to steel, will last four or five times as long, and will always work well.

Watchmakers often fit files into handles by driving them firmly into round holes in the handles; this practice frequently leads to the handles being cracked, and the following method is preferable: Take an old worn out file or a piece of iron of the same form as the tail of the file to be fitted; heat it several times to bright redness and drive it, when so heated, into the handle, taking care to maintain it perpendicular. A hole will thus be made of the required form, in which the file will hold without there being any occasion to apply excessive force in fixing it in position.

When the surface of a file is choked with particles of iron, copper, wood, etc., while the cutting edges are yet good, it can be cleaned as follows: Place the file for a few seconds in a hot lye of potash in water, and on withdrawal, dry it before the fire and brush the surface with a stiff brush.

238. To renew the cutting edges of files, either of the following methods can be adopted: 1. First clean the file with potash or soda dissolved in water, if greasy or resinous substances have to be removed; with hydrochloric acid if it is rusty; and by rubbing with a metallic brush or piece of coke if particles of iron, brass, lead, copper or tin have to be removed. The file is now immersed in a mixture of 1 part nitric acid, 3 parts sulphuric acid, and 7 parts water. As the action of the acids become less energetic owing to the combination with iron, the temperature of the mixture must be raised, since rapidity is a condition of success. The time during which the file should remain in this bath varies from 10 seconds to 100 or more, the roughening of fine-cut files being far more rapid than when they are of a coarser cut. On removal from the bath, immerse in lime wash, dry, and then cover them with a mixture of oil and turpentine by means of a brush, after which they are ready for use. 2. After being cleaned, as explained above, the file is supported in a dish full of water, resting on two cross wires, so that all its surface is in contact with the liquid. Now add strong nitric acid in the proportion of 1 part to 8 of the water, mix it thoroughly and allow it to remain for 25 minutes. Remove the file, and, after washing in water and rubbing with a hard brush, place it again in the bath, to which a second eighth part of acid is now added, and leave it for 50 minutes. Again remove and brush the file, add a sixteenth part of concentrated sulphuric acid, and replace the file in the bath. Then wash successively in pure water and in lime wash (to remove the last traces of acid), and dry. The file will be found to possess both the qualities and the appearance of a new one.

239. To cut an equaling file. It often happens that a workman is called upon to modify the shape of, for example, the bottom of a rectangular notch, and he is not provided with a file of suitable shape. In such a case he can adopt one of the following methods of extemporizing a file:

1. Clamping the small steel strip, L, Fig. 50, in a vice, cut the notches with a chisel, n, as follows: Holding n a little inclined, cut the first notch, i. This will slightly raise the metal, presenting a rounded face at the back. To make the next cut, hold the chisel with its edge on L and, after drawing it backward until arrested by the back of i, incline it to the requisite amount and give a second blow with the hammer, then continue the operation till the whole is finished. A few trials will enable any workman to make a small file with sufficient accuracy for his purpose.

2. Employ an arrangement similar to that of the micrometer divider (44) only more rigid. A study of this article and examination of the corresponding figure will afford all the information that is necessary.

3. This is identical with the method of dividing a rule described in 46, except that the divisions are closer together and the tracer is replaced by a revolving cutter with its axis a little inclined, to give the requisite slope to the teeth of the file. This cutter is supported in a hinged frame and provided with a washer of ivory or other such substance, as seen at s, Fig. 50, to determine the depth of cut.

240. Beaupuy files and burnishers. Most watchmakers are acquainted with the files and burnishers that M. Beaupuy has introduced for rapidly forming conical pivots, the main characteristic of which is that the corner presented to the pivot is rounded to the desired form and roughed; they do their work rapidly and well, but some skill is necessary in their management. To the instructions which accompany them we would add the following:

They must never be used when quite new on a pivot that is to be employed in a watch; it will be reduced too rapidly. The freshness must be worn off the cutting edges of the teeth by preliminary use.

The pressure must only be applied perpendicularly to the surface of the staff as in making a square-shouldered pivot; the file is held against the flat surface without pressure. A lateral force will have the effect of straining the pivot and causing it to break.

241. Pliers, tweezers, etc. It is advisable to have a considerable number of these, as their strength should always be proportional to the force that has to be applied to them. For example, if a pair of sliding tongs is used when a hand-vise is needed, the former will be strained beyond its limit of elasticity and the tool becomes nearly useless.

The same might occur with any other form of pliers or tweezers. In the hands of a good workman they will last for a long time, but if used unintelligently, without proportioning the size of tool to the force that has to be applied, taking up the first that comes to hand, all the tools will soon become unsatisfactory and the work itself will suffer. It is very desirable to have one or more pairs of brass pliers and tweezers for handling metal work without the risk of scratching.

242. Compasses, gauges, micrometers, etc. The common compass for measuring thickness, the douzieme gauge, is not always strictly accurate in its indications. The douzieme proper, has a scale divided into twelfths, though some patterns are now made that have a scale divided into tenths and hundreds of an inch and again there are others that measure the fractions of a millimeter. The greater majority of these tools on the American market are correctly divided, but we sometimes come across those of foreign make that are divided incorrectly and care should be used in selecting. In the inaccurate tools the objection is that the opening of the jaws gives a measure of a chord whereas the displacement of the index measures the arc of a circle. It follows from this, that, if the index is first arrested when pointing to 15, for example, and again when at 30, the interval between the jaws in the second case will not be exactly double the first. Before purchasing, it is well to test the gauge for accuracy in this regard by some reliable standard.

243. Caliper for mainspring height, depth of sink, etc. A simple instrument for taking such measurements is shown at G, Fig. 51.

The finger a travels over a graduated arc whenever the rod c is pressed inwards; b is a fixed stop, with its extremity in the plane of n. Any movement of a below o measures the space traversed by c within the line b n.

Laying a coiled mainspring, for example, on a plane surface, stand the base n of the caliper upon it, and the end c pressing on the table will be forced upwards and move the needle. To take the depth of a barrel, press c on the bottom, allowing b to rest on the edge of the cover recess.

It will be evident, from the figure, that a and c are connected by a spring passing around drums at corresponding axes. The smaller j is, the more sensitive will the instrument become.

244. Figure 8 caliper. For ordinary work, the calipers to be bought at material stores will suffice; but when it is required to verify escape wheels, balances, etc., there is some risk of accidents in consequence of the variableness of the friction at the joint. To remove this source of danger, true the rubbing surfaces in the mandril and replace the brass discs at the center by similar discs of steel, then carefully re-make the rivet that forms a hinge, after oiling all the acting surfaces. The arms will now move with a uniform degree of stiffness, so that there need be no danger of jerks.

245. Riveting stake and punch. The holes in a riveting stake are made to increase downwards, so as to avoid any accident occurring through the oscillation of the axis. The riveting punches made of a plain steel rod, with a hole drilled at one end in the direction of the axis, are the best. Those that are perforated transversely like the lanterns of screw-point tools, do not produce such good riveting, since the parts of the end, from behind which metal has been removed, are more or less elastic.

246. Burnishers. Burnishers will not remain in good condition unless their surfaces are prepared, from time to time; in the case of those used for very fine work, by passing over a buffstick charged with polishing rouge or very fine emery, and other kinds on an emery stick more or less fine, according to the degree of roughness the burnisher is required to possess.

247. To re-face a burnisher. Pivot burnishers are usually re-faced by a lapidary; a watchmaker can, however, do it for himself very effectually in the following manner: Prepare a dry, smooth piece of wood, rather thick, and of a width equal to the length of the burnisher. On this board carefully glue a piece of emery paper, of a fineness corresponding to the degree of cut required, stretching it as even as possible, and turning the edges down towards the under side. Then lay the board on a firm smooth surface, resting a weight upon it, and allow it to dry.

In using this lap, it is fixed or allowed to rest against the side of the bench; holding the burnisher with two hands at its extremities, the workman places himself at one end of the board, and draws the burnisher along it towards him, maintaining the surface quite flat and applying considerable pressure. On reaching the nearer end, raise it, and after again placing it on the farther end, draw towards the body, and so on.

By proceeding in this manner and always in the same direction, placing the burnisher so that the acting edge is farthest away from the operator, all risk of rounding this angle will be avoided.

248. Broaches. Great care is needed in adapting handles to broaches. Resting the point against a finger of one hand and causing the handle to rotate by two fingers of the other hand, the broach itself should be seen to remain true.

It is a good precaution, suggested by M. H. Robert, to gently draw a piece of iron, charged with rouge, along the edges of pivot broaches in order to remove the thread of metal from them. Minute particles of this thread would otherwise remain in the holes, and occasion wear of the pivots.

These fine broaches are not fixed in handles, but a piece of sealing-wax is melted on to the upper end; then, holding the broach between the fingers, with its stem downwards, it is rotated while held to a flame, so that the sealing-wax forms a regular, oblong handle.

249. Blow-pipes. In order that a long even flame may be obtained, the hole should be of moderate size and perfectly clean around the edge; otherwise the jet cannot be straight and sharp. Difficulty will always be experienced by anyone who has not learned to breathe without interrupting the continuity of the blast. Where a supply of gas is available, the gas blow-pipe presents advantages from the point of view of convenience.

Fig. 52 shows a gas blow-pipe for jewelers, which is simple and convenient. It consists of a blow-pipe of the ordinary form, having a gas pipe inserted in the lower half, and a threaded hood or sleeve at the lower end, which changes the shape of the flame by screwing in or out, so as to vary the influence of the current of air upon the flame. A ring adapted to slip over the finger while working, is soldered to the middle joint of the pipe, and the quantity of gas is controlled by the stop-cock and spring lever shown in the cut, the gas being supplied to the pipe by a rubber tube connecting it to the nearest gas jet in the usual way. Thus having the shape of the flame under control and the quantity variable at will, the workman is in position to accomplish the desired end speedily and effectually.

To use to the best advantage, set the jamb-nut so that with the valve lever in its normal position, the flame at the end of the pipe will just keep alight. The blow-pipe can then be laid down temporarily and again used without the trouble of turning off the gas or relighting.

When used as a mouth blow-pipe, the most convenient way to hold it is with the third finger through the ring. For bellows work it is better to pass the ring over the index finger. The ring also serves, with the valve-lever, as a rest to hold the flame-nozzle away from the table when the blow-pipe is laid down temporarily.

To produce an oxy-hydrogen flame, connect the air-pipe with a cylinder of nitrous oxide, opening the cylinder-valve carefully, so as to permit the escape of only sufficient nitrous oxide to produce with the illuminating gas a very small flame. Regulate the illuminating gas flow with the thumb-screw or with the finger on the lever of the blow-pipe valve.

Fig. 53 shows an automatic hand blow-pipe for use with a foot blower. One of the rubber tubes shown is connected with the blower and the other to the gas supply. It is self adjusting for both gas and air, requiring only a slight motion of the lever, shown under the thumb, to obtain instantly any flame, from the smallest to the largest; so that these pipes have all the delicacy of the best mouth blow-pipe, used with the utmost skill, together with the power and advantages obtained with a mechanical blower.

250. Small gas furnaces. The workman will frequently have occasion to anneal pieces of steel or to raise to a red heat objects that are too large for the blow-pipe; an ordinary open fire aided by bellows is often resorted to in such a case. A better plan, however, is to use any small portable gas furnace, provided with a hood that completely closes it at the top.

Fig. 54 shows a gas melting furnace, which is kept by material and supply houses. It is powerful enough to melt gold, silver, brass and copper, but is not recommended for cast iron. It can be used for scorifying and cupelling. The lid can be pushed sideways sufficiently to give access to the interior of the furnace.

The following points in the management of a gas furnace will be of service to all novices in their use. The power and speed are practically without limit, depending only on the gas and air supply, and are under perfect control. Allowing five cubic feet of gas for heating up, it requires about four feet of gas for every pound of cast iron melted. For small work it is as cheap as a coke furnace, and not one-quarter the trouble.

The quantity of air required depends upon the gas supply. One must be equal to the other, so that perfect combustion will take place, and that entirely within the furnace. An excess of either gas or air renders a high temperature an impossibility.

See that all gas taps have a large clear way through. High temperatures and rapid working require a free supply of gas.

To adjust a new furnace to its highest power, connect both gas and air supply with the burner. Turn on the full gas supply, light the gas, the air-way being full open, work the foot blower and then put the gauze nozzle of the burner tight against the hole in the casing, so that no flame escapes around it. If the flame comes out of the lid about two inches, the adjustment is right. If the flame is longer, open the air check until the proper flame is obtained, or reduce the gas supply. If smaller, or not visible, close the air check until the flame appears.

The cap-nut, which will be found at the throat of the horizontal “mixing tube,” where the air enters and mixes with the gas, is used for changing the size of the orifice from which the gas escapes. When the escape is from a large orifice, a smoky, yellow, or “reducing” flame is the result. By contracting the orifice by screwing the cap-nut on to the gas delivery tube, a blue or oxidizing flame will be obtained. Adjustment for the proper flame should first be made by this nut, and the size of the flame regulated afterwards by means of a cock at the gas main. A slightly yellow flame gives the best results when a high heat is desired. The arrangement above described is clearly shown at the left-hand lower corner of the sectional illustration above.

A chimney or stove-pipe 8 or 10 feet high may be used as a fixture, and the draft partially stopped by the damper or slide when lower temperatures are required, the gas being turned down in proportion; the guide for the proper adjustment being that UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES THE FLAME MUST JUST COVER THE CRUCIBLE OR MUFFLE, but not extend into the chimney so as to make it red hot. When the flame covers the crucible or muffle, the gas is doing its extreme duty under the most favorable circumstances, without waste.

Keep all fluxes away from the furnace jacket, as they are injurious to fire clay, and are liable to cause the lids, etc., to stick to the furnace.

A thin layer of quick lime on the bottom of the furnace will prevent the crucible adhering to it when very hot.

When using a furnace for high temperatures, care should be taken not to use a fire clay casing, as it melts at a temperature a little above that of cast iron; plumbago or asbestos only should be used when very high temperatures are required.

Fig. 55 represents a small gas furnace, which is extremely useful for small meltings, experimental work, etc. It consists of a pot made of a mixture of fire clay and asbestos, bound with rivetted iron hoops, and having a hole in the side at which the flame enters. A lid pierced by a central hole permits the escape of the products of combustion, and the crucible is placed in the center so that the flame surrounds it. It is worked with gas and a foot blower. Gas from a ⅜-inch supply pipe will work it efficiently. About ten cubic feet of gas per hour is sufficient for most purposes.

The casing holds the heat so perfectly that the most refractory substances can be fused with ease, using a Fletcher foot blower. Half a pound of cast iron requires from seven to twelve minutes for perfect fusion; the time depending on the gas supply and pressure of air from the foot blower. The crucible will hold about ten ounces of gold.

The power which can be obtained is far beyond what is required for most purposes, and is limited only by the fusibility of the crucible and casing.

Fig. 56 represents a small apparatus, which, owing to its speed and economy of operation, has a very extended use in the jewelry and silversmithing trades. With this apparatus a sound two-ounce ingot of gold or silver can be moulded in two minutes. A crucible of moulded carbon is supported by a sheet-iron slide, or plate, which is clamped to an ingot mould by a clamp which swivels in the U-shaped cast iron stand. The metal to be melted is placed in the crucible, and the flame of the blow-pipe directed on it until it is perfectly fused. The whole is then tilted over by means of the upright handle at the back of the mould. The waste heat serves to make the ingot mould hot. No flux should be used with the carbon crucibles. For the smaller operations, such as making small quantities of colored golds, for electroplating solutions, testing ingots, and the smaller operations of the jeweler and plater, it is invaluable.

The air pressure used in operating gas furnaces varies from one to four pounds per square inch, though the latter is seldom required except for the severest work in large furnaces; as a general rule it is less than two pounds in the operations of the gold and silversmith. The pressure must be arranged so that the air supply equals that of the gas used. This can be readily seen by the color of the flame, as noted in instructions for handling the furnaces. For small operations foot blowers are used. These consist of a powerful bellows having a hemispherical pressure chamber on one side, and adapted to work either by the hand or foot; see Fig. 57.

The perfect combustion of the gas is secured by mingling equal quantities of gas and air in a mixing chamber, and then igniting the mixture. In the larger furnaces this is accomplished by a mixing chamber placed under the furnace, so as to heat the mixture before ignition, and no pressure supply of air is necessary. In the smaller apparatus, this mixing is done in the burner, which consists of an inner tube carrying an air supply, surrounded by a gas tube, and the whole surmounted by a sliding nozzle for changing the shape of the flame. The mixing chamber being so small, the air and gas pass through it so rapidly that considerable pressure of air must be provided to prevent it from being excluded by the normal pressure of the gas; hence the necessity for a blower when using small burners.

When it is not desirable to use gas, for pecuniary, or other reasons, melting may be carried on by means of a gasoline gas flame, which is noisy, but otherwise little inferior to coal gas. The furnaces for gasoline differ but little in construction from the others, as will be seen by Figs. 58 and 59. The only difference being that the burners are applied from the side and no air pressure tubes are needed, while the furnace is supported on legs to insure safety from fire.

The burner for gasoline is radically different from that for gas, being, in fact, a small gas machine, Fig. 60.

In Fig. 60 P is an ordinary force pump, at the bottom of which, at A, is a valve which closes automatically upon releasing the pressure from the pump, C is a check valve which closes the inlet to the tank T completely; F is a filling screw for introducing gasoline. V is a vent screw for letting off the pressure when through; H is a pipe leading from the tank to the burner D; E is the burner regulator, terminating in a fine point, closing the orifice of the burner; S S are packing boxes. Upon opening C and pumping a few strokes a pressure is created in the tank and on top of the fluid, forcing it through the tubes of the burner, which being previously heated, vaporizes the gasoline. This issues from the orifice at the end of E as a highly heated gas and burns as such in the form of a powerful blast, Fig. 61. After being once started the heat of the flame passing through the burner, vaporizes the fluid in the tubes, and hence the apparatus is automatic.

The air which is forced in is not consumed, so that to keep up the blast it only requires a few strokes of the pump occasionally to maintain the pressure lessened by the consumption of the fluid.

To operate the blow-pipe: close E; unscrew F, and introduce from two quarts to one gallon of gasoline of 76° according to the capacity of the tank. Replace F and close V; open C one or two turns and give three or four full strokes of pump P, and close C. Heat the burner by burning some of the fluid in a suitable vessel placed under the burner; when hot enough apply a match and open E gradually, until the action is more or less uniform. If no spray or liquid issues from the orifice, the burner is hot enough; if not hot enough, burn slowly until no liquid or spray issues. When sufficiently heated the blast can be made of any intensity desired, by the use of the pump as above. To stop its action, shut the regulator E, or open screw V, or both. When not in use the vent V should invariably be kept open. The mouth of the burner D, should be two or three inches from the inlet of the furnace, or there will not be perfect combustion.

For very high temperatures and muffle work, light the burner as above and heat the inside of the furnace to a bright red; then place the burner against the inlet of the furnace; turn out the burner by means of the cock E, and immediately turn it on again without lighting it, when if the furnace is hot enough, the gas will ignite inside the furnace. The heat can be regulated as in the first method of burning. When burning inside of the furnace, there must be no flame in the burner tube; it should all be inside the furnace, and the tube of the burner must be close to the fire hole, or there will not be enough heat in the tubes.

Use a drop or two of sperm oil on the piston of the pump occasionally, also on leather washer at F, otherwise the apparatus will be apt to leak, corrode and work badly.

251. Muffle Furnace. This consists of a fire-clay furnace, mounted upon a powerful gas burner and containing an oven, also of fire-clay or plumbago, so placed as to receive the full heat of the flame, without permitting the direct action of the flame upon any object placed within it. The objects are placed in and withdrawn from the muffle, or oven, through the door shown in the cut. This door is made of two pieces so that the upper one may be removed to watch the progress of the work without chilling the contents of the muffle by too great an entrance of cold air. They are extensively used for assaying, annealing, etc., and for many other purposes where an exact temperature is required. The illustration shown in Fig. 62, is of a gas muffle, but they are also made to be used with the gasoline burner previously described.

THE LATHE.

252. Of all the tools and machinery employed by the watchmaker, the lathe is the most important. Very poor work is often turned out by those possessing a first-class lathe, but there are very few persons who can turn out good, true work, from a poor, cheap lathe, and if it is untrue it is utterly impossible to turn out good work. Wonders can be accomplished by the ingenious mechanic who thoroughly understands the capabilities of the lathe. By patient skill of manipulation, the Chinese and Japanese turn out some truly wonderful work; they succeed in turning sphere after sphere, one inside the other, from a solid piece of ivory, the opening from one to another being comparatively small.

The earliest form of the lathe in the trade was the dead center: that is, a lathe whose parts did not revolve, the object to be operated on being placed between centers and made to revolve by means of the bow. This form of lathe was succeeded by the live spindle or live mandril pattern, although there were many good points about it that must be acknowledged. It contained one great element that many modern appliances, termed lathes, lack, i. e., the element of truth. No matter how coarsely or crudely constructed, this truth was not eliminated, except by the ignorance of the artisan, for the centers must remain the same relatively, whatever may be their position in relation to the lathe bed.

With the introduction of the live spindle lathe in this country, the verge, Jacot and other lathes and tools of that type were rapidly abandoned. In Europe, however, the live spindle lathe did not meet with such a cordial reception, and it has taken many years, in some localities, to overcome the prejudice against them; in fact, there are still many workmen there who cling to the dead center patterns.

The all-important point in lathes of the live spindle type is accuracy of fitting, and particularly in regard to the spindle and its bearings, for unless a certain degree of perfection is attainable in this particular, it is worse than useless, as it not only does not do the work, but leads the artisan astray. The workman, sometimes, through motives of economy, purchases foreign made lathes, that closely resemble the American in outline and finish. These lathes, as a usual thing, are not accurate, and in the greater majority of cases the chucks which accompany them are worse than nothing, and yet these lathes, in nearly all cases, are declared to be as good as the American. There are some foreign lathes that are very carefully made, and are quite as true as the best American, but they are the exception and not the rule. The workman who buys one of these lathes cannot, of course, tell whether it is right or wrong until he has placed it on his bench and tested it, and even then he cannot be sure, for although when a certain chuck is placed in the spindle and tested it may apparently show no deviation from truth, there may still be untruth in the spindle or chuck or both, as the errors in one may be counteracting the errors in the other, and if the chuck be turned or an absolutely true chuck placed in the spindle, the error will be made quite apparent. If an American lathe, by any possibility, is allowed to pass the inspector, and finds its way upon the market, the maker is only too glad to replace it with a perfect one, for his reputation is at stake; but if one of the imitation pattern proves untrue you will have to do the best you can.

There are American made lathes upon the market that are as inferior in many respects as the imitations, and the watchmaker will do well to do without a lathe until such time as he can afford to purchase one of known reputation. Among the first-class American lathes upon the market may be mentioned the Webster-Whitcomb, shown in Fig. 63; the Moseley, shown in Fig. 64; the Hopkins, shown in Fig. 65, and the Rivett, shown in Fig. 66, and others.

An excellent lathe for the heavier work of watchmakers and jewelers, such as cannot be performed with satisfaction on the watchmaker’s lathe, is the No. 4 Barnes, which is shown in Fig. 67.

For screw-cutting, the manufacture of watchmaker’s tools, fishing reels, repairs on tower clocks, in fact, all the heavier work of the trade, it is admirably fitted.

253. Care of the Lathe. The American lathe of to-day is a marvel of completeness in its parts, and how many hours, yea months, of study and experiment have been bestowed upon it by its projectors and makers to acquire these points of utility and excellency? What a vast amount of care has been exercised for the production of a perfect lathe! Must this care cease at the moment it passes into the hands of the watchmaker?

It is a very easy matter at any time to wipe off the dust and oil that may accumulate, but does this alone constitute due care? There may be a nice glass case to cover it and keep off the dust, and a very good idea it is, if faithfully used; but if a counter shaft is on the bench, or much lathe work is to be done, it soon falls into blissful desuetude, or finishes its usefulness by being broken. Then, often, a cloth is wrapped about the lathe, which soon gets soiled and looks badly, let alone the poor protection it affords.