Part 1
A TREATISE ON | THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF WOOD-WORKING MACHINES: INCLUDING A HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE MANUFACTURE OF WOOD-WORKING MACHINERY. Hlustrated by numerous Engrabings, SHOWING THE MODERN PRACTICE OF PROMINENT ENGINEERS IN ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND AMERICA. By J. RICHARDS, MECHANICAL ENGINEER. , LONDON: E. & F. N. SPON, 48, CHARING CROSS. NEW YORK: 446, BROOME STREET. 1872. a | Log . | 2 a) ( | \ XY ive LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CRO6S. PREFACE. —————Oo=——— In introducing this treatise on wood machines to the public, the Writer asks for its charitable consideration; and while he has no apologies to make for attempting to furnish such a work, he has many to offer for the lack of positive data which would have added to its value. His experience is that of a constructor of machines rather than of a writer of books, and but for the circumstance that ' no other work of the kind has appeared, such a task would not have ‘been assumed, To write of an art that has passed through the hands of the scientific and the learned is a “dangerous thing,” but when parallels and comparisons are wanting, and when there is a real and admitted need of such a treatise, it is comparatively safe. Shielding himself behind these conditions, the Writer would call attention to the fact that while every other branch of the industrial arts has been the subject of treatise upon treatise, scientific and practical, wood machines have never been considered. The importance of the wood-working interest, in England and America, gives it a rank that should have claimed at least some place in our voluminous text-books, but not a line appears in them relating to the subject, if we except a brief part of Prof. Rankine’s late work on machine tools, Molesworth’s pamphlet on wood conversion, and Worssam on saws. Notwithstanding this, it is safe to assert that with their high speed and endless modification wood machines demand a higher grade of ingenuity and skill in their construction than machines for cutting and shaping metal. Accurate balancing, centrifugal force, the strength and arrangement of framing to resist vibration, and many other elements that belong to machine construction, have their b 2 iV PREFACE. greatest importance in wood tools. It is easy to calculate the strain and provide for the proper performance of cutting tools moving at sixteen feet a minute, but when these cutting edges are moved five to ten thousand feet in the same time, a new set of conditions are involved, conditions that cannot be predicated upon the ordinary laws of construction, but have, with our present knowledge of the art, to be founded solely upon experience and observation. The want of that scientific consideration to which wood machi- nery is so fully entitled, must in a great measure account for the imperfect manner in which much of it is made. In many, if not in the majority of the shops in America, there is no system of drawings, no standard for bearings, bolts, or shafting ; the metal in the framing — is disposed in the most unaccountable manner, in fact there is nothing approaching the sfandard of our machine tools, except the paint, which is laid on in “ variegated profusion.” But it is outside the province of this work to criticize, inasmuch as it is not assumed to be a regular text-book. Yet it will not be amiss to “stir the matter up,” and thus provoke the attention which the importance of this great interest demands. As it was stated in the outset that no apology was needed for the introduction of this work, it is superfluous, for the same reasons, to apologize for its not being a text-book,—there is nothing to form a text-book from. The limited experience of one person can furnish but little material for such a work. If it is desired to prepare a treatise on the steam-engine or machine tools, or in fact on any of the common branches of mechanism, except wood machines, you have only to go to any scientific library, and the whole thing is before you,—rules, formule, drawings, repeated by a score of writers; but to write of wood machines there are no such data. Let this be a sufficient apology for what this treatise may lack, as compared with treatises devoted to other branches of engineering. PREFACE. Vv The plan adopted is to notice in a general way the several leading operations in wood conversion, with the construction and operation of the machines in modern use, introducing such rules, and treating of such laws as have been fixed by practice and experience, and have come within the knowledge of the Writer during an extended expe- rience in designing and constructing both standard and special machines for wood work. It is to be regretted that during this experience, which was at all times divided with the charge of extensive manufacturing interests, no notes or memoranda were taken, as these would have been of invaluable assistance in the preparation of this treatise. Special machines and adaptations, from the limits of the work, receive but little notice. Their consideration, to have any value, would require facts and statistics which, with the drawings needed to explain them, would have carried the extent of the treatise far beyond its plan. It is, however, intended, if future interest seems to warrant it, to. prepare a supplementary treatise on special machines for wood conversion, which shall include all of interest that is omitted here. With these explanations, the work is submitted to the makers and users of wood-cutting machines, many of whom the Writer has the honour of knowing personally. J. RICHARDS. Lonpox, JANUARY, 1872, ( vi ) ILLUSTRATIONS. —————Oo=——— THE somewhat unusual plan of presenting regular shaded Engravings requires a word of explanation. There is no excuse needed for the Engravings themselves, which are perhaps the most complete ever published in any work of this character. Not only are they complete in an artistic sense, but what is entirely unusual in such Engravings, they are mainly “ true eleva- tions” from geometrical drawings of the machines, so carried out, however, by shading, that they have the merit of pictures as well. To have given instead Plates of true lineal Drawings would not have so well answered the purpose of the treatise. A restricted number only could have been used, and besides it would in that form have been of little value or interest to anyone but Engineers, and manufacturers of wood machines. In its present form it will have a value as well to those who use such machines. A further objection to giving the usual Plans, Elevations, and Sections, in the present case, is that wood-working machinery is so fast undergoing modification and change, that even assuming that certain machines are sufficiently perfect to be presented for models, there is a want of confidence, a looking for something new, that would detract from their value, to say nothing of the brief time that they might represent the most improved construction. The Engravings given present, in most cases, ideas rather than definite plans, that is to say, the principles of operating, clothed in various forms and arrangements of mechanism. From those who use, and practically operate wood machines, we must look for their improvement, rather than from the makers of the machines. Constructed of metal there is but little analogy between their manufacture and their after-use; and while all questions of proportion and arrangement belong properly to the Engineer, there Vill ILLUSTRATIONS. is a great deal that is obscure and peculiar in their operation. Hence it has been the object, as far as possible, to arrange the present work so as to have an interest both to those who make and those who use such machinery. ) The Machines illustrated by the Engravings have been selected from houses that may be considered representative in the business, and from as few as possible, so as to comprehend the latest practice. CONTENTS. —————Oo=——— PREFACE ILLUSTRATIONS HISTORY OF WOOD-WORKING MACHINES. Biographical notice of Sir Samuel Bentham .. ee - - oe The first planing machine (1780) es we ee . Hatton’s planing machine (1776), note .. First manufactory of wood-working machines (17 91) . . Capacity of machines made by Bentham - “ oe Adoption of wood machines by the English Admiralty . List of wood-cutting machines invented by Sir Samuel Bentham Invention of the sliding lathe rest - oe Curvilinear sawing by Bentham . - First circular-saw mill, Miller’s patent of 1777... ee - First traversing planing machine, Bramah’s patent (1802) Liquid bearing for steps and shafts (1802) a - Conical gearing for varying the feed of machines (802) es The first band sawing machine, patented 1808 . i Shaping machinery for irregular forms, 1822... Progress of wood machines in England from 1815 to 1851 The Woodworth monopoly on planing machinery Feeding-rolls patented in 1811 ve ENGINEERING PROGRESS. The useful arts, the true exponent of a people’s civilization .. Engineering discovery, and engineering results by deduction .. . Arsimilation of physical science and the mechanic arts.. ee os Conception and application of new discoveries .. - . Engineering as a profession in England, and its influences Mechanical and civil engineering .. we ee ve INVENTION AS AN ELEMENT OF ENGINEERING. The nature and meaning of invention Invention consists both of discovered and demonstrated results. The mention of original plans for machines ‘True invention is, or should be, the application of general principles, and from fixed data oe PAST AND FUTURE OF MACHINE MAKING. Speculations about future discovery Changes in machine tools since 1851 Invention or discovery will diminish in future .. PAGE il 25 26 26 28 31 dl xX CONTENTS. ON WOOD-CUTTING MACHINES IN GENERAL. Standards for the construction of wood machines Wood—its nature as a material .. i Difficulties to be met with in fixing constants for wood machines Cheap construction of wood-cutting machines - Wood machinery has not been sufficiently considered .. . The extent of wood-machine manufacture in England and America . - - Wood machinery as a branch of industry—its home importance - i i” be Woeod machinery first made by carpenters . . Wood-machine manufacture a segregated branch of industry THE RELATIONS BETWEEN HAND AND POWER OPERATIONS IN WOOD CUTTING, AND THE PRINCIPLES THAT GOVERN THEM. The operation of wood machines is governed by certain fixed principles Hand performance the standard for estimating the effect of machines... Propositions comprehending the principles that govern wood cutting .. Objects of machines are to guide tools, augment force, and increase speed The effect of machines is directly as the amount of cutting-edge acting in a given time The effect of machines is limited by the accessibility of the surfaces .. Machines should not be used except the conditions are favourable The carpenter's plane as a hand implement Hand and power planing contrasted we The effect of machines can be predicated upon general principles Hand and power sawing contrasted - oe i Guiding the tools in dovetailing and carving machines... The length of edge and its results The accessibility of the material, moving tools, &o. How far machines can with profit be applied AMERICAN AND ENGLISH WOOD MACHINES. Local conditions as affecting the construction of machines “ . - - Extraneous conditions to be considered in building machines .. . The construction and arrangement of machines affected by the dimensions of the lumber to be worked... . oe Dimensions of planing machines i in 1. England and America The cost of machines as an investinent considered The American and English markets for wood machinery Wood machines for foreign exportation .. FRENCH WOOD MACHINES. Kecent development of this branch of engineering in France Its progress considered in relation to engineering tools .. Originality of design in the French machines illustrated MACHINE LABOUR SAVING. Hand and automatic movements in machines The sense of feeling to regulate machine action .. The true standard for estimating the labour saved PAGE 32 33 34 35 36 37 37 38 BESS 42 42 42 42 42 43 43 44 44 45 47 49 49 £0 50 52 53 a 55 56 56 CONTENTS. COMBINATION IN WOOD MACHINES. Wrong estimates placed upon combining functions When compounded machines can be profitably used An example of a compound wheel-making machine Combination is often mistaken for useful invention Patented rights in combinations .. The individual functions of a machine impaired by compounding FRAMING OF MACHINES. Sir Joseph Whitworth’s simile relating to tubular sections os Frames of machines made upon two general plans of rib and cored sections Resisting and absorbing the vibrations of wood-cutting spindles by elastic or rigid framing .. The vibrations of high-speed spindles easily resisted and prevented The reciprocating parts of wood machines in relation to vibration and framing Improvements in standard machines relate mainly to framing... - os Conditions that should regulate the strength of the framing of wood machines Accidental strains to be considered in designing frames of machines .. Machines should, whenever possible, stand upon three supports Conditions that govern the form of sections for machine framing Tubular or cored sections for resisting torsional and transverse strains The economy of material in cored sections for machine frames An example of substituting cored for rib sections in band-saw frames.. The proportions for the web and ribs of rib sections Casting cored and rib sections Patterns for cored and rib sections—their cost, ¢ care, and durability PATTERNS FOR CASTINGS. A knowledge of pattern making necessary in the preparation of designs for machincs Patterns as an element in first cost of machines.. i” - - Patterns for tables and platens, and the manner of making them Strength of patterns and their durability BEARINGS FOR SHAFTS AND SPINDLES. Wood machinery demands special proportions for bearings Bearings of shafts with slow motion - - The diameter of bearings .. An example of very high speed . . Reducing shafts and spindles in their bearings - Projecting or overhanging spindles - Sizes of spindles and shafts in American wood machinery Conditions that affect and determine the diameter of shafts in wood-working factories Proportions of shafts for pulleys and for gearing... . Proportion of belts for driving gearing on wood machines The length of bearings for shafts and spindles . Friction of bearings governed by the amount of surface contact Soft metal or moulded bearings for wood-machine spindles . - Proportions of bearings for shafts as constructed by Messrs. William Sellers and Co. Material for shafts and spindles of wood machinery ee oe to x1 PAGE 57 57 57 58 58 68 67 68 68 68 69 Xxil CONTENTS. Cylindrical turning, its importance for high-speed spindles... we - we . 6 Rigidity of spindles that overhang their bearings - - . - . - 77 Hardened steel spindles .. a ee - - - . - - rn & | Shafts of cold rolled iron .. - - ee - - - - oe TT Iron shafts in cast-iron bearings .. - - - - - - The material for bearings of shafts and spindles .. - - . - ee . 8 American soft-metal bearings for wood machines - - - - i . 78 Bearings of tempered steel - . - . - oe a . . 9 Stepping vertical spindles... . - a - - - . - .. 80 Schiele’s bearing for end thrust .. “ . - . -- 80 The Schiele principle applied to central 0 or inside bearings i - i a . 81 Bearings that have to run dry, without lubrication... - ee i - . 81 Wood as a material for bearings . - ve i - i - 88 An example of bearings made with coiled brass ¥ wire .. - . oe . 83 Compensation for wear in the bearings of wood-cutting machines - . i . 84 Various plans adopted for the adjustment of bearings .. - - - . .. 8d Lubrication of the bearings of wood machines .. - .. 86 The direction or angle of oil-ways leading to bearings, 2 an n example of the effect ee . 87 Fountain or self-oiling bearing of Messrs. Lane and Bodley .. - - ee . 87 Self-oiling bearings, their advantages and where they should be used .. we - . 88 Thermatic oil-cups for the bearings of shafts... i i - - . 89 Tallow boxes for the bearings of wood machines - - - - ee . 89 LINE-SHAFTING FOR WOOD MANUFACTORIES. The speed of line-shafting as affecting th the Proportions of pulleys and the arrangement of counter-shafting - - - . 91 Couplings for connecting line-shafting - om i i i - . 92 Keys for fastening couplings and wheels... oe - o i - a . 93 Pulleys for the line-shafting of wood factories .. - - - i - . 95 Hangers and supports for shafting - - i” i” we - 96 Pulleys for wood-cutting machines adapted for high spe i i ve oe . 97 Formula for pulleys for high speed - . - - - . 97 WOOD MACHINES WITH RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT. Reciprocating motion in machines has not been sufficiently considered in technical works .. 99 Scientific research and its relation to the workshop in such things... “ i . 99 Ericsson’s invention and patent relating to counterbalances.. - . - .- 103 An example of balancing an eccentric lathe for oval forms _... i a : .. 103 Reciprocating parts cannot be balanced by rotary weights i . . : .- 105 Counterbalances a question of the attachments and setting of machines - ; .. 105 Propowitions affecting counterbalances for reciprocating saws .. - - . .. 106 ROTARY BALANCING. The precision needed in balancing the spindles and cutter-heads of wood machines .. -- 109 The want of some simple