A Dictinary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 Excerpt: ...of the perfectly organized combination which exists among journeymen hatters throughout the kingdom, by which the masters are held in astatn of complete servitude, having no power to take a single apprentice into their works beyond the number specified by the Union, nor any sort of machine which is likelyto supersede hand labour in any remarkable degree. Hence the hat'trade is, generally speaking, unproductive to the capitalist, and incapable of receiving any considerable development. The public of a free country like this, ought to counteract this disgraceful state of things, by renouncing the wear of stud' hats, a branch of the business entirely under the controul of this despotic Union, and betake themselves to the use of silk hats, which, from recent improvements in their fabric and dyeing, are not a whit inferior to the beaver hats, in comfort, appearance, or durability, while they may be had of the best quality for one-fourth part of their price. The annexed figures represent Mr. Ollerenshaw's machine, now generally employed for ironing hats. Fig. 534.-is the frame-work or standard upon which three of these lathes are mounted, as A, n, c. The lathe A is intended to be employed when the crown of the hat is to be ironed. The lathe n, when the flat top, and the upper side of the brim is ironed, and lathe c, when its under side is ironed; motion being given to the whole by means of a band passing from any first mover (as a steam-engine, waterwhcel, &c.) to the drum on the main shaft a a. From this drum a strap passes over the riggcr I1, which actuates the axle of the lathe A. On to this lathe a sort of chuck is screwed, and to the chucl: the block c is made fast by screws, bolts, or pins. This block is represented in section, in order to shew th...