Engineering Papers. Mortar, Practical Ironwork, Retaining Walls (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1875 edition. Excerpt: ...would be removed; they are very apt to peel off after a short time, and bring the paint with them--more especially in a structure subjected to vibration. This is not of such vital importance for home work under constant supervision; but for foreign up-country work too much care cannot be taken to preserve the surface of the iron from atmospheric and other influences. All work should be so designed to allow of its being painted, and plates less than a quarter inch in thickness should never be used. The linseed oil brushed over the iron, as before pointed out, will form a kind of varnish, and is an excellent preparation for the after coats of red-lead or other metallic paint, of which not less than two coats should be used, the last being of approved colour and put on after the work is erected in place. On account of the great cost of red-lead other metallic paints are now generally substituted. That expensive ingredient was often replaced by coloured earths, which were mixed with inferior oils, and it is needless to state that the quality of the paint is to a great extent governed by the oils with which it is made. All tooled surfaces should be well covered with tallow and white-lead. Those wishing to become acquainted with the practical items of ironwork cannot do better than study 'Works in Iron, ' by Mathieson; and ' Experiments on Wrought Iron and Steel, ' by Kirkaldy. But a year devoted to the vice and bench, in a good ironwork or general mechanical shop, will be of more service than any amount of reading; and we have it on no less authority than Mr. John Fowler, that a mechanical training is absolutely essential to those aspiring to any eminence as civil engineers. In conclusion, the author trusts his confreres exonerate him from any...