M. TECHNOLOGY. 517 



KEFLECTOR FOR MOULDERS. 



A novelty of this kind has lately been invented, the object 

 of which is to do away with the inconvenience often suifered 

 by moulders in being compelled to pour off metal in the im- 

 perfect light of winter, or during obscure days, and which 

 often causes serious losses and delays. 



The device in question involves no extra cost for illumi- 

 nation, and consists simply of a concave disk of metal, nickel- 

 plated to secure good reflecting qualities, which is placed 

 upon the ladle handle, and throws a strong light from the 

 molten metal directly over the edge of the ladle into the 

 sprue-hole. The moulder is thus enabled to pour the metal 

 into the flask with great certainty. Iron Age^October 21, 7. 



SELF-FEEDING NAIL-MACHINE. 



A machine of this description, the invention of F. A. Glea- 

 son, of Brooklyn, is in operation at the nail factory of the 

 Albany Iron Works. The machine is making sixpenny nails 

 at the rate of 200 to 300 per minute, and but one attendant 

 is needed for five or six of the machines. The feedins: de- 

 vice, which is its chief novelty, consists of, first, a plate- 

 box, holding a thirty-pound plate. The lower plate is dis- 

 charged immediately after the first plate has been cut up; 

 second, an automatic nipper, which seizes the plate, carrying 

 it down to the cutters and feeding it until consumed, then 

 returning and discharging the scrap in a receptacle provided 

 for that purpose. The feeding process is quite simple, and 

 the only parts liable to friction and constant wear are an ec- 

 centric, elbow, and their connections. The machine runs 

 rapidly, and becomes very hot ; but this defect, it is believed, 

 can easily be remedied. Bullet, Am. Iron and Steel Assoc, 

 IX., 281. 



FLEXIBLE MANDRIL FOR BENDING METAL PIPES. 



At a recent meeting of the Franklin Institute the follow- 

 ing ingenious device for the above purpose was exhibited. 

 The mandril consists of a coiled or spiral spring, made of 

 square steel wire, and of such size as to be freely inserted 

 into the pipe to be bent. The pressure may then be applied 

 in any convenient manner, but preferably it should be done 



