SOLDERING APPARATUS. 177 



economy of, and complete control to be had over 

 gas, in comparison with spirit, gives it an advan- 

 tage which all will at once concede. 



I have here a boiler containing water, which is 

 converted into steam by a small Bunsen's burner, 

 and is the blowing power ; the force of the jet of 

 steam is increased or decreased instantaneously 

 by turning on more or less gas, as required in 

 soldering. 



The burner for operating with is in the front 

 part of the apparatus, and is regulated by a 

 separate stopcock, and receives the steam-jet in 

 its centre, like a DanieU's blowpipe ; by bringing 

 the steam-pipe through the gas flame below the 

 boiler, the steam is thoroughly dried, and also 

 superheated ; thereby causing a considerable addi- 

 tion of heat in the flame. 



By regulating the gas-burner under the boiler, 

 either a powerful deflagrating flame or a fine- 

 pointed one may be had at pleasure. The self-sus- 

 taining power of this apparatus must recommend 

 it as far preferable to the mouth blowpipe; and 

 also, being so exceedingly portable, in addition to 

 not being one half the cost of any bellows arrange- 

 ment, it could be supplied to each workman, in 

 order that one man may not have to wait while 

 others are using the bulky bellows or forge, as is 

 too often unavoidably the case. A very important 

 peculiarity of the gas and steam flame is, that its 

 heat is found to be sufficient to run the hard sol- 



