lo April, 1912.] 



Farm Blacksmiili'nig. 



taken, and then hammered to required shape. In making the wedge, have 

 the surfaces roughened by driving a chisel into them, and previous to putting 

 into position make the pick point red hot; the v^^edge cold. The reason 

 for doing so is that by having the Y heated, and the steel cold, the iron 

 is embedded in the cuts made in the wedge by striking a good hard blow 

 on it, and the wedge is thus prevented from falling out in the fire. 



When very much worn it becomes necessary to lengthen the pick point 

 by first welding a wedge-shaped piece of iron on the back of the pick some 

 distance from the point, as shown at A in Fig. 58, so that the point of the 

 pick and the piece of iron form the Y shape for the reception of steel— 

 B, same figure. It is then treated as mentioned above. The best steel 

 for welding to picks, crow-bars, or plough-shares is blister steel, which may 

 be bought in sizes suitable for requirements j but if not available then a piece 

 of miners' drill steel may be used. In taking a welding heat on steel great 

 care must be exercised to secure good results. Steel, being much more diffi- 

 cult to weld than iron, has to be done at a much lower temperature. It is 

 always advisable, and in most cases necessary, to use a flux for the purpose. 

 For welding blister steel to iron, sand will do for a flux, or if a small 

 quantitv of borax (about i in 4) be added, the work is facilitated. When 



FIG. 



FIG. 



higher grade steel is to be welded, there are special welding mixtures that 

 may be purchased, but if borax alone be used it makes a very effective flux. 

 The heat for welding steel is of a yellowish colour. If heated the same 

 as iron the steel would fly to pieces when struck with the hammer. 



Relaying a Plough Share. 



All plough shares cannot be relaid. Some are made of cast iron, which 

 is unweldable. Those made of wrought steel can be repaired time after 

 time. Fig. 59 shows one well worn, and the dotted lines indicate the 

 original shape. To make them up to those lines, a piece of iron is welded 

 on, a start being made at the top corner and working towards the point. 

 It is impossible to weld the piece all the way along at one heating, about 

 4 inches being about the maximum length that can be done at once. When 

 the iron is v.elded on a piece of steel is then put on the point. It is almost 

 impossible to describe in detail how this may be done, the condition of the 

 iihares being different in each instance. Ingenuity and common sense are 

 required to carry out the work successfully. 



(Coiicluded.) 



