17S Descripi'ion of an improved Mill 



it steadv. D is a taker-off, made of a clock-spring nbrtiif 

 half an inch broad, and fixed similar to a frame saw in art 

 iron frame A, in an inclined position to the roller, and turn- 

 ins; on pivots at del. G is a slide-board to draw out occa- 

 sionally, to clean, &c. if any particles of paint should falJ 

 from the roller, and which also forms itself for tbe plate H, 

 to catch the colour on as it falls from the taker-off. F is a 

 drawer, for the purpose of containing curriers shavings^ 

 which are the best things for cleaning paint mills. E is the 

 frame. 



Previous to the colour being applied to the mill, I should 

 recommend it to l)c finely pulverized in a mortar, covered 

 in the manner of the chemists when they levigate poisonous 

 drugs *. This process of dry-grinding is erjually necessary 

 for the marble slab now in use ; after which it sliould be 

 mixed with oil or water, and with a spatula or palette-knife 

 put on the roller, near to the top of the concave niuller, and 

 the roller turned round, which takes the colour under the 

 niuUer without any difficulty, and very few turns of the 

 roller spread it equally over its surface. When it is per- 

 ceived sufficiently fine for the purpose required, it is very 

 easily taken oH' by means of the taker-off described, which 

 must be held against the roller, and the roller turned the 

 reverse way, which cleans it very quick and very com- 

 pletely ; and the muller will only require to be cleaned 

 when vou desist, or change the colour. It is then turned 

 back, being hung on pinions to the frame at ii, and'cleaned 

 with a palette-knife or spatula very ' conveniently. After- 

 wards, a handful of curriers shavings- held on the roller, 

 W'ith two or three revolutions, cleans it effectually ; and 

 there is less waste with this machine than with any niarble 

 slab. 



As to the quantity ground at once on this mill, it must 

 be regulated by the state of fineness to which it is required 

 to be ground. If it is wanted to be very fine, a smaller 

 quantity must be put on the roller at a time; and as to time 

 requisite for grinding a given quantity of colour, this will 

 also depend on the state of fineness to which it is ground. 

 I have observed that my colour-grinder has ground the 

 quantity of colour which used to serve him per dav, with 

 this machine, in three hours, and, as he said, with ease, 



* Or rather in an improved mill, used i\ Manchester hy Mr. Cli»rk? 

 Tavlor, for grinding indigo in a dry stare, of which I have annexed a 

 drawing, and reference, to render the whole business of colour-grinding 

 tonipkte, 



4 The 



