IRON 1015 



going as a feeder to one or two pairs of rolls. There are two distinct forms of this 

 machine ; in the one figured the bloom receives only two compressions ; in another, 



1278 



which is much more effective it is squeezed four times before it leaves the rolls and 

 falls upon the Jacob's ladder. Another form of squeezer is shown infiff. 1279. 



A table A A with a sledge rising up from it to a 

 height of about 2 feet, so as to form an open box, is 

 firmly imbedded in masonry ; within this is a re- 

 volving box, c, of similar character, much smaller 

 than the last, and placed excentrically in regard to 

 it. The ball or bloom D is placed between the inner- 

 most revolving box c and the outer case A A, where 

 the space between them is greatest, and is carried 

 round till it emerges at E, compressed and fit for the 

 rolls. 



Cylinders. The compression between cylinders 

 now effects, in a few seconds, that condensation and 

 distribution of fibres, which 40 years ago could not 

 be accomplished till after many heats in the furnace, 

 and many blows of the hammer. The cylinders may 

 be distinguished into two kinds : 1, those which serve to draw out the ball, called 

 puddling rolls, or roughing rolls, and which are, in fact, reducing cylinders ; 2, the 

 cylinders of extension, called rollers, for drawing into bars the massive iron after it 

 has received a welding, to make it more malleable. This second kind of cylinders is 

 subdivided into several varieties, according to the patterns of bar iron that are re- 

 quired. These may vary from 2 inches square to less than one-sixth of an inch. 



Beneath the cylinders there is usually formed an oblong fosse, into which the 

 scoria and the scales fall when the iron is compressed. The sides of this fosse, con- 

 structed of stone, are founded on a body of solid masonry, capable of supporting the 

 enormous load of the cylinders. Beams of wood form in some measure the sides of this 

 pit, to which cylinders may be made fast, by securing them with screws and bolts. 

 Massive bars of cast iron are found, however, to answer still better, not only because 

 the uprights and bearers may be more solidly fixed to them, but because the basement 

 of heavy metal is more difficult to shatter or displace, an accident which happens fre- 

 quently to the wooden beams. A rill of water is supplied by a pipe to each pair of 

 cylinders, to hinder them from getting hot ; as also to prevent the hot iron from ad- 

 hering to the cylinder, by cooling its surface, and perhaps producing on it a slight 

 degree of oxidisement. 



The shafts are 1 foot in diameter for the hammer and the roughing rolls ; and 

 6 inches where they communicate motion to the cylinders destined to draw the iron 

 into bars. 



The roughing rolls are employed either to work out the lump or ball immediately 

 after it leaves the puddling furnace, as in the Welsh forges ; or only to draw out the 

 piece, after it has been shaped under the hammer, as is practised in most of the 



