610 BLOCK MACHINERY. 



Block Ma- rest by liafd labour. This targe boring machine is the inches in length, at the rate of 700 per day. These Block Ma- 



y* 1 only one exclusively appropriated to large blocks. have wooden pins. cntueiy. 



No. 21. The machines for waking dead eyts. Af- The second Bet from 8 to 10 inches in length, at ~ ~^~" J 

 ter the scantling for these has been cut out by the the rate of 520 per day. These have iron pr . 

 machines before described, they are bored in the bo- The third set from 11 to 18 inches in length, at 

 ring machine : The angles are then removed by the the rate of '200 per day, with iron pins. So tluit all 

 corner saw ; and they are next put into a machine the machines wOl make 1 -WO per day. 

 which shapes them, and cut", the score round them. The larger sizes, from 19 to 28 inches, are not so 

 They have two of these machines ; the first making frequently wanted as to employ the machines con- 

 dead eyes from five to nine inches diameter, and the stantly : indeed they cannot make these large blocks, 

 second being adapted to those from 10 to 19 inches. by the machines alone, though they perform particu- 



Thus we have given a general idea of the objects lar parts with them, as the sheaves, pin, and checks. 

 of this really interesting mill ; but a general idea of 



the whole is all that we can hope to give, from the li- Having now enumerated the number and objects of 



mits we have been obliged to prescribe to our Plates, these machines, we shall proceed to describe each of. 



We shall select a few of the most curious of the ma- them in the same order. 



chines, and give perspective drawings of them, reser- The straight cross cutting saxv. The log is placed ' Straight 

 ving others for a future opportunity. On entering, horizontally on a very low bench, which is continued c . roM cut " 

 the block mill, the spectator is struck with the mill- through the window of the mill into the yard. An ' " w ' 

 tiplicity of its movements, and the rapidity of its ope- horizontal shaft, turned by the mill, is situated over 

 rations. The elegant structure of the small machines, head, with a crank in it. The crank rod descends to 

 strike the eye as objects of ornament as well as utili- the horizontal arm of a bent lever, whose centre is. 

 ty. On this score, great credit is due to Mr Mauds- rather below the floor. The upper end of the vertical 

 ley for the perfection of workmanship displayed arm of this lever is jointed to the saw, which will 

 throughout these works; all the bearings, sliders, therefore rise and fall on its joint in a vertical plane. It 

 and fittings, being executed in the most accurate is a large pit saw without any frame, placed horizon- 

 manner, so as to move freely, but without shake- tally, its teeth downwards, but sloped so as to cut 

 This accuracy is essential in these machines, as they when drawn towards the- lever. Over the back of the 

 are contrived so as to adapt themselves to blocks of saw a piece of wood is fixed, and when the saw is 

 many different sizes and shapes ; for if all the fittings lifted up upon the joint connected with the lever, so 

 were not very correct, the parts would be insufficient as to be at its most elevated position, the back of its 

 to restrain the large blocks, while they were clumsy, blade is received into a kerf or cleft cut in this fixed 

 and inconvenient for the small ones. This will piece of wood. The end of the saw, opposite to that 

 appear from the great number of different blocks by which it is jointed to the lever, has a handle or 

 made at these mills, which are as follows: spar fixed to it in a straight line with the blade : this 



Thick blocks, 4 varieties single sheaves, double ''par, which may be called its handle, is received be- 

 sheaves, treble, and fourfold. The sizes of each va- tween two vertical posts, which confine it to move: 

 riety are from 4 inches to 28 inches in length ; but. straight, but allow it to rise or fall. By a rope attach- 

 only the three first varieties are wholly made by the ed to this pole and conducted over a pulley, the at- 

 machine ; the fourfold, which are chiefly made with tendant lifts tap the saw into the cleft, in the fixed 

 the hand, can. only have the assistance of those ma- piece or guide before mentioned, (we suppose the 

 chines which will form their parts : their sheaves and saw is not now in motion, the crank being cast off 

 pins, however, are completely made by the machines, from the mill,) then by a windlass and lever he draws 



These make about .72 sizes. the log forward on the platform, till the end of it 



Thin blocks are the same, but with nar- (which we suppose has been cut off square by the 



row sheaves: these run from 6 to 26 same process we are about to describe) comes in. 



inches in length, . 48 contact with a lump of wood screwed upon the plat- 

 Clue garnet and clue line blocks are of a form. The saw is now exactly over the place where 



peculiar construction, introduced by the the log is to be divided. It is let down and suffer- 



inventor of the machinery. (Sec the ar- cd to rcstAvith its teeth upon the log, the back still 



tide Block) 10 being in the cleft of the guide. The crank being set in 



Sister blocks, 20 motion, the saw reciprocates backwards and forwards 



Top sail sheet blocksi 20 with exactly the same motion as if worked by a 



Fiddle or viol blocks, 24 carpenter, and quickly cuts through the tree. When 



Tack blocks, 20 it first begins to cut, its back is in the cleft in the 



guide, and this causes it to move in a straight line; 



214 but before it gets out of the guide, it is so deep in 



It may therefore be safely said, that not less than the wood as to guide itself: tor in cutting across the 



200 sorts and sizes of blocks arc constantly making grain of the wood, it has no tendency to be diverted 



by these machines. from its true line by the irregular grain. When the 



It will give some ide3 of the expedition of these saw has descended through the tree, its handle is 



works, to state the number of block shells of caught in a fixed stop, to prevent its cutting the 



different sizes, made by each set of machines in a bench. The machine is cast off, the attendant lilts up 



day. the saw by the rope before mentioned, removes the 



The first set of machines make blocks from 4 to 7 block cut off. and advances the tree forwards to take a , 



