PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 527 



REED RIVETING MACHINE. 



While constructing the machinery for the ne>v establishment, another 

 superior contrivance emanated from the prolific bi'aiu tf Carhart A 

 machine for riveting the frames and reeds together, (see illustration,) and 

 this perfect and efTective little automaton is certainly one of the most ele- 

 gant, useful and ingenious pieces of mechanism of the age. It is thus 

 described in the Ecening Post, about the time the patent w'as secured: 



" One machine for riveting the tongue to the frame is a great curiosity. 

 The former being placed on the latter, they are seized v^^ith a pair of pincers 

 of peculiar construction, and inserted in the machine, a slight jerk of the 

 lever and a portion of the frame is driven directly through the tongue, 

 forming a rivet most complete and ingenious, thereby securing two truly 

 important qualities, strength and perfect vibration — bringing out a tone 

 which it is almost impossible to attain in any other way." Although we 

 have taken some moments to describe the operation of this machine, its 

 motions are much more expeditious, as its ordinary working speed, it per- 

 fectly rivets fifteen reeds per minute. 



After their removal to New York, the firm was taken by surprise by the 

 constant orders for reeds that was daily pouring in upon them, from manu- 

 .facturers and others in all sections of the country. Owing to the filling of 

 which, and the time required to make their new machinery, they did not 

 get permanently located until late in the fall of 1849, when they leased a 

 large establishment in Thirteenth street, and commenced the manufacture 

 of the mclodeon on a scale never before attempted in this country. 



BLOCK MACHINES. 



Beside the machine for riveting, described above, there are three others 

 for forming the blocks and tongues, the whole cf which is performed in the 

 most expeditious and perfect manner ; in fact, it would be impossible to 

 secure the same uniformity on any other yet known plan. One machine 

 (see illustration) punches out the blocks ; another trims and shapes them, 

 another takes out half the cavity for the tongue, which cavity is finished 

 complete in the next operation. The tongues are worked out precisely in 

 the same perfect and expeditious manner. AH the metal turning, filing, 

 and iron finishing of the whole concern, is done in a room fitted with 

 lathes, vices, and all the machinery desirable to expedite the operations. 



FORM OF MELODEON CASES. 



Carhart's Improved Patent Melodeon, may be classified under three 

 hi'ads, as follows: First. The Folding Scroll Leg, commonly called the 

 " Portable Style." Second. " The Piano Style." And Third. "The Double 

 Reed, with Two Stops." All these styles are modified into a great variety 

 of shapes, as far as the external appearance is concerned. The four-and-a- 

 half and five-octave Portable Styles are probably the most prominent, inas- 

 much as from their cheapness, compactness, and the feasibility by which 

 they are readily transported from place to place, are accessible to parties 

 in the most distant sections of the country. As will be observed in the 

 illustration of the "old style" of melodeon, the bellows at that time dropped 

 down in front of the instrument, it will be readily admitted that this feature 

 did not improve the outward appearance of the article. In the new style, 



