THE POWER-FORGING OF CHAIN CABLES. 59 
tioned to operate the hammers. As only one hammer need be operated at one time, 
one hammer runner is sufficient. One man operates the hoist and swings the crane. 
The mechanic and his principal helper grab the link with a special pair of tongs, and 
the fifth member of the gang tends the fire, helps with the chain under the hammer, 
helps swing the crane, and assists in setting the stud. 
When the link comes out of the fire it is swung over to the 350-pound hammer, 
which is fitted with special dies with horns on them, these being called “dolly dies.” 
Under this small hammer the scarf is thoroughly hammered in such a way as to 
work out the slag from between the welding surfaces, and to make as thorough a 
weld as is possible. Experiments indicate that this is the most important process 
of the welding, although it has also been indicated by experiments that it alone 
does not suffice. Fig. 16, Plate 46, shows the link on the beck of the dolly die after 
this welding process. It is then very thoroughly welded, but is not in perfect shape. 
It is, therefore, swung back into the fire, and when again at welding heat is put in 
the dies of the 3,000-pound hammer and struck several times on both sides. This 
forms the link perfectly and completes the welding, being especially valuable in mak- 
ing the tips of the scarfs stick. Fig. 17, Plate 47, illustrates the link after this second 
welding operation. 
TRIMMING. 
This welding process leaves a flash, both on the inside and outside of the link, 
and this flash is cut off by the use of a hot chisel struck by two of the helpers in 
the gang. 
SETTING THE STUD. 
The operation of setting the stud is such a simple one that it scarcely needs 
description. The link is swung over to the 3,000-pound hammer, is put between the 
dies, standing on its side, the stud is gripped in a pair of tongs and held while the 
hammer pushes the link together enough to grab the stud. 
THE NEW WELDING PLANTS. 
The plant illustrated in the above-mentioned figures is the one on which the pro- 
cess was developed. It is still being kept at work, manufacturing 34-inch chain. 
Each of the new plants consists of one double-frame 1,800-pound steam-drop 
hammer, to take the place of the 3,000-pound hammer illustrated in the figures, and 
on each side of this hammer is a 250-pound single-frame forging hammer, one being 
left-handed, the other right-handed. The dies under the 250-pound hammers are 
similar to those shown on the 350-pound hammer. The dies under the 1,800-pound 
hammer are like those shown for the 3,000-pound hammer, being fitted with impres- 
sions on both sides. Thus the arrangement is such that one gang may work on one 
side of the 1,800-pound hammer and another gang on the other side, each having its 
own crane, fire, and 250-pound hammer, and dividing the cost of the 1,800-pound 
hammer between them. One of these plants is illustrated in Fig. 18, Plate 48. 
