210 MmmG INDTrSTET. 



of tougli cast iron about 8 inches in diameter and 15 inches liigh. In its 

 upper end is a socket, shown by dotted hues, corresponding with the axis of 

 the cylinder and conical in form, designed to receive the slightly tapering end 

 of the stem, to the dimensions of which it must be adapted. This conical 

 hole, or socket, is about 7 inches deep. . At its bottom is a hole, or key-way, 

 ffl, passing through the head, at right angles to the cylindrical axis, by which 

 passage a key may be driven in to force the head from the stem when neces- 

 sary. 



To attach the stamp-head to the stem, the latter is placed in its position 

 between its guides, and the head standing immediately under it. The stem 

 being dropped enters the socket, and a few blows of the hammer drive it in 

 with sufficient force to cause the head to be raised when the stem is lifted. 

 The stem and head, being suffered to drop together a few times, become 

 firmly connected. In the lower end of the head is a similar hole or socket, 

 ft, but larger than the upper one, likewise tapering or conical in form, made 

 to receive the stem or shank of the shoe, which is thus connected with the 

 head in similar manner ; a rectangular hole, or passage, c, through the head 

 at the end of this lower socket permits the removal of the shoe in the same 

 way as the stamp-stem is forced out from the upper socket. A stout wrought- 

 iron hoop encircles each end of the stamp-head, being fitted aud driven on 

 when hot and allowed to shrink in place. 



The shoe in common use in these mills is a cylindrical piece of cast iron 

 about 8 inches in diameter and 6 inches high, above which is a shank or stem, 

 the base of which is 4 or 5 inches in diameter, tapering in form and about 5 

 inches high. It is made of the hardest white iron. It is attached to the head 

 in manner somewhat similar to that just described for connecting the head 

 and the stem, but is wedged on by means of strips of pine wood. These 

 strips which are cut about as long as the stem of the shoe, a quarter of an 

 inch thick and about a half an inch wide, are placed around the stem of the 

 shoe and tied with a piece of twine, as shown in Fig. 3, Plate XX. They 

 must be thick enough to wedge the stem of the shoe firmly in its socket, 1 



Mdthout allowing the head to come in contact with the body of the shoe. t j 



When the shoe is ready to be fixed to the head it is placed in proper position 

 with, the stem of the shoe directly under the socket of the head, and the 



