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LXXI. Notices respecting New Books. 



The Amateur Mechanic's Practical Handbook, describing the different 

 Tools required in the, Workshop, the Uses of them, and How to Use 

 them ; also Examples of different kinds of Work, with fall De- 

 scriptions and Drawings. By Arthur, H. Gr. Hobson. London : 

 Longmans, Green, and Co. 1877. (Small 8vo, pp. 114.) 



rjTHIS book contains a number of instructions for performing 

 -*- different kinds of work, particularly metal work, such as an 

 amateur mechanic is likely to undertake. The principal tools 

 which he is supposed to have are a lathe, a drilling and planing 

 machine, as well as vice, bench, and hand tools. He is expected 

 to be able to use them : e.g. he should be able to turn a crank- 

 shaft, bore out a cylinder, cut a screw, and make a universal chuck. 

 He should also be able to make drawings and patterns. Although 

 it is scarcely worth the trouble, yet, at a pinch, our amateur ought 

 to be able to make his own iron castings. The case is different 

 with brass castings ; by making them he will save both time and 

 money. He is supposed to be well off for space ; for he should 

 have a separate room for pattern-making, Atyhen thus furnished 

 he will be prepared to execute works of considerable difficulty, 

 such as to make a horizontal engine ; and accordingly a chapter is 

 devoted to describing the process. The boiler, however, is a more 

 difficult matter ; so this may be " selected." Still, " if you are at a 

 loss for a job, you will find it some amusement to make a boiler 

 yourself;" and therefore instructions are given for making a 

 vertical boiler. For though " horizontal boilers may be used," yet 

 when the size is small " they do not answer so well as the upright 

 ones." AVhen all is made, the amateur will have his reward ; " he 

 lights the fire in his boiler, turns the steam on, and excitedly looks 

 for the first turn of the fly-wheel. If the engine be a success, he 

 will in that one turn of the fly-wheel pass one of the pleasantest 

 mouients of his life." 



It will be seen that our author is enthusiastic about his pursuit ; 

 still he gives his amateur some very good and sensible adA'ice : thus, 

 he tells him how to profit by a visit to a mechanical engineer's works, 

 and, again, advises him to learn not only how to mend his tools, 

 but even for the most part to make them. This advice, if followed, 

 \\ ould in many cases save his readers a good deal of money, by 

 enabling them to find out whether they have in them the genuine 

 spirit of the amateur mechanic : " Buy but few tools at first, you 

 will soon find out your wants as you go on. Make as man}^ as 

 you can ; and with diligence in using them, and exercising care and 

 patience, in the course of twelve months you will find yourself 

 amply repaid for your trouble." Very true ! If you are not pre- 

 pared to make and mend your own tools, you have not the root of 

 the matter in you, and had better give it up. 



