The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-18
THE UNION. +

conclusive lorces decidedly the most trying OF any other,
and where much depends the fidelity OF the asten
ngs; remember TO have seen drawing OF the
good old frgae Constitution, called "Old iro1sldes
that the old ship saved from certain destruction by
faithful iron bolt, which alone sustained the fore
mast after three others had drawn broken being
perfect illustration OF the Importance and value OF one
good fastening.
These bolts made by simply reducing bars of cop
per or IRON oil square triangular any other poygonal
section to regular spiral form by twisting them, or by
any other convenient MEANS by which the angles become
the threads OF screw; afterwards, they are cut INTO
lengths, and formed into bolts of various sizes, either with
without necks and heads What remarkable, is, where
the mbers TO be secured together lie in contact they
qure no head at all but spiral throughout their whole
length the upper timber being held down by the spiral
threads.
The points are made by setting down the spiral with
hafround swedges to cylinder cone; and the front
edges OF the threads, being sharpened by hng or any
other means, become regular tool for making the m
cislon IN the wood They are driven, like other bolts,
with hammer or maui after boring hole, and cut
their thread in the hardest seasoned veoak in the most
perfect manner, entering it with rotary motion; and
have, when IN place, all the grip tenacy OF screws
The expense OF making them, is estimated, will be no
more than the fastenings; but less, screws
and nuts be included. They less liable to split
the wood when driven than common round bolts,
for the reason that all the fbres within the diameter
the bolt cut transversely by which the lateral
pressure is avoided and by the operation OF making them
spiral arrangement is given to the bres, mnrting ad-
dona oughness to the ron and every inch OF the bar
is tested and the hidden flaws if any exist detected and
exposed They easily backed out by punching against
their points, and admit oil being protected from corrosion
by the application Of uncuous and resinous substances
in fluid state such tar, turpentne, varnish, taow,
&C., which they inject laeray into the capillary tubes
or grain of the wood.
understand that these bolts were lately subjected
to some experiments at the Washington navy yard and
the results very satisfactory and that as have re-
marked, specimens showing the principle have been
recently sent to enepising constructor at New York,
the present headquarters OF naval constructions, where,
it is hoped the builders will give them such fair and
impartial trial as they seem TO merit.
| have example showing their adaptation to
carriages substitute for screwbolts and nuts,
rvets and ring bolts and very favorably impressed
with the neat finish they make, instead OF the awkward
projecting head and nut independent of their other ad
vanages. | reason why they could not with
equal advantage be applied to coaches, cars and every
Other wooden structure substitutes for screw-bolts
and nuts, which almost constantly getting out OF
der owing to the shrinking and swelling OF the wood
from the changes of wet and dry-causes which 40 not
affect these fasteniDgsand which constitute frut-
full source OF accidents
Description of Nm r. Sciges spiral bolts and spikes
of -Anicrica, toith claim couertng the principle
MANNER MAKING.
The bars bolts of iron copper, of square,, triangu-
lar any other polygona section taken Cheated or
cod) and twisted by any convenient means which VIII
produce regular twist, by which operation spiral form
is given the angles constituting the threads of screw
The bars then cut into lengths to suit the purposes IN
tended and conical points and heads where necessary
forged them after which, the front edges Of the threads
Especially important bolts) sharpened by filing, or
any Other hy
alter twisting be made OF round rods, and welded
UsrsFor the construction of railroads and canals rail
road cars carriages, and wagons bridges wharve piers,
houses ana nnd
marine structures Of every description 80
with hammer, maui, Or sledge; enter with rotary mo-
tom and their thread in the hardest wood in the most
perfect manner without decorating the hbres, and win
= They De protected from corroson BY the use Of
vansh tnllow, Nc, which they inject lateray
capillary tubes OF the wood; hence they might be subst
g. They can be made cheap as bolts and in
making he the bes OF the iron or copper are arranged
spiral form, parng additional toughness under sud
den forces, and the copper is tested so
to discover any hidden flaws
A. The maximum strength of the fbres OF the wood ex-
tending the whole length Of the bolt spiral part Is OBJ
tanned, and the connexion made with them is not affected
by the expansions and of the wood, caused by
wet and dry, as the connexions made by common rivet
bolts and Iastenings.
s. The ,mbers may be drawn together with these bolts
more firmly than by any other means Those without
heads make neat finish without connersinking, and
they may all be backed out by punching against their
s. The lateral fbres the wood all transversey
in driving which causes them to enter more easily, with
less liability to split than common round bolts and their
lateral strength stiffness is greatly increased by the form
OF the bolts which Is series OF arches inverted towards the
1t believed from actual results obtained from expert.
mens that these iasenngs would at least double the
strength and durability of the connexions OF all kinds OF
framework which spikes and bolts used, more espe
ciay ships and other marine structures which are con-
staniiy exposed violent conclusive forces, against the
effects of which they appear to be admirably adapted
| WIN. L. STEIGER.
The following testimonials from gentlemen OF un-
doubted ability and great experience, are only offered as
inducements for further investigation into the merits OF
these fastenings:
BUREAU ToroGRArHICAI. ENGINEERS,
| Washington, June IA, 1877.
| SIR have had the pleasure OF receiving your letter o.
the 18th, with description of the screw (spira) bolts and
two specimens of the bolts have always been very favor
ably impressed with this invention from your flrs an
of years since, and see no reason now
to doubt the good opinion which then formed OF It, IL
my Judgment your bolts and spikes will add essentially
the strength and durability of every species OF wood struc
ture in which bolts and spikes are used.
hope Mr. Grce, and the board of ship constructors to
which YOU aude will bestow the thorough examina
ton upon your invention, in all its bearings and uses
feeling confident that the thorough the examination
and the more extensive the experiments the compl
mentary you will be the results.
| Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. ]. ALBERT,
Col Corps. Top. Eng.
WM. T. STEIGEn, esq, Washington
Copy Of letter from Francis Grcc esq, Chief Ndpat Con
! structor U. s.
WASHINGTON, July Ia, 1917.
SIR Having examined your SPIRAL bolts, and seen then
tested in lire TX (easoned) and other woods, nave n,
hesitation in giving my opinion, that they are wei
for boiling large Of timber together, ana 10
other work they applicable for securing many parts
will he