The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-06-05
Take Care of Your Tools.

takes possession of him.-Louisoi1e Cour-
er-Journdl.
Take Care of Your Tools.
1t is related of some noted manufacturer
that it was his invariable practice on en-
gaging new hand to require the man to
perform some light job where he could
watch the operation. If at the completion
of his task the workman carefully cleaned
and put away his tools, he was at once
given q situation; but if on the other
hand he carelessly threw his implements
to one side, he was informed that his SER
vices were not wanted. The employer
very justly argued that no matter how
good an operative careless man might
be, the amount gained from his labor as
compared with that of less skillful but
more prudent workman, would be more
than balanced by the loss accruing from
damaged or ruined tools. We have been
told by large firms that the yearly expen-
diture to replace injured implements or
those lost through carelessness reached
amounts that were incredible, and that it
was fact that more tools were spoiled
through a simple want of care than were
worn out by constant use.
A few hammers, gimlets, or augers more
or less, it may be said, makes very little
difference to a great establishment which
counts its workmen by hundreds and its
profits by hundreds of thousands. True,
although in time the aggregate cost
of all will make no small item;
but the loss of single hammer
or single gimlet will often make very
great difference to an artisan who depends
!, Sc ;,,l: "A. 1,o -,
ours habits of thoughtlessness during his
others, he is very likely to continue in the
same course, to his no small cost when
toiling for himself The carpenter that
leaves his auger in the timber or his saw
in the plank to be broken by the first OBJ
ject that roughly strikes against them, or
throws his small articles down where they
can be swept off into the shavings, and
thus lost, will find his carelessness a seri-
GUS detriment to him in his trade. The
same is true of the farmer who allows his
pillow to rust in the flrrow, his reapers to
remain out doors all winter, and his
wagons to break down for the want of
few nails; of the blacksmith who forgets
his iron in the forge, or drops his cold
chisel anywhere, so that it may be readily
thrown into the scrap heap; of the ma
chinist who leaves his drills, reamers,
taps or other tools wherever he last used
them, and then expects them to turn up
whenever they are needed
"a place for everything and everything
in its place" is an aphOrism which has
been so often quoted that its repetition
seems very trite, and yet, so far as regards
tools, it should be rigidly followed; and
not only this, but the implements them
selves should be looked after. A saw or
chisel which has been used in unseasoned
wood should be carefully wiped and oiled,
otherwise it contracts rust and wears
away fast A new file should not be put
upon the scale of cast-iron or of unan-.
nealed steel, and a file kept for brass or
bronze should not be used on a harder
metal. Turning tools, after being tenn
pered and ground, are frequently left wet
from the stone until wanted for use. In
this state the keen edge is acted upon by
rust and a regrinding becomes necessary.
If not put at once to the oil-stone, they
saws for cutting, if drawn forward and
back too rapidly, heat and lose their tenn
per and become almost useless.
Nothing is worse economy than
poor oil, whether for lubricating, tap
ping, drilling, or to whatever use it
may be put. Oil that contains
grit or earthly matter is nothing but
liquid grindstones, as it cuts or abrades
the edges of tool precisely as does
grindstone or emery-wheel. Dummy oil
Is nearly as bad, for it adds to the friction
of the tap and SO wastes power. A
"gummed up'' tap or file is almost useless.
If warm soap-suds or benzine will not
clean it, cover it with turpentine or oil,
then ignite the latter, and when it is
burned out wipe the implement-it will
be found in good order. Do this out of
DOORS For finishing files this process is
said to be very efficient. In filing wrought
iron tough particles of metal often stick
in the file-teeth, producing ugly scratches
on the work. They can be got out by a
bit of soft iron wire-about No. 8-one
end flattened to chiselpoint and the
other placed in handle. Draw this
across the face of the file in the direction
of the. 'sfirstcutn teeth. It thoroughly dis
lodges all snags, and the tool is again
ready for work.
Now, one word about lending tools, and
that is-don't. We know of nothing
more aggravating than to work nearly
whole rainy Saturday putting tools in or
der and then be required to lend one to
some shiftless mortal whom we are sure
will turn the edge, knock the handle of,
and probably throw it down wherever he
happens to have used it. Every machine
shop contains some g0od-for- nothing who
makes it business to pounce on his CON-
rade's sharp tools. As for his own, every
center-drill that can be found in his pos
session is broken short off; his center
punches are blunt, his files without han
= = ~ -
dies, and his tOngs are bent; his hammers
are loose, and his chlsels quarter o. a,.a an
mass OF greasy waste, olG washers Oh ulne r.
ent SIZES, lOt OF Ola DOitS, anu piece VI