Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-05-08
Take Care OF your Tools.

Ii is related of some noted manufacturer
that il was his invariable practice on engage
ing a new hand 10 require the man to per-
form some light Job where he could watch
the operation. Ii at the completion OF his
task the workman carefully cleaned and
put away his tools, he was at once given a
situation; but If on the Other hand he care-
lessly threw his implements To one side. he
was informed that his services were not
wanted. The employer very justly argued
that no matter how good an operative n
careless man might be. the amount gained
from his labor as compared with that of
a less skillfIl 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 expenditure TO replace injured im-
plements or those lost through carelessness
reached amounts that were incredible. and
that 1t was a 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, 1t may be said. makes very little
difference to a great establishment which
counts its workmen by hundreds and its
profits by hundred OF thousands. True.
although in time the aggregate cost of all
will make no small item but the loss of a
Single natntntT or sluHit ElIllltI VIII
make a very great difference TO an artisan
who depends upon his individual efforts :;
and If he incurs habits of thoughtlessness
during his apprenticeship or while working
for others. he is very likely TO continue in
the same course. 10 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 object
that roughly strikes them, or throws his
small articles down where they can be
swept off into the shavings, and thus lost.
will find his carelessness a serious detri-
ment to him in his trade. The same is
true of the farmer who allows his pillow TO
rust in the furrow, his reapers to remain
out doors all Winter, and his wagons to
break down for the want OF 4 few nails Of
the blacksmith who forgets his iron in the
forge, or drops his cold-chisel anywhere,
SO that ii may be readily thrown into the
scrap heap; of the machinist who leaves
his drills. reamers. taps, or other tools
wherever he last used them. and then cx-
poets them TO turn up whenever they are
needed
"A place for everything and everything
in its place" j. an aphorism which has been
so often quoted That Its repetition seems
very trite, and yet, so far regards tools,
it should be rigidly followed; and not only
this, but .iIe implements themselves should
be looked alter. "A saw or chi>el which
has been used in unseasoned wood should
be carefully wiped and oiled. otherwise
il contracts rust and wears away last.
new file should not be put upon the scale
OF cast-iron or of unannealed steel. and
file kept for brass or bronze should not be
used on harder metal. Turning tools,
after being tempered and ground, are ire
nltppflV len w.f from the until want
ed for use. In this state the keen edge
is acted upon by rust and regrinding be-
comes necessary. Ii not put at once TO the
oil-stone, they should be wiped with oily
waste. Buck-saws for cutting, If drawn
forward and back too rapidly, heat and
lose their temper and become almost use
less
Nothing is worse economy than poor oil,
whether for lubricatiug, tapping, drilling,
or 10 whatever use il may be put. Oil that
contains grit or earthly mstter is nothing
but liquid grindstones, as il cuts or abrades
the edge OF a tool precisely as does grind
stone or emery-wheel. Dummy oil is near
ly as bad, for ii adds to the friction OF the
tap and so wastes power. ''gummed
up" tap file is almost useless. II warm
soap-suds or benzlne will not clean il, COW
er il with turpentine or oil. then ignite the
latter. and when il 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. II
fling wrought-iron tough particles of met
al often stick in the file-teeth. producing
ugly scratches on the work. They can be
got out by bit of soft iron wire
about No. s-one end flattened 10 chisel-
point and the other placed in handle.
Draw this across the face Of the file in the
direction Of the first CUT teeth. IL thor
oughly dislodges all snags, and the tool is
again ready for work.
Now, one word about lending tools, and
that ls don't! We know of nothing more
aggravating than to work nearly whole
rainy Saturday putting tools in order and
then be required to lend one to some shift
less mortal whom we are sure will turn
the edge, knock the handle of, and prob
ably throw it down wherever he happens
to have used it. Every machine-shop con-
tains some gOOd-for-nothing who makes it
q business to pounce on his comrades
sharp tools. As for his own, every center
drill that can be found In his possession is
broken short on; his center-punches are
blunt, and his flies are without handles,
and his tongs are bent; his hammers are
loose, and his chisels quarter of an inch
thick at the end. There is = filthy mass of
greasy waste, old washers Of different sizes,
lot Of old bolts, and a piece Of yellow
soap daubing everything in his drawer;
red lead litters up one corner, and re-
versed oil-can dripping its contents over
everything aptly represents the character
of the man and his ideas-all upside down.
To such people tools should never be lent,
for no man should be obliged to suffer for
a0Others carelessness.
These are smali things, but they are
well worthy of attention. The time,
trouble, expense, and annoyance saved by
having tools always at hand and ready for
use cannot be lightly estimated.-l Work
iRgm1n's Advocate.