Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-07-09

Was his invariable practice on engaging
pew hand to require the man to perform
s,me 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, Cd the other hand, he
careless.y threw bis 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 a careless man might be, the
amount gained from his labor compared
with that OF a less skillful but more
prudent workman, would be more than
balanced by the loss accruiug from
damaged or ruined tools. We have been
old by large firms that the yearly expen-
liture to replace injured implements or
those lost through careessness reached
amounts that were incredible, and that it
Was fact that more tools we're spoiled
through 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
cunts 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 a
single hammer or single gimlet will often
make very great difference to an artisan
who depends upon his individual efforts;
and if he incurs habits of thoughtlessuess
during his apprenticeship or while work
ing for others, he is very likely to continue
in the same course, to his no small cost
when tolling 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 against them,
or throws his small articles down where
they can be swept off into the shavings,
and thus lost, will find his carelessness
serious detriment 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 few nails;
of the blacksmith who forgets his iron in
the forge, or drops his cold chisel any
where, so that it may be readily thrown
ihto 'hO oOiap boop VI eh0 u1ouiuioC
who leaves his drills, reamers, taps or 9TH
er tools wherever he last used them, and
then expects them to turn up whenever
they are needed.
"a place for everything and every
thing in its place" is an aphorism which
has been SO often quoted that its repetition
seems very trite, and yet, so far as re-
CARDS tools, it should be rigidly followed
and not only this, but the implements
themselves should be looked after. A
saw or chisel which has been used in I'm
seasoned 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 IN
anneaied steel and file kept tor brass or
bronze should not be used on harder
metal. Turning tools, after being tenn
pered and ground, are frequently lett wet
from the stone until wanted for use. In
this state the keen edge is acted upon by
rust and regrinding becomes necessary
If 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 tenn
per and become almost useless.
Nothing is worse economy than poor oil
whether for lubrcating, tapping, drilling,
or to whatever use 1t may be put. Oh
that contains grit or earthly matter is moth
'ng but liquid grindstones, as it cuts or
abrades the edges of a tool precisely as
does a grindstone or emery-wheel. Dummy
oil is nearly as bad, for it adds to the
friction of the tap and so wastes power. A
''summed up" tap or file is almost useless
clean it, cover it with turpentine or oil.
then ignite the latter, and when it is
burned out, wipe the impement-it will
be found in good orde~. Do this out of
doors. For flushing flies this process is
SAID to be very efficient. ln 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 bit
Of soft iron Wi e-about No. Some end
hattened to point and the other pl laced in
hanile. Ora W this across the face of the
Fl e in the direction Of the first cut teeth.
1t thoroughly dislo1ges all snags and the
tool is ready for work.
Now, one word about lending tools, and
that !s-dont. We know of nothing NOR
aggravatlng than to work ne ry whole
rainy Saturday putting tools in order and
then be required to lend one to some
shlftless mortal whom we are sure will
turn the edge, knock the handle off, and
probably throw it down wherever he hap
pens to have used it. Every machine
shop contains some good for nothing who
makes 1t a 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 off, his punches
are blunt, and his chises a quarter of an
inch thick at the end There is filthy
mass fwaste, old washers of different sizes.
lot of old bolts, and piece of yellow
soap daubing everything in his drawer /;
red lead lltters 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 not be lent, for
no man should be obliged to suffer for
another's carelessness.
These are all small 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.
! An observer of the habits and ;pot;,o.