Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-01-02

We believe-although we are not certain
that it is capable of demonstration-tha more
tools are ruined by want of care than are bro
ken or worn out by proper use. 1t is sur
prising how ready even the thoughtful work
man is to leave to neglect the tool which has
just subservcd his purpose. Carelessness in
the use of tools is a source of enormous an
nual expense to manufacturers and others,
an expense which, if aggregated, would
probably surprise even the most obstrvant.
On the farm the pillow is left in the furrow,
the hoe between the rows of corn, the shovel
in the pit, the scythe on the tree, aud the Rx
in the log--left TO rust and to the liability of
accidents. The woOd-worker, called away
suddenly from the job he is doing leaves his
plane on the board he has been smoothing,
to be knocked of by the first pRsser-by. or
allows the augur bit or the saw to remain in
the half pierced timber to be broken by the
first-swingiug board in the hands of the APP
prentice. The blacksmith leaves his tongs ut
the wise when he needs them at the anvil,
and the machinist drops tap, drill, reamcr or
hammer where last used. Order is the first
law in the shop as in heaven, and care, no
less than cleanliness, is next to godliness.
Next to the advantage of having place for
everything is the wisdom Of keeping every
thing in workable condition. In the machine
shop the use of impure oils in drilling, tap
ping, etc, is an expensive economy. Oil
containing mineral or earthly matter is only a
grindstone in solution. 1t cuts and abrades
the edges of the tool, while in use precisely
as does the grindstone or buf-whccl. Gum
my oils are scarcely less injurious. They add
to the friction of the tap or drill and de-
mand increased strength to resist torsion A
'gummed-up' tap or file is almost useless un-
til thoroughly cleaned. The application of
warm soap-suds, benzine, or turpentine. will
not always remove this gum. In such a case
they can be readily cleaned 10y covering them
with oil, turpentine, or any iuhammable sub
stance, and exposing them for a moment to
flame until the liquid takes fire then card or
wipe them and they will be found to be in
excellent order. Finishing files not unfre-
quently become clogged aud when the card
is useless to remove the curry. this pro-
cess will be found efficient. Sometimes, also,
in filing wrought iron the tough particles of
the iron are torn off by the teeth of the file
and lodge, producing scratches on the work,
and thus impairing the efficiency Of the tool.
simple device, which we used for years
that easily and quickly dislodges these cling
ing particles is piece of soft iron wire, fat
tened under the hammer at one end to a CHS
el point, or disintegrated like broom and
used thus: The point of the file resting on
the bench, the handle held by the left hand
then strike across the face of the file in the
direction of the first cut teeth, with the
hattened end. 1t certainly and thoroughly
dislodges the snags, and the file is ready for
work. The wire instrument may have q ring
turned at the handle end, or be affixed to q
wooden handle. No. S wire is large enough
Turning tools, after being tempered 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 regrinding
becomes necessary. If not put at once to the
oil-stone they should be wiped at once with
oily waste These little matters are more i'm
portant than they seem at first sight 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 unannealed steel, and
file kept for brass or bronze should not be
used on a harder metal. Back saws for cut
ting iron and metals are often ruined in mex
perienced hands. If drawn forward and back
too rapidly they heat and lose their temper,
when they become almost useless. hun
dred other instances might be adduced to
show the depreciation of tools by neglect and
the necessity of paying attention to these
little things The real economist howey-
err, needs but hint, while the constitutional
" careless are slow to see their errors.-,Scj-
entifc 1Rleriean.