The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-05-31
THE MAKING OF PINS.
Processes Employed in the Manufacture
OF the IndIspensable Ilttle ThInEs.

of the Indispensable Little Things
The manufacture OF pin was to-
dious process when entirely made by
hand no less than twelve or fourteen
processes had ii 10 pass through be-
fore it was completed. The wonderful
machinery now in use has much sim
plified matters. First OF all the wire
must be prepared. Ii is placed in a
coil on revolving block, and drawn
through holes pierced in a steel plate,
until it is of the size required for the
particular pin to bc made. Ii is then
taken TO the pin-making room. where
We find rows OF machines moved by
steam power. and producing constant
stream of pos at the rate OF $50 To 220
per minute, which are removed from
the roceptacles into which they fall by
the workman and his attendants, who
look after the proper working Of the
machines.
II we stand in front OF a machine We
see n coil OF brass wire on revolving
drum. The end OF the wire passes
through hole. and then between iron
pegs. which straighten the wire and
keep il in its place as it is drawn into
the machine. In the machine we see =
pair Of sliding pincers take hold OF the
wire, carry it forward a short distance,
and put the end through hole in n
small iron plate. Watch carefully, and
we see pretty little hammer strike
the end as soon as it appears on the
other side OF the iron plate. by sue
ccssive blows Uf this hammer the head
is made. This done, down falls n sharp
blade and cuts the wire into the length
required for the pin (the machine can
be adjusted to cut the pins OF any
length desired.) This process OF draw
ing in, heading, and cutting of goes
on continually, and the pins are thus
carried on TO the pointing part OF the
machine.
The pointless pin now falls into a
slanting groove, just wide enough for
it, but too narrow TO let the head
through. Thus we see row OF pins
hanging by their heads nearly the
is a revolving cylindrical file. The sur
face OF the cylinder represents series
Of graduated files. on which as they
are worked backwards and forwards
the pins are pointed. They fall into a
receptacle below, but a yet they are
yellow-the color OF brass wire; they
are also greasy. They are now put into
barrels, which are turned round and
round, and by this means thoroughly
secured aud cleaned, and are ready TO
be "silyered." They are now put into
kettles heated by steam, and spread
about as evenly as possible. A powder
OF fine tin is then spread over them,
aud n certain portion OF acid added.
In this they arc boiled forN,bout two
hours. When taken out they are found
20 be- covered with "A thin coating Of
tin, which gives them the fright and
silvery appearance which all pins pos
scss.
The pins are then dried by being
thrown into sawdust, and polished by
being put into barrels revolved by ma
chincry. Thence they are placed in a
fiat tray, and the workman, by peculiar
tossing motion, which requires much
skill separates all the dust from the
pins, which are now clean, bright and
ready for use. There is very ingen-
ious machine used for sticking the
pins which are 10 be sent 70 the market
on papers. Tho paper Is placed on n
piece OF curved metal, and crimped
and placed in position 10 receive the
pins, which are passed out OF a recep-
tacle at the top ol the machine by "A
girl, who with n brush dexterously
sweeps them into grooves placed In an
inclined plane leading down 70 the
paper. Thus arranged, they pass down
the machine in long lines, and by a
lever the paper is brought under tho
points Of a row Of pins, and by beau
tiful bit Of machinery they are pressed
through the crimpcd edges Of the
paper. Thus row by row the whole
sheet is filled London Queen.