The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-05
THEMAKINc or PINS.

TIE MAktNG OF PINS
Processes Employed in the Manufacture
of the Indispensable Little Things.
The manufacture of a pin was to.
dious process when entirely made by
hand; no less than twelve or fourteen
processes had it to 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. 1t is placed in .
coil on a revolving block, and drawn
through holes pierced in a steel plate,
until it is of the size required for the
particular pin to be made. 1t is then
taken to the pin-making room, where
we find rows of machines moved by
steam power. and producing constant
stream OF pins at the rate oft180 to 220
per minute, which are removed from
the receptacles into which they fall by
the workman and his attendants, who
look after the proper working of the
machines.
If we stand in front of a machine we
see coil of brass wire on a revolving
drum. The end of the wire passes
through hole. and then between iron
pegs. which straighten the wire and
keep it 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 short distance.
and put the end through hole in
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
cessive blows of this hammer the head
is made. This done, down falls 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 off goe.
on continually. and the pins are thus
carried on to the pointing part of the
machine.
The pointless pin now falls into
slanting groove, just wide enough for
it, but too narrow to let the head
through. Thus We see a row Of pins
hanging by their heads nearly the
whole length OF the machine. Beneath
is a revolving cylindrical file. The sur.
face of the cylinder represents a series
of graduated files, on which as they
are worked backwards and forwards
the pins are pointed. They fall into
receptacle below. but as 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 and cleaned, and are ready to
be ''silvered." 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.
and certain portion Of acid added
In this they are boiled for about two
hours. When taken out they are found
to be covered with thin coating OF
tin, which gives them the bright and
silvery appearance which all pins pos.
sess.
The pins are then dried by being
thrown into sawdust, and polished by
being put into barrels revolved by ma
chinery. Thence they are placed in
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 a very ingen.
ious machine used for ''sticking" the
pins which are to be sent to the market
on papers. The paper is placed on
piece of curved metal, and crimped
and placed in position to receive the
pins, which are passed out of recep
tacle at the top of the machine by
girl, who with brush dexterously
sweeps them into grooves placed in an
inclined plane leading down to the
paper. Thus arranged, they pass down
the machine in long lines, and by
lever the paper is brought under the
points of a row of pins, and by beau.
tifuI bit of machinery they are pressed
through the crimped edges of the
paper. Thus row by row the whole
sheet is filled.-London Queen.
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