The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1891-12-10
MECHANICAL PRICK.
FINE WORK AT THE MACHINE
SHOP OF THE p. C. nj. q n. CO.
A Free Tip to Mschinists.
A Casual Trip Through the Machine
shop Diseloses the Thorough work
which Is Done There. One
Trick Among Many Explain-
ed. Notes and Personals.

.'' I'D "A - s't A.
A trip taken by the writer through
the machine shop Of the P. G. M. l. r.
Co. proved to be one full Of interest and
useful information. The head machinist
Me- G. f. Goodrich showed himself
courteous and patient in his explanations,
which, owing to the extreme dullness of
the recipient, were copious in number.
The first things that attract the eye on
entering the shop are the lathes, silently
running, turning their iron shavings pro-
fusely on the floor and apparently unat-
tended by any human being, they do
their work. Then passing by numerous
machines such as are used for making
bolts and nuts, drilling holes on heavy
iron, the work benches and most com.
plete piece Of mechanism called a planer,
you come to the blacksmith shop; the
FORCES Of which are blowing up the sparks
as though their under blast was in no
way lacking The question next arises,
from whence comes this mighty power
that executes the demands of the head
SO quietly and yet so well. In answer
to such queries, you are taken back to
one corner OF the shop where little
biscuit shaped machine, about the size Of
good sized dish pants screwed to, the
floor. To very small pulley with speed
like downward slide ON creased atmos.
phere, the drive pulley Of the main shaft
is connected by belt. This is beyond
all question water motor. The supply
comes from the water tank about 300
feet above, on the mountain top and the
outflow runs through pipes to the
supply tank for the, town. -.
While all this machinery Is . novelty
onlyto "greenhorn" or ''tenderfoot" the
character of work turned out from that
shop demands respect from the most
skilled Of workmen. Day after day the
work goes on and no notes Of the i'm.
provements are taken.
Mr.. Goodrich's latest style Of making
and fastening the piston head and
follower of an engine cylinder to the
piston rod is scheme worthy Of great
merit and one that will be gladly sdopt.
ed by intelligent mschinists. The trick,
as simple as it is effective. 10 done thus:
To the piston rod the piston head is frst
screwed to its place on right handed
threads; then the follower, which is only
another factor Of the head screws on left
handed threads cut on the smaller turned
end of the piston rod, until it meets the
head. The two are then bolted together
by three strong bolts. By this plan it is
impossible for the piston, head to turn
either way on the rod and
The Onondago engine is undergoing .
thorough overhauling. Its cylinder has
been rebored, slideyalve ground dpwa 70
a perfect fit, crank shaft Strengthened
and a new piston. putin. Thismachine will
now do great deal more work with less
steam thar ever since It's youthful
days.
The cream job Of many. days ispnow
ready to be turned ont Of the shop. IL
was executed by the skillful hand of
boiler maker James Wheeler. He has
effectually repaired the odd condemned
boiler that twenty years ago was used At
the Newark hosting works. Through
the evident work Of frost, crack was
made clear across the top plate that
formed the support for the pillar blocks.
onto which the engine Yves boltsd. GThis
large casting was taken of. turned up.
side down and an equally heavy piece Of
wrought iron has been forged to exactly
fit all the dips, spurs and angles. These
two large counterparts Of each other
were bolted together and then put back.
The job was perfect and excited con.
siderable attention among the men who
know how to appreciate the skill dis.
played.
Smoba tho sGEa y