Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-08-08
A PRACTICAL VIEW
Tin Plate aud its Possibilities In the United
States

states
RIPARIA, Washington Aug, dur.
ing the past few weeks much has been said
and written about the tan industry. | have
in the past been engaged both IL the South
Wales and Staifordshire districts, and can
say thatl thoroughly understand the man
uiacture in all its processes. | purpose
showing some insight into the methods
now in use and offering few suggestions,
based on an experience of some years. The
plates ave known TO the buy rs as coke or
charcoal with varied grades of these rs
best, extra BEST etc. The basis of
all is the pig iron, mixtures of pig iron
being used to obtain the necessary quail
ity.
Coke plates are made from puddled
iron, the process varying slightly from
the manufacture OF ordinary bar iron,
Best coke plates are made in similar
way, with the addition by some of fac.
ing Of iron made in charcoal fires from
scrap iron.
The quality of coke plates varies with
the mixture of pig iron and methods of
manufacturing, Charcoal plates are sup
posed 20 be made from iron manufactured
in charcoal fires, the mixtures of pig iron
processes and selections varying with the
quality of plate desired, A new departure
some twelve years ago brought mild steel
basic into use, ana II Is now used large
" instead of charcoal, even with de-
cided gain in regularity Of quality, line
ness of surface and less waste than char
coal iron. Many Welsh makers buy
largely Of these steel bars TO manufacture
INTO charcoal plates the cost being lower
an / better average in quality is obtain
ed. Now any works that manufactures
steel rails can put in rolls to
make the bars of mild steel needed for
rolling the charcoal piles, the rcqui.
site "mildncss' of steel being only mat
ter of detail
And, again the ordinary makers Of
merchant iron can produce the bars for
! the coke plates, rs these bars present no
difference in manufacture from good mer-
chant iron, fair homogeneousnes and
average teuocity only is desirable
! Given the bars MS indicated above we re-
quire rolling mills, shearing gear, pick
/ ling, cold rolling and annealng plates,
and you have the plate ready tc coat with
tin, terne or lead
We have now all materials and plant TO
produce the bar ready for rolling into the
| plate, | would suggest putting down
plants for manufacturing the plate from
the bar, only leaving his 10 be made by
the already established iron and steel
rolling who can readily supply all
! that is required and to whom il would be
a welcome addition OF their capability
there is no doubt Our steel rails to-day
are more than the equal of any British
make. The composition, mildness, d.
softness Of both the steel and iron bars are
matters of detail that can be easily dealt
with.
As regards other materials, such M palm
oil, we can buy on the west coast of Africa
just as chedpy rs England.
The cost OF the acid used (sulphuric) |
don't know The tin mined in Europe
does not amount to more thaa Jneoighth
of that used the Straits settlements and
Australia being the chief source Of supply,
and these markets are open and nearer 70
as than England In addition, our own
protection Of tin is increasing and building
up Of this industry will hasten develop
ment OF tin mining.
Tin works should be established within
easy access OF the works, rolling the bars 10
save freight. Giving that the cost of
labor Is % per cent, higher than In Eng
land, this additional cost would not add
more than one.haf cent on charcoal and
less in coke per pound. L-----i
Why the democratic leaders and press
should deride the efforts TO establish this
industry Is a mystery TO me, 1t presents
few difficulties, and will give employment
TO thousands Of hands and profitable in
vestment 10 hundreds Of thousands Of dol
lars. Is it because it's in the Mckinley
bill and mo good can come out Of
Nazareth p
On the linss suggested we can in the
time given produce not only the required
quantity but more and with much less
capital than required TO build up this in.
austry from the pig iron to the finished
| plate.
A TIN Plate WoRKs MAEA0ER.