The Washington times., 1917-03-10
Durability of Cushions and Seat
Backs Also Is CAL
cuIated.
BUILDERS SEEK 1T, TOO
Trip Through Chalmers uphol-
stery Department Affords
a Revelation.

Probably the first demand Of the
average motor car buyer, after he has
satisfied himself as to the mechanical
excellence of a car, is concerned with
riding comfort. He is critical in his
examination of the upholstery. He
wants to be sure that the cushions and
seat-backs are covered with genuine
leather and not cheap limitations that
will wear out promptly. He demands
. top that will shed water like q
ducks back, side curtains that ft so
snugly that they are ahSolutely bad
weather proof.
A trip through the various depart
ments Of a big automobile plant
where quality cars are turned out, re-
veals some interesting facts on the
process of building comfort into q
car. The upholstery and top-making
departments perhaps best illustrate
this feature.
Critieslly Inspect Hides.
At the Chalmers plant, for instance,
they use three large cowhides in the
leather work on each car. Awaiting
their turn at the cutting tables are
scores of great black hides, draped
over huge racks. The average skin
contains sixty-five square feet of
leather, and no hides under sixty feet
are accepted. Only large Western
cattle afford hides large enough for
this work. All hides are carefully in
spected, and must be absolutely free
from defect or blemish before they
will pass muster.
1t is not practical to attempt to cut
more than one hide in a single oper6-
tion because Of the varying quality
and difference in size of the hides.
After the leather has been out to the
different patterns, there is left a large
quantity. Of small scraps, no matter
how carefully planned the cutting.
As a single example OF the efficiency
methods in vogue at the plant, these
leather patches are sold to button fac
tories where they are used for cover
ing buttons.
After the seat tops have been cut
and stretched, they are ready for the
hair filling and the springs. It is here
that riding comfort hangs in the bal
ance. The building OF an automobile
cushion is work for an expert Care
must be taken that the filling is
evenly distributed so that the seat
will not bunch, sag or knot LonP
curled hair of the best variety in
sures the longevity of the cushions
and prevents their f16ttening out,
even after several years use.
Two men work on each cushion. The
seat cover Is placed over a form in
a large press and the hair filling
packed in. When, from experience,
they know that they have the correct
amount Of filling. the power is ap-
piled and the seat. pressed into shape.
Only Finest 'Mohair Used.
In the manufacturing OF tops, the
very finest grade of nohair is used.
The room in which Chalmers tops are
made fairly huns with industry.
Thfrty-eight girls operate electrically
driven sewing machines with q skill
and lightning sureness never ap-
preached by mere man. One side of
the room is given over to the cutters.
Along its whole length stretches a
table long enough to banquet a small
factory At the head of the cutting
table are heaped great rolls OF mohair
and pantasote. ready to be cut into
tops and curtains. A half-dozen of
these rolls are mounted on q rack that
feeds them off onto the cutting table.
Two men unwind these rolls. spread
ing the material on the table layeHby
layer until they have built a band
seventy-five thicknesses in depth On
the top layer the patterns are laid out
with chalk lines and the cutter sets
to work. There is no time for the
coatmaker's shears.
The taiIors are equipped with an
electric knife, keen as a razor, which
buries itself into the cloth and cuts
with ease along the chalk lines as d. |
rected by the operator. With this
method II is possible to cut top equip |
ment for 200 cars in a single day.