IMPROVEMENTS IN SOLDERING IRONS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Hamilton, of Halifax, in the County of York,
Wire Worker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SOLDERING IRONS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Hamilton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th October 1879.
JAMES HAMILTON, of Halifax, in the County of York, Wire Worker. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SOLDERING IRONS."
This Invention relates to improved construction of soldering iron, the latter (by
means hereinafter described) being maintained at any desired heat continuously.
Soldering irons constructed according to this my Invention comprise an outer
metallic casing enclosing an inner casing of wire gauze (by preference); the copper
head or soldering iron proper is fitted in one end of the outer casing, and the inner
gauze casing is supplied by a perforated pipe or gas burner and india rubber or
other flexible tube with coal or illuminating gas from the other end, which end
also serves as the handle, the gas pipe having an outer covering of wood or other
nonconducter of heat. The outer casing is provided with a number of fine slits or
openings to ensure the necessary supply of air to maintain combustion of the gas
within the casing, as described.
The action is as follows:-On gas being supplied and fired it burns on the
exterior of the gauze casing after the manner of the action of the Davy lamp, the
iron is not only kept hot long as necessary, but the degree of heat may be varied
at will, the tiuning is not injured by overheating, nor is the iron smoked or soiled,
so obviating necessity of frequent use of files or rubbing, as heretofore, whereby the
copper head was rapidly worn away.
The construction of soldering iron above described is specially applicable for use
in spires, roofs of high buildings, and in mines, the gas necessary to supply the
heat being obtained from a portable gas bag or bladder.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Hamilton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th April
1880.
JAMES HAMILTON, of Halifax, in the County of York, Wire-worker. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SOLDERING IRONS."
"
This Invention relates to improved construction of soldering iron, the latter (by
means hereinafter described) being maintained at any desired heat continuously.
Soldering irons" constructed according to this my Invention comprise an outer
metallic casing enclosing (by preference) an inner casing of wire gauze; the copper
head or soldering iron proper is fitted in one end of the outer casing, and the inner
gauze casing is supplied by a perforated pipe or gas burner and india rubber or
other flexible tube with coal or illuminating gas from the other end, which end
also serves as the handle, the gas pipe having an outer covering of wood or other
nonconductor of heat. The outer casing is provided with a number of fine slits or
openings to ensure the necessary supply of air to maintain combustion of the gas
within the casing, as described.
The action is as follows:-On gas being supplied and fired it burns on the
exterior of the gauze casing after the manner of the action of the Davy lamp, the
iron is not only kept hot long as necessary, but the degree of heat may be varied at
will, the tinning is not injured by overheating, nor is the iron smoked or soiled,
so obviating necessity of frequent use of files or rubbing, as heretofore, whereby the
copper head was rapidly worn away. The construction of soldering iron above
described is specially applicable for use on spires, roofs of high buildings, and in
mines, the gas necessary to supply the heat being obtained from a portable gas bag
or bladder.
Such being the nature and object of this my said Invention, I will now proceed
to describe the same in detail, and in order that the Invention may be fully
understood I have hereunto annexed 2 Sheets of Drawings illustrating same.

page_text: within the outer cylinder 8 until the shoulder 11 of the iron 1 is in contact with
the end of the cylinder 8, the latter being bound firmly between the shoulder 11
and the flange 5, and the whole is complete.
"
The action is as follows:-Coal gas being supplied by way of a flexible tube 12
passes along the tube 3, and out of the openings or holes therein to the interior of
the gauze cylinder 7, through which it passes, and on being fired burns outside the
gauze within the space 81 after the manner of a Davy" or miners' safety lamp;
the apertures or holes in the outer casing 8 admit air necessary to sustain com-
bustion of the gas and to mingle therewith. When the "iron" is heated to a
sufficient degree the supply of gas will be partly shut off, as but little gas is
necessary to maintain the requisite heat.
It will be seen the iron is thus heated without being soiled, as when heated as
ordinary, thus obviating necessity of filing and rubbing afterwards, as heretofore,
such operation removing the tinning, and rapidly wearing away the iron, in
addition to the labor and loss of time.
The "iron" improved, as above described, is specially applicable for use on spires,
roofs of buildings, in mines, on ships, the requisite supply of gas being conveyed in
a gas bag.
Having thus fully described and illustrated the nature and particulars of this my
Invention, I would have it understood that what I claim is,-
The combination of parts 3, 6, 7, and 8, in manner and for purpose described and
illustrated by Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Hamilton have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
JOSEPH STEAD,
Clerk to Walter Brierley,
Patent Agent,
Halifax & Blackburn:
JAMES HAMILTON. (L.S.)