IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL TUBES, AND IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME
Year: 1845

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
PROSSER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Civil Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS I did, by Petition, humbly represent unto Her present most
Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, that I had invented "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF METAL TUBES, AND IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR
PRODUCING THE SAME," and Her said Majesty being willing to give encourage-
ment to all arts and inventions which may be for the public good, was
graciously pleased, by Her Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster,
the First day of May, (One thousand eight hundred and forty-five), in the
eigth year of Her reign, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, to give and
grant unto me, the said Richard Prosser, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that
I or they, by myself or themselves, or by my or their deputies, servants, or
agents, or such others as I or they should agree with, and no others, during
the term of fourteen years from the date of the said Letters Patent, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend my said Invention within
that part of Her said Majesty's Dominions called England, Her Dominion of
Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands of Jersey,
Guernsey, Aldersey, Sark, and Man, and also in Her said Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, in such manner as to me, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, shall seem meet; and as that I or they shall enjoy the whole
profit and advantage arising by reason of the said Invention during the said
term of fourteen years; and for that end Her said Majesty requires and
A

page_text: strictly commands all Her subjects whatsoever, within England, Wales, and
Berwick, and in the Islands, Colonies, and Plantations aforesaid, that they
shall not, neither directly nor indirectly, make, use, or put in practice my said
Invention, or any part thereof, nor in anywise counterfeit, imitate, or resemble
the same, nor make any addition thereto or subtraction therefrom, whereby to
pretend himself or themselves to be the Inventor or Inventors thereof: And
whereas the said Letters Patent contain a proviso obliging me, the said
Richard Prosser, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, and to cause the same to be inrolled in
Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent, as in and by the same
(reference being thereunto had) will more fully and at large appear..
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Richard Prosser, do hereby declare that my said Invention is described and
ascertained in manner following, and by the aid of the fourteen Sheets of
Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
The first part of my said improvements relates to the preparing of the edges
of flat plates or skelps of metal for being turned up (as it is technically termed)
into the form of tubes, with the said edges meeting or nearly meeting. In
order that a correct tube may be formed it is requisite that the flat plate of
metal or skelp which is to be turned up into the form of such tube should be.
of uniform thickness and breadth. The usual process of rolling between.
revolving rollers in the ordinary course of manufacturing such flat plates or
skelps, when carefully performed, will reduce the thickness to the requisite
uniformity, and at the same time the breadth may also be rendered tolerably
uniform if every part of the said rolling process is very carefully performed;
but in order to obtain more precision in the breadth the two edges of the
plate or skelp may be clipped with shears, or otherwise cut or dressed by some
subsequent operation. And the two edges of each plate or skelp have been
in some cases further prepared for turning up by drawing the flat plate or
skelp, by power of a machine called a draw-bench, with an endway motion
through between the cutting edges of a pair of fixed tools, which, edges are
set so as to cut away a shaving from off each edge of the flat plate or skelp,
in order to render the breadth thereof uniform, and so as to prepare the said
two edges for fitting together, when the plate or skelp is afterwards turned
up into the form of a tube, with the said edges in contact, or very nearly in
contact, one with the other, in order by their contact and union by subsequent
soldering, brazing, or welding to form the longitudinal joint or seam of the

page_text: tube. The edges which are so to be brought in contact (or nearly in contact)
have hitherto been prepared either by forming the plate or skelp with square
edges; that is to say, the edges are at right angles to the flat surface of the
plate or skelp, suitably for those square edges meeting edge to edge after the
turning up, in which case the longitudinal joint or seam of the tube is termed
by workmen a butt joint or seam. See Figure A, Sheet I. Or else the said
edges have been prepared with what is termed feather-edged or bevilled edges,
suitably for overlapping with one feather edge over the other after the turning
up, in which latter case the longitudinal joint or seam of the tube is termed
a lapped joint or seam, otherwise a scarf joint or seam. See Figure B. The
first part of my said improvements consists in preparing the edges of the flat
plates or skelps, by cutting out in the thickness of one of the edges of the
metal plate or skelp a concave groove or channel extending along all the length
of that edge, and forming the other edge of the same metal plate or skelp with
a corresponding convexity suitable for fitting into and filling up such groove or
channel when the two edges are brought into contact, or nearly in contact, by
the turning up of such prepared plate or skelp into the intended tubular form..
See Figure 1, Sheet I. I prefer to make the said groove or channel of an
angular form, such as workmen term a vee groove, from its resemblance to the
letter V, the corresponding convexity of the other edge being in that case
what workmen term a double-bevelled edge. But the precise form of the
concavity and convexity is immaterial, provided they are fitted one to the
other, so that when the flat plate or skelp is turned up or nearly turned up,
and that the two edges have been brought one towards the other, so as to
meet and begin to come in contact, that they will do so by entering one edge
into the other, with a tendency to guide each other properly in the act of
being brought into close contact, and thereby cause the two edges to meet
evenly, without either edge being more or less remote from the central line
of the tube than the other edge. And when the said edges which have been
so prepared with vee-grooved and double-bevelled edges for fitting one to the
other (according to this part of my improvements) have been brought into
contact (or very nearly in contact) by the turning up of the prepared plate
or skelp into a tubular form, the said edges by entering one into the other will
tend to hold each other mutually in place, so that each edge is enabled to
resist displacement of the other edge from its proper place in the circumference
of the tube, which is not at all the case with a butt joint, and is not so com-
pletely the case in a lapped joint; for instance, that edge which is innermost
in a lapped joint may be forced inwards towards the centre of the tube, or the
other edge, which is the outermost in a lapped joint, may be forced outwards

page_text: from the same centre. And when the said vee-grooved and double-bevelled
edges of the turned-up plate or skelp are united together by soldering, brazing,
or welding, as the case may be, the surfaces which are so united together will
be of greater extent than would be the case if the same tube had been made
with a butt joint, being nearly of the same extent as if it had been made with
a lapped joint. The vee-grooved and double-bevelled edges aforesaid may be
formed at the two edges of each plate or skelp,. when the same is in its flat
state, by the usual mode of drawing the flat plate or skelp, by power of a draw-
bench, with an endway motion through between the cutting edges of a pair
of fixed tools, with suitable fixed guides for retaining the two edges of the
plate or skelp as they move onwards, so that they cannot fail to come properly
in contact with the said cutting edges, which are suitably formed for cutting
out the intended vee groove in one edge, and for cutting double bevils on the
other edge of the same plate or skelp, which mode of cutting is somewhat
similar to that which is commonly practised for preparing flat plates or skelps
with feather edges suitably for being turned up to form lapped joints, the
only difference from what is commonly practised is that the cutting edges of
the tools must be suitably formed for cutting the vee-grooved and double-
bevilled edges instead of feather edges.
In Sheet II. part of a draw-bench is represented with suitable cutters for
preparing the two edges of plates or skelps according to this first part of my
improvements. Figure 2 is a side elevation of one end of the draw-bench,
Figure 3 an end elevation, and Figure 4 a horizontal plan. A, A, in. all the
Figures is one end of the long bench. B, a long-toothed rack which is moved
endways by means of a toothed pinion in a horizontal cross axes, not repre-
sented, but which is turned round by the power of millwork in the usual
and well-known mode of those draw-benches which act by rack and pinion.
D is the slider fastened to the rack B, and moving therewith along the
bench A. The tongs E for taking hold of the end of the plate or skelp arc
carried by the slider D, and the force wherewith the slider D is moved by
the rack B is made to operate by means of a roller d, in order to close the
tongs E so as to bite the end of the plate or skelp F with a very firm hold
for drawing it end ways, all which is as usual in draw-benches in common
use. G, G, is a strong frame fixed on one end of the drawbench A, for sus-
taining pivots at the ends of two horizontal axes a and b, one situated over
the other, in the same vertical plane, and each axis a and b. carrying two
circular wheels e, g, and f, h; the circumferences of those two wheels e, f, and
g, h, which are one above the other, meet together and overlap each other a little
with close lateral contact, so that the two form a pair of what is commonly

page_text: called circular shears, such as e, f, or g, h, each of which pair of circular
shears will cut one of the edges of the plate or skelp F, when the same is
drawn with a slow endway motion through between the said two pairs of
circular shears e, f, and g, h, by the pulling action of the tongs E of the
drawbench. k, k, are vertical setting screws at the upper part of the frame G, G,
for adjusting the bearings for the pivots at the ends of the two axes a and b.
Those axes, with the wheels which they carry, are freely at liberty to turn
round according to the motion which the edges of the plate F will give to
them, as it is drawn endways through between the two pairs of wheels e, f,
and g, h; the circumferences of those wheels are of steel, and truly formed at
their circular edges and at their flat sides. The two wheels e and g on the
uppermost axis a are just so far apart that the space between them is the width
to which the plate is to be reduced by the cutting or paring of its two edges;
the other two wheels f and h on the lowermost axes are nearer together, as is
shewn in Figure 3, which also shews the lateral contacts between the over-
lapping circumferences of the wheels e, f, and g, h, which cause. then to act
in the manner of circular shears, for cutting or paring away a narrow shaving
from off each of the edges of the plate F as it is drawn through between
the said two pairs of overlapping circumferences, and by such cutting or
paring the plate or skelp F is brought to an uniform breadth, with its
two edges cut smooth, and straight, and square to the flat surfaces of
the plate. This first cutting of the two edges is only preparatory to
the vee grooving and double bevelling of the same edges, which is per-
formed immediately afterwards at both edges at once by means of steel
tools L, M, which, as they appear in Figure 4, resemble circular cutters with
eight teeth, see also Figures 5 and 6; but they are not revolving cutters, for
they are fixed immoveably, and operate with only one of the eight teeth of
each, that tooth applying its cutting edge to one of the edges of the plate F,
and those two teeth which are operative perform in the same manner as
two fixed tools would do to cut the edges of the plate F as it is drawn onwards
with endway. motion against the cutting edges of the said teeth, by the action
of the draw-bench. One of the said cutters L is for cutting a vee groove
along one edge of the plate F, at the same time that the other cutter M is
cutting a double bevil along the other edge of the same plate F. The said
cutters are represented on a larger scale in Figures 5 and 6. Each cutter is
made of a circular plate of steel, and they are turned in a lathe to prepare
their circumferences with grooves around them, and the bottom of those
grooves formed, one with a vee groove and the other with a double
bevil, as shewn by the edge views L and M, Figure 6; and after being

page_text: so turned the said circumferences are cut out into teeth, as shewn in
Figure 5. The cutting edge of each tooth which is so formed will have a
projection above and another below the cutting part, which projections
result from the grooves which have been turned in the lathe as aforesaid,
and they will include the thickness of the edge of the plate .F between
them, one projection applying above the upper surface of the plate and
the other projection applying below the under surface of the plate, and
thereby they guide the edge of the plate F as it passes between them, so that
the vee groove or the double bevil, which is cut by the cutting edge of the
tooth, will be in the middle of the thickness of the edge of the plate. The
cutters L and M are each firmly fastened upon a fixed upright pin, which
stands up from a horizontal cross slider N, Figure 2, that is moveable by a
setting screw, in order to advance the cutter towards the edge of the plate,
until its acting tooth. will cut that edge in
proper manner. The cutter
L and M cannot turn round about their said fixed upright pins when they
are in action; but after the cutting edge of one tooth of either cutter is
become blunt, then that cutter can be put so much further round about. its
said fixed pin as to bring the cutting edge of the next tooth into action in
place of the former tooth, and there the cutter is again made fast, wherefore
each cutter L or M answers the purpose of eight fixed tools to be used one
after another as they become worn; but the cutting edges of all the eight will
be precisely alike in form, because of the mode of their formation in the first
instance by turning in a lathe, as already mentioned. In case of the edges of
the plate F cannot be cut, sufficiently for completing the vee groove and
double bevil at one time of passing the plate through between the cutters
L and M in the draw-bench, in manner aforesaid, the plates may be
repassed a second or third or a fourth time, as may be necessary, with the said
cutters advanced by the setting screws of their cross sliders, such as N,
Figure 2, so as to cut the edges more and more until they are sufficiently cut,
with vee groove and double bevil corresponding one to the other, in prepara-
tion for being turned up. And note, fixed guides may, if required, be fixed to
the frame G, G, so as to bear against the two edges of the plate or skelp F, in
order to retain the same in place sideways as it is drawn endway forwards by
the draw-bench. Or the edges of the plates or skelps may be cut with vee
grooves and double bevils in a planing machine, the long moveable table of
which is provided with a long narrow flat bed for receiving the flat plate or
skelp (which must be previously set truly flat), with suitable means of
fastening the flat plate down on the said bed, which should be somewhat
narrower than the breadth of the plate, and raised above the moveable table of

page_text: the planing machine, in order that the edges of the plate may overhang the
uarrow bed at each side thereof, suitably for being acted upon by the cutting
edges of two tools, which must be held in suitable tool holders, sustained by
the fixed part of the planing machine in a suitable manner, and in the proper
position for cutting the two edges of the plate at the same time, one edge with
a vee groove, and the other with a double-bevelled edge; the said vee groove
and double bevils being formed in the usual manner of planing by as many
successive cuts with the said tools from end to end of the plate or skelp as
may be requisite. The said means of fastening the flat plate down on the
long narrow bed must be such as will be comprized within the space over the
flat plate, leaving the two edges thereof exposed, in order that the fastenings
may not interfere with the tools or their tool holders. For this purpose the
flat plate may be fastened down on the bed by a number of upright pinching
screws in a strong bar extending over the flat plate all the length thereof, and
fastened at each end of the bar to each end of the bed, leaving space between
the upper surface of the bed and the under side of the said bar for the
reception of the flat plate, wherefore the said upright pinching screws in the
bar being screwed down, their ends will press on the upper surface of the flat
plate at suitable places along the length thereof for fastening the flat plate
down on the bed in a proper manner for being acted upon by the tools on
cach side as aforesaid, without any part of the fastenings for the flat plate
being in the way of those tools. And in place of cutting tools, such as are
most commonly used in planing machines, two revolving circular cutters of
steel may be used, with suitable teeth around their circumferences, for cutting
the metal of the plate or skelp. They may be such revolving circular cutters
as are used in machines for cutting or notching out the teeth of metal cog
wheels; but one such circular cutter being adapted for cutting one edge of
the plate or skelp with a vee groove, and the other such circular cutter
adapted for cutting the other edge of the same skelp at the same time with a
double bevel. The said two revolving circular cutters must be fastened on two
vertical axes, which may be applied in the planing machine, by being mounted
in suitable bearings formed in frames or carriages, which may be sustained by
the fixed part of the planing machine in place of the usual tool and tool holder.
thereof; the said two axes and the circular cutters thereon being turned
round with a proper velocity by any suitable toothed wheelwork and pulley.
work with endless bands, in the usual manner of mounting, sustaining, and
turning similar circular cutters in other cutting machinery. And each of the
said revolving circular cutters may have two projecting circular rims, one
above and the other below the toothed parts of the circumference of the

page_text: circular cutter, those rims being smooth for applying against the flat surfaces
of the plate at each of the border edges of its breadth, the spaces between the
said two projecting circular rims forming a circular groove around the cutter
for receiving the said border edge of the plate, which groove is truly adapted
to the thickness of the plate, in order to ensure that the vee groove and
double-bevelled edge shall be respectively cut in the true middle of the thick-
ness at each of the two edges of the plate. And the vertical axes of each of
the circular cutters may be left at liberty to move a little up or down endways.
in the bearings wherein the axis revolves, so that each of the cutters may be
able to accomodate itself to become opposite to the true middle of the edge of
the plate. which it is to cut, according to the guidance which each cutter will
receive from its said two projecting. circular rims, whereof one applies in con-
tact with the upper surface, and the other in contact with the lower surface of
the plate, at the border, edge, or margin thereof. And in case of using circular
cutters in a planing machine, in manner aforesaid, the ordinary endway motion
of the moveable table of the planing machine must be reduced to a slow motion
suitable to the rapidity wherewith the circular cutters can cut the two edges.
Or a machine, resembling a planing machine, but simpler in its construction,
may be made for the purpose, with no other parts than are requisite for
operating in manner aforesaid, with revolving circular cutters, at the two edges
of the plate, at the same time for cutting out a vee groove in one edge, and for
cutting the other edge to a double bevel, such cutting proceeding with a slow
progress from one end to the other end of each of the said edges respectively.
The toothed.circumferences of the revolving circular cutters may be formed of
steel segments or portions of a circular cutter fastened by screws or otherwise
into grooves formed in suitable disks of iron or steel, which are mounted on
the axis so as that a set of such segments shall form the toothed circumference
of a circular cutter, and the said disks or parts thereof may form the two
projecting circular rims before mentioned as being one above and the other
below the toothed part of the circumference of each circular cutter. And
instead of the flat plate being moved endways, in order to bring every part of
its length in succession opposite to the said two revolving circular toothed
cutters, for cutting the edges thereof as aforesaid, the table and bed whereon
the plate is fastened down, as already explained, may be stationary, and the
two circular toothed cutters, with their vertical axes and the frames or car-
riages in which they are mounted respectively, may be applied in a suitable
moving frame or sledge, which is supported upon horizontal straight-edges
fixed on each side of the table and bed, parralel to the length thereof; and
the said sledge being moved along those edges with a suitably slow progressive

page_text: motion, will convey the two circular toothed cutters along all the length of the
plate, in order to cut along every part of the two edges from one end to the
other end thereof. And whereas the teeth. of revolving circular cutters soon
loose their sharpness if the metal upon which they operate has a rough scaly
surface, such as the edges of the plates or skelps would have when they come
from the rolling without subsequent clipping or dressing of the edges, it will
be best to have the edges of the plates or skelp cut smooth, and all the rough
scaly surface removed, before submitting them to the operation of the revolving
circular toothed cutters, as aforesaid. In some cases the edges of the plates
or skelps are clipped with shears or otherwise, in order to render the width
uniform, as already mentioned; in which case the rough scaly edges of the
metal will have been removed, and if they are cut tolerably straight the edges
will be in a proper state for being cut with vec groove and double bevils by.
two revolving circular toothed cutters, in manner aforesaid.
Figure 7, Sheet II., represents a pair of shears, such as have been used for
so clipping the edges, and Figure 8 shews how a broad plate of metal is
marked with lines in order to be cut along the middle of its breadth with the
said shears, for dividing it into two narrow plates or skelps, and other lines for
clipping the edges to render them straight and produce uniformity of breadth.
A more complete mode of proceeding would be to plane the edges of a number.
of plates or skelps at once, by placing them edgeways upwards side by side
upon the flat surface of the moving table of a common planing machine, and.
planing the uppermost edges of the whole number to one flat surface; then, if
great truth is desired, all the same plates or skelps might be turned over on the
surface of the table with the other edges upwards, and those other edges could.
be all planed in turn to a flat surface. By this means both edges of each plate
or skelp would be rendered truly straight and parallel, and the whole number
of plates or skelps could be made exactly alike in width, and of the true
intended width. After such preparation, by planing. both edges straight,
parallel, and square to the flat surfaces of the plates, the vee grooving and
double bevelling of the same edges by a pair of circular revolving toothed
cutters, would be easily effected, as there would be but little metal to remove
by those cutters. And note, if preferred, two pair of such revolving cutters
may be applied in the same machine, so as to employ two cutters for operating,:
one closely after the other, on the same edge of the plate; that pair of cutters.
which precedes and operates first on the two edges having coarse teeth, and
cutting away more than half the metal which is to be removed, and the other;
pair of cutters, which follows after the said first pair, having finer teeth and
cutting deeper for furnishing the vec. grooving and double bevelling of tho

page_text: edges to their intended state. The axes of both pairs of such cutters could
be mounted and sustained by the same sleige, and the cutting would be more
rapidly performed than by one pair. Or three pair of such cutters might be
used, to follow one after another, in the same manner as above described
respecting two pairs, and the cutting would be still more rapidly performed,
the two pair which precede having coarse teeth, and each cutting away
rather more than one third of the metal that is to be removed; the third or
last pair would finish the vee grooving and double bevelling. And note, in
case of tubes being required of a tapering form, that is, larger in diameter at
one end than at the other end, like frustrums of cones, the flat plates or skelps
therefore (which will be broader at one end than at the other end) may be
prepared, according to this part of my improvements, with vee-grooved and
double-bevelled edges, which may be cut in a planing machine either with the
ordinary cutting tools of such machines, or with revolving circular cutters, in
manner already explained, except that the two edges of such plates or skelps
not being parrallel they could not both be cut at once, in the manner already
explained; but the plate or skelp may be first fastened on the bed or table of
the machine in a suitable manner for cutting one of its edges, and afterwards
refastened thereon in a suitable manner for cutting the other edge. Or both
edges of such tapering plates or skelps could be cut at once in a planing machine
(or a machine similar thereto) operating with revolving circular cutters, as
already explained, provided that the frames wherein the vertical axes of the
cutter are mounted are rendered capable of motion in a transverse direction, or
crosswise to the endway motion of the plate or skelp, so as to qualify the said
circular cutter for acting upon the edges of the tapering plates or skelps, in
order to cut out a vee groove in one of those edges, and to double bevil the
other edge at the same time, notwithstanding the variability of the breadth of
the tapering plate or skelp; because by the aforesaid motion in a transverse
direction the circular cutters which are at the opposite edges of the tapering
plates or skelps can be made to approach towards or recede from each other
as the tapering form of the edges of the plate or skelp may require. And in
like manner, in case of tubes being required larger in diameter at the middle
part of their lengths, and smaller at each end, the flat plates or. skelps there-
fore, which will be broader at the middle part of their lengths and narrower at
cach end, may have their edges prepared with vee grooves and double bevils,
according to this first part of my improvement, in manner last explained, even
although those edges should be curved lines instead of being straight lines.
Sheet III. represents another machine for preparing the edges of plates or
skelps with vee grooves and double bevilled edges, according to this first

page_text: part of my improvements. It operates by revolving circular toothed cutters.
Figure 9 is a side elevation, Figure 10 an end elevation, and Figure Eleven
a horizontal plan. A, A, in all the Figures are two fixed standards forming
the framing; B, D, a pair of cylindrical rollers, whereof the horizontal axes
are sustained in the franies A, A, one roller B being above, and the other roller
D bencath the plate or skelp F, and they hold the same between them so as
to guide it to a proper level when it is moving onward endways. G and II
are two revolving circular tooth'd cutters, mounted on two vertical axes m and
n, which are sustained in bearings affixed to the frames A, A; and on the
upper end of those axes m and n are pulley wheels o, p, for endless bands, by
which a revolving motion is given to the circular cutter G and II; or cog
wheels may be used in place of the pulley wheels o and p. The teeth around
the circumference of the revolving circular cutter G are adapted for cutting a
vee groove in one edge of the plate F, and the teeth of the other circular cutter G
for cutting double bevils on the other edge of the same plate F at the same time.
In passing through between the pair of rollers B, D, the plate F is retained at a
proper level for the teeth of the revolving circular cutter G and H to cut the
vee groove and the double bevil in the true middle of, the thickness of each
edge of the plate respectively. The plate F may be moved endways through
between the rollers B, D, and the cutters G, H, by action of a draw-bench, at.
the end of which the machine is fixed, in the same manner as already
explained respecting the machine in Sheet II. The dotted circles e, f, in
Figure 9 indicate the places of two pairs of circular wheels mounted on
horizontal axes a, b, one above the other, in the same manner as those already
described in reference to Sheet II., and for the same purpose of paring the
two edges of the plate F, when it is passing through between the said two
pairs of circular wheels, which operate in the manner of circular shears, as
already explained. G is that part of the frame by which the pivots at the end
of the axes a and b are sustained, and k one of the setting screws by which
the position of the upper axes à can be adjusted. The said wheels e, f, frame.
G, and setting screw k, are similar to the like parts in Figure 2, Sheet II., and
the further representations of those parts in Figures 3 and 4, Sheet II., with.
the description thereof, will serve for the more complete explanation of the
said parts in Figure 9, Sheet III. And note, the plates or skelps of metal in
the state in which they are left by the rolling operations whereby such plates
or skelps are manufactured, may have their edges cut smooth and straight and
parallel by passing the plates endways through between two pairs of wheels, which
are mounted on two horizontal axes, one over the other, in the same manner as
he wheels ef, and g, h, and their axes a and b, and frame G, G, Figures:2,

page_text: 3, and 4, Sheet II., as herein-before described; except that both the said axes,
with their said wheels, are to be turned round by the power of millwork for
effecting the cutting of the two edges of the plate between the overlapping
circumferences of the two pairs of wheels e, f, and g, h, in the manner of two
pairs of revolving circular shears, as already explained; but the plate may
be presented to the said pairs of wheels by a man, and assisted, if requisite, in
moving endway forwards as fast as the two edges thereof are cut by the action
of the said two pairs of wheels, which will in that way cut off a narrow strip
from each of the edges, so as to cut both at once, and forming two smooth cut
edges for the same purpose as is usually done by clipping along one edge at a
time with shears, such as represented at Figure 7, Sheet II., and already
mentioned. The two edges being cut at the same time will be straight and
parallel, so as to reduce the breadth to uniformity, and both edges will be cut
at once in less time than one edge could be clipped with shears. And note, it
is not new to employ one pair of circular wheels, such as e, f, Figure 3, Sheet II.,
to cut along one edge at a time, in the manner of revolving circular shears,
but it is new to combine two such pairs as e, f, and g, h, together, for the
purpose of cutting off the two edges of a plate or skelp at the same time, and
with certainty of rendering the breadth uniform; and the plate may be drawn
endways through between such combined pairs e, f, and g, h, by power of a
draw-bench, or other similar machinery, as already described in reference to
Figures 2, 3, and 4, Sheet II.; in which case the two axes a and b, with the
two combined pairs of wheels e, f, and g, h, are left freely at liberty to turn round
as fast as the endway motion of the plate requires them to do in passing
through between them. Or the two axes a and b, with the two combined pairs
of wheels e, f, and g, h, thereon, may be turned round by the power of millwork
applied to those two axes and the plate presented to the cutting action of the
two combined pairs of wheels e, f, and g, h, by hand. And note, in cases when
it is required to cut a broad plate along the middle of its breath, in order to
divide it into two narrow plates or skelps, in the manner already mentioned
in reference to Figure 8, Sheet II., then three pairs of wheels such as e, f, and
g, h, and another third pair not represented, may be combined for cutting
along the middle, and at the same time cutting along each edge of such
In such case
broad plate along the lines represented dotted in Figure 8.
the two horizontal axes a and b, Figure 3, Sheet II., must be supposed to be
so much prolonged at the ends which are beyond the wheels g, h, as to admi
of having another third pair of wheels of the same kind as the wheels g, h
fastened on the prolonged ends of the axes a, b, the cutting edges of said third
pair being at such distance from the cutting edges of the pair g, h, as will sui

page_text: for the intended breadth of one of the plates or skelps into which the broad
plate is to be divided; the distance from the cutting edges of the pair g, h, to
those of the pair e, f, being suitable for the intended breadth of the other
of the plates or skelps into which the same broad plate is to be divided.
Each of the axes a and b will therefore have three circular wheels fastened
upon it, instead of the two which appear in Figures 3 and 4, Sheet II.; and
when the two axes are mounted in due place, one over the other in their
frame G, G, and their positions adjusted by their setting screws k, k, the said
wheels will constitute three pairs suitably combined for the purpose of cutting
along the middle and along the two edges of a broad plate at one operation, in
order to cut two plates or skelps at once, with straight and smooth edges, and
uniformity of breadth. The two axes a and b may be turned round by
the power of millwork, in order to produce the said cutting action of the
three combined pairs of wheels, or the broad plate may be drawn endways, by
power of a draw-bench or other similar machinery, through between the said
combined pairs of wheels. And note, the reference to Figure 3, Sheet II.,
in respect to three combined pairs of rollers, as herein-before last described, is
only by way of illustration; but the strength of the axes a, b, and of the frame
G, G, must be increased beyond the representation in those Figures suitably
to the greater length that those axes must be, and to the greater strain they
will have to endure with thrce combined pairs of wheels instead of two pairs.
And instead of preparing the edges of flat plates or skelps with vee grooves
and double-bevilled edges in the manner herein-before described, the said edges
may be rabbeted in the manner shewn at Figure 2, Sheet I.; that is to say, a
rabbet is to be formed along one edge by cutting away at one side or surface
of the flat plate or skelp, and another corresponding rabbet along the other
edge by cutting away at the contrary side or surface. The bottoms of the
rabbets so cut may either be parallel to the said flat surfaces, or else may be
bevilled, as is sufficiently explained by the Figures. The said. rabbeted
edges, when they are brought together by the turning up of the plate or skelp
to a tubular form, must correspond and fit one rabbet to the other, so as to
form a close longitudinal joint or seam along the length of the tube, as is
represented in Figure 2; and such joints (which term a rabbeted joint):
partakes of the properties of a common butt joint and a lapped joint
combined. The edges of the flat plates or skelps may be cut with such rabbets
by any of the means herein-before explained for forming vee-grooved and
double-bevilled edges, with such alterations of the cutting edges of the tools
which are used as may be requisite. For instance, the rabbets may be cut by
drawing the plates endways by power of a draw-bench between the cutting

page_text: edges of fixed tools, or they may be cut in a planing machine; or they may be
cut with revolving circular toothed cutters applied in any of the modes herein-
before described, or in any other suitable mode. And note, in case it should
be required to accumulate a somewhat greater thickness of metal at the
longitudinal joint or seam of a tube, by which the two edges of the plate or
skelp are to be united, the thickness of that edge in which a vee groove has
been cut may be increased by drawing the plate or skelp which has been
prepared (in manner herein-before described) with a vee groove at one
edge, and double bevil at the other edge, by power of a draw-bench, through
between a pair of rollers, whereof one roller is formed with a double-
bevilled edge around its circumference, for acting in the vee groove
that has been previously cut along one edge of the plate or skelp, and
the other roller is formed with a vee groove around its circumference, for
receiving the double bevil that has been previously formed along the other
edge of the plate or skelp. And in the passage between such pair of rollers
the pressure which will be exerted by that roller which acts in the vee groove
against one or both of the borders of that vee groove may be caused to act
so as to spread out one or both of those borders to a wider angle, in order to
increase the thickness of that edge of the plate. or skelp along which the
vee groove is formed beyond the original and proper thickness of other parts
of the same plate or skelp. In such case it is obvious that the vee groove as
originally cut out in the edge of the metal must be a deeper and narrower or
more acute angle than will be ultimately required for the vee groove; also.
that the double-bevelled edge around the circumference of the roller must be
formed with a wider or more obtuse angle than the vee groove as originally cut,
in order that the pressure by such roller may be able to produce the spreading
effect above mentionel, and thereby bring the vee groove to the proper
obtuseness of angle which is required for fitting correctly to the double bevel
at the other edge of the same plate or skelp. In short, the circumferences of
the said two rollers must be so formed that by the pressure which they exert
on the two two edges of the plate or skelp when it is drawn through between
the pair, those edges will be left with a vee groove and double-bevelled edge
properly adapted one to the other for fitting closely together when they are
brought in contact by the turning up. Or, instead of such rollers fixed steel
tools with blunt edges adapted for rubbing with a burnishing (and not a
cutting) action may be substituted, and the plate or skelp being drawn through
between two such fixed tools by power of a draw-bench, they will operate on
the vee-grooved and double-bevelled edges in the same manner as the pair of
rollers above described. And according to the form that may be given to

page_text: the double-bevelled circumference of the said roller (or to the blunt edge of
the fixed rubbing or burnishing tool which may be substituted for the said
roller) so the increased thickness that is given to the edge of the plate or
skelp may be spread either at that side or surface thereof which will ultimately
become the interior of the tube, or else at the other side or surface which will
ultimately become the interior of the tube, or the said increased thickness
may be spread at both sides. This will be fully understood by inspection
of Figure x, Sheet 5. And the same may be said respecting the preparing
of plates or skelps with rabbeted edges, as represented at Figure 2, Sheet I.,
and herein-before described, for accordingly as those edges may be cut during
such preparation, so they may be made to produce an increased thickness
along the joint or seam, when the said edges are brought in contact by the
turning up of the prepared plate or skelp to a tubular form. And such
increased thickness may either form a prominence beyond the proper outline,
for the external circumference of that tubular form, or else a prominence
within the interior circumference thereof, or otherwise may form a slight
prominence beyond the external circumference, and another within the internal
circumference. This will be fully understood by inspection of Figure y,
Sheet V. And note, in case of soldering or. brazing the joints of tubes, the
plates or skelps for which have been prepared with vee-grooved and double-
bevilled edges accordingly to the first part of my improvements, and then
turned up to a tubular form according to this second part of my improvements,.
the joint may be slightly forced open (by drawing a plug through the interior
of the tube) whilst soller or spelter or brass wire with flur is put into the
vee groove, and then the edges allowed to spring together and enclose
the solder. or spelter or brass wire in the joint in preparation for subjecting the
tube to heat for melting the solder or spelter or brass wire, and brazing the
joint. The tube should be kept in a proper position during the heating with
the hollow of the vee groove downwards, so that melted solder will not escape.
In case of soldering or brazing tubes with rabbetted joints the mode of pro-.
ceeding will be nearly the same.
The second part of my said improvements relates to the operation of turning
up flat plates or skelps of metal to a tubular form. The said flat plates are
to be laid horizontally one at a time over the hollow of a long and somewhat
broad gutter or trough of metal which serves for a mould, see a section
thereof at A, A, Figure 1, Sheet IV., and the plate, whereof a, b, is a section,
is forcibly pressed down by a suitably formed solid, tool of metal B, B, into:
the said hollow of the mould A, A, so that the two extreme margins of the
flat plate a, b, (being those portions of the breadth thereof which are most:

page_text: immediately adjacent to the two edges a, b, of the flat plate) become bended
up to the form of the two sides d, d, of the said hollow mould, and the middle
part of the breadth of the plate becomes bended to the curvature of the lower
part of the solid tool B, B, for a first stage of the operation of turning
up. The form into which the plate is by that means bended for such first
stage is indicated by the dotted lines e, f, g, h, i, being like a hollow gutter or
trough with a concave bottom g, and the two sides f and h, ascending there-
from with a curvature which, at the extreme edges e and i, begins to be vertical,
and the two margins e, f, and h, i, which are adjacent to the said edges e, i,
being bended to the curvature of any suitable small portions (for instance, the
Drawing represents twelfth parts) of a circular circumference of the same size
as the tubular form that the whole breadth of the plate will be ultimately made
to assume by the final competition of the turning up; but the middle part
f, g, h, of the breadth of the plate, for an extent of five. sixths of that
breadth, is only bended with an easy curvature f, g, h, (dotted) during
the said first stage; and as to the two margins e, f, and h, i, of that breadth
(each of which margins is an extent of one twelfth of the whole breadth),
the bending of those two margins during the said first stage being com-
pleted to the curvature of the intended tubular form, as already men-
tioned, the said first stage, as in fact a completion of the bending or
turning up of two twelfths (or equal to one sixth) of the whole circumference
of the tubular form that the whole of the plate will be ultimately made to
assume by the final completion of the operation of turning up, the remaining
five sixths of the breadth of the plate from f to h being bended to an easy
curvature at that first stage in part of the bending that it must ultimately
undergo. And then for the second stage of that operation the middle part of
the concave bottom f, g, of the said gutter, which has been formed at the first
stage, as aforesaid, is forcibly pressed by a suitable solid tool D, Figure 2, into
the hollow of a long and narrow semi-cylindrical groove or trough E, which
serves for a mould, and which groove E may, if convenient, be at the bottom
of the hollow of the saine mould A, A, as already described, Figure 1, or may
be a distinct mould, so that the said concave bottom f, g, will be bended down
by pressure of the tool D, and made to assume nearly the curvature of the
hollow groove E, and exactly the curvature of the under part of the tool D
And during such bending the two extreme edges e and i of the plate will be
turned up and brought one towards the other, as shewn by the dotted lines, in
approximation towards the intended tubular form, until the said edges e and a
have in that manner approached so near to the tool D as almost but not
quite to touch the sides thereof. The bending of the plate is therefore brought

page_text: by the second stage to an incomplete oval curvature, as is shewn by the dotted
lines in Figure 2. And then for the third and last stage of the said operation,·
the ovally-bended plate aforesaid is compressed between two long and narrow
semi-cylindrical grooves, with the angles along each side of each such
groove rounded off, see E and F, Figure 3, Sheet V., the said grooves
corresponding one to the other like the two halves of a mould which, when
they come together, will form a hollow cylindrical mould, of the proper
size for the exterior of the tubular from which the metal is intended to
assume when the turning up is completed, and by compression between
the said two halves E and F, Figure 3, of such mould, the aforesaid
extreme edges e and i, which had (as already mentioned) been brought one
towards the other during the second stage, are brought into close contact
one with the other at this third stage, and by giving a very forcible com-
pression with the two halves E and F of the said mould after such contact
has taken place, the turning up is finally completed to the intended tubular
form, which is represented by the dotted circle kk, Figure 3.
And note,
although the aforesaid description implies (and the Figures represent) that
such tubular form is a cylindrical form of tube, and although a cylindrical
form will most commonly be required, nevertheless if any other tubular form,
such as elliptical or egg shaped, or polygonal or other form, should be required,
my mode of turning up will be the same as aforesaid, but with the several
hollow moulds suitably hollowed, and the solid tool suitably curved for pro-
ducing the intended tubular form. And in like manner respecting tapering
forms of tubes which are larger in diameter at one end than at the other end,
or larger in diameter at the middle of the length than at the ends, the extreme
edges of the flat plates or skelps being suitably shaped for such forms of tubes,
and the several hollow moulds suitably hollowed, and the solid tool suitably
curved, the turning up of such plates may be performed in the manner above
described. And respecting the aforesaid first stage of the operation of turning
up, according to this second part of my improvements, which stage is performed,
as already described, by pressing the flat plate or skelp into a broad hollow
mould by pressure, exerted with a corresponding solid tool, as shewn in
Figure 1, the bending action during that first stage turns up the two
marginal portions of the breadth of the flat plate or skelp which are most
immediately adjacent to those two extreme edges of the plate or skelp which
are ultimately to be brought together by the completion of the turning up.
And the degree of bending to be given at that first stage to the said two
marginal portions should be a completion (or very nearly a completion) of all
the bending that those two marginal portions will require when they are ulti-

page_text: mately brought to assume their respective places in the circumference of the
intended tubular form by the final completion of the turning up. The middle
portion of the breadth of the flat plate or skelp between the said two marginal
portions is only bended to an easy curvature at the said first stage. And
respecting the aforesaid second stage of the said operation, which stage is
performed by pressing the aforesaid concave middle portion of the breadth
of the plate or skelp into a narrow hollow mould by presure, exerted with a
nearly (but not truly) corresponding solid tool, as shewn in Figure 2, the
bending action during the second stage should be solely operative on the said
middle portion of the breadth, and the degree of bending to be given at that
second stage to the said middle portion should be somewhat more than will be
required when that middle portion is ultimately brought to assume its proper
place in the circumference of the intended tubular form. This is represented
in the Figure 2, where the curvature of the under part of solid tool D is
shewn to be more rapid than the curvature of the hollow groove E beneath it,
and the plate is bended down to the said more rapid curvature of the under
part of the tool D at the second stage. And respecting the aforesaid third
and last stage of the said operation, which stage is performed by forcibly
pressing the partly turned up plate or skelp between the two corresponding
halves of a hollow mould, as shewn in Figure 3, the bending action during
that third stage should be chiefly operative on those portions of the breadth of
the plate or skelp which intervene between the aforesaid middle portion and
the two aforesaid marginal portions of the said breadth, and which intervening
portions will not have been sufficiently bended at the two first stages. The
final compression at this third stage, which, as already stated, completes the
turning up, after the two extreme edges of the plate or skelp have come into
close contact, tends to compress all parts of the metal of the plate or skelp
to the exact form of the interior circumference of the hollow moulds. And
as to the middle portion of the breadth, which, as before mentioned, was
bended at the second stage somewhat more than would be ultimately required,
that middle portion (during the said final compressure at the conclusion of
the third stage) becomes rebended to its proper intended form as ultimately
required; and in consequence of such over bending of the said middle portion
at the second stage beyond what will be required, and the subsequent rebending
thereof at the third stage to what is required, the two extreme edges of the
plate or skelp which have been brought into contact will be kept securely in
contact owing to the metal having been set on a strain by the rebending, with
a tendency to close the said two extreme edges nearer together than their
contact will allow, and therefore they will not separate or quit contact of

page_text: themselves after being released from the pressure, and removed from the hollow
mould, but considerable force would be required for separating them from
their contact. And the degree of such overbending during the second stage
should be such as by the rebending thereof at the conclusion of the third stage
will cause the two extreme edges to spring together with as much force of
contact as may be required. And note, in case it should be required to turn
up flat plates or skelps of metal to a tubular form, with the two extreme edges
brought opposite one to the other, but not in contact, so as leave an open
crevice of any required width between the said two edges, such turning up
may be performed by this second part of my improvements if a metal ruler of
the same width as the said open crevice is required to be, is fastened along
within the summit of the hollow of the upper half of the mould which is used
in the aforesaid third stage of the operation, in order that the two extreme
edges of the plate or skelp may come in contact with the two edges of the
said ruler at the summit of the mould at the same time and in the same
manner as the said two extreme edges of the plate or skelp would (according
to the foregoing description) come in mutual contact one edge with the other, and
the said ruler keeping the said two extreme edges apart to a proper distance for
the width of the open crevice which is intended to be left between them as
aforesaid, the metal of the plate or skelp will be then qualified for receiving.
that final compression at the conclusion of the third stage of the operation, by
which compression, as already explained, the turning up is completed, and the
metal made to assume the form of the hollow left between the two half moulds.
And in this way, by employing a ruler of suitable width within the mould,
flat plates or skelps may be turned up to any required portion of the circum-
ference of a tube, exceeding half; for instance, if the width of such ruler is
equal to one fourth of the circumference of the interior of the mould then
the plate or skelp which is turned up will be three fourths of the circumference
of a complete tube, and so on of any other portion. The breadth of the
plates or skelps which are prepared for such incomplete tubes must in all cases
be as much less than the width that would be required for making a complete
tube in the same moulds as the width of the ruler which is to be fixed within
the mould, so that the breadth of the plate and the breadth of the said ruler
will together make up the proper breadth for a plate or skelp which would
be turned up to a complete tubular form in the same mould.
flat plates or skelps of metal which are to be turned up in manner aforesaid
may be prepared in any of the modes now in use for such purpose, that is to
say, the extreme edges may be such as will be left by the rolling operation,
whereby the plates or skelps have been manufactured, and brought to their
And the

page_text: intended thickness, and as nearly as can be done to their intended breadth;
or the edges so left may be afterwards dressed or clipped with shears or other-
wise, to render them smooth and more correct in breadth, and may also be
cut more truly parallel by drawing the plates or skelps by power of a draw-
bench through between the cutting edges of fixed tools, as herein-before
mentioned; and the said extreme edges may be square, that is, at right angles
to the flat surfaces of the plates or skelps, suitably for becoming edge-to-
edge or butt joints in the tubular form which will be given by the
turning up, see Figure A. Or the said edges may be feather-edged suitably
for becoming lapped joints in the tubular form which will be given by
the turning up, see Figure B. Or the said edges may be rabited or may be
vee grooved and double bevelled according to the first part of my improve-
ments, as herein-before described, suitably for becoming rabited or vee-grooved
joints in the tubular form which will be given by the turning up, see Figures 1
and 2, Sheet I. But what I prefer is, that the extreme edges of the plates or
skelps should be prepared with vee-groove and double-bevilled edges according
to the first part of my improvements, as herein-before described. And then
the turning up of the plates or skelps, so prepared, being performed according
to the second part of my improvements, as herein-before described, the said
edges will form a very close and firm longitudinal joint or seam for the tube
which is produced by such turning up, see the section thereof, Figure 1,
Sheet I. And as to the means of producing the requisite pressure for bending
the plates or skelps of metal into hollow moulds, according to this third part of
my improvements, as herein-before described, in reference to Figures 1, 2,
and 3, Sheet IV. Any kind of mechanical powers commonly used in
machinery for pressing or bending metals may be employed, choosing such as
will be capable of exerting sufficient force of pressure for the purpose. The
force that will be required will vary according to the thickness of the plate,
and the kind of metal, and the size of the tubular form which is to be
produced, and according to the length of such tubular form or to the length
thereof which is intended to be bended up at once. For the several hollow
moulds and the solid tool, herein-before described, in reference to Figures 1, 2,
and 3, Sheet IV., may be somewhat longer than the whole length of the plates
or skelps of metal which are to be turned up in those moulds, in which case
very great pressure and great strength of pressing machinery will be required
for bending the plate or skelp, in manner herein-before described, throughout
the whole length from end to end thereof at the same time. Or the said
moulds and tool may be short suitably for bending only a portion of the whole
length of the plate or skelp at once, in which case less pressure and strength

page_text: may be requisite. And after the bending of one such portion of the length
has been carried as far as one of the three stages herein-before described,
(but no farther,) then by a repetition of the pressing in the same short mould
and tool, another adjoining portion of the length of the plate or skelp is to be
similarly bended in continuation, and so on, portion after portion is to be
subjected to the bending action in the same short mould and tool, until the
whole length is bended and brought. to the same state as would have been
done at once if the long moulds and tool had been used, as above mentioned.
But note, with short moulds and tool, and for bending only portions of the
whole lengtli at once, the hollows of the several moulds must be enlarged at
the ends of their lengths with easy curves, in the manner of what are termed
bell-mouthed or trumpet-mouthed hollows, in order that the plate or skelp of
metal may not be forced to change its state too suddenly from that portion of its
length which is beyond the length of the mould, and remains unbended thereby,
to that neighbouring portion of the length of the plate or skelp which is
bended in the mould to a more advanced stage of the bending. And of the
transition from the bended to the unbended part of the length of the same
plate or skelp takes place with an easy curvature from once such part to the
other, the bending by repetitions, as aforesaid, will effect the turning up of a long
plate or skelp in a proper manner with less expensive moulds and tools, and
with less force of pressure, and less expensive machinery for giving the pressure;
but the work of turning up must go on slowly in so bending by repetitions, and
therefore, in manufacturing tubes in a large way, it will be better to use long
moulds and tools, as already stated, for bending the whole length of the plates
or skelps at once, and to employ machinery of sufficient strength and power
for exerting the great pressure which will in that case be required. And
by way of shewing an example of one kind of pressing machinery, which
will be suitable amongst other kinds which may be used for the purpose,
I will explain how the well-known mechanical power of hydro-mechanical
or hydrostatic press may be applied, and two, three, or more bydrostatic
cylinders combined into one press for acting in concert to produce like pres-
sure along every part of the length of the long hollow moulds and tool before
mentioned, see Sheet VI., wherein Figure 4 is a longitudinal elevation, and
Figure 5 a transverse section of a compound bydrostatic press with three
cylinders N, O, P, which are lodged in a very strong horizontal frame Q. Q,
to which upright pillars v, v, are firmly fastened at their lower ends, and the
upper ends of the same pillars v, v, are in like manner fastened to the upper
horizontal part or head of the press R, R. Each of the cylinders N, O, P, has
a solid piston or plunger fitted into it, commonly called the ram of the press,

page_text: seer in the section Figure 5, with a collar of leather applied around within
the upper end of the cylinder N, for close fitting around the ram r, and on the
upper end of each of the three rams is a strong plate called a follower, as
at S, T, V, and upon those three followers the lower hollow mould A, A, is
lodged and fastened by suitable screws, the upper mould or solid tool B, B,
being fastened to the under side of the head R, R, by screws which suspend
its weight. The relative positions of the hollow mould A, A, and the solid
tool B, B, above it, appears in the section Figure 5, which is the same as
Figure 1, Sheet IV., already explained, but on a smaller scale. The action of
the press is the same as that of ordinary hydrostatic presses, and which action
is well known. Water is injected into the hollow of each cylinder N, O, P,
by means of a forcing pump and a conveyance pipe therefrom to the said
hollow, and the water acting beneath the lower end of the same by the
hydrostatic pressure forces the ram to move up out of the cylinder through
its collar of leathers above mentioned with a very great force, all which being
as usual in hydrostatic presses requires no further description; but in the
present case, the said conveyance pipe from the injecting pump must com-
municate equally by branches with all the three cylinders N, O, P, in order
that any quantity of water which is injected by the pump may distribute
itself equally amongst the three cylinders, and then the three rams thereof wil
be forced up with equal force and motion, because they are all precisely of the
same diameter, and they act by their followers S, T, V, beneath the lower
hollow mould A, A, at equal distances apart along the length thereof; and the
force required for bending the plate or skelp of metal will be required to act at all
parts of the length of the long mould A, A, and upper mould or solid tool B, B.
The injecting pump may be worked by power of a steam engine or other
power, and a loaded safety valve must be applied to some convenient part of
the pump, communicating freely with the interior of the said conveyance pipe,
in order to permit the water to escape by lifting that loaded valve whenever,
by continuance of the injection of water by the pump into the interior of the
three cylinders has been continued until the hydrostatic pressure on the valve,
and consequently the hydro-mechanical force exerted by the three rams to
press the lower hollow mould A, A, upwards towards the upper tool B, B, has
become as great as it is intended to be, and if the injecting pump continues to
be worked after that pressure has been attained, then the said loaded safety
valve will allow all the water which may be afterwards forced by the pump into
the conveyance pipe to escape therefrom into the open air without entering
into either of the cylinders, or causing any increase of the force exerted by the
rams Wherefore, by loading the said safety valve more or less, the force of

page_text: pressure that will be exerted to force the lower hollow mould A, A, upwards
towards the upper tool B, B, and consequently to compress the plate or skelp
of metal between the two, can be limited to what is required without risk
of exceeding the intended limit, all which is as usual in hydrostatic presses,
and therefore requires no farther explanation; but the facility wherewith the
pressure can be thereby limited, and the great force which can, as is well known,
be exerted by hydrostatic cylinders, renders them a very suitable mechanical
power to be applied for this purpose. The manner of performing the operation
of turning up by the said press is as follows:-For the first stage of the
operation, the long hollow tool A, A, being lodged and fastened in its place
on the three followers S, T, V, and the upper solid tool B, B, being fastened
beneath the head R, R, of the press, as they appear in the section Figure 5,
the said hollow mould and solid tool will be in the same relative positions as
they are represented in the section Figure 1, Sheet IV., which has been
already explained. The flat plate or skelp of metal must be introduced hori-
zontally endway into the press between the pillars V, V, thereof, and when
laid horizontally over the broad hollow of the said mould A, A, as already
explained, it is guided so as to lay correctly over the hollow by means of studs,
which are fastened at each edge of the hollow of the mould A, A, and project
upwards suitably for receiving the two edges of the plate or skelp of metal
between them; and if the plate should be too wide, it will not go.in between
those stops, and will be detected as being unfit for turning up; but the plate
should be of a proper width, which will be shewn by being wide enough to fill
the space between the said studs without being loose between them. The
plate being properly laid, theu the injecting pump is set to work, and by
forcing water into all the three cylinders at once, will raise up the three rams
and their followers S, T, V, and the hollow tool A, A, together with the plate
or skelp thereon, until the said plate in so rising upwards is brought with its
upper surface in contact with the under part of the solid upper tool B, B,
which is immoveable, and then what has been before described as a pressing
of the plate begins, though in fact in the mode now describing it is rather a
pressing up of the two margins of the plate by the ascending motion of the
lower hollow tool A, A, whilst the middle part of the breadth of the plate is
prevented from rising by the upper fixed tool B, B, but the effect is the same
as already described in reference to the aforesaid Figure 1, and need not be
repeated, except to state that the motion of the press is to be continued until
the plate is completely bended, and a great force of pressure should be ulti-
mately exerted in order to ensure that the bending is completely performed.
Then the water is let out from any convenient part of the conveyance pipe by

page_text: opening a cock in the usual manner by hydrostatic presses, and the rams r,
with the followers S, T, V; and the long hollow tool A, A, will descend by
their own weight, and the bended plate or skelp may be removed from the
hollow of the mould by passing it endways out of the press between the
pillars v, v, thereof, and it will be one plate or skelp bended to the first stage
of the operation of turning up. After a number of such plates or skelps have
been treated in the same manner as aforesaid, then the press may be prepared
for performing the second stage of the operation of turning up, by removing
the upper solid tool B, B, from beneath the head R, R, of the press, by with-
drawing the screws by which it was suspended and fastened in place beneath
the same; and the other solid tool D, Figure 2, is to be substituted and sus-
pended beneath the head R, R, by the said screws. After this preparation
the further bending of the plates or skelps which have been previously bended
to the first stage is to be performed by introducing those plates or skelps, one
at a time, endways into the press between the pillars v, v, thereof, and the
press put in operation in the manner above described, for the purpose of
bending the middle part of the breadth, so as to turn up the edges to the
second stage, as shewn in Figure 2, and already explained. And after a
number of the plates or skelps have been so treated, then the press may be
prepared for performing the third stage, by removing the upper solid tool D,
and substituting an upper hollow tool, such as appears at X, in Figure 6, and
berein-before described as hollowed, with a semi-cylindrical groove for forming
the upper half of a hollow mould; the corresponding semi-cylindrical groove E,
Figure 3, for the lower half thereof being formed at the bottom of the hollow
of the mould A, A, and the press is worked as before, in order to compress
the partly turned-up plates or skelps between the said two halves E and X, as
already explained in reference to Figure 3, for completing the turning up of
the plates or skelps to their intended tubular form. And note, instead of a
semi-cylindrical groove E being formed, as aforesaid, at the bottom of the
hollow of the mould A, A, a distinct mould with such a groove may be used
for the lower half, as shewn at Y, Figure 6, and a like mould Z, with a cor-
responding groove for the upper half, so as that such two halves Y, Z, when
they come together will form a complete hollow mould, which will be the
same as to its interior form and size, and will operate in the same manner as
the mould formed by the groove E at the bottom of the mould A, A, and the
groove in the mould X, in Figure 6. But in case of so using the pair of half
moulds Y, Z, the mould A, A, must be removed from its place on the three
followers S, T, V, of the press, and the lower half mould Y substituted, when
the press is to be prepared for performing the third stage of the operation, the

page_text: upper half mould Z being at the same time suspended from the head. R, R, of
the press, instead of the half mould. And note, in case of an extensive manu-
facture of tubes there may be three such presses as represented in Sheet V.,
whereof one press may perform turning up of the plates or skelp to the first
stage with the hollow mould A, A, and solid tool B. Another press may con-
tinue the turning up of the same tubes or skelps to the second stage, with the
hollow mould A, E, and solid tool D; and the other press may be employed
for completing the turning up of the intended tubular form, either with the
hollow half moulds A, E, and X, or else the half moulds Y and Z; and in
that way the loss of time and trouble of changing the moulds and tools will be
avoided, and a great quantity of work performed. And note, when plates or
skelps of shorter length than the full length of the hollow moulds are required
to be turned up therein, short pieces of one of the same plates or skelps should
be laid in the hollow of the mould at the two ends of the hollow, beyond the
two ends of the short plate or skelp, so as to serve for prolonging the short
plate or skelp to the full length of the hollow, in order that all the length
thereof may be filled up when the great pressure is given, and therefore the
said pressure will be operative in a uniform manner along all the length of the
moulds in the same manner as if plates or skelps of the full length were to be
operated upon. Such short pieces, when they have been once pressed into the
form of the hollow, may be retained and fastened therein for continual use, so
long as short plates or skelps are to be turned up. The plates or skelps of
metal which are to be turned up, according to this second part of my improve-
ments, in the manner herein-before described, must be correctly prepared in
their width and their thickness to suit the exact size of the tube, which the
hollow moulds and tools are adapted to form by their operation as aforesaid;
and for so turning up for tubes of different sizes, different hollow moulds and
tools must be provided. The hollow moulds and tools may be made of
wrought iron or of cast iron, with their hollows and acting surfaces accurately
formed by planing, so as to be straight and true and parallel, and also their
exterior surfaces, which are to apply beneath the head of the press R, R, 'and
above the followers S, T, V, should be planed true, flat, and parallel. The
surface of those followers, and of the head of the press to which the said
exterior surfaces of the moulds and tools are to apply, being also planed true,
the parts will fit correctly together to perform the turning up with accuracy.
Care must be taken to keep the hollow of the moulds well cleaned out from
dirt and scales, which will be liable to separate from the surfaces of the plates
or skelps when they are in the act of being bended. And the plates or skelps
of metal which are to be turned up, according to this second part of my

page_text: improvements, may be operated upon in a cold state, the metal having been
previously annealed in order that it may bend more easily; or the metal may
be slightly heated and operated upon whilst in the heated state if preferred,
although it will not be advisable to heat the metal so strongly as to occasion
scales to be formed on its surfaces by the heating. The said mode of turning
up, according to this second part of my improvements, is most applicable
to tubes whereof the metal is thin in comparison to the interior diameter of
the tubes, such as the tubes which are used in the interiors of steam boilers
for locomotive steam engines and steam engines for steam navigation, particu-
larly the latter. Such tubes require to be very truly formed, and the edges
well united, and owing to the thinness of the metal whereof they are usually
made, the bending can be performed for turning up in manner already
explained when that metal is cold. And respecting the turning up of plates
or skelps which have been prepared with vee-grooved and double-bevilled
edges, according to the first part of my improvements herein-before described,
and with an increased thickness of metal along that edge which is vee grooved,
or the turning of skelps which have been prepared according to the said first
part of my improvements, by rabbeting the edges, and so that the overlapping
of the rabbeted edges will cause an increased thickness at the joint, and in
case of such increased thickness being intended to be at that side or surface of
the plate or.skelp which will ultimately become the exterior surface of the
tube, all which has been herein-before described in reference to Figures x and y,
Sheet V. When the turning up of such plates or skelps to a tubular form is
to be preformed by pressure within hollow moulds, according to this second
part of my improvements, as herein-before described, then the internal surfaces
of the hollows of such moulds should be suitably cut away at those parts
where such increased thickness will apply to, and be pressed against the said
interior surfaces, in order that after the turning up the said thickened edge
may be left slightly prominent beyond the correct outline that is proper for the
exterior circumference of the tubular: form which is produced by the turning
up.
And such prominent part continuing along the longitudinal seam or joint
all the length of the tube will allow for any loss of metal which may take
place in the subsequent operation of heating and welding the edges together,
and the prominence being hammered or pressed down in that operation, or
subsequently, well render the joint very close. Or in case of soldering or
brazing it may be thought desirable to have such a prominent part along the
joint, which may be subsequently hammered or pressed down, if preferred.
And respecting the turning up of plates or skelps of metal which have been
prepared with bevilled or feather edges, suitably for forming lapped or sear

page_text: joints, such as Figure B, Sheet I., and which mede of preparing skelps with
bevilled or feather edges is commonly practised, and forms no part of my
improvements, the turning up of such bevelled or feather-edged plates or
skelps to a tubular form nay be performed by pressure within hollow moulds,
according to this second part of my improvements, in the same manner as
herein-before described, except that the bending of the middle part of the
breadth of the plate during the second stage of the operation by pressure with
the upper solid tool D, Figure 2, Sheet IV. should be no more than will be
ultimately required, without any of the overbending herein-before mentioned.
This will be effected by making the under part of the tool D of the same.
curvature as the interior of the intended tubular form to which the plate is to
be turned up. But in that case the bevelled edges of the plate will not
remain in close contact one with the other after the turning up, for when the
metal is released from the pressure that is given at the conclusion of the third
stage of the operation, and withdrawn from the hollow moulds used in that third
stage, the metal will spring so as to separate the bevelled edges from the
contact and open the joint. In such case the said edges may be afterwards
brought into contact again, and secured from separating by application of the
third part of my improvement, herein-after next to be described.
The third part of my said improvements consists in a mode of fastening
together the two edges of plates or skelps of metal which have been turned
up to tubular forms. For this purpose double-dovetail pieces of metal called
cramps are to be inserted or inlaid into corresponding double-dovetail. notches
cut out in the two edges, which are to be fastened together, one such cramp
being so inserted at every place along the length of the tube where such
fastening is required. See Figure 1, Sheet VII., where a is one of the double-
dovetail pieces called cramps, which is wider at each end and narrower at the
middle. It may be cut out by suitable tools in a fly press from a flat plate of
metal, which is somewhat thicker than the thickness of the turned up plate
or skelp into which the cramp is to be inlaid. A great number of such
cramps may be made by that mode with ease and rapidity, and the cramps so
cut out will all be exactly of the same form and size. C, Figure 2, represent
two of the dovetail notches in the edges of the turned up plate or skelp; they
are exactly opposite one to the other, so as to form a pair of dovetail
notches which are adapted for receiving one of the cramps a. The two
notches which constitute the pair of notches C may be cut out in both edges
of the turned-up plate or skelp at once, by suitable tools in a fly press after
the turning up to the intended tubular form has been performed, the pair of
notches so cut out being exactly of a proper form and size to admit of

page_text: inserting one of the cramps a into the pair of notches, but so as that the
cramps so inserted will fill the pair of dovetail notches, leaving no sensible
vacancy, and then by hammering or pressing on the flat surface of the cramp
as it lays in its place in the notches, and is supported on a suitable mandril
within the turned-up tube, the cramp can be spread laterally so much as to fast
itself into the notches, and also its thickness will become reduced to the same
thickness as the metal of the turned-up tube, and the two surfaces of the
cramp brought into exact conformity with the internal and external surfaces
of the turned-up tube; and such double-dovetail cramps may be applied to
plates or skelps which have been prepared for turning up, and which have
then been turned up to a tubular form, by any of the modes heretofore
commonly known or practised for preparing and turning up of plates or skelps
of metal, without the adoption of either of the first or second parts of my
improvements, because such cramps are equally applicable whether the edges
of the turned-up plate or skelp form an edge-to-edge or butt joint along the
length of the tube, as shewn at Figure A, Sheet I., or whether those edges
form a lapped or scarfed joint, as shewn at Figure B, Sheet I., and whether
the two edges are in close contact, or whether an open cleft is required to be
left between the edges, the said cramps will in either case have the effect of
securing the edges in their intended relative positions, either in close contact
or at their intended distance asunder, as the case may be. And the edges
which are so secured by the insertion of such cramps in manner aforesaid may
be left without other means of union than the said cramps afford, or the said
edges may be united together by any of the usual modes of soldering or
brazing or welding, which latter, in the case of the metal being wrought iron,
is to be preferred, and the said cramps will in either of those cases be very
useful for retaining the two edges in their intended relative positions whilst
the operation of soldering, brazing, or welding is performed. And particularly
so in the latter case, because of the welding heat to which the iron must
be subjected, whereby it becomes softened and renders the edges of the
turned-up plate or skelp (without such cramps liable to become separated;
also in the case of welding the action of the hammering or of the pressure
between revolving groove rollers, or of the drawing through conical or bell-
mouthed apertures, to one or other of which operations the heated and
softened iron is subjected for effecting the welding, renders the said edges in
either case very liable to be displaced from their intended relative positions
during the operation of welding. But such displacement will be prevented
by the said cramps, which will hold the two edges securely together in close
contact during the heating and during the welding. And the said cramps

page_text: being themselves of wrought iron they will become welded into the iron of the
welded tube, so as to form one solid mass therewith to render such welding the
more complete, and the cramps should be cut out of plates of iron of the same
quality as that of the plates or skelps into the edges of which they are to be inlaid,
and should be inlaid with the lengthway of the fibres of the iron disposed in the
same direction in the cramp, as is the case in the plate into which the cramp
is inlaid. And in like manner in soldering or brazing the edges together the
cramps become securely soldered or brazed into their places. And what I
prefer is to use such cramps in the manufacture of metal tubes, whereof the
flat plates or skelps have been prepared with vee-grooves and double-bevilled
edges, or with rabbeted edges accurately cut, according to the first part of my
improvement, already described, and which plates or skelps have then been
turned up to a tubular form by pressure in moulds, according to the second
part of my improvements, as herein-before described, with the said edges
fitting accurately one to the other with very close contact, and in conformity
with the other parts of the circumference of the tubular form, and then by
inserting cramps, according to this third part of my said improvements, the
said edges will be effectually secured in the true intended relative positions
which have been previously given to them. And note, in case of plates or
skelps which have been prepared with bevilled or feather edges in the usual
manner for making lapped joints, as shewn at Figure B, Sheet I., without any
part of my improvements, and which have then been turned up to a tubular
form, according to the second part of my improvements, such turned-up tubes'
are liable, as already explained, to spring open at the joint, and separate the
bevilled edges from close contact. In such case, if this third part of my
improvements is to be adopted, the bevilled edges of the turned-up tube must
be brought into proper contact by any adequate means of compressing the
exterior of the turned-up tube previous to the inlaying, and during the
inlaying and fastening of the cramps into the said edges, and the cramps
so inlaid will secure the edges from separation. And note, according to the
degree of the said compression which is so given to the exterior of the turned-
up tube, the bevilled or feather edges may be forced together beyond their
places of contact, and thereby the joint or seam of the turned-up tube will
acquire an extra thickness, with a prominence along the joint beyond the
regular outline of the circumference of the turned-up tube. This will be
understood by inspection of Figure z, Sheet V., where it is shewn how such
prominence may be at the exterior surface of the turned-up tube, or at the
interior surface thereof, or at both exterior or interior surfaces, or how the
joint may be rendered even without any prominence, as may be desired. And

page_text: whichever of those states the joint may be brought into previous to and during
the inlaying of cramps into the edges of the turned up skelp, according to this
third part of my improvements, those cramps will retain the edges securely in
that state.
.
And this third part of my improvement is particularly applicable
in cases of plates or skelps which have been prepared with square edges
suitably for butt or edge-to-edge joints, as shewn at Figure A, Sheet I., and
which plates have then been turned up to a tubular form, according to the
second part of my improvements; cramps inlaid into the edges of a turned-up
skelp of that kind will be very useful for fastening the edges together. The
manner of cutting out the dovetailed notches in the edges of turned-up tubes
by tools in fly presses, as herein-before mentioned, for the reception of cramps,
according to this third part of my improvements, is explained by Figure 3,
Sheet VII., which is a front elevation of a long work-bench A, A, whereon two;
three, or more ordinary screw or fly presses (whereof one is shewn at B) are
fixed in a row, and at such distances apart as the cramps are intended to be
inlaid into the edges of the tube, and which will most commonly be ore
cramp near to each end and one cramp at the mid-length of each tube, unless
the tube is very long or large, and then more cramps may be inserted, but the
said fly presses can be moved along the bench A, and again fixed at
the places required, but all in a straight row, and as many of them as
may be required. One of the presses is shewn at B, and the dotted lines C, D,
denote the places for two other like presses. The upper moveable tool in each
press (marked a) is a punch of the proper size and shape for cutting out a
double dovetailed notch in the usual manner of fly-press punches; but as to the
bolster or lower hollow tool into which the said punch is to descend when it
is forced down by turning the handle d of the screw e of the press, in order to
cut through the metal of the tube that is to be operated upon, the said
hollow tool cannot be fixed in its usual and proper place on the base R of the
press, because it must go withinside of the tube. Therefore the said lower
hollow tools for all the presses that are uses are formed or are fixed in a long
cylindrical iron bar E, F, that is of a size to admit the tube which is to be
operated upon to press easily over the bar. The said bar E, F, is kept truly
to its intended place by an upright cylindrical bolt G, which is sustained at its
lower and upper ends by fitting truly through holes in a bracket H, fitted to
the bench A, near to one end thereof, and the middle part of the bolt G passes
through the enlargement or cross socket at the end F of the bar with exact
fitting. The other end E of the bar is mounted in the same manner, but with
a smaller cylindrical bolt 9, which will not require any enlargement of the bar
E, F, beyond its cylindrical form. The latter small bolt g is withdrawn when

page_text: the tube which is to be operated upon is to be put into its place, which is done
by putting it endways over the bar E, F, as represented in section at i, i, with
the seam or longitudinal joint of the tube uppermost. Then the said small
bolt g being inserted again, the bar E, F, becomes secured in its proper place,
so that the several bolsters or hollow tools will be exactly beneath their
respective punches a, in a proper manner for cutting out the double dovetailed
notches in the edges of the tube i, i. But as the bar E, F, would spring
downwards by the force of such cutting out, it is necessary to support it firmly
beneath each hollow tool; for which purpose the under side of the cylindrical
bar E, F, is notched or cut away to obtain a broad flat surface beneath each
hollow tool, in which surface is inclined from the horizontal, and a wedge piece
is fitted beneath the said inclined surface, so as to be capable of sliding
endways along beneath that surface in the direction of the length of the bar
E, F. Part of the said wedge piece is formed to suit the curve of the interior
of the tube i, i; and if the wedge piece is sliding along beneath the inclined
surface of the bar E, F, towards the highest end of that surface, then the
wedge piece and the bar together will allow the tube to pass easily over them
both, for putting the tube into its place in the manner already explained.
But after that is done, the said wedge piece being slided along in a contrary
direction, or towards the lowest end of the said inclined surface, then the
wedge piece will quite fill the space beneath it within the tube i, i, and thereby
enable the bar to receive a solid support within the tube when the lower side
of the bar is lodged, as shewn in Figure 3; in a suitable hollow at the base R
of the press. Each of the said hollow tools is provided with such a wedge
piece; and in order to move the several wedge pieces in manner aforesaid,
whilst they are inclosed within the tube, each one has a stem extending from
it alongside of the bar E, F, or in groove cut therein to near one or other of
the ends thereof, beyond the limits to which the ends of the tube extend
towards the ends of the bar E, F, so that by pushing or pulling the said stems
endways, the several wedge pieces to which they belong respectively can be
made fast within the interior of the tube, as is requisite for enabling the
hollow tools in the bar E, F, to resist the force of cutting out the double
dovetailed notches in the tube by the forcing down of the punches a of the
several presses through the metal of the tube, and into the said hollow tools
which are beneath that metal within the interior of the tube. Or the several
wedge pieces can by means of their said stems be set loose within the tube i, i
so as to allow the same to be removed froin off the bar E, F, The hollow
tools in the bar E, F, must be of steel, welded or otherwise fastened to the
upper side of the bar E, F; the upper surfaces of the steel being formed to

page_text: suit the curve of the interior of the tube, and the hollow in each tool
(which hollow is of the exact size and shape of the punch a, or upper
tool of the press) must be continued down into the substance of the bar
E, F, in order to form a hollow space for the reception of the fragments
of the metal of the tube which will be cut out therefrom in making the double
dovetailed notches. The wedge piece will form a bottom to the said hollow
space, and prevent those fragments from falling through into the interior
of the tube, but after so many have been cut as to nearly fill up the said
hollows with such fragments, they must be removed. And after the double
dovetailed notches have been cut out in a tube in manner aforesaid by action
of the several presses, then a cramp is to be inserted into each of those notches
to fill the same up. But previously the bar E, F, is moved endways for a
short distance within the tube i, i, (but without allowing any motion of the tube
i,i,) whereby the hollows in the several hollow tools in the bar E, F, are carried
away from beneath the upper tools or punches a of the several presses, and
solid parts of the steel surfaces of the hollow tools are brought beneath the said
punches or upper tools a, suitably for bearing up beneath the several cramps,
which are then to be inserted into the notches, and then the flat lower ends of
the upper tools a being forced down by action of the several presses upon the
upper surfaces of the cramps, so as to compress and expand the same laterally,
in order that they may become fastened into the notches wherein they have
been inserted, and in fact become inlaid into the substance of the metal of the
tube. Note, in order to allow the aforesaid endway motion of the bar
E, F, to take place, the base part of the bracket H should be fitted into a
metal groove, which is fastened to the bench A, A, so as to render the bracket
I capable of sliding horizontally the requisite short distance for the aforesaid
endway motion of the bar E, F. And note, in cases when from any cause the
edges of the turned-up plate or skelp are not in proper contact one with the
other, they ought to be then after the said turned-up skelp has been put into
its place (as at i, i, Figure 3, and as already described), some suitable force of
compression should be applied to the exterior circumference of the turned-up
skelp, so as to bring the two edges thereof into their proper intended state of
contact, and then (but not before) the double-dovetailed notches should be
cut out by action of the several presses in the manner already explained,
and then the cramps inserted and fastened as already explained, so as
to retain the edges in their said intended state of contact before the
force of compression is relaxed; the requisite force of compression afore-
said may be given by thumb-screws tapped through small puppets in the
base R of each press, and pointing in a horizontal direction towards the

page_text: centre line of the tube; and when a plate or skelp of metal has been
accurately prepared with vee grooves and doubled-bevilled edges, or else with
rabbeted edges, according to the first part of my improvements, and then
turned up by pressure in hollow moulds into a correct tubular form, with
those edges in close contact and in exact coincidence one with the other,
according to the second part of my improvements; and then the said
edges being secured from separating by means of double-dovetailed cramps
inlaid and fastened into corresponding notches in the said edges at suitable
distances apart. along the length of the tube, according to third part of
my improvements, the result will be very complete, whether a tube so formed
is to be left without any further uniting of its said edges than by means of the
said cramps, or whether those edges are to be further united by soldering,
brazing, or welding; and particularly so in the latter case, because the said
clamps will effectually retain the edges in their close contact, and prevent them
from separating whilst the iron is in progress of being heated, as well as after
the iron is become heated to its welding heat, and consequently become much
softened, and whilst it is undergoing the operation of welding, however that
operation may be performed. And those edges of the iron plate or skelp
which are to be united together by the welding, and also those edges of
the iron cramps which are inlaid into the iron of the plate or skelp, being all
clean cut surfaces of iron, and being in close contact whilst the heating
is going on, no dirt or scale can gain admission between the said surface, so
as to hinder or impair the perfect welding thereof together, and consequently
the said welding will be very completely formed, with much less force of
hammering, or of pressure by rolling between revolving grooved rollers, or by
drawing through bell-mouthed apertures, than is usually required for effecting
the welding of similar tubes which have been prepared in any of the modes
heretofore known or practised for manufacturing tubes. And respecting
turned-up plates or skelps of wrought iron, the edges of which are to be
welded together to form the longitudinal scam or joint of the tube, when
such a skelp has been brought to a welding heat throughout all its length in a
furnace, and is to be withdrawn therefrom, the iron will be in a softened state;
and as to that end of the said skelp which is formost when the skelp is with-
drawn from the furnace (by a man taking hold of that end with tongs in the
usual manner of proceeding), the said end being at a welding heat is liable to
be bended, and the edges of the plate or skelp displaced from their proper
intended contact by the force to which the said foremost end is then subjected.
In order therefore to prevent such displacement of the edges at the said
foremost end, the said edires should be secured by one of the said double.
6

page_text: dovetailed cramps inlaid into the two edges.near to the said..end, or two such
cramps may be so inlaid near together, in order to render the said foremost
end
very secure from separation or displacement: of the edges. when, the said
end is at a welding heat, and is to be withdrawn from the furnace. Or both
ends of the skelp may be treated alike in manner: aforesaid, and a cramp being
also laid into the, edges at the midlength of the tube will in most cases
be sufficient for securing the edges together, unless the. length. of tube or
its size may render.imore security advisable, and in such case more cramps
may be inlaid. And irespecting. the preparing of the two edges of the turned-
up plate or skelp at that end of the tube which will be foremost when the tube
is in the act of being withdrawn from the. furnace, in order.ito. secure those
edges from displacement or separation when such end is afterwards.heated. to
a welding heat; instead of inlaying cramps into. those edges at the said ende in
manner aforesaid; those edges) may be prepared by previously. welding them
together at the said end by hand hammering on the groove of a swage block,
with a plug or mandril inserted. into the interior. hollow. of the tube in the
usual and well-known manner of welding iron tubes by hand labour: The
said, welding of the edges may extend along as much of the length of the tube
from the said foremost end thereof.. as can be conveniently welded at :one
time of heating the end of the tube in a forge, fire to a welding. heat.
And by such preparatory welding the said foremost end will be prepared
for resisting the force to which it will be afterwards subjected, when the
whole or the greater part of the length of the. tube. (including the said fore-
most end) has been heated in the furnace to a welding heat, and is in that
state to be withdrawn from the furnace by taking holds of the said foremost
end with tongs.
17.06.1
And whereas it has been the practice to weld. together the edges of
turned-up plates or skelps of wrought iron for short portions of the.length.at
the two ends of each such skelp, in cases when the remainder of.the said edges
are to be united together along all the rest of the said length. by..brazing,
therefore I make no claim to any such welding at the ends, except when the
same is done by substitution for the. inlaying. of double-dovetailed cramps into
the edges at, the ends, as herein-before.described, by way of: a.previous pre-
paration, for the whole or, the greater part of length of the turned-up: plate
or skelp of iron being afterwards.heated. to a welding heat in a furnace, the end
which is so prepared by..welding partaking of such welding heat, and being that
end which will be the foremost end of the skelp when the same is to be withdrawn
from the furnace after having been heated to a welding heat therein. For
bitherto in the manufacture of iron tubes by welding the edges together no

page_text: means whatever have -been-used-for securing those edges in their intended
relative positions during the operation of heating the iron to a welding heat in
a furnace, and of afterwards withdrawing the iron from the furnace in that
state. This third part of my improvement in "preparing plates or skelps of
iron (which have been turned up to a tubular form), by inlaying double-dove-
tail cramps into the edges of such plates or skelps, has the effect of securing
those edges in their intended relative positions whilst they are undergoing the
operation of heating to a welding heat in a furnace, as well as afterwards,
whilst the iron is in the act of being withdrawn from the furnace in that state,
and likewise during the remainder of the operation of welding, however that
operation may be performed. And the said securing of the edges being most
wanted at that end of the turned-up skelp or tube which will be the fore-
most, and when it is in the act of being withdrawn from the furnace with
that end at a welding heat, the securing of the edges at the said foremost end
may be performed either by inlaying of a cramp or cramps into the said edges,
in manner herein-before explained, or otherwise by preparatory welding of the
said edges in manner herein before explained; and the same result will be
obtained in either case of securing the said edges whilst heating, and after
being heated in a furnace to a welding heat, and no such result has been
hitherto obtained by any means hitherto known or in use in the manufacture
of welded iron tubes, whereof the whole of the length of the tubes, including
the foremost end thereof, is heated to a welding heat. And respecting the
welding of the edges at the ends of iron-tubes, whereof the remaining length
of the same edges are afterwards to be brazed together. (and which welding
has been commonly practised as herein-before mentioned), the object of such
welding has been to obtain greater strength at the ends of the tubes than can
be obtained by brazing the edges together, because such tubes have been
made for the boilers of locomotive steam engines, and require to be fastene<l
by their ends into their places in such boilers, and the longitudinal seam.or
joint of the edges of such tubes when finished is a welded joint at each extreme
end, and a brazed joint along all the length intervening between those two
extreme-ends. And such tubes are not heated throughout the whole or the
greater part of their length to a welding heat in a furnace, but the heat to
which the iron is subjected for brazing the joint is not such as to render the
iron very soft, as is the case in a welding heat, nor are those ends which are
welded subjected to any action during the heating and brazing which requires
the edges at those ends to be secured, or which-renders the ends liable to injury,
and the brazing of the edges from end to end of such tubes could be performed
as well without any welding at the ends as with such welding, if it were not

page_text: required for the particular use for which such tubes have been manufactured
as aforesaid, that the ends should be more strongly united than can be done by
brazing.
means.
And another fourth part of my said improvements is a new mode of intro-
ducing turned-up plates or skelps or tubes into the furnace wherein they are
to be heated for the purpose of soldering, brazing, or welding those edges
of the metal which are to be united together by one or other of those
Hitherto the turned-up skelps for manufacturing welded iron tubes
have been merely thrown into the furnace through the open doorway thereof
by the strength of a man's arms, and allowed to fall heavily with an endways
motion by their whole weight on the heated bottom or bed of the furnace.
And in case the whole length of a long skelp cannot be so thrown in at once,
then the end of it is seized with a pair of tongs, and it is pushed further into the
furnace by sliding it endways along the said bed thereof, until its whole length
is introduced. In that way of introducing the tubes, the foremost end
thereof is liable to cut up the surface of the heated bed, and get scoria or dirt
into the open end of the tube. Most commonly the skelps have been thus
thrown into the furnace at the same door through which the iron is afterwards
to be withdrawn after it has acquired its welding heat. But in some cases the
turned-up skelps have been so thrown into the furnace at another doorway at the
opposite end or side of the furnace to that end thereof where the door at which
the heated iron is to be withdrawn is situated. I prefer the latter mode, and
my new mode of introducing the turned-up skelp into the furnace is to mount
the same upon a strong iron bar which is longer than the tube, and one end
of the bar extends into the interior of the tube more than half way through the
Jength thereof, in order that the tube may rest securely with its whole weight
suspended upon the upper edge of the said iron bar, which is so much smaller
in its dimensions than the interior of the tube as not to touch the tube at any
other place than along the highest part or summit of the circumference of that
interior. The said iron bar having the tube thus suspended upon one end of
it, is kept in a horizontal position, or nearly so, whilst it is moved with an end-
way motion through the open doorway of the furnace, in order to convey the
tube into the interior of the furnace without touching the bed, or sides, or any
part thereof; and when the whole length of the tube is so introduced through.
the doorway, the said bar is lowered down so much as to allow the tube to
descend easily, in order to deposit it horizontally without violence on the flat
beated bed of the furnace, so that it may rest with its weight thereon, and be
supported throughout all its length, and then the iron bar is withdrawn with
an endway motion from the interior of the tube without disturbing the tube,

page_text: but leaving the same deposited on the heated bed of the furnace, in the precise
position it is intended to occupy therein for becoming heated. The weight of
the said iron bar and of the tube may be sustained during the above operation
in a very simple manner by means of a pendulous rod or chain, suspended
from some fixed point as high up in the roof of the building as can be
obtained, the lower end of that rod or chain terminating in a ring large
enough for the said iron bar to pass easily through, and a notch may be made
in the under side of the said bar for lodgment thereof in the said ring, at such
place in the length of bar as will cause the weight of the two ends thereof to be
nearly balanced. The said pendulous rod or chain should hang vertically
when the iron bar is at the midway of the whole extent of endway motion that
inust be given to the bar for withdrawing the end of it from the interior
of the tube, in order to leave the same deposited on the heated bed of the
furnace, in the manner already explained. And there should be some kind
of screw link in the rod or chain, or other means of adjusting its length, so
that the ring will sustain the iron bar in a horizontal position whilst the end
of it is withdrawn in. manner aforesaid from the interior of the tube. A
workman holding the extreme end of the said long bar in his hands, when the
whole weight thereof is suspended by the rod or chain (with the weight of the
two ends of the bar nearly balanced), he can very easily withdraw the end of
the bar from the interior of the tube without disturbing the tube as it lays
horizontally on the bed of the furnace. And after the end of the bar has been
so withdrawn from the interior of the tube, and from the door of the furnace;
the workmen can then turn the direction of the long bar sufficiently aside for
enabling him to insert the end of the bar into the interior of another tube,
which may be one of a heap laid in a couvenient position near to the furnace
for such insertion. Then he may move the ring at the lower end of the
pendulous rod or chain along the bar (towards the said tube) to another
notch in the under side of the bar, at a proper place therein for causing
the weight of the two ends of the bar to be nearly balanced when the
tube is mounted in place upon one of those ends. After this preparation
he can with ease take up the tube upon the end of the bar without
feeling the weight thereof, and after restoring the lengthway of the bar
and the tube thereon to the proper direction of the doorway of the fur-
nace, he is ready for introducing the tube with promptitude into the interior
of the furnace the instant after the door is opened. And after having quietly
deposited the tube horizontally on the heated bed of the furnace, as before
explained, he may then remove the ring of the pendilous chain back again
along the bar to the first-mentioned notch in the under side thereof, where the

page_text: weight of the two ends. of the rod itself without any tube, will be nearly
balanced, and then. he can withdraw the end of; the iron bar from the interior
of ithe tube without disturbing the tube, as already explained; and the instant
that the extreme end. of the bar is. withdrawn from the doorway of the
furnace, the door thereof may be closed to avoid unnecessary cooling of
the interior of the furnace. For welding iron tubes (in which case it is
important to avoid such cooling) the door may have a notch in it of sufficient
size. to allow the said bar to be withdrawn, but no, larger, and then the door
may be shut down the instant that the tube has been deposited on the heated
bed of the furnace, and the bar can be withdrawn at leisure through the said
notch, so as only to require the doorway to be kept open during the very short
time that is requisite for introducing and depositing the tubé, on the bed of
the furnace in manner aforesaid, and after the bar has been withdrawn the
said notch is to be closed. By the adoption of this fourth part of my improve-
ments the bed of the furnace will not be disturbed or cut up from its proper
flatness, by the force of throwing the cold iron tubes down upon it, and by
afterwards pushing them endways further in with tongs; and getting them to
lay straight' in the proper place whilst resting with their weight: on; the said
floor, and the tubes will not be liable to get any scoria or dirt of the floor into
their open ends by. moving them along the floor, as is the case in the ordinary
mode, as already mentioned. And the bed of the furnace; whilst the same. is
heating, may be.prepared to a true 'straight bed at the part where the tubes
are to lay upon it by batting and smoothing down the surface of the-bed-with
a long heavy bar of iron, which 'is'. suspended by the pendulous rod--or chain
before mentioned, and the weight so much balanced as to be easily handled by
men holding the extreme end of the. bar which is 'out of the furnace, and
thereby raising and letting fall the heavy end that is within the furnace in a
suitable manner for beating flat on the bed of the furnace with heavy blows of
the said heavy end of the iron bar, which must be straight and broad; and
rubbing along the bed'with a horizontal endway motion thereof till, the bed;
when strongly heated and the materials softened; is. made very straight and
true and smooth, and with a proper surface for the iron tubes to lay upon, in
order that they may be properly supported along the whole of their length, so
that they cannot bend down or become crooked when they become softened by
the heat. Or, instead of the simple pendulous rod or chain for suspending
the long bar upon which the tubes are to be introduced into the furnace, as
above described, a carriage with four wheels to run upon a railway-may be
used for holding a similar (but shorter). bar horizontally, and at the same time
moving it endways with the tube; upon it, in order to convey the same into the

page_text: '
furnace through the open doorway thereof, and with means of then lowering
the said bar just so much as is requisite for depositing of the..tube gently
upon the flat bed of the furnace, but still keeping the said bar horizontal,
and afterwards withdrawing it with an endway motion horizontally from.the
interior of the tube without touching that interior, but leaving the tube
deposited on the flat bed of the furnace. See Sheet VIII., wherein Figure 1.
is a longitudinal elevation, Figure 2. an end elevation, and Figure 3.a hori
zontal plan: A, A, Figures 1 and 2, are two railway bars, laid horizontally
on the ground opposite to the door of the: furnace, and .conformably to the
direction in which the tubes are to be laid in the furnace, on the flat bed
thereof. B, B, B, B, are the four wheels of the carriage to run upon the
rails A; A, and D, D, is the carriage which rests with four bearings upon the
two axles of the said: four wheels: rE, E, are four upright pillars which stand
up from the carriage: D; being firmly fastened thereto at their lower, ends, and
having screw threads around their upper ends for nuts a, a, to screw upon;
and thereby enabling the pillars.E, E, to sustain a horizontal platform. F, F,
which by 'turning the nuts a, a, can be set higher or lower as may be required,
and with the surface of the platform F horizontal, and it can then be made
fast by screwing down other nuts e, e; on the pillar above the platform-F, F
G is a broad bar or trough which is moveable; and is sustained above the
platform: F, F; by means of four inclining parallel levers g, g, g, g, which are
fastened at their lower ends upon two horizontal axes w, w, which extend
across the width of the platform F; F, and the upper ends of the said levers
g, g, sustain four joint pins which: project out horizontally, from the sides of
the moveable trough G; all those four parallel levers.gi.being of equal length
and inclining alike, they can be mader to act with motion similar to that of
a parallel ruler (as is apparent in Figure 1) for raising. or lowering the trough
Ga'small quantity, but it will presérve its horizontal position in so rising or
lowering. His one end of the bar of iron, whereon the tube is to be mounted;
as already mentioned: The said end His fastened upon the trough G- in-a
horizontal position and projects forwards over the end thereof in a direction
parallel to that of the rails A; A; but the: Drawing only.shews. a portion of
that end of the bar Howhercon the tube is to be mounted- for introducing it
into the furnacer Jista balance weight at the lower.lend of a lever 'I; which
descends from one of the axes WW,of: the parallel levers: g, g. It balances
a' portion though not the whole of the weight of the trough G with the bar H,
but without the weight of the tube upon it; so that those parts have a decided'
tendency to descend by their own weight by motion of the four parallel-levers
gg; g, g," about their horizontal cross-axes WW, and joint pins before

page_text: mentioned, until such descent is limited by a stop K, which is fastened to the
trough G, and strikes against the end of a stop screw h, which screws hori-
zontally through a part of the platform F, and therefore turning the handle
at the end of the screw h, the height can be regulated at which the trough G
and the bar H will rest, when their further descent is stopped by the stop
screw h, but they will continue horizontal. When the parallel levers g, g,
are in a vertical position the trough G and the bar H, with the tube thereon;
will be at their highest position, but still horizontal. And when the lever I;
with its balance weight J, is in a vertical position, the parallel levers g, g,
will have passed a little way beyond the vertical, as is shewn by the dotted
lines z, z, and then the trough G and bar H, with the tube which is mounted
on the end of it, will remain at their highest position which is suitable for
introducing the tube into the furnace, which being done then by the parallel
levers g, g, being moved from the direction z, z, to the directions g, g, Figure 1,
the trough G, with the bar H and the tube thereon, will be lowered down as
much as is requisite for depositing the tube upon the flat bed of the furnace;
and the stop screw K, which limits the further descent of the parts, retains
the bar Hat the proper height for being withdrawn from the interior of the
tube after the same has been deposited on the flat bed of the furnace. And
the said stop screw K must be regulated according to the height of the flat
bed of the furnace, so as that when the stop h comes in contact with the end
of the screw K, the bar H will not then touch the interior of the deposited
tube during the withdrawing of the bar H with an endway motion from that
interior. The manner of using this apparatus is as follows: The whole
carriage is run back along the rails A, A, so as to remove it from the furnace
to any convenient place where prepared plates or skelps turned up into a
tubular form are laid up in readiness. And the trough G and bar H being
raised to their highest position by the workman pushing the trough G endways
until the parallel levers ġ, g, pass beyond the vertical to the direction z, z, the
bar II will remain in that highest position as already explained, then a tube
is put horizontally over the projecting end of the bar H, the extreme end of
which bar must reach more than half way through the length of the tube, in
order that the latter may by its weight hang steadily on the bar H, and there
should be some stop on the bar H to determine the proper place to which the
tube is to be brought along the bar from the extreme end thereof. Then the
carriage with the tube on the bar H is to be run forwards along the rails A towards
the furnace until the end of the tube approaches close to the door, which being
opened the tube is without any delay introduced with a horizontal endway
motion into the furnace, through the opened doorway, by running the carriage

page_text: steadily forwards along its rails A, A, until the further endway motion of the
tube in that direction is stopped by the end of the trough G coming in contact
with a fixed stop m, Figure 1, and thereby the parallel levers g, g, are removed
from their said direction z, z, and forced beyond the vertical position on the
other side thereof, whereupon the weight of the trough G and the bar H, with
that of the tube thereon, causes those parts to descend in opposition to the
balance weight J, but in an easy manner, by motion of the parallel levers
9, 9, 9, 9, which keep the trough G and the bar II and the tube horizontal in
so descending, and thereby the tube is gently deposited in its intended position
cn the flat bed of the furnace; but the descent of the trough G and bar H
continues a little further, until the stop screw h prevents any niore descent,
and leaves the end of the bar H, which is within the interior of the tube, quite
free from all contact with that interior. Then the said end of the bar H is
withdrawn from the interior of the tube by motion of the whole carriage back-
wards along the rails A away from the furnace, leaving the tube properly
deposited within the furnace, and the door thereof may be closed the instant
after the end of the bar II has been so withdrawn. And note, the horizontal
endway motion, whereby the tube is introduced iuito the furnace, will be so
correctly performed with the said carriage that it will not be requisite to open
the usual large door of the furnace for introducing the tube therein, but only a
notch or small arch at the lower part of that door, which arch may be only as
much larger than the tube as to just admit the same to be introduced without
touching, but leaving only very little open space at which cold air can gain
admission, so as to cool the furnace; and the opening of the said small arch
may be closed the instant after the extreme end of the bar H is withdrawn.
And in order that the motion of the carriage along its rails A may be per-
formed with regularity when introducing the tube into the furnace, and when
withdrawing the bar H from the interior of the deposited tube, an endless rope
or chain W, Figure 1, whereof one part is attached to the carriage, may be
extended over two pulley wheels V, V; and one of those pullies being turned
round either by hand or by connection with millwork, the carriage will be
moved with a very steady motion, avoiding jerks. And this fourth part of my
improvements also includes the following mode of facilitating the withdrawing
of the heated tubes from the furnace. After a tube bas acquired a welding
heat within the furnace, and requires to be withdrawn therefrom, it is usually
seized at one end with a pair of tongs, and dragged all its length along the
bed of the furnace through the open door thereof; but the iron being in a
softened state by the heat; the tube is liable to become bended in being so
drawn out at the door, and is also liable to carry out scoria and dirt-with it

page_text: from the bed of the furnace. In order to facilitate the withdrawing of the
tube, when at a welding heat, I apply a grooved roller on a horizontal axis
beneath that doorway of the furnace through which the heated tube is to be
withdrawn, so that the tube will rest on the groove of the said 'roller whilst the
tube is in the act of being drawn out; and a revolving motion may be given
to the roller, in order to assist in withdrawing the tube when it is resting in
the said groove; and the said revolving motion, if sufficient rapid,' will cause
the surface of the roller with which the heated tube is in contact to rub
beneath the surface of the tube with a tendency to remove loose scoria and
dirt, which the tube may carry out with it from the bed of the furnace. The
groove in the said roller being in conformity with the direction' in which the
tube lays on the bed of the furnace, the tube will be kept straight in coming
out. The horizontal axis of the said roller may be turned round by any
suitable means which will give it a revolving motion; and the roller should
be situated as near to the furnace as it can be, and part of the wall of the
furnace beneath the fire-door may be cut away. to leave room for the 'roller.
And in order to facilitate the moving of the heated tube endways along the
bed of the furnace when it is first pulled at the foremost end by a man with a
pair of tongs in the usual manner, the hinder end of the heated tube may at
the same time: be gently pushed onwards by a man with an iron rod intro-
duced through the other door of the furnace, so as to assist the endway: motion
of the tube: And in cases where my improvement is adopted for introducing
the tubes into the furnace, as herein-before described, the same long iron bar
which is provided for so introducing the tubes may be used for pushing gently
at the hinder end of the heated tube as it lays on the bed of. the furnace, a
cap, with a flat end, being first fastenedi on the extreme end of that bar,
suitable for applying to the end of the heated tube. But note, the force
wherewith the end of the heated tube is so pushed onwards must be modérate,
or the iron of the tube in its softened state might: be bended from its proper
form. The principal force "must be given by the man. at the foremost end,
dragging forward that end of the tube with his tongs in the usual manner,
but a gentle pushing behind at the other end: will afford some assistance" in
first moving the tube endway along the bed of. the furnace; until the foremost
end of the tube is advanced sufficiently. forward through the doorway to begin
to bear in the groove of the revolving roller before mentioned,. and then the
action thereof will begin to assist in the further endway motion of the tube for
withdrawing it from the furnace: And whereas it will be the foremost end of
the heated tube which will have to endure the principal part of the fofce
which the man must exert with tongs for dragging the tube endway along the

page_text: bed of the furnace.; and the said foremost end is liable to be. bended, and the
two edges of the plate or skelp disjointed, from their proper. contact by that
force, the double-dovetail cramps which are to be inlaid into the said. edges,
according to the third part of my, improvement, as berein-before. described;
will be extremely useful for securing the.said edges against such separation;
and accordingly one or more of the said cramps should be inlaid into the said
edges near to each end of the tube, in order to enable those..ends,. when they
become, softened by the heat, to sustain the force: to..which. they must. be sub-
jected in, the act of withdrawing the tube from the furnace. by dragging. it
endways at the foremost end, with tongs..in the usual manner, and 'pushing it
end ways at the hindmost end. ..On,, instead of inlaying. such a cramp into the
said edges at the foremost end; those edges may be firmly.welded..together..by
hand hammering or otherwise; before the tube..is introduced into the furnace,
so: as to: complete the foremost end of the pipe for a short portion of its length,
in.. the manner herein-before described; and when the tube so prepared is
heated..to a welding., heat; in the furnace, the foremost..end.. will.be.better
qualified for resisting the force.to.which it will be subjected for withdrawing it
from the furnace. After a tubes has acquired a welding. heat within the
furnace, and requires to be:withdrawn therefrom, it is usually seized at.one
end with a pair of tongs,.,and dragged all its length along the bed of the
furnace; through the open door, thereof;, but, the iron being in a softened state
by;the heat; the tube is liable. to, become, bended in being. so.drawn out at the
door, and is also. liable to carry out scoria and dirt with.it from the bed of the
furnace. In order to facilitate the withdrawing of the tube. when at a welding
heat, I apply a grooved, roller on a horizontal axis beneath that. doorway, of
the furnace; through which the heated, tube, is to be withdrawn, so that the
tube will rest on the groove of the said roller, whilst the tube is in the, act of
being drawn out. And. a. revolving motion, may be:given to the roller, in. order
to assist in withdrawing the tube when it is resting in the. said groove.;, and
the said revolving motion, if sufficiently, rapid, will cause the surface. of the
roller, with which the heated tube is in contact, to rub.beneath the surface of
the tube with a tendency to remove, loose scoria and dirt, which: the tube. may
carry out with it from the bed of the furnace. The groove in the said. roller
being in conformity with, the, direction in which the. tube. lays on.the.bed of
the furnace, the tube will be kept straight, in coming out: The. horizontal
axis of the said roller may be turned round, by any suitable means. which will
give it a revolving motion; and the roller should be situated. as near..to the
furnace as it can be, and part of the wall of the furnace beneath the fire-door
may be cut away to leave room for the roller. And in order to facilitate the

page_text: moving of the heated tube endways along the bed of the furnace, when
it is first pulled at the foremost end by a man with a pair of tongs in
the usual manner, the hinder end of the heated tube may, at the same
time, be gently pushed onwards by a man, with an iron rod introduced through
the other door of the furnace, so as to assist the endway motion of the tube.
And in cases where my improvement is adopted for introducing the tubes into
the furnace, as herein-before described, the same long iron bar which is pro-
vided for so introducing the tubes may be used for pushing gently at the hinder
end of the heated tube as it lays on the bed of the furnace, a cap with a
flat end being first fastened on the extreme end of that bar suitable for
applying to the end of the heated tube; but note, the force wherewith the
end of the heated tube is so pushed onwards must be moderate, or the iron of
the tube in its softened state might be bended from its proper form. The
principal force must be given by the man at the foremost end dragging
forward that end of the tube with his tongs in the usual manner, but a gentle
pushing behind at the other end will afford some assistance in first moving the
tube endway along the bed of the furnace, until the foremost end of the tube
is advanced sufficiently forward through the doorway to begin to bear in the
groove of the revolving roller before mentioned, and then the action thereof
will begin to assist in the further endway motion of the tube for withdrawing it
from the furnace. And whereas it will be the foremost end of the heated tube
which will have to endure the principal part of the force which the man must
exert with tongs for dragging the tube endway along the bed of the furnace,
and the said foremost end is liable to be bended, and the two edges of
the plate or skelp disjointed from their proper contact by that force, the
double-dovetail cramps which are to be inlaid into the said edges according to
the third part of my improvement, as herein-before described, will be extremely
useful for securing the said edges against such separation. And accordingly
one or more of the said cramps should be inlaid into the said edges near to
each end of the tube, in order to enable those ends when they become softened
by the heat to sustain the force to which they must be subjected in the act of
withdrawing the tube from the furnace, by dragging it endways at the
foremost end with tongs in the usual manner, and pushing it endways at the
hindmost end. Or, instead of inlaying such a cramp into the said edges at the
foremost end, those edges may be firmly welded together by hand hammering
or otherwise, before the tube is introduced into the furnace, so as to complete
the foremost end of the pipe for a short portion of its length, in the manner
herein-before described; and when the tube so prepared is heated to a welding
heat in the furnace, the foremost end will be better qualified for resisting the

page_text: force to which it will be subjected for withdrawing it from the furnace. And
other parts of my improvements in the manufacture of metal tubes relates to
the welding together of the edges of plates or skelps of wrought iron which
have been turned up to a tubular form.
The fifth part of my said improvements is for welding the edges of plates or
skelps of wrought iron which have been turned up to a cylindrical tubular form
by passing such skelps, when heated to a welding heat throughout the whole
of their length, between a pair of revolving grooved rollers, whereof the grooves
are formed to operate upon one fourth part of the circumference of the
sail tubular form by each roller, one at the highest and the other at
the lowest part of such circumference, and with a pair of grooved guiding
cheeks applied between the said rollers, to operate laterally against the other
fourth parts
of the circumference of the said tubular form at each side of that
circumference. See Sheet IX., wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation, and
Figure 2 a horizontal plan, of a machine for the above purpose. b, b, are the
standards of the frame. for sustaining the bearings for the two horizontal axes.
A, A, and B, B, whereon the revolving grooved rollers E and F are fastened,
and are turned round with a continuous revolving notion by the power of
millwork applied to the said axes A, B, in the usual manner of a pair of
revolving rollers' for operating upon metal, but the circumferences of the
two rollers E and F do not touch one another, in order that space may be.
left for a pair of grooved guiding cheeks R and S, to be fixed to the frame.
b, b, so as to be interposed between those circumferences at the places where
those circumferences are nearest one to the other, as is shewn in Figure 1,
which also shews that the grooves around the circumferences of the two
revolving rollers E and F, and the grooves in the two fixed guiding
cheeks R and S, conform one groove with the other, so as to leave between
the four a circular aperture a, of a proper size for the heated skelps to
be passed through and receives as much compression in so passing as will
effect the welding of the edges of the iron together. The propulsion by which
the heated iron is carried onwards through between the rollers will be only
operated at the upper end and lower parts of the circumference of the
heated iron, to which parts of the grooves of the revolving rollers apply,
as must, necessarily be the case when only one pair of rollers is used; but in
respect to compression of the heated iron by the rollers in so passing through
between them, the guiding cheeks R, S, will operate at each side, to prevent
the iron from spreading laterally beyond the intended cylindrical, form by the
compression which the rollers do exert upon the upper and lower parts of the
circumference of the said cylindrical form, and by such operation of the said.

page_text: cheeks the compression will be sufficient to effect the welding, provided that
the edges of the iron of the plates or skelps have been previously prepared and
turned up with care, so" that. the said edges will fit correctly together with
close contact, and then carefully treated in the furnace for heating the iron to
an uniform welding heat throughout all it's length, and for withdrawing it from
the furnace when at a welding heat without displacement of the edges from
their said contact. All which may be done by skilful and attentive manage-
ment of the usual and well-known modes of preparing the edges, turning up
and heating the iron, without adopting any of the parts of my improvements
for those purposes. But if the edges" of the plates or skelps of iron are
prepared with vee grooves and double bevils, or with rabeted edges, according
to the first part of my improvements, and then turned up to a correctly
cylindrical tubular form according to the second part, and the edges fastened
together according to the third part, and the turned-up skelps so prepared are
introduced into the furnace and withdrawn therefrom when at a welding heat
according to the fourth part of my improvements, as herein-before described,
the edges will be kept so correctly and closely'in contact when at a welding
heat that a slight degree of compressing force will be sufficient for effecting the
welding; and by aid of the pair of grooved guiding cheeks R and S, fixed and
applied between the pair of revolving grooved rollers' E and F, the requisite
compression may be given for effecting the welding. Each of the guiding
cheeks R and S is affixed to the middle part of a flat plate of steel r and s,
which is disposed in a vertical plane parallel to the adjacent standard 'b, and
firmly fastened thereto at the upper and at the lower ends by supporting bolts
t, tv, v, by which means the guiding pieces R and S are firmly held in their
proper places between the 'circumference of the rollers E and F, as is shewn in
the Figures. The upper and lower surfaces of the guiding pieces R and S,
which apply to the circumferences of the rollers, may be curved to suit those
circumferences with close contact thereto. The grooves in the guiding cheeks
R and S may be curved in the direction in which the heated iron is to pass
endways through between them, as is shewn in Figure 2. The plates of steel
r and s will bend and yield "to allow the guiding checks R and S to recede a
little laterally in case of necessity. And from each guiding cheek R and Sa
strong screw bolt wor x passes horizontally through the plate of steel r or s,
and through the standard b, with a nut y or z screwed on the end of the screw,
and acting to draw the guiding piece R or 'S away from its place as part of
the circular aperture a. And the steel plate r or s is set on a'spring, so as to
urge the guiding piece towards the said aperture with considerable force,
which is resisted by the bolt i or x, but the bolt will not prevent the aforesaid

page_text: receeding of the guiding piece in case of necessity. A stationary mandril-may
be applied in the aperture a, between the rollers E, F, and guiding cheek
R and S, with a long stem for sustaining such mandril, in the usual and well-
known manner of using a mandril in the manufacture of welded tubes by
revolving grooved rollers, or the tubes may be welded by passing them
through the said aperture a without any such mandril therein, as may be
preferred. And note, the edges of the turned-up skelp which are to form the
joint or, seam along the tube should be uppermost when the foremost end of
the heated skelp is presented to the aperture a, and it will continue to
bé uppermost whilst the whole length of the heated skelp is passing through
between the revolving grooved rollers E, F, and grooved guiding cheeks R, S,
and if the turned-up skelp. has been introduced into the furnace on the
end of a bar moved horizontally endways, and the same skelp has been
withdrawn therefrom when at a welding heat by aid of a grooved bearing
roller under the doorway of the furnace, according to the fourth part of
my improvements, the edges or seam may be kept uppermost when it is
presented to and passed through between the revolving grooved rollers E, F,
and grooved grinding cheeks. R, S. And after the grooved rollers E, F,
have passed nearly all but not quite the whole length of the heated
skelp through between them, by their revolution in a forwards direction;
they may then be turned round in a backward direction in order to repass
the heated. skelp through between them again for repetition of their.com-
pressing and welding action whilst the iron retains its welding heat, and whilst
the skelp is so. repassing it may return with part of its length into the furnace
to assist in keeping up its welding heat; and after nearly but not quite the
whole length of the heated skelp has been so repassed, then the motion of the
revolving. rollers is reversed, and they are again turned round in a forward
direction to pass. the tube through again; and such passing and repassing
alternately in contrary directions may be repeated as often as may be requisite
for completing the welding of the edges of the iron together. with a proper
seam or joint. In so turning the rollers alternately backwards and forwards;
their motion in each direction must not be continued so far before it is reversed, as
would cause the extreme end of the heated iron to be passed quite tlirough.the
aperture a, but the end of the heated iron continuing. between the rollers..when
their motion is, reversed, the iron cannot fail to be carried backwards and
forwards in a proper manner. The revolving rollers may be thus turned round;
first in one direction and then in the contrary.direction, by the same kind of
wheelwork, or pulley and endless strapwork, as is commonly used in planing
machines for the like purpose of turning the wheels or pinions thereof

page_text: alternately backwards and forwards (as herein-after more particularly explained),
and with the same means of reversing the direction of the motion, when some
exact extent of motion as may be required has been performed; or, if preferred,
the revolving grooved rollers E, F, may be turned round in a forward direction
for performing the welding, by motion in one direction, without reversing or
repassing as aforesaid.
And the sixth part of my improvements is a new mode of welding the edges
of turned-up plates or skelps of iron, whereof only one end or half (or other
portion) of the length of each skelp is heated to a welding heat at the same
time, the said welding being performed by passing such heated portion
through between the circumferences of revolving grooved rollers. That end
or portion of the skelp which is not heated is used for handling the whole
skelp when required, in order, in the first instance, to introduce the other end
or portion which is to be heated into a proper furnace for that
purpose, and
afterwards to withdraw the said portion from the furnace as soon as that
portion has acquired its proper welding heat therein, and to present the said
heated portion to the revolving grooved rollers for being passed through
between them so as to perform the welding by their agency. And note, it has
been the usual practice to heat only one end or half of the length of such
skelps at a time in manner aforesaid, in case of the welding thereof being
performed by drawing the heated portion of the skelp by power of a draw-
bench with an endway motion, through bell-mouthed or conical apertures in
tongs or dies for welding by the compression so caused. But in all cases of
the welding of such skelps being performed between revolving grooved rollers,
the whole length of the skelp has been heated to a welding heat at the same
time; and the extremity of the foremost end, which is first entered between
the said revolving grooved rollers, being at a welding heat and in a soft state,
is liable to become bended or deformed from its proper tubular form, and the
edges which are to be welded to become separated from their proper contact,
by the force to which such foremost end must be subjected by the tongs
wherewith it is withdrawn from the furnace and presented to the revolving
grooved rollers for being caught and taken in between them, all which has
been herein-before mentioned; and it has been explained how such separation
of the edges at the said foremost end may be prevented by previous
fastening of those edges together, either by inlaying of cramps or by
preparatory welding of the edges at the extremity of the said fore-
most end of the skelp, according to the third part of my improvements.
But according to the sixth part of my improvements, now about to be
described, the action of the revolving grooved rollers to begin to compress the

page_text: iron between them does not commence at either extremity of the skelp..
but commences at some middle part of the length thereof, and in such manner
as that the said commencement of the welding action of the rollers will take
place with greater certainty of being correctly commenced that can be the
case when an extremity which is in a heated and softened state is presented to
the rollers for being. caught and taken in between them in order to commence
their welding action, as has been hitherto the case in the manufacture of welded
iron tubes by revolving grooved rollers. Each of the revolving grooved
rollers which is to be used according to this sixth part of my improvements,
has a portion of its circular grooved circumference cut away at one place in
that circumference so as to render the same deficient at one place in that
circumference, in order that when the deficient places- in the circumferences of
all the several rollers are opposite one to the other, see Figure 1, Sheet XII,
and the rollers are standing motionless, that a sufficient large' aperture may
then be left open between the rollers for allowing the turned-up skelp to be
pushed freely endways through the said large aperture, in order to introduce
one end or half (or other portion) of the length of the skelp into a suitable
furnace, which is situated as near to the revolving rollers as can conveniently
be done; and after the said end or portion has been heated to a welding heat
it is withdrawn from the furnace by taking hold of the end which has not been
heated, and drawing the same by hand through between the said large aperture
between the rollers until the commencement of that part of the skelp which is
heated is brought within that large aperture, and then the rollers are put in
motion by the power of the millwork, and as they turn round the deficient
places in their circumferences pass immediately away, and then the grooves
around those circumferences come into action to form, by their concurrence, an
aperture of a proper size for compressing the heated iron and passing it through
between the revolving rollers in a suitable manner for effecting the welding of
the edges of the skelp. The length of groove around circumferences of the
several rollers (without reckoning their deficient part) must exceed the length
of the portion of the skelp which is heated at once in manner aforesaid.
When the rollers have completed one revolution they must then stop of them-
selves, and then their said deficient parts will have come round again, leaving
the iron at liberty within the large aperture aforesaid either to be put back
again into the furnace, if it is intended to repeat the welding, or else after the
iron is turned end for end and cooled, the other.end or half is to be treated in
the same manner (above described) as the first half was treated. In this way
rather more than half of the whole length must be heated at each time. No
mandril is required to be used in this part of my improvements, and for

page_text: greater facility of repeating the welding operation, the revolving motion of the
rollers may be reversed in its direction as soon as the iron has been carried
through between the rollers, in manner above described, in a direction away
from the furnace, and nearly all, but not the whole, of the length of the
heated portion of the iron has been passed through between the rollers, and the
extreme end of that portion has very nearly, but not quite, passed through.
And on such reversal of the motion the iron will be repassed through between
the rollers in a direction towards the furnace, so as to be again subjected to
their compressing action, and the heated end or portion of the iron will re
enter into the furnace during such repassing, and will acquire fresh heat in
preparation for being again drawn. out, and passed a third time through
between the rollers by a repetition of the operation above first described. The
reversing of the motion of the revolving rollers may be performed in several
ways, which are well known, being in common use in other machinery, parti-
cularly in planing machines, where a very suitable mode of reversing is
commonly used; videlicet, the machine may be put in motion by two endless
straps acting around a large horizontal cylindrical drum, which is continually
turned rapidly round by power of millwork, the same two endless straps
also acting around three pullies on a horizontal axis, which, by a suitable
connection of toothed wheelwork gives the required motion to the revolving
rollers. The said three pullies are disposed close together side by side on the
said axis, all three being of the same size. The middlemost of the said three
pullies is fastened upon the axis so as to give motion thereto, when it is turned
round by either of the straps; the..other, two outside pullies are fitted loosely
upon the axis so as to revolve freely thereon. One of the two endless.straps
aforesaid is crossed, but the other strap is not crossed consequently, whichever
of the pullies the two endless straps may operate upon, those two pullies will
always be turned round in contrary directions. When the crossed strap is acting
the
upon one of the side loose pullies, and the other or open strap is acting upon
middlemost pulley, then their axis will be turned round by the latter strap and
pulley in one direction, and by means of the wheelwork aforesaid the revolving
rollers, will be turned round in a direction to carry the heated iron through
between them in a. direction away from the furnace. And when the rollers
have in that manner been turned round so far: in that direction as that nearly,
but not quite, the whole length of the heated portion of the iron will have
been passed through between, them, and their motion requires to be reversed,
as already mentioned, then both the endless straps are removed laterally on
their drum and on their pullies at once, so that the crossed strap will pass
from off the middlemost pulley to the adjacent side pulley, which being loose

page_text: will give no motion to their axis, but the open strap being at the same time
removed from that side loose pulley on which it had before acted, and brought:
to act upon the middlemost pulley (as soon as the crossed strap quitted the
same), the open strap will turn the middlemost pulley and the axis and wheel-
work, and consequently the rollers, round in a contrary direction to that in
which they were before turned, so as to repass the heated iron through between.
them towards (and into) the furnace, as already explained. When both straps
are removed to the two side loose pullies respectively, so that neither will act
on the middlemost pully, then no motion will be given to the axis, and the
rollers will be left standing still. The requisite removing of the two endless.
straps on the three pullies for the above purpose is well known, and may be
performed by moving suitable strap guides by hand, or such guides may be?
moved by the machinery itself, in the same manner as is done in planing.
machines, and is generally known. Note, the revolving grooved rollers which
are most suitable to be used in this sixth part of my improvements are such
as are combined to act three or four in concert for compressing the heated:
iron which is passing through between them at as many sides at once, the
grooves around their circumferences concurring together to form a truly
circular aperture between the three or the four grooves for the heated iron to
be passed through, and such combined revolving grooved rollers were formerly
invented by me, and Letters Patent were granted to me therefor by Her:
present Majesty on or about the Twenty-seventh day of March, One thousand
eight hundred and forty, and the same are fully described in my Specification
thereof which stands inrolled in Chancery. "The machine represented on
Sheet XII, although intended for a different purpose, as herein-after
explained, will serve for a representation of one which is proper to be used:
in this sixth part of my improvements, and Figure 1 thereon is a section
to explain the deficient part of the circumferences of the rollers herein-beforo:
mentioned; the section representing the rollers when they are standing still.
The seventh part of my said improvements is a new mode of preparing tho
extreme ends of metal tubes which are to be united. together end to end in
prolongation of the length of one tube or piece or length of tube by another
such tube or piece or length; for this purpose the end of one piece is to be
cut out with a vee groove in the edge of the thickness of metal of the tube all
around the circumference of the said end; and the edge of the thickness of
metal at, the end of the other piece is to be cut to a double bevilled edge all
around the circumference of the said end. The said double bevil must. fit!
accurately into the said vee groove when the two pieces of tube are put toge-
ther end to end, as is shewn in section by Figure 4, Sheet VII., and requires:
+

page_text: very little further explanation. The said vee groove and double-bevelled ends
are easily formed at the ends of the pieces by turning in a lathe with slide rest
in the usual manner practised by workmen in like cases; and after the said
ends have been so fitted one to the other, and put together in close contact,
then double-dovetail cramps are to be inserted into corresponding double-
dovetail notches cut out in the metal of the tube, as is represented at w
Figure 4, which is a longitudinal section, and the said cramps being inlaid
into the notches will hold the two ends together until they can be permanently
united by soldering, brazing, or welding, which operations are to be performed
in the usual manner, as commonly practised for uniting the ends of metal
tubes together bye one or other of those means respectively, and requires no
further explanation, this seventh part of my improvement being the aforesaid
means of preparation of the end for being so united. The cramps ware to be
the same in every respect as already described in the third part of my improve
ments, and the manner of cutting out the double-dovetailed notches, and
inlaying the cramps into them, is the same as already described in reference to.
Figure 3, Sheet VII. By means of this seventh part of my improvements
the ends of pieces of welded iron tubes may be very correctly and firmly
welded one to another, in order to obtain longer. lengths of welded tubes than,
can be conveniently manufactured; and in case of welded iron tubes which
are required. to be made very truly circular and of uniform thickness at their:
ends, such would easily be done by turning the said ends in a lathe, if metal-
could be spared for so turning without rendering the metal too thin at the ends;
but according to this part of my improvements short pieces cut from a tube
which has been made with suitable thickness of metal for the purpose can be
fitted in manner above described, according to this seventh part of my improve-.
ments, to join to the ends of the intended tube, so as when welded thereto to
afford sufficient metal for afterwards turning the ends true in a lathe, and yet
after such turning that the ends, shall be of the same thickness as the rest of
the tube; or if the ends are required to be permanently thicker after such
turning, the thickness of the ends which are welded must be provided
accordingly.
The eighth part of my improvements is for cleaning and smoothing the
surfaces of metal tubes by putting a number of them into a hollow cylinder,.
which is mounted with its length horizontal on pivots at its two ends, and is
turned round by power of millwork in the manner of a barrel.churn, in order.
that the tubes within it may roll round and rub one against another, so as to:
clean and smooth their exterior surfaces, see Sheet XI., wherein Figure I. is a
horizontal plan, and Figure 2 an end elevation of five such cylinders A, A, A, A

page_text: mounted side by side in one frame B, B, and turned round by bevel wheels a,
on the end of the axis of each cylinder, and other smaller bevel wheels b, b,
on a horizontal cross axis D. The tubes are introduced into the cylinders
through two holes in the ends, and when finished are taken out at doors in
the said ends, as is shewn in Figure 2. In case of welded iron tubes each
tube may be put to the cylinder immediately after the welding, whilst the tube
continue red hot, and the action of the other tubes therein will tend to straighten
the tube and to keep it straight whilst it is cooling; and in case it is required
to clean the interior surfaces of the tubes then a solid cylindrical rod of iron
may
be inserted loosely into each tube, and the weight of such rod rolling
round within the interior of the tube, by the rolling motion given thereto in
the hollow revolving cylinder, will operate to render the interior surface of the
tube clean and smooth.
The ninth part of my improvements is for finishing welded iron tubes and
rendering them straight and truly cylindrical, which is done by heating them
to redness within cast-iron retorts; which are set in a furnace somewhat in the
manner of the retorts used in making gas. The said retorts are cylindrical
within, see a section, Figure 1, Sheet XII., and open at the ends for inserting
and withdrawing the tubes, which are to be finished according to this part of
my improvements, and which are by that means heated uniformly at all parts
of their length to a red heat, and are taken one at a time in that state and
laid in a long angle groove along a straight bar or trough of iron of an angular
form, which is horizontal, and which lodges the hot tube in the exact line of
the aperture between a set of combined revolving grooved rollers, such as
represented in Sheet XII., and the red-hot tube being pushed along endways
in the said straiglit groove is thereby presented to. the said rollers, and they
pass it through between them; and as it goes through on the other side it
passes along into another like angle groove, fixed there, in exact continuation
of the one first mentioned. In thus passing, the tube is slightly compressed
on all sides, so as to make it take the form of the circular aperture between
the grooved rollers, and the tube is rendered straight by moving in the afore-
said angle grooves at each side of the rollers; and when the tube has
passed all its length through between the rollers in manner aforesaid, then
the revolving motion of the rollers is reversed, in order to repass the
tube through between them in a contrary direction, but before the end
of the tube is re-entered into the aperture between the rollers for so
repassing, it is turned partly round, so as to bring a different side in
When the
contact with the angle grooves, in which the tube rests.
tube has repassed all its length then motion of the rollers is again

page_text: reversed. And in this way the tube is passed and repassed several times
backwards and forwards all its length through between the rollers until it i
rendered straight and true to its intended cylindrical form and size, and unti
the iron is become so cool that it will preserve its said true form.
The tenth part of my improvements is for facilitating the using of machinery
which is constructed according to my aforesaid Patent of the Twenty-seventli
of March, One thousand eight hundred and forty, with three or four revolving
grooved rollers combined, and consists in mounting the whole framework
containing the combination of such rollers on wheels, which run upon the rails
of a railway, as represented in Sheet XII.; so that the whole machine is
rendered moveable in order that it may be put into complete order in a
suitable workshop, with the grooves around it rollers adjusted one to another
and then it can be wheeled along the railway to the place where it is to be
worked, and at that place it is firmly fixed to a substantial base or foundation
ready for work, and the horizontal axes v and w of one or more of the rollers
connected with the axes of V and W of the millwork, by which the machine is
to be put in motion. And in case of derangement, or when the machine
requires repair, then it is unfastened from its foundation, disconnected from
the millwork, and wheeled away along the railway to the workshop, and
another machine which is in good order brought along the said railway to
replace it. The said railway must be provided with such turn-plate and
erossing places as the localities of the manufactory may require. And when
different sizes of pipes are to be made, the grooved rollers can in this way be
changed in the workshop, and the machine with the proper rollers wheeled
along the railway to the proper place for working the machine.
The eleventh part of my improvement is for forming the grooves around the
circumferences of rollers, which are combined according to my said Patent of
the Twenty-seventh of March, One thousand eight hundred and forty. Sec
Sheet XIII., wherein E, F, are the uppermost and lowermost of the combined
rollers, and X, X, part of the frame of the machine in which those rollers are
mounted. D, D, is a tube having a large circular flange L, by which it is
fastened to the frame X, X, and a brass lining, which is fixed into the tube D,
sustains a horizontal axis K, and which has a steel cutter v, projecting from
that end of it which is in the aperture between the combined rollers, for cutting
the grooves around the circumferences of of the rollers when they are turned
slowly round, and at the same time the axis K is turned very much more slowly
round by means of a worm wheel W on the end of it, and an endless screw V;
which the workmen turns as required by a handle R. The steel cutter vis
thereby carried round about with the axis K with a truly circular motion of its

page_text: own, so as to cut successively in the grooves of the rollers all around
for rendering the aperture. that is formed between the said grooves truly
circular.
The twelfth part of my said improvements is for cutting off the ends of
cylindrical metal tubes to an exact length by the machine represented in
Sheet XIV., wherein the tube A is fixed fast in a horizontal position with its
two ends passing through the hollows of two hollow axes, which are mounted
in bearings B and B, and turned round by pullies 6, 6, and endless bands. On
the end of each hollow axis a flat circular plate d is fastened and revolves with
it; the circumference of the plate d has teeth around it like a spur cog wheel,
as is shewn in the end view; and against the flat surface of the said plate d
a slider i is applied to carry a tool e, the cutting edge of which is towards the
centre, and is carried round about the fixed tube A with the said cutting
edge in contact with the outside of the tube so as to cut the same, and by a
slow motion of the slider i, the tool e is advanced towards the centre so as to
cut into the metal of the tube until it is cut quite through. The slow
advancing motion of the slider i and tool e is given thereto by an excentric
circular groove l, formed in the flat surface of a circular cog wheel k, which
is fitted loose on against the back of the wheel or plate d, so as to be carried
round therewith; but the cog wheels k and d have a different number of teeth,
as is shewn by the Figures, and the teeth of both wheels are geared into a
pinion m, which revolves on a fixed stud pin; but owing to the different
numbers of teeth in the two wheels, the wheel k acquires a very slow relative
or differential motion around behind the wheel d, and that motion, by means of
the excentric groove l, advances the slider i and the cutting tool e towards the
tube for cutting the same, the slider i having pin which enters into the said
excentric groove 1. A bearing piece is also applied to the face of the
wheel d, to sustain the tube at the opposite side thereof to that which is at
the time of cutting by the tool e. Both ends of the tube are cut off at once,
in manner aforesaid. The bearings B, B, can be set nearer together or farther
apart, to suit for cutting tubes off to different lengths.
a
The thirteenth part of my said improvements is for a new kind of head for
a mandril, to be used in the welding of iron tubes between revolving grooved
rollers, the head of which mandril is to remain stationary within the interior
of the tube, whilst the tube is passing through between the revolving rollers,
over the stationary mandril, in the usual and well-known manner of using such
a mandril. As such mandrils have been hitherto used, they are liable at times
to stick to the tube which is passing over them.
Sheet XV. represent the new kind of head for a mandril, which is formed

page_text: of a circular steel plate A, Figure 1; cut with notches in its circumference,
and then bended into the form of a hollow cup B, Figure 2, which is applied,
as shewn in the section Figure 3, on the end of the stem E of the mandril,
and fastened by screwing on the pointed end or extremity F of the mandril in
the manner of a nut upon a screw formed at the end of the stem. The sides
of the hollow cup B form the piston or bulb end of the mandrel which is to be
within the tube that is welding, and opposite to the place of greatest compres-
sion by the revolving grooved rollers at the outside of the tube. And in case
of the heated iron of the tube sticking fast, so as to clog up the aperture
between the rollers, then the sides of the hollow cup B will yield and collapse
towards the stem E, so as to avoid causing such a strain upon the axis or wheel-
work of the revolving rollers as would break any of the parts, as is sometimes
the case where that part of the mandrel (for which the hollow cup B is the
substitute) is a solid piece of metal:
Having now described my said improvements, I, the said Richard Prosser,
do hereby declare that the new Invention whereof the exclusive use is granted
to me by the Letters Patent. herein-before recited, consists in the following
improvements:-:
..
Firstly, in the improvement herein-before described, and represented in
Figure 1, Sheet I. of the Drawings hereunto annexed, of preparing the
edges of flat plates or skelps of metal, which are afterwards to be turned up
into tubular forms, with a vee groove along one edge, and a double bevil
along the other edge, of each such plate or skelp; which 'vee-grooved and
double-bevelled edges will fit one to the other, when the prepared plate is after-
wards turned up into a tubular form: Or otherwise preparing the said edges
with rabbets, in the manner herein-before described and represented in Figure 2,
Sheet I.; one such rabbet being formed at one side or surface of the flat plate;
and the other rabbet at the contrary side or surface, and which rabbets will fit
one to the other, when the prepared plate is afterwards turned up to a tubular
form. Also the improvement herein-before described, and represented in
Figures 2, 3, and 4, Sheet II., of combining two pairs of circular wheels e, f,
and g, h, together, for the purpose of operating at the two edges of flat plates
or skelps of metal at once, in the manner of circular shears, for paring or
cutting off narrow strips from those two edges, leaving the same smooth,
straight, and parallel. Likewise of combining three such pairs of circular
wheels together, in manner herein-before explained, for the
of cutting
along the middle, and at the same time cutting along the two edges of a
broad plate, so as to divide the same into two flat plates or skelps,
each having two smooth, straight, and parrallel edges. Note, no claim
purpose

page_text: is made to the, application of one pair of such circular wheels for cutting
along one edge at a time, but only to the aforesaid combination of two,
pairs for cutting along two edges.at once, and of three pair for cutting along
the middle as well as along the two edges of a broad plate at one operation.
Nor is any claim made to the application of the aforesaid combinations of two.
pairs and of three pairs of circular. wheels to any other purpose than that of
cutting the edges of plates or skelps of metal, which are afterwards to be
turned up into tubular forms. :
Secondly, in the improvement herein-before described, and represented in
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, 5, 6, Sheets IV., V., VI., of turning up flat plates or
skelps of metal to tubular forms, by pressing the flat plates into the hollows of
suitable moulds, so as to bend the plates by degrees to the required.tubular
forms.
Thirdly, in the improvement herein-before described; and represented win
Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet VII., for fastening together the edges of plates ors
skelps of metal which have been turned up to tubular forms, by inlaying
double-dovetailed cramps into corresponding double-dovetailed notches cut out
in the two edges of the turned-up plate or skelp. Also for securing the edges
of plates or skelps of iron which have been turned up. to a tubular form, by.
preparatory welding of the edges together, in manner herein-before described,
for a short portion of the length of each turned-up plate or skelp at that end
thereof which will be foremost, when such turned-up plate or skelp is to be
withdrawn from the furnace wherein it has been heated to a welding heat, the
said foremost end which is so secured by preparatory welding partaking of
that welding heat. But no claim is made to any preparatory welding together
the edges at the end or ends of any turned-up plate or skelp, whereof the other.
parts of the edges which have not undergone such preparatory welding are to
be afterwards united by brazing. The only preparatory welding together. of
the edges at the end which is claimed being for such turned-up plates or
skelps of iron as are afterwards to be welded along all the other parts of the
edges which have not undergone such preparatory welding...
Fourthly, in the improvements. herein-before described, and represented-in
Sheet VIII., for introducing turned-up. skelps of iron into a furnace, wherein,
they are to be heated to a welding heat; also for facilitating the withdrawing
of such turned-up skelps from the furnace after they have been heated to a
welding heat. therein; by the application of a revolving groove bearing roller
beneath the door of the furnace, as herein-before described, together with the
application of a preparatory welding of the edges of the turned-up plate or
skelp at that end thereof which goes foremost. in so withdrawing, and which

page_text: end is at a welding heat, and must endure the force of punning with tongs for
withdrawing, as already mentioned.
Fifthly, in the improvement herein-before described, and represented in
Sheet IX., for welding the edges of turned-up plates or skelps of wrought iron
which have been heated throughout the whole length to a welding heat, by
passing such heated skelp through between a pair of revolving grooved rollers,
having a pair of grooved guiding cheeks fixed so as to enter between the
circumferences of the two grooved rollers in such manner as that the grooves
in the said two guiding cheeks and the grooves around the circumference of
the two rollers will conform one groove to the other, in order to produce a
circular aperture for the heated skelp to be passed through, the upper and
lower portions of the circumference of the said aperture being formed by the
grooves around the two rollers, and the two side portions of the same circum-
ference being formed by the grooves in the two guiding cheeks R and S, and
the said guiding cheeks being capable of yielding laterally in case of necessity.
Also the aforesaid revolving grooved rollers being, if preferred, turned round
first in a forward and then in a backward direction alternately, for the purpose
of first passing and then repassing the heated skelp through between the
grooved circumferences of the revolving roller, and between the aforesaid
which
grooved guiding cheeks, in order to repeat the compressing action by
the welding is to be performed.
Sixthly, in the improvement herein-before described, and represented in part
in Figure 1, Sheet XII., for welding the edges of turned-up plates or skelps
of iron, whereof only one end or half (or other portion) of the length is heated
to a welding heat at the same time, the said welding being performed
between revolving grooved rollers, having deficient places in their circum-
ferences for permitting the iron to be put through between the rollers whilst
they are standing motionless, in order to introduce that end or portion which
is to be heated into the furnace, and to withdraw the same after it has become
heated. The said revolving grooved rollers being turned once round for
passing the heated part of the iron through between them, and they may, if
preferred, be so turned once round, first in a forward and then in a backward
direction alternately, for passing and then repassing the heated iron through
between them in alternate directions for repeating the compressing action by
which the welding is to be performed.
.....
Seventhly, in the improvement berein-before described, and represented in
Figure 4, Sheet VII., for preparing the ends of welded iron tubes for being
welded together end to end, in continuation of length, by forming a vee groove
around one of the two ends which are to be welded together, and forming a
**

page_text: double bevil around the other of those ends, which vee groove and double
bevil will fit true one into the other, and then fastening together the two ends
which are so fitted by inlaying double-dovetailed cramps into corresponding
notches cut out in the two ends; and after being so prepared, the joint to be
heated and welded, by hammering or otherwise, as may be preferred. Also
the application of such mode of joining tubes end to end, for adding and
welding on ends of thicker metal to tubes which require to be turned true in a
lathe at the ends, such thicker metal allowing for the waste occasioned by
such turning.
Eighthly, in the improvement herein-before described, and represented in
Sheet XI., for cleaning and smoothing the surfaces of metal tubes, by putting
a number thereof into a hollow cylinder with the axis thereof horizontal, and
which is turned round in the manner of a revolving churn, in order to cause
the tubes which are within it to be rolled round; and rubbed one against
another, so as to clean and smooth their surfaces; and a cylindrical metal rod
may be inserted into the interior hollow of each tube when it is so put into
the said hollow cylinder, for the purpose of cleaning and smoothing the interior
surface of the tube by the rolling and rubbing action of the said rod
therein.
Ninthly, in the improvement herein-before described, and represented in
Sheet XII., for straightening tubes, and bringing them to a correct cylindrical
form and true intended size, by heating them to a red heat within cylindrical
retorts set in a furnace, and then passing and repassing each tube whilst hot
alternately backwards and forwards endways. through between combined
grooved rollers, which are turned round alternately in one direction, and then
in a reverse direction; the tube being supported at each side of such rollers
by au angular trough fixed in a horizontal direction, so as to support the tube
and keep it straight.
Tenthly, in the improvement herein-before described, and represented in
Sheet XII., of mounting the whole framework of machines containing
revolving grooved rollers, to be used in the manufacture of metal tubes, upon
wheels adapted to run upon horizontal rails like those of a railway, in such
manner as that such machinery may be put into complete order in a suitable
workshop, and then wheeled along the rails to its proper place. for working,
and there fixed for working, or may be removed therefrom again when repair
is required, and replaced by another complete machine which has been pre-
viously put into complete order; also for changing a machine containing
grooved rollers suited for one size of tubes for another machine containing
grooved rollers suited for a different size of tubes.

page_text: Eleventhly, in. the improvement herein-before described; and-represented in
Sheet XIII., for cutting the grooves around the circumferences of combined
revolving grooved rollers, so': that the caperture formed between, the several
rollers by their said grooves will be a truly circular aperture.
Twelfthly, the improvements herein-before described; and represented in
Sheet XIV., for cutting off the ends of cylindrical metal tubes to an exact
length by cutting tools, which are carried circularly round about those ends of
the tube which are to be cut off, whilst the same is held fast in a horizontal
position for cutting both ends at once; the said tools cutting deeper and
deeper into the metal of the tube at each revolution that they make around
the tube, until they cut quite through the thickess of the metal.
Thirteenthly, in the improvement herein-before described, and represented in
Figures 1, 2, 3, Sheet XV., for a mandril, to be used in the manufacture of
metal tubes, which will collapse in case of accident, so as to avoid breaking the
machinery.
In witness whereof, I; the said Richard Prosser, have hereunto. set my
hand and seal, this First day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-five.