IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODES OF CUTTING METAL TUBES OR PIPES, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR TOOLS EMPLOYED FOR ANALOGOUS PURPOSES
Year: 1866

page_text: "Artizan Office for Patents, No. 20, Buchanan Street, in the City of
Glasgow, and County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer and Patent
Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODES OF CUTTING
METAL TUBES OR PIPES, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR TOOLS EMPLOYED FOR
ANALOGOUS PURPOSES."-Partly a communication from
abroad from Nicholas Thomas and Thomas Somerville, both of the
THESE AND
City of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, in the United States of
America.
Sealed the 21st May 1867, and dated the 26th November 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Richard Middle-
more Thomson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 26th November 1866.
I WILLIAM RICHARD MIDDLEMORE THOMSON, of the "Artizan Office for
Patents, No. 20, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, and County of
Lanark, North Britain, Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODES OF CUTTING
METAL TUBES OR PIPES, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR TOOLS EMPLOYED FOR THESK
AND OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES," the same is the result. partly of a commu-
nication from abroad to me by Nicholas Thomas and Thomas Somerville, both
of the City of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, in the United States of
America, and partly of invention and discovery made by me, to be as follows,
that is to say:
This Invention has reference mainly to a new or improved mode of cutting
Price 8d.1

page_text: short pieces off the lengths of iron and other metallic tubes or pipes used for
steam boilers and other purposes so as to leave the long pipe or tube operated
upon the proper lengths required by a new or improved form of machine, tool,
or instrument to be principally worked by hand (somewhat in the same
manner as a ratchet or crank handled brace or drill for boring), but also
capable of being actuated by a belt and pulleys or wheels from a conveniently
arranged prime moving shaft either driven by motive power of by mannal
power through or by a winch handle and fly wheel motion, and when driven
in either of these manners both it and the gearing for actuating it may either
be erected as a fixed stationary tool to which the lengths of pipes are brought
to be cut to their required lengths, or the whole may be constructed in the
form of a portable tool attached to a frame or carriage easily moved and set
in position to suit the tubes or pipes where they are required to be cut. A
simple construction of this new or improved instrument or tool adapted to be
worked by hand and the action and mode of cutting the tubes by it are as
follows: The spindle of the instrument is formed by preference in two parts
attached to each other by a screw or bayonet joint. The front, or point part
which enters the tube to be cut is formed with two enlarged or round bosses.
one at the point and another where the cutter works in a slot formed in it.
near the end where it joins the head or portion of the spindle which projects
outside of the tube to be cut, and which is actuated by a ricket or ratchet
wheel and spring pall hand lever on the extreme outer end.
The point parts
of these tools are made with various sized bosses capable of approximately
fitting two or three sizes of tubes all made to fit the socket of their respective
outer end spindles, of which there may be only three sizes or so for the whole
range of sizes of tubes usually employed or requiring to be cut: these bosses
are fitted with three or other suitable number of fixed or movable spring studs
round their outer periphery capable of being replaced by others projecting to
various heights so as to fit tightly and steadily to the various sized tubes for
which the particular tool is adapted without vibration while cutting the tubes.
The cutter or cutting edge tool works laterally in a rectangular slot in the
outer boss, and is kept in position and pressed inwards by a blade spring
attached to the small part of the spindle between the bosses, and it is pressed
and fed ontwards against the power of the spring while in the act of cutting
the tube by the inner end of a square spindle bevelled to the form of a wedge
which acts on the inner end of the cutting tool. The outer end of the spindle
is hollow at its axis and screwed to receive a hollow screw passed in from the
end with a hand feeding wheel on it, and as the outer end of the inner wedge
spindle is screwed and works into the inner end of the hollow screw spindle the

page_text: simple holding of the hand wheel while the tool is being turned or actuated by
the ricket in the act of cutting the tube causes the cutter to be fed outwards as
required to cut through the tube, the difference of the pitch of the two screws
giving the forward feed motion of the wedge and outward motion of the
cutter, and when a greater or less feed motion is required it is given by
turning the hand wheel slightly in one direction or the other, and the two
screws may be both right or left handed: one screw if of a fine pitch can
also be made to answer the purpose and fed forwards by either a right or left
threaded screw according as the spindle is turned in one direction or the
other, that is from right to left or from left to right respectively. In cutting
a tube, to a required length the end with the bosses is inserted into the tube
until the cutter reaches the point by measurement where it is required to be
cut, and a loose or moveable ring or collar which slides on the outer part of
the spindle made parallel for that purpose is brought and so set and fixed to
the spindle by a pinching screw or other equivalent so as to bear against the
extreme end of the tube, and being kept bearing against it by the pressure of
the hand in turning the ratchet lever with one hand and holding or turning
the hand wheel of the feeding screw with the other the tube is cut through in
a few turns of the instrument in a truc, smooth, and simple manner, and when
the cutter is.in proper order requires not even the touch of a file to make it
ready for jointing to the tube plate. The collar is also provided with one or
more holes through it for the purpose of feeding or squirting in a little oil or
water to the cutter while cutting, or the spindle may be formed with a hollow
recess in the centre.. which being filled with oil might be fed down to the
cutter through a small lateral recess or hole close to the cutter, and in place
of the outer boss having only one cutter fitted in it as herein-before described
two or more cutters may be fitted to work in it in a similar manner, and they
may be fed outwards when cutting by a wedge surface for every cutter
formed on the point of the single or centre feeding screw spindle, whichever
is employed, or the wedge piece may be made separate and only pressed upon
by the point of either of these spindles, or otherwise the wedge piece. or the
point of the spindle may be made in the form of a small cone so as to press
out the cutters at their inner ends, which must be made with hollow conical
surfaces to correspond. The collar for regulating the distance at which the
cutter shall cut from the end of the tube may in some cases when desired
have a projecting annular ring at its outer edge, which when the cutter is
broad and required to work close up to the collar would allow of this, and in
place of bearing against the end of the tube might bear against the tube
plate, and the instrument might in this way be also made to widen the holes

page_text: in the tube plates or otherwise
countersink or finish these holes or the
hollow end of the tubes when 'desired. Instead of the feeding spindle being
screwed it might be a plain rod having a pin' projecting out through a
longitudinal slot. in the side of the main spindle into an annular groove in the
boss of a hand wheel so as to be worked longitudinally by turning the hand
wheel, which is screwed to fit and work on a screw or thread formied on the
outer circumference of the main spindle, or otherwise the pin might be made
to work in a wedge cam groove in the boss of the hand wheel, and in this
case the wheel would simply require to turn round in the same position on
the spindle, by preference between two fixed collars close up to the ratchet or
crank lever for actuating the instrument or tool. In some cases the boss at
the inner end of the tool may be formed in two parts or with an end cap
kept in position by an annular overlapping ring or ring fitting on to the end
of the solid part of the boss, and having recesses formed between the two
parts to receive the bearing studs and their springs, which when inserted in
these recesses the end cap is firmly bolted by a screw pin so as to prevent the
studs and springs from tumbling out and yet allow them to work freely to
steady the spindle in the tubes while cutting them. When long parts or
picces are to be cut off the tubes the cutter or cutters may in some cases be
fitted into recesses formed in the inner boss in place of that of the outer
boss as herein-before described, and the centre feeding screw or rod made
correspondingly longer to reach to and press the cutter out.
Under another arrangement this tool is made to cut the tube from the out-
side surface in place of from the inside, as herein-before described, by placing
the cutter in a recess to fit it formed in a longitudinal arm or rim projecting
out from the side of a strong boss over the end of the tube to be cut, and
made to slide on the outer end of the spindle to suit the position of the cutter
to the part of the tube where it is to be cut, and it is set and held there as
required by a screw working in the hollow axis of the spindle taking into a
stud or cotter" passed down from the outside of the large boss, a longi-
tudinal slot in the spindle, to its hollow axis, the screw being provided with a
hand wheel at its outer end for turning it, and when this large boss carrying
the cutter is so made to shift as to suit the position of the cut, the washer
made to bear against the end of the tube while cutting may be fixed a collar
on the spindle, or otherwise the collar may be made to move by the screw and
hand wheel, and the boss carrying the cutter made a fixture to the spindle.
This modification of cutting from the outside, the cutter is fed in, against the
power of a spring pulling it out when the feed is released by a hand wheel
turned by the operator's hand when desired upon the boss carrying the cutter,

page_text: the eye of which having a wedge cam surface forined on it which acts upon a
wedge bar or lever so as to dépress the cutter; when a lever is employed the
cam may be made to draw out the cutter as well as push it in, and thus
dispense with the spring: A sliding piece may be fitted on the boss and arm
carrying the cutter, so set and fixed by a pinching screw or other equivalent so
as to regulate the positions and true annular form of the cut off the face of
the tube plate when cutting the tubes in their place instead of doing so by the
cutter against the end of the tube. Two or more cutters may be used to this
arrangement of cutting, from the outside of the tube fitted and fed forwards
for cutting in all respects as the single cutter described. When this instru-
ment is to be driven by a band pulley or wheel from a prime moving shaft,
cither worked by manual or motive power as a portable machine, one arrange-
ment consists in carrying the spindle (cither fitted or arranged to revolve
vertically or horizontally as desired according as the tube to be cut are so
placed respectively in a bearing or bearings formed in a frame or lever made
to radiate round the driving shaft so that the spindle and shaft will always be
in proper driving gear through the belt or wheels, as the case may be, and
both spindle and shaft made to rise and fall vertically in guides formed in
their portable frame by a light shaft with pinions working into racks attached
to the frame carrying the bearings of the shaft, which arrangement will enable
the spindle to be raised or lowered to suit the height of the sets of tubes to be
cut, while the radiating action will allow the spindle to be set or ranged to
suit their distance laterally.
This new or improved tool or instrument in its several modifications herein
described is also applicable to other purposes besides that of cutting tubes or
pipes, such as widening out the ends of round holes or pipes generally,
and in cutting annular grooves in the same, or in some cases round the
outer circumference of the ends of tubes or pipes when such are required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Richard Middlemore Thomson in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 25th May 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
Office for Patents,
RICHARD MIDDLEMORE THOMSON, of the Artizan
Number 20, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, and County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, and Patent Agent, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of November, in the year of our

page_text: Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Richard Middlemore Thomson, Her special licence that I,
the said William Richard Middlemore Thomson, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, or such others as 1, the said William Richard Middle-
more Thomson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time, and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
usc, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE
MENTS IN THE MODES OF CUTTING METAL TUBES OR PIPES, AND IN THE MACHINERY
OR TOOLS EMPLOYED FOR THESE AND OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES," the result partly
of a communication made to him by Nicholas Thomas and Thomas Somer-
ville, both of the City of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, in the United
States of America, and partly of invention and discovery made by him, upon
the condition (amongst others) that 1, the said William Richard Middlemore
Thomson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their. or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Richard Middlemore Thomson,
do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement in writing, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say:-
My said Invention has reference mainly to a new or improved mode of
cutting short pieces off the lengths of iron and other metallic pipes or tubes
used for steam boilers and other purposes so as to leave the long pipes or
tubes operated upon the proper length required by a new or improved form
of machine, tool, or instrument (susceptible of various modifications) to be
principally worked by hand, somewhat in the same manner as a ratchet or
crank handled brace or drill for boring, but also capable of being actuated
by a belt and pulleys or wheels from a conveniently arranged prime moving
shaft, either driven by motive power or by manual power through or by a
winch handle and a fly wheel motion, and when driven in either of these
manners both the tool and the gearing for actuating it may either be erected

page_text: as a fixed stationary tool to which the lengths of pipes are brought to be
cut to their required lengths, or the whole may be constructed in the form of
a portable tool attached to a frame or carriage easily moved and set in
position to suit the tubes or pipes where they are required to be cut.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood and
performed or put into practice. I will now proceed to describe the several
illustrative Figures upon the Sheet of explanatory Drawings which I have
hereunto appended for the purpose of showing the best modifications and
means which I am at present aware of. under which my improvements may
he judiciously carried out in practice. the same letters being employed to
indicate the same or similar parts in all the Figures.
Figures to 24 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings are detailed
sections of various modifications of this Invention as applied for the purpose
of cutting metallic tubes from the inside.
Figure is a side elevation, partly in section, of one modification of a new
or improved tool adapted to cut metal tubes from the inside and to be worked
by hand, all constructed and shown in accordance with the said Invention as
in the position and act of cutting off the short overhanging end of a tube
beyond the tube plate, and so as to leave the tube the required length for
being properly jointed to the tube plate: Figure 2 is a plan of the same
corresponding to Figure 1 and Figures 3. 4. and 5 are transverse sections
of the spindle of the tool taken on the respective dotted lines 1-1, 2-2,
and 3-3, in Figure 1.
The main spindle of the tool is by preference constructed in two parts
A and A', attached to each other by a right or left threaded screw joint as
required, and their annular abutting surfaces or shoulders at A, so as to be
tightened up by the strain in the direction and action of turning the tool
while cutting the tube; this spindle A. A', may also, however, in some cases
when desired be made in one piece, but when made duplex, as shown in
Figures and 2, three or four sizes of the outer or actuating part. A of the
spindles will be sufficient for cutting the whole ranges of sizes of tubes
usually employed in boilers of, say, from one inch up to four inches in
diameter, each of these parts A again having three or four sizes of the inner
or cutting boss heads or parts A' of the spindles fitted to them, so as to suit any
size of tube of their proportional range approximately within three-eighths
of an inch of the internal diameter of the tubes to be cut by each of these boss
heads, this difference of diameter being made up to suit any particular size of
these tubes to be cut nearer than the three-eighths of an inch by the use of

page_text: various sized blocks or pins, which will herein-after be described. The inner
end or cutting boss head part A' of the spindle which is entered into the end
of the tube Z to be cnt is formed with the two large bosses B and B', a little
less in diameter than the smallest size of tubes to be cut by it, and a lateral
square hole or slotted recess is formed in the outer boss B for the actual cutter C
of the tool to work smoothly and tightly therein without vibration, the action
of which will be herein-after described; there may be several such parts
or cutting boss heads A¹ fitted to each actuating spindle A, each having
different sized bosses B, B', to suit different sizes of tubes approximately;
all the screwed ends of each set A¹ fitting the screwed sockets of their
respective driving spindles A, and to make the bosses B and B of these
several parts A' fit and work smoothly without vibration in' several sizes of
tubes they are fitted with, by preference, two fixed and one or two moveable
spring bearing studs D and D' respectively, but other numbers may also be
employed, as five or six, increasing in number according to the size of the
spindles, the fixed bearing studs D by preference being placed one opposite
to and one at the back of the cutter to resist the strain in cutting, while the
spring stud or studs are placed in the front of or on the same side as the
cutter, or on the opposite side to the other fixed studs, so as to retain and
steady the spindle concentric within the tube while turning in the act of
cutting it. Various modes may be adapted of thus fitting and attaching
these studs, that shown in Figure 3 admits of their all being in the same
lateral plane close up to the cutting tool C; the fixed studs D being simply
screwed tightly into short lateral holes on the opposite side to the cutter,
while the moveable studs D' are made to move in smooth round holes by
preference on the samo side as the cutter C by their slightly enlarged heads,
which rest on the volute springs E at the bottom of each of the holes which
forces the studs D' against the inner surface of the tube Z, the studs, being
further steadied and retained in position by the rings F fitted over them at
the outer circumference of the boss B fixed by one or more small screw pins
at the side of the rings. The tool in this modification is shown as arranged
for cutting tubes from the inside by hand power, and by preference in their
place after being fixed at one end in proper position in one of their tube
plates by turning it in the direction indicated by the arrows in the several
Figures by the "ricket" or ratchet wheel a, ratchet pawl and spring b and c,
and hand lever arrangement d of the construction usually employed for boring
purposes, and shown particularly in the end section Figure 6 taken on the
line 4, 4, in Figure 1; this ratchet lever or brace d is attached to the outer

page_text: extremity of the spindle A. but the handle d of the ratchet brace may in
some cases where there is room for a complete revolution of the lever be
cranked or kneed in the form of a winch handle.
Figure is a sectional view of a ratchet brace for actuating the spindle A
with a new or improved arrangement of duplex pawl b', actuated by a small
helical spring c beneath the back or second arm of the pawl b', which I
prefer to employ instead of the ratchet brace arrangements usually employed.
In Figures 1, 2, and 3, the latter Figure being a transverse section taken
on the line 3-3, Figure 1, a mode of fitting the studs D and D¹ to the
boss B is shown by boring holes right through the hoss B' in different lateral
planes, smaller at the end where the moveable studs D' are required to work
out through the circumference, so as to guide and steady them in position, the
studs being inserted from the wide end with enlarged heads and pressed out-
wards by the spiral or helical springs E' acting against the back of the
longitudinal dovetailed blocks D2 covering the wide ends of the holes, in this
case having projections on them forming the fixed bearing studs D, the
respective fixed and moveable spring studs being placed in the same longi-
tudinal line or plane in both of the bosses B and B'. Figure 8 is a transverse
section of the boss B as fitted with three bearing pins or studs D', D³, D",
applicable also to the boss B' very similar in arrangement to that shown and
described in relation to Figure 5, except that there being an odd number in
this case the hole which is bored right through the boss B for the moveable
pin or stud D' and spring E¹ has a small screw plug F inserted from the back
to keep the stud in position and sustain the pressure of the spring, and the
fixed dovetailed blocks or studs D are placed one below or opposite to and
the other at the back of the cutter.
Another arrangement of fitting the studs D, D', is shown in the end view
and sectional elevation. Figures 9 and 10 respectively; in this case the end
boss B¹ has an end cap G fitted to it by an overlapping annular ring or
edge G at the outer circumference at the joint; down through the plane of
which joint holes are bored, either made larger below the overlapping annular
rim, or having one or two grooves cut down the side of the joint so as to
receive the large heads of the studs D, D', or small feathers formed on
them to fit the grooves respectively, as the case may be, the moveable stud D'
having the volute or conoidal spring E placed below it to press it out; and
when these and the fixed studs D are placed within the recesses the end
cap G is placed over them, and screwed up tight by the pin H in the centre
so as to hold. them in proper position, the contracted part of the over-
lapping rim embracing the small ends of the studs D and D' allows of the

page_text: latter moving freely, and prevents them from falling out. An annular ring
removeable longitudinally over either of the bosses B or B¹ can also be made
to form the overlapping annular retaining edge G2, as shown in the section
Figure 1 of the boss B. of a slightly different construction from that shown
in Figures 1 and 2, and be fixed over the holes, and large heads of the studs
D and D to retain them in proper position by a small lateral screw pin or
other equivalent. simple fixture. Longitudinal blade springs E might also
be employed to press out the moveable studs D', acting through slots cut into
the recess below the studs from the ends of the bosses B or B'. All these
fixed and moveable studs are made easy of removal for the substitution of
others of various lengths or heights, so as to make each of the boring heads
or spindles A fitted to the several sized spindles A capable of being fitted to
the various sized tubes within their range, in addition to that possible by the
compensation of one set of springs and studs only, described as applied to
the bosses B and B' in the modification shown in Figures 1 and 2.
In Figure 1 the lateral recess for receiving the cutter C is formed right
through the boss B; and in Figure 12 the cutter C is shown as fitted with
the inner boss B', and the slot and wedge-pointed rod 1 for actuating it are
in this case lengthened for that purpose.
The action of the cutter C is as follows:-The point of the blade spring C
which is screwed fast to a square formed on a small part of the spindle
between the bosses B and B' for the purpose of tightening up the joint A of
the spindle is made to rest on a shoulder at the outer end of the cutter C so
as to press it inwards with considerable force while it is pressed or fed ont-
wards against the power of the spring C', so as to cut the tube as indicated
at Z by the action of the inner end of the square rod or spindle sliding in
a slotted hole or recess in the outer end of the boring boss head A', B, bevilled
at the point on one side in the form of a wedge surface which acts on a
corresponding wedge surface formed on the inner end of the cutting tool C.
The wedge-pointed rod or spindle I is fed powerfully inwards at a slow rate
proportionate to the difference of the pitch of the screw or thread formed
upon its outer end working into the internal screw of the hollow duplex screw
spindle J, and that of the pitch of the thread of the second screw on the
outer surface of this hollow duplex spindle J working in the hollow screw
formed in the outer end of the actuating spindle A.
Both of the screws 1' and J' in the foregoing example, shown in Figures
1 and 2, are "left-handed" screws, and the one J' which imparts the positive
forward feeding motion to the wedge-pointed rod I has a larger pitch of
thread than that of 1'; twelve threads to the inch in the former, J¹, to

page_text: thirteen or fourteen in the latter, I, makes a good ordinary working feed
motion for the tool, but this difference must obviously be varied according to
the angle given to the wedge point of the rod I and end of the cutter, and
also to suit the particular metal the pipes are made of, and which the tool is
required to cut. The tubes formed of steel or other hard metal require a
slower feed and less difference in pitch between the two screws than that of
tubes made of brass or other soft metal, and although the two threads or
Screws and J of the duplex feeding spindle J have been described as both
left-handed" screws. yet still they may be made right-handed" screws if
the tool is turned in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrows.
or if the screw is made with a quicker" or larger pitch of thread
than J, and in place of making the one of these screws or the actuating
Screw J an outside screw. and the other an inside screw, they may both be
made outside screws I and J or threads on a solid spindle, or both inside
screws on a hollow spindle or revolving screw bush" or barrel, as shown in
the sectional elevations, Figures 15 and 16 respectively, and a single screw as
may also be used having a very fine pitch when desired, as shown at
Figures 17 and 20, worked by the hand wheel K or by a wheel and screw nut
K and K. The cutting boss head or part A' of the spindle is inserted into
the tube to be cut until the loose washer I reaches the end of the tube Z
to be cut, this bearing collar or washer L having been previously fixed on the
parallel part of the spindle A by its pinching screw 1' at the proper distance
from the cutter C by measurement, so as to cut the tube at the length required
out from the tube plate Z¹ to form a proper joint therewith. The simple
holding of the hand wheel K fixed on the outer end of the screw spindle. J
while the boring spindle A. A', is in action or being turned in the direction
indicated by the arrows by hand power, and the "ricket" or ratchet lever d or
other equivalent motive power agent screws forward the sliding rod I, which
feeds out the lateral cutter or knife so as to cut through the thickness of the
tube at a maximum speed in a true, smooth, and simple manner, and when
the cutter is in proper order requires not even the touch of a file to make it
ready for jointing to the tube plate. When a faster or slower rate of feed
motion is required it is obtained by turning the hand wheel K in the opposite
direction to that of the motion of the spindle A. A', or in the same direction
respectively. A recess or curved channel B is formed in the boss B in front
of the cutter Ċ for the free escape of cuttings or borings into the space
between the bosses B and B, and a further free escape is left for them by
the recess over the spring C, into which it works. Two or more cutters C
may also be fitted into the bosses B or B. as shown in Figures 13, 17, and 19.

page_text: pressed out by a corresponding number of bevilled or wedge-shaped surfaces
formed on the square point of the longitudinal sliding rods 1. or on several
short pieces I forming a continuation of them (Figures 13 and 19), or by
the conical point 1 formed on the single revolving screwed rod J acting in
corresponding hollow conical surfaces formed on the inner ends of the two
cutters C in Figure 17, and these cutters C when there are more than one
employed at the same time may be variously shaped, as for roughing out a
groove or cut recess in the tubes or tube plate and for finishing it or giving a
different shape to some part of the recess or the tube adjacent thereto. These
tools are also suitable for cutting annular recesses in pipes or other hollow
cylindrical holes, or for widening or bevelling the holes in the tube plates of
boilers or other vessels for the reception of the tubes, as shown in the modi-
fication illustrated in Figure 13. where a modification of the moveable bearing
collar is shown, and also in detached end view Figure 14 with a projecting
rim so as to work close into and over the cutters and against the tube plate.
The said tools are also most useful for cutting out old tubes from such boilers
and vessels without destroying them close up to the back of the tube plate:
this operation in the act of being performed is indicated in Figure 19. In
some cases the outer ends of the cutters C may be formed with abrasion or
frictional surfaces. instead of cutting edges. so as to force out the tubes to suit
the tube plates or to form bulged annular parts round them. such as are at
present formed by driving mandrils or " rymers
into them for the purpose
of making perfect joints with the tube plate.
for cutting tubes made of malleable metals oil
the cutter C by a syringe forced through the holes e (Figures 1 and 2,
13 and 14) in the collars L or along the groove e' formed in the spindle A
(Figures 1 and 2), or otherwise the body of the part A or A' of the main
spindle may be made of a wholly cylindrical form. so as to be filled with
oil or water at. intervals (through lateral holes) which would be pressed out.
through small holes or recesses to the cutting face or edge of the cutter C
by the small pistons by the or of the helical spring f, as indicated in
Figures 13 and 17. Instead of attaching the two parts A and A' of the main
spindle by a screw joint, as shown at A in Figures 1 and 2, they may also be
attached by a kind of bayonet socket joint A", as shown in Figures 17, 18.
and 19, Figure 18 being a transverse section of this joint taken on the
line in Figure 17.
When the tool is used
or water is supplied to
Another modification and arrangement of these improved tube cutting tools
is shown in Figures 21 to 24; Figures 22, 23. and 24 being transverse
sections taken on the lines G-6, 7-7, 8-8, respectively in Figure 21.

page_text: According to the arrangement herein shown the rod
by a parallel angled
side of the cutter C
point working in a corresponding slot formed on the
both pushes the cutter out and draws it in either with or without the use of
the spring C, which in this case may be dispensed with. and the rod I is
moved to and fro for this purpose by the two arms g of a screw head upon it.
working out through two slots in the spindle A within an annular groove in
the eye of the hand screw wheel K working on a very fine pitched or
threaded screw J³ formed on the outside of the spindle A. so that the turning
of the hand wheel K in one direction or the other respectively causes the
cutter C to be "fed out" or drawn in as herein explained in relation to the
former modifications already described. In some cases a single aring only
may be used working in an angular or screw groove formed in the eye of the
wheel so as to form together with the screw J a duplex screw similar to
and acting in the same manner as the screw J formed by the screws I and J
as shown and described in relation to Figures 1 and 2.
In Figure 21 a modification of the bearing ring L is shown with an arm L³
projecting over the cutter C bearing against the tube plate Z' so as to cut out
the end of the tube parallel to the tube plate when it lies at an angle to the
tube. In this modification is also shown in the transverse section Figure 22
taken on the line 6-6. Figure 21, an adaptation of small fixed and moveable
bearing rollers D3 and D' instead of the studs D and D' respectively, as described
in the former modifications, and more particularly applicable to the cutting of
the larger class of tubes. the moveable roller being mounted in a small bush
bearing box working in a lateral recess with a spiral spring E beneath it.
Figures 25 to 34 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, show sectional
and detail views of tube cutting tools adapted for cutting the tubes from the
outside. all constructed in accordance with and illustrative of various
modifications of this said Invention.
Figure 25 shows an arrangement in which a hollow spindle M is mounted by
a long boss so as to slide upon and be set at any position upon the spindle A by
the long screw, N and sliding screw nut N', working through the centre of the
spindle. one or two screw studs or cotters from the boss passing down through
longitudinal slots formed on the spindle A into the screw nut N', the screw N
being so turned and worked by the hand wheel N on its outer end as to set the
cutter C carried on the extreme end of the long hollow spindle projecting over
the tuze Z as to cut the tube at the proper distance from the tube plate or the
end of the tube, against which the bearing collar L revolves, and which in
this case may be fixed or formed on the spindle A. The collar L may also be
made loose and moved by the screw and screw nut. N and N', if desired, in

page_text: the same way as the spindle M just described, and in this case the spindle M
would be made fast to the spindle A. The cutter C in this arrangement is
actuated in a similar manner by the sliding rod I and kneed arm g' working in
an annular or screw groove formed in the eye of the screw hand wheel K³ work-
ing on a screw J³ formed on the outer circumference of the hollow spindle M.
Figure 26 shows a modification in which the hollow spindle M projecting
over the tube to be cut is set and fixed at the proper position on the spindle A
by the pinching screw M', while in this case the screw nut N and N' and hand
wheel N are employed for moving the rod by its lateral arm so as to
feed or press in the cutter C while the spindle A is turning so as to cut the
tube through from the outside, while the helical spring C is employed for
drawing out the cutter C when the wedge pointed sliding rod I is drawn back
by the reversing of the screw N. the lateral arm g works or slides in through
slots formed in the spindles M and A. In this modification the cutter is
made to cut the tube in a truc lateral plane either by the washer L. revolving
against the end of the tube or by the end of the sliding guide O revolving
against the tube plate, made capable of shifting and being fixed by the pinching
screw O for that purpose.
Figure 27 shows an arrangement for actuating the cutter C by a lever P
fulcrumed in the collar close to the lateral slot through which the cutter
slides, and having the long free end D' of the lever working into the scroll or
volute shaped slot formed in the face of the hand wheel K', which in this
case simply revolves in a recess upon the spindle M, which is set and retained
in proper position upon the spindle A by either the screw N or the pin M',
as described in relation to Figures 25 and 26, so as to revolve upon the
part A of the spindle inserted into the tube Z to be cut, either revolving
against the end of the tube, or the face of the tube plate Z¹ by the fixed
collar L, or the end of the sliding guide O against the tube plate respectively,
as described in relation to Figure 26, or the end of the spindle M itself in
some cases may be made to bear against the face of the tube plate.
Figures 28 and 29 show a sectional elevation and end view respectively of
a hollow spindle M2 made to revolve on the tube Z itself, to be cut (without
the internal spindle A, A', shown and described in relation to Figures 25, 26,
and 27) in this modification, which is particularly adapted for cutting long
tubes at any point; the tube M2 is fitted with various sizes of end rings Q to
suit different sizes of tubes to be cut, these rings being fitted with bearing
rollers, by preference two fixed and one moveable, the latter having a volute
spring E in the recess between the bearing block of the roller and a dove-
tailed block or stop cover, so as to press the roller against the tube Z. The

page_text: spindle M is turned by the ratchet brace a, d, attached near its one end so as
to revolve on the tube and bear against a collar or collars fixed on the tube
being cut, or against the face of the vice or other holding apparatus employed
to fix the tube while being cut, by the forcing in of the cutter C against the
power of the spring C', forcing it outwards by the forward traverse of the
wedge-pointed rod I, the head g' of which works in a screw groove formed in
the eye of the hand wheel K, revolving on a recess or between collars on the
spindle M, for the purpose of retaining it in position.
Figures 30, 31, and 32, are respectively a longitudinal section, traverse
section, and plan of another modification of these improvements for cutting
tubes at any part of their length, in which the longitudinal wedge-pointed
rods are traversed by the screw action of the two angular frictional rollers h
carried in bearings formed in the long ring collar i fast to the rods I; the
rollers having springs above their bearing. bushes pressing them down
through slots formed in the ring and the body of the spindle M2 so as to
work against the outer circumference of the tube Z to be cut, by which
frictional and screwing action the turning of the spindle M2 by the ratchet
brace a, d, the rollers h are caused to revolve and transverse so as to depress
the cutter C against the power of their springs C', and so cut through the
tube, which must be held fast in a vice or other equivalent contrivance for
gripping the tube whilst being cut.
Figures 33 and 34 are respectively a sectional elevation and a plan of a
modification of a tube cutting too! somewhat similar to that described in
relation to Figures 28 to 32, but showing another arrangement of feeding
down the cutter C against the power of the spring C'. so as to cut the tube
by the automatic action of the turning of the spindle M2 by the ratchet
brace a, d, through the action of the star wheel j fixed fast on the top of a
screw jworking into the screwed recess over the cutter, a fresh tooth of
which wheel comes in contact with the fixed stop fast on the bearing collar
every time the spindle M2 is turned past the said stop, so as to screw down
the spindle j and cutter C. When no bearing collar is used. and the end of
the spindle M is made to bear up against any fixed stop near or attached to
the vice or other equivalent gripping apparatus for holding the tube whilst
being cut, the stop may be made fast to either of these adjacent to the
position of the star wheel while turning the spindle M².
Figures 33 to 42 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings are elevations of
several arrangements or modifications of portable frames and mechanism for
supporting and actuating the main spindles of the tube cutting tools herein
described in relation to Figures 1 to 34, especially adapted for cutting tubes

page_text: SPORTS AT VENT commg H WHICH They are use
while in the act of being constructed.
The modification shown in side and end elevation in Figures 35 and 36
respectively consists of a block or frame R, made to be bolted to the face of
a tube plate Z by one of the central tube holes, having a swivelling head R
attached to it, with a sliding frame S working smoothly and steadily in the
dovetailed sides, so as to be capable of swivelling to suit many concentric
circles of tubes all round its radiating centre (somewhat similar in action to
the jib or radiating arm of a radial drilling machine), the radiating arm S
being capable of being fixed steady in any position when set by a screw bolt
to its sliding and swivelling frame R and R'.
In this arrangement and mode of carrying and working the cutting tool
spindle A. A formed in the extreme end of the radiating arm S and turned
or actuated as shown by the crank handled ratchet brace a. d, the moveable
collar. I might frequently be dispensed with, as the spindle A, A', can be so
set in the radiating frame S. that the cuffer would cut the proper length off
all the tubes at the tube plate by the parallel radiating action of the frame R
and arm S; and instead of the collar a loose pendant gab or retaining
catch S¹ may be used to retain the spindle while turning in proper longitudinal
position in its bearing in the frame or arm S.
Figures 37 and 38 are respectively a side and end elevation of another
arrangement of frame and actuating gearing for supporting and working the
improved tube-cutting spindles herein described of a somewhat similar con-
struction and action to that described in reference to Figures 35 and 36, but
of a portable construction. consisting of the telescopic radiating pillar R2 and S
hinged so as to radiate vertically on the sole plate T placed when in use in
front of the tube plate Z' having the ends of the tubes Z to be cut projecting
ont therefrom. The internal stem S2 carrying the spindle A, A', of the tube
cutter is raised and lowered to suit various ranges or lengths of the tubes to
be cut by an arrangement of rack 1. and pinion l', and tangential screw m
and screw wheel m', actuated by the winch handle m², and in this case the
spindle A of the cutting tool is actuated by the spur wheel n and pinion n
revolving on bosses carried by the standard S2, the boss or spindle of the
pinion being in this arrangement driven by the winch handle the
pinion a transmitting motion to the wheel and to the tube-cutting spindle A,
which passes through the boss of the wheel n coupled to it by a groove and
feather. This arrangement of gehring n. 1, and for actuating the spindle A
may if desired be fitted to the fixed radiating frame R¹ and S shown in
Figures 35 and 36 instead of the direct acting hand ratchet brace d' described

page_text: in relation to those Figures for the like purpose, and instead of the actuating
tooth wheels n and shown and described pulleys may be employed with open
straps or belts passed over them.
Figures 39 and 40 are respectively a side and end elevation of a portable
vertical frame R (designed for heavier work than that shown and described
in relation to Figures 37 and 38) with a broad heavy sole plate to allow of
its being steady. either with or without being bolted to the floor, as may be
desired. The lengthening post or bar S2 is raised and lowered in the same
manner as in the last modification described, and carries the actuating boss or
spindle of the pinion n', which gives motion to the actuating wheel n of the
tube-cutting spindle A by a long bearing on top, but instead of the post S
radiating it carries the radiating link S, which at its free end carries the
spindle A. A. and its acinating wheel n, so as to radiate laterally round its
actuating pinion n' and to suit a range of tubes without requiring to shift the
main standard R2: the pinion n' in this modification is shown as actuated by
a winch handle 2 fixed on the outer end of its spindle 2, which, however;
might also be driven by a pulley fixed thereon actuated by a belt or strap
from any adjacent prime moving shaft when desired, and if a hollow spindle M
was carried and actuated by the wheel in the arm S3, and that arm made a
fixture to the bar S2. this modification would make a good fixed stationary
tube-cutting machine, to which the tubes
the purpose of being cut, either with or
tube holding or gripping apparatus as
relation to cutting tubes by the several
to 34.
would in this case be carried for
without the use of a vice or other
desired. or as herein described in.
modifications shown in Figures 28
Figures 41 and 42 are respectively a side and end elevation of a modification
of a portable carriage engine for carrying and actuating the heavier class of
tube-cutting spindles for cutting large tubes in boilers, particularly while the
boilers are being fitted with their tubes, or for cutting out the tubes when
they have to be, removed from such boilers under thorough repair. This
arrangement consists of the main vertical pillar R carried on the frame of the
four-wheeled carriage U formed of wood or iron, as may be considered best.
Within guides formed in the pillar R2 the strong frame S2 is made to slide
or rise and fall vertically by hand at pleasure by the winch handle m³,
tangential screw and screw wheel m and m¹, and rack and pinion and ', as
in the two former modifications Figures 37 to 40. Upon the lower part of
the sliding frame S is cast or attached the cylinder of a small steam engine z,
the actuating short crank shaft of which, carried at the top of the same
frame S. gives motion by the spur pinion and wheel o and o' to the inter-

page_text: mediate shaft 2, which in turn actuates the tube-cutting spindle A. A', through
the connecting spur pinion and wheel and n. the spindle A. 'A', being
carried in a long bearing in the free end of the radiating arm S3 (as described
in reference to Figures. 30 and 40) for the purpose of allowing the tool A, A'.
to cut the tubes laterally arranged to the right and left of the vertical line of
the frame S at the various heights as that frame is raised for the purpose
from time to time by the winch handle me. This arrangement is most portable.
and capable of being wheeled about to the front of the tube plates of marine
and other boilers in the yard's and sheds where they are being constructed
with great ease. and where there is generally an abundance of steam in use,
which by the attaching of a small flexible pipe to the main conducting steam
pipes can be admitted at pleasure to the casing p of the engine or where
mechanical power or motion is available the connecting rod of the engine z
may be uncoupled and a belt passed round the rim of the fly wheel of the
engine from a pulley on any adjacent motive power shaft. so as to actuate the
tube-cutting spindle or tool A. A', as herein-before described.
Although I have throughout this Specification both shown and described
the various modifications of my improved tube-cutting tools and machinery as
applied to the cuiting of tubes ranged in a horizontal position, yet still it will
be obvious to the practical engineer, toolmaker, and boilermaker, that most
of these modifications shown and described are equally applicable for the
cutting of tubes ranged in a vertical or angular position in boilers and other
vessels.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is or may be used or carried into effect. I may observe in
conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise details,
modifications, or arrangements which have had occasion to describe,
delineate, and refer to, as many variations of and from these may be made
without departing from the main or essential features of my said Invention;
neither do I claim to have invented the forms and constructions of many of
the parts or their modes of attachment which I have had occasion to describe
and refer to by themselves specially, as such have been used for other pur-
poses in other kinds of machinery, except in so far as these have essential
reference to or form part of my said Invention; but what I consider to be
novel and original, and therefore claim as the Tavention secured to me by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,
First, the general construction and arrangement of tube-cutting machinery
or tools, and in the use and modes of applying the same for the cutting of
tubes and other analogous purposes by any of the modifications herein
:

page_text: specified, all substantially in the new or improved manner herein described
and shown in the accompanying Drawings or any mere modfication thereof.
Second, the construction and use of a simple or a duplex spindle for the
purpose of cutting tubes from the inside. having a lateral cutter or cutters
automatically fed or pushed outwards by the combination of a wedge. action
and a single or a duplex screw mechanical action, whether actuated by hand.
power or motive power. all substantially in the new or improved manner
herein described and shown in the accompanying Drawings or any mere
modification thereof.
Third, the construction and use of hollow spindles revolving round the
outer circumference of tubes carrying cutters fed or pushed inwards for the
purpose of cutting the said tubes, all substantially in the new or improved
manner herein described and shown in the accompanying Drawings or any
mere modification thereof.
Fourth. the construction and use of the compound or duplex screw
mechanical action for the feeding or actuating of the cutters of tube-cutting
spindles, substantially in the new or improved manner herein described and
shown in the accompanying Drawings or any mere modification thereof.
Fifth, the application, construction, arrangement, and use of bearing com-
pensating studs of various heights for the steadying of tube-cutting spindles,
all substantially in the new or improved manner herein described and shown
in the accompanying Drawings or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Richard Middlemore Thomson.
have hereunto set my hand and seal. this Twenty-second day of May,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
seven.
Witness,
JAMES STEVENSON.
Patent Agent.
20, Buchanan Street,
Glasgow.
W. R. M. THOMSON: (L.S.)