3. The bending of each of these pieces by a machine, so as to form the links; the last two operations are done rapidly while the iron is red-hot.
4. The welding of the links at small forge fires, fitted with tools for this express purpose, and the immediate introduction of the stay, by means of a compound lever press.
5. Proving the strength of the cables by an hydraulic press, worked by two men turning a winch furnished with a fly wheel.
The furnace is like those used in the sheet-iron works, but somewhat larger, and needs no particular description here.
[Figs. 222.] and [223.] are a plan and elevation of the shears with which the rods are cut into equal pieces, for forming each a link. It is moved at Mr. Brunton’s factory by a small steam engine, but, for the sake of simplicity, it is here represented worked by four or more labourers, as it may be in any establishment. These must be relieved however frequently by others, for I believe each shears’ machine is calculated to require nearly one horse in steam power. It is portable and must be placed in the neighbourhood of both the furnace and bending machine.
A and B are the two cast-iron limbs of the shears. The first is fixed and the second is movable by means of a crank shaft C, driven by a heavy fly-wheel weighing 7 or 8 cwt.
The cutting jaws G are mounted with pieces of steel which are made fast by bolts, and may be changed at pleasure.
E, the bar of iron to be cut. It is subjected, immediately upon being taken out of the fire, to the shears, under a determinate uniform angle, care being taken not to let it turn round upon its axis, lest the planes of the successive incisions should become unequal.