FEED STRIP FILLING MACHINE.
The feed strip filling machine is constructed for clamping to a bench or plank, as, for instance, the lid of a cartridge box.
The hopper and clamp are removable for compactness in packing.
The machine must be so placed that the crank can be conveniently turned with the right hand.
Proceed as follows:—
(a) Fill the hopper with cartridges. (b) Push a feed strip, stop lugs to the rear, in its guides on the machine until the feed tooth catches back of the first middle clip. (c) Turn the crank. At each complete turn of the crank first a cartridge is pushed forward into the clips, and then the feed strip fed ahead one notch into position for the succeeding cartridge. (d) When filled remove the feed strip.
This machine is operated most efficiently by two men. One supplies the machine with feed strips, turns the crank, and removes filled feed strips; the other supplies the hopper with cartridges.
N.B.—The feed strips may also be readily filled by hand; care should be taken that the rims of all cartridges bear back against their stop lugs.
RE-SIZING THE FEED STRIPS.
When the feed strips have been used repeatedly, the middle clips sometimes lose their curvature to such an extent that the cartridges are not firmly held. This is quickly remedied by passing the strips through the re-sizing tool so as to restore the middle clips to their original form.