Care of the Machine
A man is known by the condition of the machine he keeps. Keep the knife sharp. That is the first rule to repeat every day and every hour of the day. The second rule is to oil every hole and place required on the machine. The third rule is to keep the machine and its neighborhood scrupulously clean. The fourth rule is to learn by heart and follow the printed directions attached to the machine by the maker. If you do not understand or if you cannot follow correctly every instruction on the printed instructions attached to the machine by the maker, first ask your foreman or superintendent. If the directions are not clear, write, or ask the office to write, to the maker for a detailed explanation or to have his traveling representative come and explain them. Any operator who does not understand the adjustments of the machine he operates has but partly learned his trade. Be particular to see that the driving pulley on your machine runs at the speed given for it on the manufacturer's directions.
Keep the machine always in adjustment. See that the brake band is adjusted so that when the starting lever is thrown in to start, the friction is entirely released and there is no drag on machine.
Do not allow the knife to sink any deeper into the cutting stick than to sever the last sheet of the pile.
Never use more pressure on the clamp than is necessary to hold the pile without drawing or slipping; any additional pressure is only an added strain on the machine.
Jog your stock before putting it in the machine and do not use the back gage for that purpose. Continual hard jogging with heavy lifts of stock against first one end of gage and then the other will quickly knock it out of square or loosen it.
A little talcum powder, French chalk, or powdered boracic acid dusted on the table makes the stock handle easier.
A slip-sheet of paper or thin pulp board placed on top or on the bottom of the pile, and cut up with it, protects delicate surfaces from finger marks or soiling. Keep your hands and apron clean. Keep the machine clean in every part.
Use only wrenches furnished with the machine, because they fit the bolt heads properly and because they are the correct lengths to put on the proper tension.
Do not use a monkey wrench, because, unless the jaws are carefully adjusted, it will destroy the bolt heads and if used on small bolts, on account of its length and power, is apt to strip the threads or break the bolt or part.