These operations are supervised by the smith who has the work in charge, with two or more helpers or assistants, according to the size of the forging. The wedge 7 also is heated in a covered fire with only one opening on the workman’s side of the forge; the wedge is inserted in that opening, and is attended and handled by another smith, who watches its progress in heating.
When the supervising and attending smiths have signaled to each other that the heats are ready, 5 and 6 are removed, turned over, and placed on the anvil or on the steam hammer die to receive the wedge which is placed in position by the attending smith. After the wedge has been thoroughly welded into place with either sledges or steam hammer, the handle and all surplus metal surrounding the openings are removed by the aid of hot cutters and sledges.
This procedure must now be repeated and another wedge welded into place on the opposite side indicated by the broken lines. With these two wedges 5 and 6 will be securely joined.
To insure a perfect weld, a good quality of material should be selected for the wedges. It should be thoroughly hammered to produce good texture, and if iron is operated upon, the fiber of the wedges should run parallel to the fiber of the piece to be welded. As this is not generally observed, welds of this character often break through the centers of the two wedges.
Fig. 47.—A Broken Locomotive Frame.
The broken locomotive frame shown in [Fig. 47] would be repaired by the above method. The irregular line at A shows where the break has occurred. The straps and bolts at B indicate the method of holding the parts in alignment. Two tie rods at C prevent the parts from separating.
Questions for Review
What effect is produced by the upright blow? By the edge-to-edge blow? By the overhanging blow? By the beveling or angle blow? By the leverage blows? What are the backing-up blows used for? The shearing blows?