MECHANICK EXERCISES:Or, the Doctrine ofHandy-works.Applied to the ART ofMold-Making, Sinking theMatrices,Casting and Dressing ofPrinting-Letters.
Or, the Doctrine ofHandy-works.Applied to the ART ofMold-Making, Sinking theMatrices,Casting and Dressing ofPrinting-Letters.
TheSteel-Punchesbeing thus finish’d, as afore was shewed, they are to be sunk or struck into pieces ofCopper, about an Inch and an half long, and one quarter of an Inch deep; but the thickness not assignable, because of the different thicknesses in Letters, as was shewed in §. 2. and shall further be shewed, when I come to the sinking and justifyingofMatrices. But before thesePunchesare sunk intoCopper, theLetter-Foundermust provide aMoldto justifie theMatricesby: And therefore it is proper that I describe thisMoldto you before I proceed any farther.
I have given you in Plate 18. at A, the Draft of one side or half of theMold; and in Plate 19. at B, its Match, or other half, which I shall in general thus describe.
EveryMoldis made of two parts, an under, and an upper Part; the under part is delineated at A, in Plate 18, the upper part is marked B, in Plate 19, and is in all respects made like the under part, excepting theStoolbehind, and theBow, orSpringalso behind; and excepting a small roundishWyerbetween theBodyandCarriage, near theBreak, where the under part hath a small roundingGroovemade in the Body. ThisWyer, or ratherHalf-Wyerin the upper part makes theNickin theShankof the Letter, when part of it is received into the Grove in the under part.
These two parts are so exactly fitted and gaged into one another, (viz.theMale Gage, marked C in Plate 19, into theFemale-Gagemarked g, in Plate 18.) that when the upper part of theMoldis properly placed on, and in the under part of theMoldboth together, makes the entireMold, and may be slid backwards for Use so far, till the Edge of either of the Bodies on the middle of eitherCarriagecomes just to the Edge of theFemale-Gages, cut in eachCarriage: And they may be slid forwards so far, till the Bodies on eitherCarriagetouch each other. And the sliding of these two parts of theMoldbackwards, makes theShankof the Letter thicker, because the Bodies in each part stand wider asunder; and the sliding them forwards makes theShankof the Letter thinner, because the Bodies on each part of theMoldstand closer together.
Image: Plate 18.
Plate 18.The Under half of the Mold
This is a general Description of theMold; I come now to a more particular Description of its parts.
a TheCarriage.b TheBody.c TheMale-Gage.d e TheMouth-Piece.f i TheRegister.g TheFemale-Gage.h TheHag.a a a aTheBottom-Plate.b b bTheWoodtheBottom-Platelies on.c c eTheMouth.d dTheThroat.e d dThePallat.fTheNick.g gTheStool.h h gTheSpringorBow.
I have here given you only the Names of the parts of theMold, because at present I purpose no other Use of it, than what relates to the sinking thePunchesinto theMatrices: And when I come to the casting of Letters, You will find the Use and Necessity of all these Parts.
TheBottom-Plateis made ofIron, about two Inches and three quarters long, and about the same breadth; its thickness about aBrevier: It is planisht exactly flat and straight: It hath two of itsFore-Angles, asa acut off either straight or rounding, according to the pleasure of the Workman.
About the place where the middle of theCarriagelies, is made a Hole about aGreat-Primmersquare, into which is rivetted on the upper-side a Pin with a Sholder to it, which reaches about half an Inch through the under-side of theBottom-Plate. ThisPinon the under-side theBottom-Plateis round, and hath aMale-Screwon its end. ThisPinis let through a Hole made in the Wood of theMoldto fit it; so that when a squareNut, with aFemale-Screwin it, is turned on theMale-Screw, it may draw and fasten theHalf Moldfirm to the Wood.
The Hind-side of theCarriagelies on thisBottom-Plate, parallel to the Hind-side of it, and about aTwo-Lin’d-Englishwithin the Hind Edge of it; and so much of thisBottom-Plateas is between theRegisterand the left-hand end of theCarriage(as it is posited in the Figure) is called theStool, asg gin the under half of theMold, because on it the lower end of theMatricerests; but on the upper half of theMoldis made a square Notch behind in theBottom-Plate, rather within than without the Edge of theCarriage, to reach from theRegister, and half an Inch towards the left-hand (as it is posited in the Figure)that the upper part of the fore-side of theMatricemay stand close to theCarriageandBody.
On theBottom-Plateis fitted aCarriage, (asa) ThisCarriageis almost the length of theBottom-Plate, and about aDouble-Picathick, and its Breadth the length of the Shank of the Letter to be cast.
ThisCarriageis made ofIron, and hath its upper side, and its two narrow sides filed and rubed upon the usingFile, exactly straight, square and smooth, and the two opposite narrow sides exactly parallel to each other.
On one end of theCarriage, as at g, is made a longNotchorSlit, which I call theFemale-Gage: It is about aDouble-Picawide, and is made for theMale-Gageof the other part of theMoldto fit into, and to slide forwards or backwards as the thickness of the Letter to be cast may require.
Upon theCarriageis fitted theBody, as at b. ThisBodyis also made ofIron, and is half the length of theCarriage, and the exact breadth of theCarriage; but its thickness is alterable, and particularly made for every intendedBody.
About the middle of thisBodyis made a square Hole, about aGreat-Primmer, orDouble-Picasquare; and directly under it is made through theCarriagesuch another Hole exactly of the same size.
Through these two Holes,viz.That in theBody, and that in theCarriage, is fitted a squareIron Shankwith aMale-Screwon one End, and on the other End an Head turning square from the squareShanckto the farther end of theBody, as is described at c; but is more particularly described apart at B in the same Plate, where B may be called theMale-Gage: For I know no distinct Name thatFoundershave for it, and do therefore coyn this:
aThesquare Shanck.bTheMale-Screw.
Thissquare Shanckis just so long within half aScaboardthick as to reach through theBody,Carriage, and another square Hole made through theBottom-Plate, that so when asquare Nutwith aFemale-Screwin it is turned on thatPin, theNutshall draw and fasten theBodyandCarriagedown to theBottom-Plate.
The Office of theMale-Gageis to fit into, and slide along theFemale-Gage.
Image: Plate 19.
Plate 19.The Upper half of the Mold
Close to theCarriageandBodyis fitted aMouth-Piecemarkedd e.Letter-Founderscall this altogether aMouth-Piece: But that I may be the better understood in this present purpose, I must more nicely distinguish its parts, and take the Freedom to elect Terms for them, as first,
c c eTheMouth.dThePalate.c cedTheJaws.d dTheThroat.
Altogether (as aforesaid) theMouth-Piece.
TheMouth-Piecehath itsSidereturning from theThroatfiled and rubb’d on theUsing-Fileexactly straight and square to itsBottom-side, because it is to joyn close to the Side of theCarriageandBody; but its upper-side,viz.thePalateis not parallel to theBottom, but from the Sided d,viz.theThroatfalls away to theMouthe, making anAnglegreater or smaller, as theBodythat theMoldis made for is bigger or less: For smallBodiesrequire but a smallMouth, because smallLadleswill hold Metal enough for small Letters; and the smaller theLadle, the finer theGeatof theLadleis; and fineGeatswill easier hit theMouth(in a Train of Work) than the courseGeatsof GreatLadles: Therefore it is that theMouthmust be made to such a convenient Width, that theLadleto be used and itsGeat, may readily, and without slabbering, receive the Metal thrown into theMold.
But again, if theMouth-Piecebe made too wide,viz.theJawstoo deep at theMouth, though theGeatof theLadledoes the readier find it, yet theBodyof theBreakof theLetterwill be so great, that first it heats theMolda great deal faster and hotter; and secondly, it empties thePana great deal sooner of its Metal, and subjects the Workman sometime to stand still while other Metal is melted and hot: Therefore Judgment is to be used in the width of theMouth; and though there be no Rule for the width of it; yet this in general for suchMoldsas Imake, I observe that theOrificeof theThroatmay be about one quarter of the Body for small Bodies; but for great Bodies less, according to Discretion, and thePalateabout an Inch and a quarter long from theBodyandCarriage. The reason that theOrificeof theThroatis so small, is, because the Substance at the end of theShanckof the Letter ought also to be small, that theBreakmay easier break from theShanckof the Letter, and the less subject theShanckto bowing; for the bowing of a Letter spoils it; and the reason why thePalateis so long, is, that theBreakbeing long, may be the easier finger’d and manag’d in the breaking.
If it be objected, that since the smalness of theBreakat the end of theShanckof the Letter is so approvable and necessary for the reason aforesaid, then why may not theBreakbe made much more smaller yet? The Answer will be, No; because if it be much smaller than one quarter of the Body, Metal enough will not pass through theThroat, to fill both theFaceandShanckof the Letter, especially if the Letter to be cast prove thin.
Near theThroatandJawis made straight down through thePalatea square Hole (as atk.) This square Hole hath all its Sides on theUpper-Plainof thePalateopened to aBevelof about 45 Degrees, and about the depth of a thickScaboard. Into this squareHoleis fitted a squarePinto reach through it; and within half aScaboardthrough a squareHole, made just under it in theBottom-Platewhich theMouth-Piecelies upon. On the upper end of this squarePinis made a squareSholder, whose under-sides are filedBevilaway, so asto comply and fall just into theBevilmade on thePalateaforesaid, and on the under end of thePinis made aMale-screwlong enough to contain a squareNut, with aFemale-screwin it about aPicaorEnglishthick, whichNutbeing twisted about thePinof theMale-screw, draws and fastens theMouth-piececlose down to theBottom-Plate, and also close to theCarriageandBodyof theMold.
Note, that the squareHolemade in theBottom-Plateto receive the squareShanckof thePin, must be made a little wider than just to fit the squareShanckof thePin, because theMouth-piecemust be so placed, that the end of theJawnext theThroatmust lie just even with theBodyit is to be joyned to; and also that theThroatof theMouth-piecemay be thrust perfectly close to the Sides of theCarriageandBody: And when Occasion requires theShanckof the Letter to be lengthned, it may be set farther off theCarriage, that anAsidue, or sometimes a thinPlateofBrassmay be fitted in between theCarriageand theThroatof theMouth-piece, as shall farther be shewed when I come to justifie theMold.
Behind theMoldis placed theRegister, as atf i h, which I have also placed apart in the aforesaid Plate, as at C, that it may the more perspicuously be discerned, and a more particular account of its parts be given, which are as follows:
Ca a b c d eTheRegister.a aTheSholders.b cTheNeck.dTheCheekreturning square from the Plate of theRegister, and is about anEnglishthick.eTheScrew Hole.
It is made of anIronPlate about aBrevierthick; its upper-side is straight, but its under-side is not: For ata aprojects downwards a small piece of the same Plate, which we may call theSholders, of the Form you see in the Figure. TheseSholdershave two smallNotches(as atb c) filed in them below theRangeon the under-side of theRegister, which we will call theNeck, and is just so wide as theBottom-Plateis thick. ThisNeckis set into a squareNotch, filed so far into theBottom-Plate, that the flat inside of theRegistermay stand close against the hind-side of theCarriageandBody; and thisNotchis filed so wide on the left Hand, that when the sidebof theNeckstands close against the left-hand-side of thisNotch(as it is posited in the Figure) theCheekof theRegisterstands just even with the Edge of theBody. And thisNotchis also filed so wide on the right-Hand-side, that when theNeckatcstands close against the right-hand Side of theNotch, theCheekof theRegistermay remove an m, or an m and an n from the edge of theBodytowards the right hand: And theSholders a aare made so long, that when either Side of theNeckis thrust close against its corresponding side in theNotchof theBottom-Plate, the upper Edge of the oppositeSholdershall hook or bear against the under-side of theBottom-Plate, and keep the wholeRegistersteady, and directly upright to the Surface of theBottom-Plate.
In the Plate of theRegister, is made a long square Hole, as ate, just wide enough to receive thePinof aMale-screw, with aSholderto it, which is to fit into aFemale-screw, made in the Edge of theCarriage, that when theMale-screwis turned about in theFemale-screwin theCarriage, it shall draw theSholderof the saidMale-screwhard against the upper and under Sides of the square Hole in the Plate of theRegister, close to the side of theCarriageandBody.
The reason why the Hole in the Plate of theRegisteris made so long, is that theCheekof theRegistermay be slid forwards or backwards as occasion requires; as shall be shewn when I come to justifying theMold.
In the upper half of theMold, at about aPicadistance from theThroat, is fitted into the under-side of theBodytheNick: It is made of a piece ofWyerfiled flat a little more than half away. ThisNickis bigger or less, as the Body theMoldis made for is bigger or less; but its length is about twom’s. It is with roundSculptorslet exactly into the under-side of theBody.
In the under half of theMold, is made at the same distance from theThroat, on the upper-side of theBody, a roundGroove, just fit to receive theNickin the upper half.
This is a long piece of hardIron Wyer, whose Diameter is about aBrevierthick, and hath one end fastned into the Wood of the under half of theMold, as ath; but it is so fastned, that it may turn about in the Hole of the Wood it is put into: For the end of it being batter’d flat, a small Hole is drilled through it, into which small Hole the end of fineLute-string Wyer, or somewhat bigger is put, and fastned by twisting about half an Inch of the end of theLute-stringto the rest of theLute-string: For then a considerable Bundle of thatWyer, of about the Size of a Doublet Button, being wound behind the Hole, about the end of theSpring, will become aSholderto it, and keep the end of theSpringfrom slipping through the Hole in the Wood: But thisButtonorSholdermust also be kept on by thrusting another piece ofWyerstiff into the Hole made on the end of theSpring, and crooking thatWyerinto the Form of an S, that it slip not out of the Hole.
The manner how theSpringis bowed, you may see in the Figure: But just without the Wood is twisted upon anotherWyerabout anEnglishthick five or six turns of theWyerof theSpring, to make the wholeSpringbear the stronger at its point: For the Office of theSpringis with its Point atg, to thrust theMatriceclose against theCarriageandBody.
These areIron Wyersabout aLong-Primmerthick: Their Shape you may see in the Figure: They are so fastned into the Wood of theMold, that they may not hinder theLadlehitting theMouth. Their Office is to pick and draw with their Points theBreakandLetterout of theMoldwhen they may chance to stick.
All theIronWork aforesaid of theMoldis fitted and fastned on two Woods,viz.each half one, and each Wood about an Inch thick, and of the shape of each respectiveBottom-Plate. The Wood hath all its Sides except the hind-side, about aPicalonger than theBottom-Plate; but the hind-side lies even with theBottom-Plate. TheBottom-Plate, as afore was said in ¶. 2. of this §. hath anIron Pinon its under-side, about half an Inch long, with aMale-screwon its end, whichPinbeing let fit into an Hole in the Wood does by aNutwith aFemale-screwin it draw, all theIronWork close and fast to the Wood.
But because the Wood is an Inch thick, and thePinin theBottom-Platebut half an Inch long, therefore the outer or under-side of the Wood (as posited in the Figure) hath a wide round Hole made in it flat at the Bottom, to reach within anEnglish, or aGreat Primmerof the upper-side of the Wood. This round Hole is wide enough to receive theNutwith theFemale-screwin it; and thePinbeing now long enough to receive theFemale-screwat the wide Hole, theFemale-screwmay withround nosed Plyersbe turned about theMale-screwon thePinaforesaid, till it draw all theIronWork close to the Wood.
The Wood behind on the upper half is cut away as theBottom-Plateof that half is; and into the thickness of the Wood, close by the right and left-hand side of thisNotchis a small squareWyer-stapledriven, which we may call theMatrice-Check; for its Office is only to keep theShanckof theMatricefrom flying out of thisNotchof theMoldwhen theCasteris at Work. And theNutsandScrewsof theCarriageandMouth-piece, &c. that lie under theBottom-Plate, are with smallChisselslet into the upper-side of the Wood, that theBottom-platesmay lie flat on it.
Sect. XVI.Of justifying theMold.
Although theMoldbe now made; nay, very well and Workman-like made, yet is it not imagin’d to be fit to go to work withal; as well because it will doubtless Rag (asFounderscall it; for which Explanation see the Table) as because the Body, Thickness, Straightness, and length of theShanckmust be finisht with such great Nicety, that without several Proofs and Tryings, it cannot be expected to be perfectly true.
Therefore before the sinking and justifying theMatrices, theMoldmust first beJustified: And first, he justifies theBody, which to do, he casts about twentyProofsor Letters, as they are called, though itmatters not whether theShanckshave yet Letters on them or no. TheseProofshe sets up in aComposing-stick, as is described in §. 17. ¶. 2. Plate 19. at G, with all theirNickstowards the right Hand, and then sets up so many Letters of the sameBody, (which for Distinction sake we will callPatterns) that he will justifie hisBodytoo, upon theProofs, with all theirNicksalso to the right Hand, to try if they agree in length with the same Number of Letters that he uses for hisPattern; which if they do not, for very seldom they do, but by the Workman’s fore-cast are generally somewhat too big in theBody, that there may be Substance left toJustifietheMold, and clear it fromRagging. Therefore theProofsmay drive-out somewhat, either half a Line (which inFoundersandPrintersLanguage is half aBody) or a whole Line. (more or less.)
He also tries if the two sides of theBodyare parallel,viz.That theBodybe no bigger at theHeadthan at theFoot; and that he tries by taking half the number of hisProofs, and turning the Heads of them lays them upon the other half of hisProofs, so that if then theHeadsandFeetbe exactly even upon each other, and that the Heads and Feet neitherdrive out, norget in, (FoundersandPrintersLanguage, for which see the Table) the two sides of theBodyare parallel; but if either theHeadorFoot drives out, the two sides of theBodyare not parallel, and must therefore be mended.
And as he has examin’d the Sides of theBodyso also he examines the thickness of the Letter, and tries if the two Sides of the thickness be also parallel, whichto do, he sets up hisProovesin theComposing-stickwith theirNicksupwards. Then taking half of theProoves, he turns theHeadsand lay theHeadsupon theFeetof the other half of hisProoves, and if theHeadsandFeetlies exactly upon each other and neitherdrive outorget inthe two Sides of the thicknesses are parallel. But if either theHeadorFootdrive-outthe two Sides of the thicknesses are not parallel; and must therefore be mended.
Next, he considers whether the sides of theBodybe straight, first by laying two Letters with theirNicksupwards upon one another, and holding them up in his Fingers, between his Eye and the Light, tries if he can see Light between them: For if the least Light appear between them, theCarriageis not straight. Then he lays theNicksagainst one another, and holds them also against the Light, as before: Then he lays both theNicksoutward, and examines them that way, that he may find whether either or both of theCarriagesare out of straight.
But we will suppose now theBodysomewhat too big, and that it drives out at theHeadorFoot; and that the thicknessdrives outat theHeadorFootand that the Sides of theBodyare not straight. These are Faults enough to take theMoldasunder: but yet if there were but one of these Faults it must be taken asunder for that; by unscrewing theMale-Gage, to take theBody offtheCarriage, and theCarriageoff theBottom-Plate.
Having found where the Fault of one or both sides of theBodyis, he lays theBodydown upon theUsing File; and if the Fault be extuberant, he rubs theExtuberancy down, by pressing his Finger or Fingers hard upon the opposite side of the Body, just over the extuberant part; and so rubbing the Body hard forwards on theUsing-File, and drawing it lightly backwards, he rubs till he has wrought down the extuberancy, which he examins by applying theLynerto that side of the Body, and holding it so up between his Eye and the Light, tries whether or not theLynerride upon the part that was extuberant; which if it do, the extuberancy is not sufficiently rub’d off, and the former Process must again begin and be continued till the extuberancy be rub’d off. And if the Body were too big, he by this Operation works it down: Because the extuberancy of theBodyrid upon theCarriage, and bore it up.
And if the fault be aDawk, or Hollow in theBody, then he Works the rest of that side of theBodydown to the bottom of theDawk, which by applying theLyner(as afore) he tryes, and this also lessens theBody.
If theBodydrive-out atHeadorFoot, he lays the weight of his Fingers heavy at that side or end of theBodywhich is too thick, and so rubs that down harder.
If the thickness of the Letter, drive-out atHead, orFoot, he Screws theBodyinto theVice, and with a flat sharpFile, files theSidedown at theHead, orFoot. At the same time, if theShanckof the Letter be not Square, he mends that also, and smooth-files it very well.
Then he puts theMoldtogether again: And melting, (or laying aside) his firstProofs, lest they should make him mistake, he againCastsabout twenty NewProofs, and examins by them as before, how well he has mended theBody, and how near he has brought theBodyto the size of thePattern: For he does not expect to do it theFirst,Second, orSeventhtime; but mends on, on, on, by a little at a time, till at last it is so finisht.
If theBodyprove too small, it is underlaid with a thick or a thinAsidue; or sometimes a thinPlateofBrass.
Then he examins theMouth-piece, and sees that theJawsslide exactly true, upon every part of thePallatwithout riding.
If theThroatof theMouth-piecelie too low, as most commonly it is designed so to do; Then aPlateofBrassof a proper thickness is laid under it to raise it higher.
He also Justifies theRegisters, making theirCheekstruly Square. And Screwing them about an n from the Corner of theBody.
He tryes that theMaleandFemale-Gagesfit each other exactly, and lie directly straight along, and parallel to both the Sides of theCarriage.
All this thus performed he needs not (perhaps) take theMoldassunder again. But not having yet consider’d, or examin’d the length of theShanckof the Letter, he now does; and if it be somewhat too long (as we will suppose by forecast it is) then theBodyandCarriagebeing Screwed together, and both the Halves fitted in theirGages, the Edges of theCarriageandBodyare thus together rub’d upon theUsing-File, till theCarriagebe brought to an exact length.
Having thus (as he hopes) finisht the justifying of theMold; and put it together, and Screwed it fast up, he puts the two Halves together, and then Rubs or Slides them hard against one another, to try if he can perceive any little part of theBodyRide upon theCarriage, orCarriageride upon theBody: To know which of them it is that Rides, or is extuberant, he uses theLiner; applying it to both the Places, as well of theBodyas theCarriage: where he sees they have Rub’d or bore upon one another: And which of them that is extuberant, the Edge of theLinerwill shew, by Riding upon it: And that part he Files upon with a small flat and very fineFile, by little and little, taking off the extuberancy, till theBodiesandCarriageslie exactly flat upon, and close to one another: Which if they do not, theMoldwill be sure toRag.
That theMatrice, and all its parts may be the better understood, as I shall have Occasion to Name them, I have given you aDraftof theMatricein Plate, 18 at E. and shall here explain its parts.
ETheMatrice, wherein is Punched E, theFaceof theLetter.aTheBottomof theMatrice.bTheTopof theMatrice.cTheRight-sideof theMatrice.dTheLeft Sideof theMatrice.f gTheFaceof theMatrice.h iTheLeather Groveof theMatrice.
In theBackorSidebehind theMatrice, just behind E is filed in athwart theBack, from the right to the left Side aNotch, to settle and hold the point of theSpringorWyerof theMoldin, that theMatricefly or start not back when it is at Work.
As I told you (in §. 11. ¶. 1.) that thePunchesare to be made of several Thicknesses, for reasons there shewed; and that therefore theLetter-CuttermakesWooden Patternsfor his several Sizes of Thicknesses as well as Heights; so now I am come to theSinkingof thePunchesinto theMatrices, I must tell you again that theLetter-Cutteror else theFounder, (either of which thatSinksthem; for sometimes it is a Task Incumbent on each of them) considers the Thicknesses of all thePuncheshe has toSink, though Heighth he need not consider inSinkingtheMatrices: For theMatrices, by reason of their length inCopperupwards and downwards, have Substance enough and to spare, for the longest Letters to beSunkinto them: Therefore I say, he only considers the several Thicknesses of all thePunches, and makesWooden Patternsfor them, marking with a Pen and Inck the number of each size, on thePatternas before he did for theSteel-Punches: But thePatternshe made for theSteel-Puncheswill be too Thin for theCopper Matrices: Because theSteel-PunchesbySinkinginto theMatrices, stretch and force the Sides of theCopperout, and sometimes crack them for want of Substance;and at other times carry or force the Substance of theMatriceso low with theirSholderif theLetterbe broad, that it creates a great Trouble to rub themFlat, (as it is called) because it is done upon theUsing-File.
Therefore he makesWooden Patternsfor every of the former siz’dPunches, so thick or rather an n thicker at the least, then he made theWoodenPatterns, that theSteel-Puncheswere made to beForgedby, that there may be Substance enough on each side theCopperto bear the dilating that the sinking of thePunchinto it will make, because theCounter-Puncht-Lettersare Thicker by theirStemsandFootingorToppingthan theCounter-Punchesmade for them need be.
Therefore (as before) for three sizes ofPunchesto beCounter-Puncht, he made three several siz’dPatterns; so now for the several siz’dPunchesthat are to beSunkintoMatrices, he makes three several siz’dPatternsofWoodfor theCopper-Smithto draw outRodsofCopperof those several Sizes by, and each of them (as aforesaid) an n, and for the ThickLettersan m (at least) Thicker than thePatternswere made, for theSteel-Punchesto be Forged to a size by.
In the Forging of theseCopper-Rods, he instructs theCopper-Smithto make Choice of the softestCopperhe can get, that theSteel-Punchesmay run the less hazzard of breaking; and sometimes (if too soft Temper’d) battering their Stroaks.
TheRose Copperis commonly accounted the softest:But yet I have many timesSunk Punchesindifferently into every sort ofCopper. Nay, even castCopper, which is generally accounted the Hardest: BecauseCopper, as well (as some other Mettals) Hardens with Melting.
TheseRodsofCopperare (as I told you in §. III. ¶. 1.) to be Cut into small Lengths, each about an Inch and an half long, and aGreat-PrimmerorDouble-Picadeep; and for great BodyedLettersaTwo-lin’d-Englishdeep; But their Thickness not assignable, because of the Different Thicknesses inLetters, both of the same and otherBodies, as in part I shewed, in §. II. and more fully in this present §. and ¶.
The reason why theCopper-Rodsare Forg’d so deep, is, That the more substance ofCoppermay lie under theFaceof thePunch: For if theRodhave not a convenient depth, theFaceof thePunchinSinking, does the sooner ingage with the Hardness of theFaceof theStakeit isSunkupon: And having with a few Blows of theHammer, soon hardned theCopperjust under theFaceof thePunch, as well the hardness of the small (thus hardned)BodyofCopperjust under theFaceof thePunch, as the Hardness of theFaceof theStakecontribute a complycated assistance to the breaking or battering theFaceof thePunch. But if theRodbe deep, the Substance ofCopperbetween theFaceof thePunchand theStakeis less hardned, and consequently thePunchwillSinkthe easier, and deeper with less Violence.
But sometimes it has happ’ned that for theSinkingoneMatriceor two, I have been loath to trouble my self to go to theCopper-Smiths, to get one Forg’d: and therefore I have made shift with suchCopperas I have had by me. But when it has not been so deep as I could have wisht it, I have just entred thePunchinto theMatriceupon theStake, and toSinkit deep enough, I have laid it upon a good thick piece ofLead, which by reason of its softness has not hardned theCopperjust under theFaceof thePunch; but suffered thePunchto do itsOfficewith good Success.
Having cut theCopper-Rods, into fit Lengths with a ColdChissel, He files the end that is to stand upon theStoolof theMoldexactly square, and the Right-side of theMatrice, that stands against theCarriageandBody, also exactly Square and smooth upon theUsing-File. Then he places the filed end, orBottomupon theStool, with theFaceof theMatricetowards theCarriageandBody, and the Right side of theMatrice, close against theRegister: Then if thePunchto be sunck be an ascending Letter. He with a fine pointedNeedle, makes a small Race by the upper-side of theCarriageupon theFaceof theMatrice, and that Race is a mark for him, to set the top of the AscendingLetterat, when heSinksit into theMatrice: So that then placing thePunchupright upon the middle of the Thickness of theMatrice, theMatricelying solid on theStake: He with theFaceof anHammersizable to the bigness of hisPunch, cautiously knocks upon theHammer-endof thePunch, with reiterated Blows, tillhe have driven thePunchdeep enough into theMatrice.
But if it be a shortLetter, or a DescendingLetter, and not Ascending also: Then he elects anyCast-Letterof the Thickness of theBeard, (asFoundersandPrinterscall it) For which Explanation see the Table, and he lays thatLetterupon theSurfaceof theCarriage, and then placing theBottomof theMatriceto beSunkas before, on theStool, and against theRegister, He draws with aNeedleas before, a race above theSurfaceof thatLetter, against theFaceof theMatrice, and that race is a Mark for him to place theHeadof theLetterby. Then managing thePunchandHammeras before was shewed, heSinksthePunchinto theMatrice.
But here arises a Question,viz.How deep thePunchesare to beSunkinto theMatrices? The Answer is, a ThickSpacedeep, though deeper even to an n would be yet better: Because the deeper thePunchesareSunk, the lower does theBeardsstand below theFace, and thoseBeardswhen theCast Lettercomes into thePrintersHands to be used, are the less subject toPrint, as too oft they do both atHeadorFootof aPage, than when they lie so high that the softness of theBlankets, and Hardness of aPull, or else carelesness of Running theCarriageof thePressto a considered Mark they would be. But they are seldomSunkany deeper then a thick Space: and the reason is, because the breaking or battering theFaceof thePunchshould not be too much hazarded.
The manyPunchesto beSunkintoMatricesfor the sameBody, are difficult to beSunkof an equal depth. Therefore I always make aBeard-Gage, as is described inPlate19 at F, wherea bis aSholderthat rests upon theFaceof theMatrice,cis thePointorGagethat measures the depth of theSunken Punch. So that when thePointcjust touches theBottom, and both theSholdersa btheFaceof theMatrice, thePunchmay be accounted well Sunk as to depth.
But though it be accounted wellSunkfor a first Essay, yet can it not be reasonably imagined it is wellSunkfor good and all; as well because inSinkingthePunchesit has carryed some part of theSurfaceof theMatricedown below theFaceof theMatriceinto theBodyof theCopper, as because both theSidesare doubtless extorted, and one Side or Part of thePunch Sunkmore or less deeper than the other. Wherefore I now come to
JustifyingofMatricesis, 1. to make theFaceof theSunkenLetter, lie an exact designed depth below theFaceof theMatrice, and on all its sides equally deep from theFaceof theMatrice. 2. It is to set orJustifietheFoot-lineof the Letter exactly inLine. 3. It is toJustifieboth the sides,viz.the Right and left sides of aMatriceto an exact thickness.
Therefore to proceed Methodically, he first slightly Files down theBunchingsout that thePunchmade in the Sides of theMatrice; And then slightly Files down all theCopper, on theFaceof theMatrice, till the Hollow thePunchmade becomes even with the wholeFaceof theMatrice.
Then heCastsaProof-Letteror two, andRubsthem: And with the Edge of a Knife cuts out what may remain in the bottom of theShanckby reason of the un-even breaking, off of theBreakthat the square bottom of theShanckmay not be born off theBottom-Ledgeof theLining-Stick.
But having till now said nothing of theLining-Stick, it is proper before I proceed, to give a Description of it: It is delineated inPlate19 at G. Where G is thePlain,atheSide-Ledge,btheBottom-Ledge,ctheStilt, all made ofBrass.
ThePlainis exactly flat, Straight, and Smooth, that theShancksof theLetterbeing likewise so, may lie flat and solidly on it. Its depth between theBottom-Ledge, and the fore edge is about the length of theShanckof the Letter: But the wholePlainofBrassis yet deeper; Because theBottom-Ledgeis fastned on it. TheLining-Stickis about twoIncheslong for small Letters; but longer for Big-BodyedLetters.
BothBottomandSide-Ledge, is a thin piece ofBrass, from aScaboardto aPicathick, according as theBodywhoseFaceandFoot-lineis to beJustifiedin it is bigger or less. These twoLedgesis an Inside Square exactly wrought, and with smallRivetsfastned on theSideedge, and on theBottomedge.
TheStiltis a thin flat piece ofBrass-Plateabout aScaboardthick, and aDouble-Picabroad: One of its edges isSolderedto the under-side of thePlain, about aDouble-Picawithin the fore-edge of thePlain, that theLining-Stick(when set by withProof-Lettersin it) may not lie flat on itsBottom; but have its fore edgeTiltedup, that theLettersin it may rest against theBottom-Ledge.
Having cut theNotchin theBreakof theLettersas aforesaid, HeRubsevery side of them on theStone, with two or three hardRubs, to take off the smallRagsthat may happen on theShanckof theLetter, notwithstanding theMoldis imagined to be very truly made andJustified.
TheStoneis commonly a wholeGrind-Stone, about eighteen Inches diameter, having both its sides trulyRub’dflat and smooth, byJostlingit (asMasonscall it) upon another broad long and flat Stone withSandandWater. It must have a fine, but very sharpGreet. Now to return.
He places a Quadrat of the sameBody, on thePlainof theLining-stick, and against theSide-Ledgeof it He sets up three or four old m’s of the sameBody: Then sets up hisProof-LetterorLetters, and after hisProof-Letterthree or four old m’s more of the sameBody; and being very careful that theFootof theShanckof the Letter stands full down against theBottom-Ledgeof theLining-stick, He applies the edge of theLinerto theFacesof all these Letters: And if he finds that the edge of theLinerjust touch (and no more) as well all the parts of hisProof-Lettersas they do upon his oldLetters, He concludes hisMatriceisSunkto a trueHeight against Paper.
But he seldom hopes for so good luck; but does more likely expect theMatriceisSunktoo deep or too shallow, and awry on the right and left side, or on the top or bottom of theLine, for all or any of these Faults theLinerwill easily discover. Therefore I shall shew you how heJustifiesaMatricethat is tooHigh against Paper.
We will suppose theFaceof thePunchisSunkflat and straight down into theMatrice; but yet it is a little too deepSunk. Therefore he considers how much it is too deep: If it be but a little too deep, perhaps when theFaceof theMatriceshall be made exactly flat (for yet it is butRough-Filed) it may be wrought down to be just of anHeight against Paper. But if thePunchbeSunkso much too deep that the smoothing the flat of theFaceon theUsing-Filewill not work it low enough; then with aBastard-cut flat-File, he takes off (according to his Discretion) so muchCopperfrom theFaceof theMatriceas will make it so much nearer as he thinks it wants to theFaceof the Letter. But yet considers that theFaceof theMatriceis yet to smoothen on theUsing-File, and therefore he is careful not to take too much off theFaceof theMatricewith theRough-File.
He is also very careful that when he is toFileupon theFaceof theMatrice, toScrewtheFaceof it Horizontally flat in theVice: And that inFilingupon it, he keeps hisFiledirectly Horizontal, aswas shewed,Numb.1.Fol.15, 16.Vol.1. For if he let his right or left hand dip, theFilewill in its Natural Progress take too much off the side it dips upon, and consequently theFaceof the Letter on that side will lie shallower from theFaceof theMatricethen it will on the opposite side. The like caution he makes, inFilingbetween theTopandBottomof theMatriceon theFace. For if heFilesaway too muchCoppertoward theToporBottom, theFaceof theLetteron itsToporBottom-Line, will lie on that end shallower from theFaceof theMatrice.
Then he considers by hisProof-Lettershow much too thick the right or left side of theMatriceis.
I told you in §. 11. ¶. 4. that the Angle theSholdermade with theFaceof theLetter, is about 100 Degrees, which is 10 Degrees more then aright AngleorSquare. So that if aLetterbeCastandRub’djust so thick that theLinerwhen applied to theShanckof theLetterreaches just to theSholder, there will be anAngleof 10 Degrees, contained between the edge of theLinerand theStraight Linethat proceeds from theSholderat theShanck, to the outer-edge of theFaceof theLetter. And if twoLettersbe thusCastandRub’dandSettogether, theAnglecontained between theirShancks, and the outer-edge of theFaceof theLetterwill be 20 Degrees, which is too wide by half for theFacesof twoLettersto stand assunder. Therefore the sides of theMatricemust be soJustified, that when theShancksof twoLettersstand close together, theAnglebetweenboth theShancks, and the adjacent outer-edges of theFacesof theLettersmay both make anAngleof about 10 Degrees as aforesaid, which is a convenient distance for twoLettersto stand assunder at theFace. But to do which, If the right-side be too thick, theRegisterof the under-half of theMold, being (as I said) hard screw’d, so as to stand about an n off the edge of theBodytowards the right hand; He places theFootof theMatriceon theStool, and the right-side of theMatriceclose against theRegister, and observes how much too thick that side of theMatriceis: For so much as the right-hand edge of theOrificeof theMatricestands on the left-hand side of theBody, so much is the Right-side of theMatricetoo thick, and must by several offers beFiledaway with aBastard-Cut-File, not all at once, least (ere he be aware) he makes that side of theMatricetoo thin, which will be a great dammage to theMatrice, and cannot be mended but with aBotch, as shall in proper place be shewed.
Having by several proffers wrought the right-side of theMatricethus near its thickness, he proceeds toJustifiethe left side also. But this side must beJustifiedby the upper half of theMold; By turning the top of theMatricedownwards, and placing the left side of it (now the right-side) against theRegister, and works away the left side in all respects as he did the right-side; still being very cautious he takes not to muchCopperaway at once.
ToJustifietheLetterinLinehe examins theProof-Letter(yet standing in theLining-Stick) and appliestheLinerto theFoot-line: And if theLinertouch all the way upon theFoot-lineof theProof-Letterand theFoot-Lineof all the old m’s, thatMatriceisJustifiedinLine. But this also very rarely happens at first, for by design it is generally made to stand too low inLine: Because theBottomof theMatricemay by several proffers beFiledaway till theLetterstand exactly inLine. But should he take too much off theBottomof theMatrice, it cannot be made to stand lower without anotherBotch.
Nor does he reckon that this first Operation, or perhaps several more such, shallJustifietheMatriceinLine. But after bringing both the sides of theMatricethus near, and also bringing theMatricethus near theLine. HeCastsanotherProof-Letteror two, andRubbingall the sides of theirShancks, as before was shew’d, he tries byRubbingtheLettershow near he has brought the thickness of both the sides: For when the sides of theMatriceare brought just to such a thickness, that theShanckof theLetter(Castin theMold)Rubsflat half way up beyond theBeardtowards theFaceof theLetter, theMatriceis of a convenient thickness, and there theAnglefrom theBeardof theShanck, to the outer-edge of twoLettersset together, will make anAngleof about 10 degrees as aforesaid, which being about one third part of athin Spaceis a convenient distance for the adjacent edges of twoLettersto stand assunder: But yetFounderssometimes toGet inordrive-out,CasttheLettersthinner or thicker, and consequently theirFacesstand closer or wider assunder,which is unseemly when theLettercomes to bePrinted.
Then he sets theProof-Lettersin theLining-Stick, between four or five old m’s as before, and with theLinerexamins again how well theseProof-Lettersstand inLinewith the old m’s, which if they do not, he Reiterates the former Operations so oft, till the sides andLineof theMatriceisJustified, and at every OperationCastsnewProof-Lettersto examine the thickness of both the Sides, and how well theMatriceisJustifiedtoStand in Line.
TheMatricebeing nowJustified, he Files aLeather-Grooveround about it,viz.aNotch(made properest with a three squareFile) within about a thickScaboardof the top of theMatrice, to tie theLeatherfast to.
He alsoFilesanotherNotchin the back-side of theMatriceathwart it, to rest the point of theWyerorSpringin. But thisNotchmust by no means be made before theMatricebeJustifiedto its trueHeight against Paper: Because when thisNotchis made, thePunchcannot again be struck in theMatrice; For that theMatricewill not lie solid on theStakein that place.