Page:Miscellaneous Papers on Mechanical Subjects.djvu/128

 gives a peculiar interest to a visit to one of the oldest manufactories of Connecticut; 250 men are employed, and the clocks are made at the rate of 600 per day, and at a price varying from $1 to $10, the average price being $3.

The frames of the clocks are stamped out of sheet brass, and all the holes are punched simultaneously by a series of punches fixed at the required distances.

The wheels also are stamped out of sheet brass, and a round beading is raised by a press round their rims for the purpose of giving them lateral strength. They are cut by a machine hang three horizontal axes, carrying each a cutter placed about 4 inches apart. The first cutter is simply a saw, and the second rounds off the teeth. In cutting an escapement wheel, the first cutter is made to cut each tooth entirely round, and then either the second or third axis with its cutter is used for finishing. The pullies on the three axes are driven by one driving pulley with three straps working over and in contact with each other.

The plates forming the clock faces, and other discs, are cut out by circular shears. The beaded rims intended to go round the clock faces, varying in size from 15 inches downwards, are stamped in concentric rings out of a disc, and