Mechanick Exercises, or the Doctrine of Handy-Works

...and so hard that a file original: "File" will not touch it (as blacksmiths say when a file will not cut or scratch it). The upper flat surface, labeled A, is called the face. It is commonly set upon a wooden block so that it remains very steady and solid, standing about two feet high from the floor, or sometimes higher depending on the height of the person working at it.

Of the Tongs.

There are two types of tongs used by blacksmiths. The first is the straight-nosed tongs, used when the work is short and somewhat flat, and generally for all sheet iron original: "Plate Iron". The other is the crooked-nosed tongs, used for forging small bars or thicker work that can be held within the curves of their jaws Chaps: the jaws or gripping parts of a tool.. These jaws are placed near the hinge original: "Joynt" because, given the length of the handles, they grip the iron more firmly there than they would if placed further from the hinge, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. A represents the jaws, B the hinge, and CC the handles.

Of the Hammer, and the Sledge.

Blacksmiths use several types of hammers. First is the hand-hammer, which varies in size according to the strength of the craftsman. It is of a weight that can be easily wielded or controlled with one hand at the anvil.

Secondly, there is the up-hand sledge, used by assistants original: "under-Workmen" when the work is not of the largest size but still requires help to hammer original: "batter" or stretch draw it out: to lengthen or thin a piece of metal by hammering. it. They use this with both hands in front of them and rarely lift the hammer higher than their heads.

Thirdly, the about-sledge also known as a swing-sledge is the largest hammer of all. It is also used by assistants for hammering or stretching the largest pieces of work. For this, they hold the far end of the handle with both hands and, swinging the sledge in a full circle above their heads, let fall as heavy a blow as possible upon the work at the full reach of their arms. There is