SPECIAL TOOLS AND THEIR USES
In the foregoing chapters we have referred the reader to the simple
tools, but it is thought desirable to add to the information thus given,
an outline of numerous special tools which have been devised and are now
on the market.
BIT AND LEVEL ADJUSTER.--It is frequently necessary to bore holes at
certain angles. This can be done by using a bevel square, and holding it
so one limb will show the boring angle. But this is difficult to do in
many cases.
[Illustration: _Fig. 266. Bit and Square level._]
This tool has three pairs of V slots on its back edges. The shank of the
bit will lie in these slots, as shown in Fig. 266, either vertically, or
at an angle of 45 degrees, and boring can be done with the utmost
accuracy. It may be attached to a Carpenter's square, thus making it an
accurate plumb or level.
MITER BOXES.--The advantages of metal miter boxes is apparent, when
accurate work is required.
The illustration, Fig. 267, shows a metal tool of this kind, in which
the entire frame is in one solid casting. The saw guide uprights are
clamped in tapered sockets in the swivel arm and can be adjusted to hold
the saw without play, and this will also counteract a saw that runs out
of true, due to improper setting or filing.
[Illustration: _Fig. 267. Metal Miter Box._]
A second socket in the swivel arm permits the use of a short saw or
allows a much longer stroke with a standard or regular saw.
The swivel arm is provided with a tapering index pin which engages in
holes placed on the under side of the base. The edge of the base is
graduated in degrees, as plainly shown, and the swivel arm can be set
and automatically fastened at any degree desired.
[Illustration: _Fig. 268. Parts of Metal Miter Box._]
The uprights, front and back are graduated in sixteenths of inches, and
movable stops can be set, by means of thumb-screw to the depth of the
cut desired.
Figure 268 shows the parts of the miter box, in which the numbers
designate the various parts: 101 is the frame; 102 the frame board; 104
frame leg; 106 guide stock; 107 stock guide clamp; 109 stock guide
plate; 110 swivel arm; 111 swivel arm bushing; 112 swivel bushing screw;
113 index clamping lever; 115 index clamping lever catch; 116 index
clamping lever spring; 122 swivel complete; 123 T-base; 124-1/2
uprights; 126 saw guide cap; 127 saw guide cap plate; 132 saw guide tie
bar; 133 left saw guide stop and screw; 134 right side guide stop and
screw; 135 saw guide stop spring; 136 saw guide cylinder; 137 saw guide
cylinder plate; 138 trip lever (back); 139 trip lever (front); 141
leveling screw; 142 trip clamp and screw; 146 T-base clamp screw.
[Illustration: _Fig. 269. Angle Dividers._]
ANGLE DIVIDERS.--This is another tool, which does not cost much and is
of great service to the carpenter in fitting moldings where they are
applied at odd angles.
To lay out the cut with an ordinary bevel necessitates the use of
dividers and a second handling of the bevel, making three operations.
THE "ODD JOB" TOOL.--A most useful special tool, which combines in its
make-up a level, plumb try-square, miter-square, bevel, scratch awl,
depth gage, marking gage, miter gage, beam compass, and a one-foot rule.
To the boy who wishes to economize in the purchase of tools this is an
article which should be obtained.
[Illustration: _Fig. 270. "Odd Job" Tool._]
Figure 270 shows the simplicity of the tool, and how it is applied in
use.
BIT BRACES.--These tools are now made with so many improved features
that there is really no excuse for getting poor tools.
The illustrations show merely the heads and the lower operating parts of
the tools. Fig. 271 shows a metal-clad ball-bearing head, so called, as
its under side is completely encased in metal securely screwed to the
wood and revolving against the ball thrust bearing.
D represents a concealed ratchet in which the cam ring governs the
ratchet, and, being in line with the bit, makes it more convenient in
handling than when it is at right angles. The ratchet parts are entirely
enclosed, thus keeping out moisture and dirt, retaining lubrication and
protecting the users' hands.
The ratchet mechanism is interchangeable, and may be taken apart by
removing one screw. The two-piece clutch, which is drop forged, is
backed by a very strong spring, insuring a secure lock. When locked, ten
teeth are in engagement, while five are employed while working at a
ratchet. It has universal jaws (G) for both wood and metal workers.
In Fig. 272, B represents a regular ball bearing head, with the wood
screw on the large spindle and three small screws to prevent its working
loose. This also has a ball thrust. E is the ratchet box, and this shows
the gear teeth cut on the extra heavy spindle, and encased, so that the
user's hands are protected from the teeth.
The interlocking jaws (H), which are best for taper shanks, hold up to
No. 2 Clark's expansion, and are therefore particularly adapted for
carpenter's use.
[Illustration: _Fig. 271. Fig. 272. Fig. 273. Types of Bit Braces._]
In Fig. 273 the plain bearing head (C) has no ball thrust. The head is
screwed on the spindle and held from turning off by two small screws.
The open ratchet (F) shows the gear pinned to the spindle and exposed.
This has alligator jaws (J), and will hold all ordinary size taper shank
bits, also small and medium round shank bits or drills.
[Illustration: _Fig. 274. Fig. 275. Fig. 276. Steel Frame Breast Drills._]
STEEL FRAME BREAST DRILL.--These drills are made with both single and
double speed, each speed having three varieties of jaws. The single
speed is very high, the ratio being 4-1/2 to 1, which makes it
desirable to use for small drills, or for use in wood.
A level is firmly set in the frames of these tools to assist the user to
maintain a horizontal position in boring. Each of the forms shown has a
ball thrust bearing between the pinion and frame. The breast plate may
be adjusted to suit and is locked by a set screw. The spindle is kept
from turning while changing drills, by means of the latch mounted on the
frame, and readily engaging with the pinion. The crank is pierced in
three places so that the handle can be set for three different sweeps,
depending on the character of the work.
Figure 274 has a three jaw chuck, and has only single speed. Figure 275
has an interlocking jaw, and is provided with double speed gearing.
Figure 276 has a universal jaw, and double speed.
PLANES.--The most serviceable planes are made in iron, and it might be
well to show a few of the most important, to bring out the manner
employed to make the adjustments of the bits.
In order to familiarize the boy with the different terms used in a
plane, examine Figure 277. The parts are designated as follows: 1A is
the double plane iron; 1 single plane iron; 2 plane iron cap; 3 cap
screw; 4 lever cap; 5 lever cap screw; 6 frog complete; 7 Y adjusting
lever; 8 adjusting nut; 9 lateral adjusting lever; 11 plane handle; 12
plane knob; 13 handle bolt and nut; 14 knob bolt and nut; 15 plane
handle screw; 16 plane bottom; 44 frog pin; 45 frog clamping screw; 46
frog adjusting screw.
[Illustration: _Fig. 277. Details of Metal Plane._]
RABBETING, MATCHING AND DADO PLANES.--Figure 278 shows a useful form of
plane for the reason that it is designed to receive a variety of irons,
adapted to cut rabbets.
The detached sections of Fig. 278 show the various parts, as well as the
bits which belong to it. 1, 1 represent the single plane irons; 4 the
lever cap; 16 the plane bottom, 50 the fence; 51 the fence thumb screw;
61 the short arm; 70 the adjustable depth gage; 71 the depth gage which
goes through the screw; and 85 the spurs with screws.
MOLDING AND BEADING PLANE.--A plane of the character shown in Fig. 279
will do an immense variety of work in molding, beading and dado work,
and is equally well adapted for rabbeting, for filletsters and for match
planing. The regular equipment with this tool comprises fifty-two
cutters.
[Illustration: _Fig. 278. Rabbet, Matching and Dado Plane._]
As shown in Fig. 279, the plane has a main stock (A), which carries the
cutter adjustment, a handle, a depth gage, a slitting gage, and a steel
bottom forming a bearing for the other end of the cutter, and slides on
arms secured to the main stock.
This bottom can be raised or lowered, so that, in addition to allowing
the use of cutters of different widths, cutters can be used having one
edge higher or lower than the edge supported in the main stock.
[Illustration: _Fig. 279. Molding and Beading Plane._]
The auxiliary center bottom (C), which can be adjusted for width or
depth, fulfils the requirement of preventing the plane from tilting and
gouging the work. The fence D has a lateral adjustment by means of a
screw, for extra fine work. The four small cuts in the corners show how
the bottoms should be set for different forms of cutters, and the great
importance of having the fences adjusted so that the cutters will not
run.
The samples of work illustrated show some of the moldings which can be
turned out with the plane.
[Illustration: _Fig. 280. Dovetail Tongue and Groove Plane._]
DOVETAIL TONGUE AND GROOVE PLANE.--This is a very novel tool, and has
many features to recommend it. Figure 280 shows its form, and how it is
used. It is designed to make the dovetailed tongue as well as the
groove.
It will cut any size groove and tongues to fit with sides of twenty
degrees flare, where the width of the neck is more than one-quarter of
an inch thick, and the depth of the groove not more than three-quarters
of an inch. The tongue and groove are cut separately, and can be made
with parallel or tapering sides. The operation of the plane is very
simple.
[Illustration: _Fig. 281. Fig. 282. Router Planes._]
ROUTER PLANES.--This is a type of plane used for surfacing the bottom of
grooves or other depressions parallel with the general surface of the
work.
The planes are made in two types, one, like Fig. 281, which has a closed
throat, and the other, Fig. 282, with an open throat. Both are
serviceable, but the latter is preferable. These planes will level off
bottoms of depression, very accurately, and the tool is not an expensive
one.
DOOR TRIM PLANE.--This is a tool for making mortises for butts, face
plates, strike plates, escutcheons, and the like, up to a depth of 5/16,
and a width of 3 inches. The principal feature in the plane is the
method of mounting the cutter, which can be instantly set to work from
either end of the plane or across it.
[Illustration: _Fig. 283. Door Trim Plane._]
The cutter, as shown in Fig. 283, is cushioned by a spring which
prevents taking a heavier chip than can be easily carried. A fence
regulates the position of the cut and insures the sides of the cut being
parallel. The depth of the cut is governed by a positive stop. By
removing the fence and locking the cutter post with the thumb screw,
instead of using the spring, a very superior router plane is obtained.