Although the title of this work is sufficient to declare its contents,
a few prefatory remarks may not be superfluous as to its design and
the manner in which that design has been carried out.
It has ever been to the writer a matter of surprise and regret, that
although the art of turning has been so long and so successfully
pursued in this country, both by artisans and amateurs, no work has
appeared in the English language treating upon the subject, except one
or two sketches and imperfect treatises.
Some years since Mr. Holtzapffel advertised a forthcoming series of
seven volumes, intended to supply this manifest deficiency in our
scientific and mechanical literature, and the subject would have been
handled by him in a thoroughly exhaustive and masterly manner.
The untimely death of that gentleman occurred after the publication
of the first three volumes, which are indeed complete in themselves,
and of immeasurable value to the mechanic and amateur; but which
are unfortunately only introductory, "simple turning by hand-tools"
being the special subject of the proposed fourth volume. The present
proprietors of the firm of Holtzapffel & Co. having, in their
catalogue even up to the time of the most recent edition, continued
to advertise the seven volumes, amateurs especially have anxiously
hoped for the publication of some part at least of the remainder of
the series. That expectation is, it is to be feared, little likely
to be rewarded; and, not until that fact had been ascertained with
something bordering upon certainty, did the author of the present
work venture to take up the pen and endeavour to set forth the
principles and practice of an art which, like so many others, he has
found so absorbing and attractive, and withal so delightful a source
of recreation to mind and body. Several things, however, contributed
to make the writer hesitate to undertake such a work. In the first
place he was aware that a number of _possible_ readers would probably
be more competent than himself for such a task, especially those whose
means might have enabled them to procure a large amount of the most
modern and approved apparatus connected with the Lathe, and whose
occupations might allow of more leisure for their extensive use than
falls to the lot of the writer.
In the next place the risk of publication was such as he felt himself
hardly justified in encountering. Just at this time, however, chance
placed in his hand two or three numbers of the "English Mechanic,"
in which some one else had begun, but speedily resigned, a series of
papers "On the Lathe and its Uses," compiled from American journals.
The author of the present work at once put himself in communication
with the editor and proprietor of the above periodical with a result
now well known to the readers.
The following pages are not, strictly speaking, a mere reprint
from the "English Mechanic." The papers have been carefully
revised and re-arranged; some statements, the correctness of which
appeared doubtful, modified or wholly withdrawn; while, in one
or two instances, whole chapters have been re-written, and the
suggestions and inventions relating to the Lathe, furnished by other
correspondents, embodied (when they appeared of real value) in the
work.
But, in addition, a valuable Appendix is now published, containing
matter of great importance, contributed by one or two gentlemen, who
most kindly placed their papers at the service of the author. Foremost
among them stands a paper on the angles of tools, by Dodsworth Haydon,
Esq., of Guildford. A clever arrangement of Lathe for Rose Engine
Work, by the aid of the Eccentric Chuck without Rosettes, is also
added from the pen of Mr. Elias Taylor, of Brighton; and one or two
matters, which did not appear so fully treated as they deserved in the
body of the work, have been resumed and more fully discussed in the
Appendix.
The author gratefully acknowledges the suggestions of various
correspondents, amateurs and working men, from whom, as a rule, he has
not failed to obtain any required assistance.
That the work, in its present form, is entirely satisfactory or
complete, the writer cannot pretend; that many errors have crept in is
highly probable; but, if it is acknowledged to be the best work _yet_
produced on the Lathe, and should prove in any degree serviceable to
amateur or artisan in the pursuit of this most delightful art--aye, if
it should stir up some abler pen to write a better and more complete
series, it will afford real pleasure and lasting gratification to