The Iron Age 1919-03-27: Vol 103 Iss 13

New Y ork. Mare 27 b 5) ) : : ‘ 1 } 1 ] ‘ elaaming’ High-Spee 1 steel ser —_ i ) (3 je . Lox: alry Ing _ me J Cl ste = ae bap Conversion of a Commonly Wasted Product [Into a Valuable One by the Onondaga Steel Co.—Rolling Mill of Unusual Design BY EDW \ NTIL the establishment of the Onondaga tion of tI ore Steel Co., at Syracuse, N. Y., or up to thre i portion of sucl ears ago, about 40 per cent of all the ex A method of pensive high-speed steel sold and used was thrown away. This e 1 . consisted of the short or left- S. Buckle over ends of tools, cutters -or QO ( ' other broken pieces as well as u certain scrap left after cutting up the various bars from which \ the separate tools were made. t There have been attempts, more or less successful, to weld ert such tool ends to new tool shanks and thus make use + of it the applica- Speed Steel Scrap As It Is Received and the Skilled Sorters at W grinding whee! these me! ect an ROA 806 THE 1 s M MI ( Others, t | e outlined his idea ad it ould not be do1 commercial scale I no means discouraged, Mr. Buckley talked over tl} project with a friend, Edgar D. Newkirk, 1 man of unusual re s as a metallurgist and engineer. The final result was that the plan was tried on a small or experimental scale first. A quantit) regular scrap high-speed steel was ob- tained in the open market, the high tungsten por tion was separated from the rest by a method per fected by the originat rs and described later. The simplest means possible to melt the scrap Mr. ect gas-fired sirable. Newkirk done in a dir was d believed if could ne fur After perfected single pot crucible nace. Others insisted this was impossible. many trials and in which not only melted by firing, using city gas, but it was found possible to operate a two-pot furnace by this method. A 100-lb. hammer and in- was secured stalled in the original building, rented for the ex furnace was one CY ucible could su setbacks a essfully be 4 direct periments, and a commercial product of standard composition was made on a small scale from mis cellaneous scrap. From this business has gr interesting and up-hill beginning the wn, until now und3 A thousands of p of a standard high-speed steel are made each day and rolling mill in the After the 100-lb. ham- and then a 1200 lb. steam hammer, together with more melting furnaces. Later came the new plant with its own melting de- partment, a unique rolling mill and all the heat- treating, annealing and other equipment that go to make up a modern plant of this character. Two distinctive features characterize the Onon- daga process for converting scrap high-speed steel into a standard product. These are the sorting and conversion of the scrap; the flexible rolling mill unit of unique design, especially adapted to the pe- culiar needs of the business. The proposition of the Onondaga Steel Co. is that any company, -no matter what its nature, having a collection of high-speed steel scrap may send it to Syracuse. In return for the actual high-speed scrap received the company will convert it into an equivalent weight of its standard high-speed prod uct, the only charge being one for conversion. As indicative of the success of this proposition in the company’s new plant northern part of Sy 500 lb. one racuse. mer Came a IRON AGE Ma it may be stated that over 900 differe located all over the United States and of the largest railroads and most automobile companies are sending th Syracuse, and that since the incorporat company in July, 1916, over 900,000 scrap has been reclaimed or converte: sent such material for conversion. One reason for the hitherto relat value of high-speed steel scrap has beer and uncertain quality and the difficuity ing different kinds. Each maker has be: to accept in return only his own brand. these facts, it became necessary for th of the company to devise a method of sepa: only high-speed steel from carbon stee] : the various grades of high-speed steel. Th: rt ing is one of the most important steps ess. The scrap, as received in lots of 25 ¢ or more, consists of a collection of broken cutters reamers, drills, tools and end trimming forge shop, all of different brands. The sorters take each piece and determine composition by the character of the sparks it make by contact with a rapidly revolving wheel of specia composition. Comparing the color, size and shan of these sparks with a known standard, these men have become, by long and careful train pert as to classify the scrap successfully. One the illustrations shows the sorters at some of the scrap as it is received. After sorting, a mixture is made of the different grades, and the required new elements, such as tungsten, chromium and vanadium, muck bar, et are added to bring the resulting product, whe melted and treated, up to the company’s standard The melted steel is poured into ingots about 4 in uare and 2 ft. long. no ‘ neg eX- work and These are annealed and their surface imperfections removed. The next ste; break down the reheated ingots u heavy hammers to billets about 2 in. square ar yr 6 ft. long. These are again inspected and det: removed. The last operation is the rolling of the various rounds, squares and LO cog or into specified by the consumer, the only specification per mitted. After the finished products have bee! steel packed in sealed tubes, and annealed in furnaces he company’s own design, they are inspected a! shipped. Previcus to the time that the growth of th ‘ ‘ a r Removi! Purt of the Swing Grinder Equipment for Ren Defects in the Ingots or the Bars 27, 1919 rranted the building of a new plant, all rial was finished under hammers. It was at once that to roll a variety of sizes and stly on small orders and specifications, difficult problem in the design of a roll- To such conditions the mill must ent from any of the larger capacity units. meet ‘oblems and conditions involved were f the intention te ro ll nothing but hig! f 1+ th: ich a mill, it was fel at it mus é ’ »E4 { 8 aarat’vely limited tonnage t De because of what would genera I ycle of S operations, it be f 1e nature of the business to produ small quantities in comparison with soft it would have to be nges could be made. iems rganizers state that when these pro! itted to rolling mill experts, the answer that the steel industry had not hitherto ed such a mill and that the development and ing of such a mill would make its cost ( the sorting problem so in this the orgar Ss protect succeeded in overcoming these and the result has been different from any horoughly and efficient. Their n was that the desired end could be a by building each stand as an integral 0 that different sizes or shapes would a change of complete stands in the train hanging the rolls in the stands. In s, each stand in this new mill, which i ill, is a machine unit, so to speak. s method of construction, the company, ann + om Te ana difficulties, laimed to be entirely ‘ . | successfu +} y rd i ge from flats to rounds, or rounds er a vear’s operation, finds that it is able to THE IRON AGE 807 quar t rth r hour, wi ay be mplete ¢ the tral! whet ! e oO! > 2. nw n rolls are I ‘ e fr 2 to 5 hr Another advantag t s tl the rolls, set permanent t ry? Wu it é , 1! y i ’ ,y y ’ y t y ] y r é ‘ y ig? pr: 4 ‘ Tne y r the ré ent ‘ time tr rea r T j 7 i¢ ] p r y T I l \ ] ea ft ‘ Y , ne y re 9 y ng ic} ? +; , c ‘ f, Y th ! 1? ‘ ’ ; ’ tr reé eT It 4 ‘ YY ; tr ft Tner ‘ Pe T ‘ ntered ft neers é ¢ Té + tae + ¢ rt ed ¥ ‘ ; y ? \W ] r t f ‘ t tne ‘ t e¢ rr a ner ( I é v} roe ‘ thu r ‘ range 1 T ‘ ‘ I ‘ ] ant Y ’ y T } y 1 otas + ‘ ‘ r r ' Tr r + , ; + . ty} 100 140 ft qd f ‘ t y 4 109 t / tr y eT ety r 1S¢ ‘ y 1/ tpt) T Fron ting nelt ng y iT ‘ ng ting in gots go to the annealing furnaces in the main build- from there to the grind- irface imperfections are 8O8 THE removed. They then pass on to the hammer de- partment occupying the northern end of the build- ing, where they are again heat treated, and then raised to the proper forging heat and cogged into AS io < Government Will Se!l French Rails The Wa) market prices the surplus st Department announces that will sel ock of dS0-ib. ralls and rails ordered for the American Expeditionary Forces over seas but not required in view of the signing of the armistice The 80-lb. rails on hand amount to about 50,000 tons and there are roundly 7000 tons of 25-ll rails, also large quantities of crossings, slip switcne and turnouts. The grea part of the material is Atlantic port readily accessible for loading. The sat are being conducted through the office of the D General of M itary Railways, Washington. Stimulation of Coke Business Expected UNIONTOWN, Pa., March 24—Early stimulati the coke business in the | iyette yunty field wit full time basis of operatio s seen following the nouncement from Washington that iron and steel repre the Department sentatives and the industrial board of of ( omn for basic iron + erce had reached an agreement on the pr d steel commodities The price of pis iron placed at $2 5.75, a drop from $33 since last Decem ber, is expected to bring the price of coke to around if the war-time ratio of 5.5 to 1 as There is $4.70 a ton, ovens, between pig iron and steel is maintained. every say operators here, and especially in view of the fact that Judge Gary has announced that the wage scales are not to be interfered with. It is held that the ratio is just, inasmuch as it was fixed for war time conditions following agreements with the War Industries Board IRON AGE indication that the proportion is to be continued, Marc! 27 billets about 2 in. square and 5 to 6 ft. this operation the billets are return spection and grinding department, wh: tions are eliminated by grinding or ot} and then to the finishing hamme ing mill. The latter equipment, the pn stands, which are shown by 0) lustrations, occupies the souther main building. Aside from the mentioned, there are the necessa: all of special design, for giving t} required low and high heat treat the annealing treatment required seemingly unimportant is that all st; is packed carefully in crates or box ELE Into a Commercial S Deve loped nis project ! ess ft le steel men and approved by the Fur on. During the period of readjustment na few sales as low as $4.25, but as been around $4.50 and $4.75, with a few sales Foundry coke producers in the county, of ire only a small number, however, report t] firm, with but little change in price During the week 500 additional ovens w tered in the region were put out, but as a w al and coke situation throughout the territ nued to mark time with scarcely any chang‘ situation over that of the preceding week the Une to be \ cylinder boring attachment for lathes placed on the market by the South Bend Lathe W 125 East Madison Street, South Bend, Ind. 1 pound rest ‘s removed from the saddle and a jig irmly to the carriage. The engine cylinder is mp to the jig after being centered by means of a bushing and plug. The device is made in different s block for resurfacing collector gs rough and worn is manufactured by Commutator Surface Co., 4 South Dearborr Chieago. The abrasive block is mounted on a handle so that it can be he!d against the rev g ector ring or armature. \n abrasive tnat are “fy The Pittsburgh Crane & Equipment Co., 5harp: burg, Pa., has patented and put on the market an aux iary hoist attachment for standard single ho trolleys. h 27, 1919 THE IRON AGE SUY IFFICULT STEEL CASTING s in Making Sound Steel Does Away to the practical diff with an Expensive Forging vlinders be ssion on the subject of the occlusion of gas r) j 1 recent meeting of the Faraday Society : : h Sir Robert Hadfield pre sented an interesti: gz eans of scientific 1 f details involved in making certain diffi ala A ae acs ‘ a ngs. It is now possible, he said, to pri bau , soa , astings of all kinds and weights of per , yu i material, provided the section is not too nnd ) tt down 1 lescribed a particu . ] ngland of hydraulic cylinders for cotton baling ' oe -ontw 3 if Sé a company with which he was connected more tha ) ' Re iry had been unusually successful in making tee when being poured a fT 1it castings because of tne care ful Study j 10) loo ( in , ‘ + ‘¥ ‘ of producing sound steel. An abstract 1 of the mold ony f ption follows: mate? ick vViinders cast of tee] ind not f rved r ry . : vy way. are of a irticularly diff ] i me ises running p to lengths of e! } ¢ ey rT dey ble leng I I pu | ( , ery’ long stroke in pressing at tl n a ' ‘ i¢ I nis | } I I I i st t out to | i ’ nd € é ere The ! i ially par § or 9 in. diameter; the walls f thin as possible in ord t stand the severe hydraul ] : ons pet }. In ind they mu ‘ rk constantly day and nig! du , . ‘ ! pressure ip O per I 1 , + lhe the s]} oh ; weep r oO} ilis to? f the press I f , | e bali will ( fail I r I liciently ht, and tl re ! I I sh pment { I the cott e cotton mills in Lancashire and ¢ ne the severit of this hy i? te ‘ try | nter i rea of the I ttsbd > \ ( the high pre ire n f ! i HLA I 10,401 I n not lar L - ( « tine ; htest iT l ines Or pore ~ f ] i pressure ‘ out 100 times the p re } I ( ne hos« pipe l l [ ( I | vhen throwing rean vater | ertical eight lf t tha OT I ) M iment r oqu é [ nese \ I S ere ‘ f I pressed ste pr l Vy the Wt t iretu tu of © Ca ind I ~ + 73 - ae « ‘ > ~ ( = me ——$ $$ __ —————EEEe + _ } f heir preventio1 i est eel I ( nd the best metho f molding tne S pourl! of the Messrs. Hadfie ! ears ag p la ly ve me I ait ft ( f I ecame able met e severe requir t iking a hydraul cylinder costing ( rice of one made by the Whitworth proc: I ' such cylinders as the one shown in the are in use all over the world, giving enti The Carnegie Stee Pit are, | nour oblem of satisfactorily producing such a_ instead of through vhich has been it isto is greatly increased and intensified by the for many years. is! 810 THE IRON AMERICAN TOOLS IN AUSTRALIA Factors Which Will Determine the Permanence of the United States Present Leadership Australia is rapidly becoming a manufacturing country, according to the Far Eastern Division of the U. S. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, and the demand for certain American machinery and ma- chine tools is increasing. As a majority of the engi- neering establishments are also jobbing shops, the engineers in charge are averse to buying from catalogs, but desire actual demonstrations, especially of new machines, and the majority of sales are accordingly made after a sample machine has been received by the agent or importer. A substantial additional discount on introductory orders should be allowed, particularly in highly specialized lines, as otherwise there is not sufficient incentive to warrant the importer taking the risk of the machine not being a success. Types of American machines, which have subsequently enjoyed exceptional sales, have been kept off the Australian market for years because the manufacturers did not put a sample machine into the hands of a good agent and were finally introduced by the importer who took a chance on their success. The majority of the manufacturing plants and the largest engineering shops are situated in Sydney and Melbourne. The former took 53 per cent of the im- ports of machine tools in 1916-17, and the latter 37 per cent. The territory of Queensland, however, with its rapidly expanding meat trade and meat-canning industries will show an increased demand for machinery and machine tools in the next few years, although taking only 4 per cent of the total imports of machine tools in 1916-17. The same is true of Western Aus- tralia, with its gold-mining developments. Wool and textile manufacturer are the leading industries in Victoria and New South Wales, and their growth has been hastened by lack of shipping facilities which has cut off Australia from foreign markets. Exclusive Agency Most Acceptable The exclusive agency is accepted as the most satis- factory method of selling machinery and accessories in Australia. Some of the established agencies have a certain circle of customers, but progressive agencies make themselves of general service to all customers Moreover, in a country like Australia, where vast dis tances must be traveled seeking orders and modern machinery is just being introduced, it is only fair to the agent who has stocked a machine, which may some times prove unsalable, that he be protected by an ex- clusive contract. If proper care is taken in the selec- tion of a progressive house there is little fear that such an arrangement will be used to stifle competition, such firms generally being as anxious to develop business as the manufacturer. Method of Financing Orders Since the war Australian importers have arranged for cash payments against documents in New York and there is little probability of an early return to the old method of sight drafts with documents. The price list in almost universal use in Australia is made on a small loose sheet punched with 3%4-in. holes at 3-in. centers. The advantage of conforming to such styles of price lists and insuring the maintenance ¢ Ol complete files of prices is apparent. This same sug gestion holds good with reference to delivery informa- tion sheets and sheets showing machines in stock. The Australian import agent seems to have legiti mate fault to find with the American manufacturer’s optimism in making delivery promises. It is, of course, open to question whether under the abnormal war con- ditions any industry can function with the same preci- sion as in peace times, and now that peace is at hand American manufacturers will be quick to convince Australian importers that they are as ready and willing to make as satisfactory deliveries as other countries. All the Australian agent seems to request is that orders AGE March 27, 193: be delivered in the same rotation as received treatment is not only unfair but a source of ar ment and expense to the importer who ha customer a specified date of delivery. Perh porters would not complain if they were qu dates of delivery even three times as lor given, as they would then know what to could explain to their customers, but a sho rhted policy of accepting all orders at delivery d sible of execution is to be avoided. Information and Instructions Wanted Foundation plans, instructions for setting up, and information regarding the working of machines ar greatly desired. Such information is usually guide of employees who work the machines 1 + many cases newly introduced types of machir in be satisfactorily set up in no other way than by W ing printed instructions. Australians Close Readers of Our Trade Press The Australian importer is a close reader of the leading American machinery trade journals, and infor mation regarding new types of machines ri quested on the strength of these advertisements. Nat. urally the importer who writes for a particular machin is interested in other types and a sale of some other machine might be effected at once if other catalogs were sent, whereas the order for a similar ma placed with a competitor of the manufacturer suse of this lack of business foresight. This situation is better appreciated when it is realized that under present conditions it requires 10 weeks for a letter to reach Australia and a reply be received. For this reason it is sometimes advisable in case of unstable price condi- tions to state that prices will hold until a definite date so that the Australian merchant will be able to cable his order in case the letter is delayed. Practically all machinery is subject to customs tariff in Australia and must undergo inspection, and for this reason it is preferable to leave one board on the top of the case not hoop ironed and nailed, but simply screwed down. This board should be located so as to allow a good view of the machine. The loading and warehousing facilities in Australia are not the best and few cranes are employed, so that strong packing 1s desirable. Strongly Built Lathes in Demand Lathes are the most important essential in the machine shops which are springing up in Australis As the majority of the work of these shops is jobbing, the machine tools should be universal. Gap lathes for instance, permit one machine to cover a large range of work and are very popular in Austra American machine of this universal type has enjoyed a very large sale. Most of the American gap !athes before the introduction of this one were cheap, 4! light tools are not in demand. Another popular lathe of English manufacture has very large bearings an¢ a rugged headstock which appeals strongly to the Aus VWachine-Tool Imports ito Australi Imported from 1914 United Kingdom pul United States (yermany Sweden Belgiun New Zealand Canada All other countries tralian market and is in more universal favor in /ars* mining shops than any other tool. The price of American planers as compared ¥'" that of English makes is disproportionately 5’ Though the American planers are very high-grade, ¥* a number of automatic and convenient feeds, tes conveniences have made the price too high for Australian market, and at present there are not hail a dozen of these machines in use in that country. moderate-priced simple planer could be introduced +h This is equally true of punches, shears, ther tools used in shipbuilding and structural ee of which is out of all proportion to the British makes. American Imports Increased foregoing table shows the increase by mports of machine tools since the beginning coun five years the imports of machinery separators, harvesters, ers, dynamos up to 200 hp., electric start 1tus, and weighing machines, were 47 per cent United 25 per cent from the United ; per cent from Canada, 10 per cent from 2 per cent from other countries. in imports of gas, oil and other en tives, agricultural implements, motive printing sewing machines machinery from $22,157,082 in 1912 to 1913, $19,016,468 in 1914, $15,415,517 in $15,317,304 in 1916-17 is attributed mainly ons involving scarcity of tonnage and an emand on the machinery manufacturers at the fact that the number of establish- \ustralia using machinery from to 11,438 in 1915, with an increased horse- from 298,601 to 504,834 would point ndustrial growth which has been fostered ons. The country of these 1916-17 was United Kingdom, 74,837 ; 727: United States, $5,569,363; Sweden, nd all others, $160,710; or the United King r cent of all machinery; Canada, 8 per cent; States, 50 per cent; Sweden, 4 per cent, and all ream mowers, states, rease nervy, presses increased rement origin of 5 $4, ero 20,14 ner cen } I i Promising Outlook for American Trade United States is, therefore, the leader in the ery market of Australia, according to latest Whether this leadership is main- of course depend upon a great many consid- not the least important of which are closely the suggestions here made. The Australian merchant is fully alive to the advantages and of American machinery, just as he appre- keenly the weakness in our export methods, f which eventually must be borne by him. ttention should be paid to his wishes if encounter a full measure of success. Statistics. New Steel Works in France some years at the Farrell and Pa., works of the Carnegie Steel Co., who was veral years ago general manager of the hearth steel plant to be erected by Automobiles Venissieux (Rhone), France, has placed cts for the equipment of this new plant, of which will be used entirely in the manu- teel for automobiles. To the Treadwell En- Co., Easton, Pa., was given a contract for a ng mill. The main open hearth building x 176-ft. in size, and will be built by the Co., Pittsburgh. The initial plant will 50-ton open hearth furnaces, but is laid There will also be two 4-hole soaking and the bindings for the open hearth and furnaces will also be built by the Blaw- masonry work to be done by the company The cranes for the open hearth and furnaces include a 15-ton charging crane ladle crane, which have been built and pped by the Morgan Engineering Co., The small stripper and pit cranes will hed by the Morgan Co. The Treadwell Co. will furnish the ladles. A 2000-hp. generator set for driving the blooming furnished by the Westinghouse Electric & | this company also has a contract for the motors for the blooming mill. Practi- __ the machinery will be The only steam generated Norris, for electrically in the plant THE IRON AGE 811 will come f irom waste neat boilers I connection with the open-hearth furnaces, this stearr to be ed in the operation of the gas producers, p ir com pressors and other machinery It is intend er on to add to the plant a 24-in. bar mill 1 sheet and jo bing mills and there will also ] ‘ely be added a sn tii merchan mill for the 1 g of rounds, flats, squares and other shapes. Al lildings w equipped with Le€ isn ] shed by Da | I - { i i ieipnia British Steel Exports in January Exports of iron and steel from Great B iin in January, 1919, are officia iy reported a LiU,o43 gross tons, excluding iron ore and includins ul This com pares with 139,151 tons in January, 1918, and with 210,124 tons in January, 191 The aver th in 1915, 1916 and 1917 was 220,670 tons, 279,695 tons and 195,466 tons respectively The pig-iron exports were 30,574 tons against 40,503 tons in Janu 1918 The outgo of ste ars W 0 tons less than Jan 18, wi ils was 2858 tons as against tor n Januar There has been an increase ex and steel plates. The January tin-plate « is year were 19,135 tons as compared with 16,234 January, 1918. The exports of steel plates not u 3 in as 28,155 tons last January Lit 151 tons ll i118 Ferromanganese ex] vere i l 1500 ft st January or 6000 tons less than January, 1918 Imports of iron and steel in January, « id ! ore and inc] lding ‘rap, were 92,569 tons a ! i! | with 29,517 tons in January, 1918 The monthly aver age in 1915, 1916 and 1917 was 107.550 tons, 64,404 tons and 41,401 tons respectively. Iron-or: rts January were 544,414 tons, of which 414,809 from Spain. These imports in January, 1918 154.248 tons of which 1768 tons wer red Spain. Pig-iron imports last January were 27,070 as against 12,132 tons in January, 191 . erroall ports, largely ferrosilicon, were 1234 tons last J as compared with 1645 tons in January, 1918 Manganese ore imports were 216 tons in Ja this year as compared with 77,277 tons in January, 1918 Canadian Pig-Iron and Steel Output in 1918 / The Canadian pig-iron output in 1918, , according t a preliminary report by the Canadian department mines, was 1,194,000 net tons (1.06¢ l gross tons) compared with 1,170,480 to (1,045,071 gross tons) in 1917. Of the 1,194,000 tons made last year, 30,425 t } was made in el furnaces from scrap steel and sold as low phosphorus iron. The rest of the outp was 966,409 tons of basic iron, 15,415 tons of Be and 181.696 tons of foundry and malleabk — iron exports in 1918 were 2130 ton The 1918 output of ferroalloys, ferrosilicon was 44,700 tons as 1917. mostly high grade ired with 43,465 comp: tons in The production f ctoea!] nrots ef and direct ste: ings in 1918 was 1,893,000 net tons (1.690.178 one tons), of which 1,820,000 tons were ingots and ) tons were castings. These figures compare with | 91 tons of ingots The output of 40 000 tons in and 54,443 tons of castings in 191 electric 1 1918 1917, with 19,639 steel is estimated at as compared with 50,467 tor tons in 1916, with 5625 tons in 191 and with 61 tons in 1914 The iron-ore output in 206.820 net tons 1917. Of the Ontario m Canada in 1918 is put at , comparing with 215,302 t 1918 production, 197,637 ton nes and 8153 tons from Quebec about The Boston News Bureau has just completed a tele- graphic covering the country. and ascertains that on Jan. 1 a total of 6,225,192 auto mobiles and motor trucks registered, an expan- sion of 73 per cent in The average cost to the purchaser of the cars and trucks now on the road was $1,000, so that there was a total investment of $6,225,192,000. ‘anvass every State in were two years. 812 THE IRON AGE March 27, 1919 RECENT CRANKSHAFT REPAIRS witil fmally the shatt'gives away. ‘Such'a id is really a better shaft than origi ar : ae : the flaw has been located and eliminated Six-Throw Crankshaft Made from Steel Billets f the shaft has been thoroughly tested. . suecessful crankshaft alteration, by Thermit Process 1 ently accomplished in a large Pennsylva: At h the thermit \ ALY 2 yo - a oe i this case the process co! sisted in welding a ent adapted to the W ns ' Ee een ee ., 10 in. long and 27 in. in diameter to one en f almost every description, beca ee ne Ps re throw crankshaft, 25 in. in diameter. T} imalgamation of metal produce ek eet NUN ‘ hes $45,000 and was taken from a 1000-hp. e1 reaction temperature, prob y the most prolific sources “a mi rte = Fa ie ie idditional work required afterward to ec of heavy steel repairs reak et by : i rr | : peration consisted in machining down tl] hese vary widely * = ee Ra ; “oe : ed tension and making a seat for a coupling ee eee eed PBs ee eae - ‘ * 8 a : ire eae +1 Be he extension section in position for the weld ; f shaft hit mac J barrie ee ena 3 in. was left between the extension and riginally used. Several recer : 5 — gees ve we 150 lb. of wax were used in the space to bi pairs and alteration AeSCTIDEC me oe by the welding metal; 2800 lb. of railroad th article . ee al: ll ila lias ) per cent extra punchings were supplied for tl] ng _ ge Oo : _ 5 "7 : oa ne Pits JA a aciac reaction. The riser formed from the pour yr defe ite} = pee ees metal had a diameter varying from 12 to 14 i: 3 mi GRO CASE OF Dt ep es Pe eee ae - 18 in. high. This shaft has been back in ome time, and is giving good service. One recent example of crankshaft repair 3 remarkable for the short time required for nsidering the large size of the section. T} made on an extension to a 20-in. blooming shaft, Fig. 2, used by one of the larger four Pittsburgh district. The welding of this started on a Monday morning at 7.30. The me rked yntinuously until 1 a. m. on Wednesday, when was poured. As a result of this prompt repa A the mill was out of operation only 10 days. The ex In. Long W Single Throw Cr I The views show the exten- sion section placed in align- ment with a 3-in. gap; t four crucibles in position for pouring the finished weld the section ma n was 17 in. long and 22 in. in diameter, ‘ n size between this piece and the shaft re that the former be stronger than the e shaft. A 4-in. opening was left between extension. The weld collar left on ind 21% in. in diameter; 2500 lb. of used. of thermit nto the n a crankshaft, nore Engine Co ” 1.7 unable to procur ne when domain of pure it urgently wanted welding from the he I manutacturing lg made F Baltimore, Md. This e a forged steel crank } ig. oo, recently one, actu Electric Steel and Swedish Iron of greatest interest to the Swedish the export of quality iron, say ( ger. On account of the blo kade, coul erly imported th iron have had to resources, which has been done g processes, especially in Britain and heffield, which for years was one of the ers of Swedish steel, and which f three electric steel furnaces, now ha now is whether these electric furnaces the future to compete with Swedish ect? ric iron indust1 and Sweden will undoubtedly a ign it is a questio kers must not be blin export market for <« war has brought very leavored to meet its own Ne to displace the Swedish material. y, it is believed, has feel its com n whether in all way The d to the danger threat- juality steel, a danger near. Sweden had al- home demand, but the IRON AGE n if tured entire Vv cr nal } ! erie te Nf pr er 4 é t t I ne : , r? ’ ‘ ; ‘ he ~ ¢ VU ‘ rar } Tt r é ne t T ne 1 r ’ ‘ tert Tne pir ’ ] i ; r tt , ; frat rcular d it ¢€ ne ‘ € time e re a t rar i heer y ft ; 1 y a Sg r ] I re ( , e perio! ] repeated ther nt here t re é ind wher é é I te} OULSIUE ' i t | I I 1LU j | rea 0 Va i f ot T sed r i pr ‘ r r ‘ l¢ i ¢ ¥ ; ' t ‘ ‘ 4 . ! > j re he ’ No Improvement in Structural Lines The bridge and structu ops of the int re f ya continuts d iCcK f A raer Ir I ruar tne eT 4 tonr or ho ed } the f ng ant ( ited niv 22.500 gr tor I it ner a a nD ty, a rding to the records of the Bridge Builders’ and Structural Society, 50 Church Street New York, collected by George E. Gifford, its secretary This tonnage is only 900 tons greater than was booked in January. New orders in February, 1918, were per cent of capacity; in 1917, 59 per cent; in 1916, 75 per cent; in 1915, 30 per cent; in 1914, 62 per cent; in 1913, 75 » per cent, and in 1912, 56 per cent, an average of 59 per cent for the 7-year period Reductions in Iron and Steel Prices Manufacturers Confer with Industrial Board New Schedule Announced After Chairman Peek Talks with Attorney General P 4 Government Buying in Large Volume Not Probable at Early Date—Muc Time Devoted to Discussion of General Conditions—Recom- mendation That W WASHINGTON, March 25.—Reductions in iron and steel prices, ranging from $7.25 to $15 a ton under the prices of Nov. 11, and from $4.25 to $10 under the Jan. 1 prices, were promulgated by the conference of the Industrial Board of the Department of Commerce and a special commmittee of the iron and steel industry. These reductions are the first step in the effort of the Government authorities to lower the prices of basic ommodities to a point that will stimulate consumption. idea, as originally outlined by Secretary Redfield The almost six upon prices which to agree prompt buying, and nceourage 1 1 + . “le 1 } ~ thus keey at work. Lumber is next, to be followed by brick and cement. Whether the new steel prices, with reductions fron 10 to this 14 per ‘ent, will ither accomplish object is a the Industrial lustry seemed prepared to an- question whi h ne Board nor tne representatives of the in swer with any great certainty. In the announcement of the lower prices, however, they expressed optim:sn concerning the result. Government Buying There was another point on which the statement shed little light. That was the question of the method New I } at B 2 ip 5 | groovy piat + } VW A \V B } Biu i L ir I Tu I ta I } ' I I ar ter Abt ‘ G I g! ‘ by which the lower prices were to be converted into a decisive increase in business. A general impression that the Government would jump into the field with large orders seems to have little foundation. Neither the War Department nor the Navy Department is in a position to do any greater amount of buying at a low price than it would have done at the original. The Shipping Board has considerable stocks on hand, and its new building program is still a matter of speculation. ages Be Maintained The only big Government factor in th the possibility of increasing railroad purch the to ap} $5750,000,000 fund crippled possi! The itself has bes to announce confine its fund however, failure of Congress revolving Administration that it expenses, although an order for 500,000 Railroad must for “maintenance,” is expected at once any real purchasing program to the roads. to the As these are in a position where tl to their of Government funds to pay the rent borrow Iacl 1aCK money pay dividends, tional borrowing for construction progra) ably be difficult. The Navy has $10,000,000 together to help out the railro bills. the the Wai now “shifted funds” sufficiently to s $100,000,000 the But « into working capital fund Department succeeded ing its In same way has for same the purpose. sums will £o administration. and interest dends payments before it could available for large construction programs. Schedule of Prices New Reductions IT r’ri Bre 1 No 11 I ee $2 7.26 $4 $ 0) 9.00 ‘ 4 00 42.00 9.00 4 4? 00 9.00 46.00 41.00 9.00 3 2.65 12.00 N.T 10 2.55 12.00 * 7 ~ U 2 : J UU 5 ) 2 1.00 7. 2.¢ 12.00 7 ) 94 11.00 " 7 G. JT 200 G.T 5.00 G. T . ( 7 3.00 5.00 N. T ) 3.25 5.00 4 4.3 13.00 7 0 3 > 14.00 7 f > 5.70 11.00 ee 7 7 7.00 15.00 “ 7 s more off card 7 \ 0d y { 2.70 “2.49 11.0 1. T )G. T $ »G.T 10.00 G.T l 7.00 47.00 10.00 ange ichanged Prices effective at once T., net ton; cwt., hundred pounds stimulated by the new prices will be largely vate sources. work. Here again the failure of Congress t important appropriation bills will prove factor. : z Policy as to Wages The announced policy of the Industrial Boa the wages of labor must not be touched under policy of stimulated consumption seems likely to ™#** 814 If th of the situation proves correct, the chief buying to Any surplus would be absorbed by The one big factor will be const h 27, 1919 in slowing up possible construction work, e of material is only a part of the cost of tuthorities at Washington, however, in- little the ston in a position to comment intelligently are comment on situation. ffect of the price reductions. The was given out as the work of the committee lustry approved by the Industrial Board. The ed to have made some changes in the indus- it nothing was given out to indi what There important. ‘ate ves were. seems considerable doubt The list rk of the industry, although it took almost were itself is taken to to get the Government representatives and ry’s committee together. thing that was done was carried on behind rs and under all kinds of pledges to secre ns themselves gave considerable evidence of nes. Occasionally there was apparently a rous difference of opinion among the repre ves of the industry themselves, and betweer the Government board. hief delay in the promulgation of the figures » have been the result of the fact that lower would fall with disastrous effect on the high- lucers. Neither the Government nor the in- eemed willing to accept the responsibility for ult. The high-cost men themselves were iverse to a program that would paralyze plants. They take their chances he normal outcome of the law of supply and de- of while the general adjustment was. being worked preferred to hoping to get orders some kind at liv no this the Government board’s contention was that iole procedure was intended to put the law of and demand to work again, and that the accel this procedure was of first importance to hole country, even though the speed of ight cause individual injury. statements given out both by the Government nd by Judge E. H. Gary for the representatives industry, touch upon this difference. Both hint rifices,” but neither suggests a way around the the oper- The Higher-Cost Companies rles M. Schwab of the Bethlehem Steel Co. conference on the second day to emphasize came yrtance of avoiding as far as possible the paraly- he higher-cost producers. Judge Gary of the and Mr. hief intermediaries between the Industrial Board Corporation, President Farrell Schwab representatives of the industry. \. Savage, Duluth, who appeared for the Lake Iron Ore Association, succeeded in convincing rd that there i Lila L s the ore carry should be no change in the price ing rate from mines to upper 5 18 lowered. he delaying factors in the promulgation of the steel might not look which, on the that 1 prices was the fear of of agreement violate the Clayton and Sherman anti-trust men with face of it irtment Justice ap- yn an " question was raised when Secretary Red- proposed to join the action for lower prices. time Secretary Redfield that the been threshed out at length in cabinet ses- Attorney General Gregory. To emphasize the ence of the Department of Justice, Edward T. who represents the attorney general as as ounselor for the Department of Commerce, ted in the conferences. But in the meantime announced ell Palmer had succeeded Attorney General THE IRON AGE S15 Gregory. The various ere feared that he might not nsider himsel 1 by tude < is pr cessol As a result, the al ac lairman George N. Peek of the Indu } e issua f the pr ‘ S ned ile ‘ \ M Pa me Bi tn M I M re f t public an: nee Mr. | sement, | + was erred f1 \ tion f he prices Ur the a fi of { I hel ne the industry bv this price nama the ng delays of the elin : : February that Seer: Redt 1 his program in +} | f | n ‘ r pl le It t ) a we t & Pre I W ns ca | o« nct I Ther it t } I I M t I l tne r who were willing to n the I I I too nother wee t t ra the e€ lustry , t I ) i I ngs in New Y¥ Cha ! ‘ heduled in Was! lar Wal \ take! ne é had e | pe d intil March 19 W , ting ¢ r W netor t We { 1 of prel nat d | Wedne ’ yr ta no ‘ ‘ rd . the conference root 1 War | Boa At the end of th Boa it tn ic Industrial Board Statement After ry et . } ; ot ; ’ steel industr ep! I ‘ t of tl country’s pre fF Board nounced that satisfa I ( Lc ! that a final de n o1 vered 3 would not be reached unt fter full yr n of all phases of the subject ‘The question of p $ was t he 1po! t the first conference The entir is ¢ ed to a discussion of the gens itu r i the advisa bility of a reduced he fe ‘ t the pres ent time in order to stin “We found the steel men entirely w ng t operate in making effective ar program that } hasten the retur normal cond ns,” said Gé N. Peek, chairman of the | t I I t impossible to te hov ; ta t late the new pr scl l Thereupon the 1 tat f the indust ' tired to the Willard H for a further ontere ‘ ard Thursd ! Thu ! t vere talking. 1 I erncci the oard 1 tl t | rr t I fh r n In the meat e, Mr. Schwab had er Thu \ ifternoor nd ¢ é ed with alternate meetings of the I Bi nd the steel mer vith Messrs. Gary, Farre ur Schwab sitting first with one conference and then with th other It was 10.30 " LOK k Th r y nignt et n final agreement had been reached, but this neither t} board nor the industry’s committee wanted to d Finally the newspaper men prevailed upon them t + ’ least list of the price changes, 1] tial make public at a partial and this was done At the same time J ldge Gary gave out the following statement: “We have a full morrow, when one wi agreed upon prices We cannot give you statement regarding these prices until to ll be prepared for the pres (Continued on page 834) 216 THE [RON AGE March 2 119 STOKERS TO BURN COKE BREEZE the grate surface is that Non-Sifting Grate Gives Blast Tortuous Passag« t the —Air Control by Separate Compartment ree i ee! ) ‘ >? ' ' ‘ ¥ ly I i ( Ve t ul ‘ I I Dilé t own support The stoker consists of cast-iron side fram: ge the driving gear, hopper front shaft, a gate in the usual manner. The side girders ars of structural steel members, built like a trus ting stokers of 20 ft. in length to be built. T, Section. Plan and Elevat of 2 Sifting pe of Grate Bar members of structural steel support a series of § User i! t ri I ele ope mt Sif A ‘ 2. 3 . — : : eyur) Wh H Built f Bu ( n which run semi-steel chains carrying and Plant the N vest iF \ = the grate surface and taking up the stress ar over ] i rp aie ae of the chain These are provided with V-r Forced Draft Regulated « Natura ) t Admitted to the Harrington Stoker by Air Boxes Set Over Air Ducts. Ret £ » 4 I t There i ina box d damper for each of the eve w! h t { gy each part of the grate the amount of air it ree Found ( Cn oO T} co i 1 non sifting grate I I I le ] ‘ H ! eton empnas as i re ! ew nd ital importance ) power ! operato The tiona ew oT the ne l Te i Ws now one bar prot S nd tn erhan: l } O i tne iv tS Nave mo ted I i i . an ) r¢ throug! The | e made o The stoker ha a traveling grate, and is des gned for both forced blast and natural draft. Preliminary to designing the stoker Mr. Harrington compiled the following conditions as necessary to be met befor forced draft could be successfu iy used 1 I toker must ‘ et dur ne Serene re ; . Partial Assembly of a Stoker Made in Three Sectior clinkers that cause any disturbance of the fuel bed when the of Equal Width. Conspicuous are the tracks on Ww! ish « ina pla cond the V-rollers carrying the chains to which tul ) ™ } nlat f +} Pasar ittached the racks holding the bars Also noticeat é Co avoid the accumuiatio é 1S<¢ é ] é the air seals between the air compartments is W > and conseauent fouling of the grat rface t must be d the wide and unobstructed space fer the passage Of 1 s - } it - charged formed o that tl ‘ fon any unit making it possible to use relatively low velocitl 7, 1919 THE IRON AGE S17 3 ~*~ ' ' r ‘ l { “ } f W ‘ t 1 i l 0 I nam nx ' mper and h¢ the | sti é or i 7 ir rt \ v\ é é oO eT to I é n the no I i sp yy iI nstruction pi ie yrtu < ‘ S or h I irre flow « I 1 I fa Pus tea The stokers just : ' iel 80 pe t vi v I . und I f rh ire adaptable t ties and an equal dist o1 rge are | LOKE rt [The Testing Societ M yal per r | ha e¢ ! ; ected it ft S é er per | { rineering Advertisers’ Association ; nd sales managers representing i] engineering lines | rganize eering Advertisers’ A ciati it «Cr r ving officers President, H. L. Delander nage! (ra ( ‘ e-pre r H , lirecte rdvert ng. Portland ¢ eT secretary, G. H. Eddy, publicity manager t t f eering ( East Chicago, Ind.; t1 rey t I ' Pratt, advertising manager, Kellogg Sw Committ i O py ( l \ M ering Advertise Associatior A em active memDe! p, although provis ; ‘ tT is Ti late rrieé ‘ - Du ene I t ‘ sf ] ‘ 1L¢ il i er { rel | ré ined TQ eng e¢ ty y ‘ . | Material Dealers Hold “Liberty” Banquet to change its headquarters from Be \ t Ladd York was made at the meeting m 1al banquet of the National Associat erlal Dealers at the Hotel Astor, New Yo 1 a W. Reidenbach of Rochester was elect . of Emanuel Salomon. Over ) me ry »¥ unauet tables in the north ballro« Cw nuge elect! signs 1 I s 2 Liberty” and “Victory.” The speaker \ s Fletcher Johnson of the New Yor itlined the intry’s former stand a inces”: Captain Thomas Harris . , f New York. ompo i of i I : : ‘ »] 1 tribute to the 100 per cent Ame , Os? T tar re ? ent; ind Ser A pects of a victor ts 1 é I 1 of Trade, _ a ‘ . and has recommended the r ' l roar tric Steel Co. of Indiana, Indianapolis, ha pation Change its name to t international Electr pleted an addition to its foundry, immed Board of Trad The recommendation was approved ent to the Heroult electric furnace, to hous: at a meeting in St. I f J er’s Cabinet, the aboratory. The addition consists of a de executive body of the J n Order, and th posi story building and is fully equipped with tion will be voted on at the next nvention of the order hemical apparatus for the analysis of melting The change in name t first step in a reorganiza- i alloys. Space is also provided for photo tion of the Jovians with the view of emphasizing the = K. husiness rather than the social purpose f the order 818 THE IRON AGE March KENTUCKY FLUORSPAR MINING Post-War Conditions in the Steel Trade May Reduce Output Too Far BY E. V. RAWN” The condition of the spar producing industry in the Kentucky field is well worthy of the consideration of the steel industry at large. As is well known this field has shown a very large increase in production in the last four years, and it has now attained a position where the production and shipping to the steel manu- facturers of the country approximate 60,000 tons of spar per annum. The Kentucky field, in connection with the Illinois field, produces approximately 90 per cent of the spar mined and consumed in the United States. The Illinois production comes very largely from two mines, located in Hardin County; that from Kentucky comes from ten or twelve mines, scattered over Crittenden, Caldwell and Livingston Counties, but chiefly located in Crit- tenden County. Since the signing of the armistice, practically no new business has been booked in this field, with the result that 75 per cent of the mines have discontinued production and shipping. There is no storage of spar in the district worth speaking of, and owing to lack of employment the mining organizations of the districts, composed very largely of native labor, are leaving the mine settlements and returning to their homes. Status of Kentucky Mines The mining conditions in the larger numbers of mines in the district are of that peculiar nature which make shutdowns exceedingly costly and destructive, as the greater portion of the spar mined comes from de- posits lying between slickensided clay walls, which, having once been exposed to the action of air in the entry openings for mining purposes, are exceedingly difficult to support, and particularly susceptible to in- jury in the event that the ground waters encountered are allowed to rise and saturate them—a condition very liable to arise if the mines are closed down for any considerable period. The large percentage of spar consumed in the United States, coming from Illinois and the Kentucky field jointly, would suggest the idea that owing to the importance of spar in the open-hearth steel industry, any misfortune to these fields, resulting in a heavy decrease in production, especially if this decrease in production becomes permanent, would be very disadvan- tageous to the steel industry. Stimulation of War Prices The prices realized on spar during the last two years have been very attractive, resulting in a consid- erable influx of persons who have endeavored to reap profits from a venture that on its surface appeared to give promise of large returns. The significant point in connection with the large endeavor to create new mines is the fact that so far as the writer knows, no new property has been developed with a capacity of 2000 tons per annum or greater, and very large numbers of those who have ventured in the spar prospecting line will probably, owing to insufficient capital, and in many cases to lack of experience, combined with an unavoid- ably high cost of production, be considerably disap- pointed with their venture. Production costs have gone up enormously within the last four or five years, due in the main to high cost of labor and materials, combined with a further fact that practically all of the easily mineable spar had been taken out in previous years, when the Kentucky field, *President Southern Mineral Co., Hopkinsville, Ky 27, 19}9 operating under the disadvantage of long over bad roads, was not able to compete producers on any other basis than to skin from their properties. Pre-War Prices Unprofitable A survey of the field in the early part 1917 showed that the pre-w