alloy. See Fig. 738, i>age 309.
The nio(li.'S of applying heat are : —
Tlie nakotl tire.
Hollow fiiriKU-e or muffle.
limner.-'inn in melted solder.
Mi'tfcil soliler pnured ou.
Ilruted iron not tiiined.
lU'iiteil rop]ii'r tool tiuucd.
Blow-pipe Hanie.
Alcohol Haiiie.
Stream of heated air.
This art wils understood and practiced in ancient E^ypt.
Vases made of inihricated or overlappinj; plates, and supposed
to be soldered toj;ether, are represented in tombs of Thothmcs
III., 14'J0 n. c. Tin forms an insi'eilient in soft solder, and was
brought from Britain by the rhoenieian-i lUOO b. c , and prob-
ably long before. Malacca also yielded tin in very remote ages.
The piece.'* which went to form the stand of the silver vji.«e
presented to the temple of Delphi by Alyattes, king of Lydia,
were of iron inlaid with gold, and were soldered together. This,
if it were the second Alyattes. was about 617 B. c. Soldering
leaden pipes is mentioned by Vitruvius.
Soldering wjis apparently unknown in Greece in the time of
Homer. (lannncred plates, such as armor, were united by me-
chanical fastenings, — nails, pins, rivets, cramps, and dovetails.
In the ordinary process of soldering small articles, — as, for
example, of tinware, — the workman places the two metallic
surfaces together, and then, with his so/iferins;-irnn, which has
been pn^vionsly heated to the proper temperature in a small
charcoal furnace beside him, he melts off sufficient solder from
the stick or cake, allowing it to flow on, and between the parts
to be joined ; the hot iron is then applied to the joint, so as to
cjiuae the solder to become uniformly fluid, equalize its distri-
bution, and smooth its exposed surface. See also Cak-solder-
JNG Machine, Fig. 1074, page 452.
Large and heavy pieces of iron and steel are united by inter-
posing sheet copper or brass between the parts to be joined,
which have been previously cleansed by filing. They are then
fastened together by wire, and the joint is covered with moist
clay free from sand ; this is allowed to dry, and the pieces are
exposed to a blast until they become white-hot and the clay is
vitrified ; less heat is required for brass than for copper. In
soldering iron to iron, the pieces are cooled in water, but in
soldering steel to steel they are cooled slowly ; brass solder is
employed for articles of moderate size, either of iron, steel, or
brass. /Very fine iron or sti'cl articles are united by pure gold,
or hard gold solder, which is also employed for gold. Silver
solder is used for silver, and sometimes for German silver. A
silver solder, compose<l of equal parts of silver and malleable
brfu«3, is also employed with small iron and steelartirles.
For hrazhii; or hard soldering, the blacksiiiith's forge is
frequently used, but, in genenil, a special liejirth similar to
the forge, but morci conveniently arranged for rei-eiving large
objects, is used. For large an<l long works, a tlat iron plale
standing on four legs having a centml aperture for the fuel
and provided with tuyeres fed by a fan blower, and having a
counterpoised hood suspended from the ceiling, is used. For
small works, ha articles of jewelry, the blow-pipe is employed,
by which the flame of a lamp with a large wick is directvd upon
the object held upon a charcoal support. The Birmingham
cheap jewelry makei-s employ a gas-jet, and ^uppolt tla- obji-ct
upon a disk of iron covered with a kind of uiut composed of
fragments of wire and provided with a handle -. the blast from
a pair of bellows is directed upon the work by u tube.
Great vare is taken that the surfaces to be joijied shall be
perfectly cleaned by filing or scniping ; this having been done,
they are placed in contact and held, if necessary, by binding
wires; the granulated spelter and powdered borax or other
proper flux are mi.xed in a small cup with a very little wat<;r
and spread upon the joint by a slip of sheet-metal or a spoon.
The article is now exposed to the heat, causing first the borax
and afterward the solder to fuse and run into the joint, the
operation being sometimes assisted by tapping.
Silver soldering is effected in a very similar way. From its
superior fusibility and on account of its not eating or gnawing
away the edges of the joints, and, being more sparingly u.-^ed,
requiring less atVr filing and finishing, it is frequently eiupiuyed
in lifU of the cheaper kinds.
S ol'der-iiJ g-ap pa-r a' tus. T he sol dering-appa-
ratus for ordiiiaiy work with tin-plate atid thin
slieet-inetals in general comprises soldering-irons (so
called) of various sizes, a small portable furnace for
iieating theiu, and a bo.K with a spout for holding
and applying the rosin or otlier tlux.
The great demand for cans for containing oysters, fruits, and
prepared meats has led to the invention of special machines
through whose agency the work is greatly expedited.
One of these {Fig. 52yu) has collapsible arms which keep the
Fig. 5290.
Can-Suli/ering Appnratits.
body of the can expanded, and hold it while the flux and solder
is being applied, automatically or otherwi^e, when the appara-
tus is rotated.
Fig. 5291.
Sr-'f/er-fan jor Cans.
Tn another {Fig. 5201'*, the ends of the can are successively
dipped into a bath of molten solder, the support on which the
can rests being so «r-
Fig. 5292. ranged as to protect
— ;^ the bottom, the solder
'â– ^ merely having access
to the seam.
In Fig 5292, the can
is placed in a groove
over a furnace ; a non-
conducting material
prevents access of heat
to any part except the
scam, which is joined
by the fusion of a strip
of solder placed within
the can.
Ckin- Solder hig Apparatus, -^
SOLDERING-FURNACE.
2241
SOLDERING-MACHINE.
So^der-ing-f^^^'nace. A furnace, usually burn-
heating the soldering-
tools used by tinmen,
plumbers, etc.
Fig. 5293.
Ttnman^s Furnace.
Fig 5293 has a cover D
inclosiug the tube through
which the iron is presented
to the fire, and which ex-
tciKls sufficiently fai-iuward
to prevent the fire acting
directly upon the front
casing of the furnace. An-
other furnace (patent Xo
•49,517) has a solderiug-tool
parsing through the fire and
projeeting on each side, in
order that the work may be
held up to it and moved
along against the iron.
Fig. -5294 is a furnace
having pans on top for
heating the ends of cans
ftir soldering. The pans have a slight rim, which is of metal,
and a central depression which is filled with gj-psiun or some
other non-conducting substance, in order that the heat may
Fig. 5294.
which may be adjusted by a side-screw to any desired hight ; a
strip of solder is dipped in oil and apphcd to the joint with the
right hand while the work is slowly revolved by the left.
It has btcu proposed to apply the term galvanic solderhig to
the uniting of two pieces of metal by the deposit formed between
them when submitted to electro-magnetic influence in the sul-
phate bath. This method would seem too tedious and expen-
sive to be of very general appUcution.
Sol'der-ing-ir'oii. The tool whereby solder is
melted and applied in the ordinary method of work-
ing. It is, how^ever, a block of copper, called a
copper-bit, on the end of an iron rod provided with
a wooden handle. See Soldering-tool.
Sol'der-ing-lamp. An alcohol or oil lamp with
a thick wick, adaptt-d for the dentist and jeweler.
The peculiar burner known as the Bunsoi hiwncr is
: much used. The gas is mixed with atmospheric air
before inflaming, and the result is a hot, blue, smoke-
less flame. See STOVE-RrRyp:R.
Sol'der-ing-ma-chine'. One for holding cans
while being soldered or applying the soldering-tool
to them while rotating.
In Fig. 5297, the can rests on a mtiting table B turned by a
treadle if operating the b.-ind-whwls C r and bevel gears G, and
is held by a spring plunger g- with spurs h ; the soldering-iron
Solderins-Fumace.
affect no part but the rim. The pans have plates H (see small
figure) extending down into the fire to conduct the heat to the
pans.
In Fig. 5295, the can is attached to the end of a shaft, which
Pig. 5295.
Can-Soldermg Machine.
is supported in a rest on the arm J and is applied to each part
of the seam as the can rotate*.
Fig. 529S has a gas-heated shallow metallic solder-pan. The
boxes are placed, one at a time, upon the pan, with their lower
Fig. 5298.
y~~^^ -
c^^
Soldering Tin Cans.
during its rotation causes each part of the seam to dip succes-
sively into the solder-bath.
Fig. 5296. A peculiar modification of the
blow-pipe is employed by pcw-
terers. It consists of a common
iron pot a having a close-fitting '
cover and apertures on each side
through which the blast-pipe c i
passes; this is technically called '
the hod : it is partially filled 1
with ignited charcoal, so as to j
heat the blast of air which passes i
through the pipe c. The work edgps immersed in the solder thereon; the operation is com-
is supported on a revolving ped- pleted by holding them there an instant and then removing
Petctercrs H<'t'Blast. estal b, termed the gentUman, ! them. See Cam-soldekisg Machike, Fig. 1074, page 452.
141
Solderi7tg- Stand,
SOLDERING-TOOL.
2242
SOLE-CHANNELING MACHINE.
Sol'der-ing-tool. Tlie solde ring-tool, generally
termed a .wfi^t^riny-iron, used by tinmen and other
workers in tiiin sheet-metals, consists of a copper
bit or boH having a pointed or ^vedge-shaped end,
fastened to an huii rod with a wooden handle. It is
tinned previous to lieing used by heating to a dull
reil, luistily liliiig olf the scale, so as to produce
a clean metallic surface, and then rubbing, first
upon a lump uf sal-ammoniac and next upon a
copper or tin plate on which a few drops of
solder have been placed, and afterward wiped
clean with tow. Various improved forms have
been contrived.
In Fig. 5299, the body A is made of cast-iron and has a
dovetail mortise at
the t;ud,iuto which a
tenon on the copper point
£ is expanded by driving
Another has a copper
point cast on to the irou
body.
In another (Fig. 5300), the bit is reversible, and may be pro-
truded any desired distance beyond the socket iu which it is
Fig. 5300.
Soldering-BiU
held, the rod to which the handle 13 attached being screw-
threaded and working through the socket.
In Sears' (Kig. 5301). the copper tip a is hollow at the base
and receives the hollow handle b, which is screwed therein, and
is connected by a flexible pipe c with a nozzle through which
two pipes provided with cocks d d' project respectively air and
gas. The gas is first let on, and as it escapes at the base of a
I In Fig.5303, the molds B B are
I toothed beneath, and are engaged
I by a pinion C, causing them to
' slide in grooves beneath the res-
] ervoir £", from whi
I filled by raising the
j reservoir is heated '
I below it.
Fig. 5303.
beneath the res-
1 which they are y~
[ the gate G. The Vl
ted by a furnace e \\
^
Sohlering- Tool.
Fig. 5301.
'.n
Fig. D304.
Solder-Mold.
Soldering- Tool.
is lighted, ami the air-supply cook being then opened, a flame
is maintained at the aperture in the handle 6, near the end of
the tip a. at the point where the greatest heat is required, its
intensity being regulated by meaifc of the cocks d d'. A shield
e on the handle serves to deflect the heat back on the tip a and
protect the hand of the operator. When not in use, the tip is
inserted in the hollow rest f.
Fig. 6302 shows the tools commonly used by plumbers for
soldering and fitting pipes and joints.
Fig. 5302.
Plumbing and Soldering Tooh.
a, turn-pin.
fc , side edge.
c, shave-hook.
d, round iron.
e, chipping-knife.
f, dresser.
§, copper bolt.
A, copper hatchet.
, ra.sp.
k, ladle.
SoVder-mold. A device for casting solder into
rods or pellets of convenient form for use.
Molding Tinners' Solder.
A mold in which solder is cast into bars. Fig. 5304 is f*imply
a plate having a series of grooves and provided with a loop or
handle at one end for lifting and turning out
tlie bars when cool enough. See also Solder-
casting.
Sole. The bottom or bearing part ^
of an object, as a crane, wheel-felly,
gun-carriage, plane, rudtler, etc.
.S'o/c and sill occujiy, generally speak-
ing, the same relation to any object to
which they are attached or to which
they refer, and the words are derived
from the same verbal root.
1. (Shocmaking.) The bottom part
of a boot or shoe.
2. {Ayrkultu.rc.) a. The lower part
of the jilow which runs in contact with the bottom
of tlie furrow. It is generally only the lower sur-
faces of the sJiare and landside.
b. The bottom of the furrow.
3. (Vehicle.) A strip of metal or wood fastened
beneath the runner of a sled or sleigh to take the
wear.
It is made of hard wood for farm-sleds, dry sugar-
tree or led beech being excellent.
Bob-sleds are shod with an amalgam cast-iron (so
called).
Sleighs are soled with band iron or steel.
4. (iVac/iincn/.) a. The top or Hoor of a bracket
on which a plnmmer-block rests. See Buacket.
h. The plate which constitutes the foundation of
a marine steam-engine, and which is bolted to the
5. (Hydraulics.) The lower edge of the barrel of
keelsons.
a turbine or water-wheel.
6. (Miniiuj. ) a. The seat or bottom of a passage
in a mine. The Hoor of a gallery.
b. The bottom frame of a wagon.
7. (Foriijicaliun.) The bottom of an embrasure.
The sill is the inside edge of the sole.
8. (Metaliurgij.) The Hoor or hearth of the metal-
chamber in a reverberatory, puddling, or boiling fur-
nace.
9. (Sliipbuilding.) a. The bottom plank of the
cradle, resting on the bilgeways, and sustaining
the lower ends of the po]ipets, which are mortised
into the sole and sujiport the vessel.
b. An additional piece on the lower end of a
rudder, to make it level with the false keel.
10. (.Toinery.) The lower surface of a plane.
Sole-beat'ing Ma-chine'. (Shocmaking.) A
machine lor linisliiiig bouts and shoes, — pressing
the sole ami laying the channel. The swinging bed
has two forms, in order that a shoe may remain
under pressure upon one wliile the operator is pla-
cing another shoe upon the second. The pressure is
given by the treadle, which brings down the upper
platen upon the clmnnelcd sole.
Sole-chan'nel-ing Ma-chine'. A machine for
cutting a groove iu the sole of a shoe in which the
SOLE-CHANNELING ILICHINE.
2243
SOLE-FINISHING TOOL.
Fig. 5305.
Beating-oui Machine {Skoe-Mac/tineri/ ^lunujacltuitt^ Co.).
sewing-stitch may lie and be protected. In Spear's
machine, the .sole being fa.stened to the tuiu-table,
the tool to be used for channeling or beveling is
Fig. 5306.
slipped into the end of the jointed arm, which arm
holds the tool in a perpendicular position. Then the
operation of chanueliug or beveling is performed by
drawing the tool around the sole, using the edge of
the sole as a guide to determine the cut of the knife
or knives, the shoulder on the tool resting against
the edge of the sole as the tool is forced along, turn-
ing the table as is necessary.
Sole-cut'tiiig Ma-chine'. One in which sole-
shaped pieces are cut from the side or from strips of
leather.
The ordinary hand-cutters have dies the shape of
the sole, driven by a mallet. Or a sheet- metal pat-
tern is laid on the leather, and its edge followed by
a knife.
In machines, several plans are adopted. One has
a vertically moving sole-shaped die, which is brought
down upon the leather fed upon a table beneath.
Or a roller has projecting blades shaped alternately
like the respective sides of the sole. The strip is
passed along the bed, beneath the roller, and issues
as soles and waste scraps.
Another sole-cutting machine is one in wliich the
leather and the metallic pattern are clamped to a
Fig. 5307.
Sole-Cutting Machine.
circular revolving table. The knife is supported on
swivelled arms and follows the edge of the pattern,
being actuated by a cam and a toothed foot-lever,
which also raises a weight to perform the return mo-
tion. See also SoLK-KorxDiNG Machine.
Sole-fin'ish-ing Tool. A burnishing-tool for
Fig. 5308.
^^i^y^yy^y^yy.^yA.'yyA^'.
Spear's Soie-Ck/znn^ltn^ Mfti:>tm€.
Sole-Finishing Tool.
the edges of soles. In the example, tlif
tool-head is a four-sided prism, e.xcej't
at its guide, where it approximates to a
frustum of a four-sided pyramid. A re-
versible edge-block is applied to each face of the
SOLE-LEATHEK ROLLING-MACHINE.
2244
SOLUBLE GLASS.
head i-BVolving thei'uoii, and has fiiiisliing ends of
ditiereiit sizes and .sliapes. The edge-block is cou-
iieeted witli the lu^ad by ailjustable elamp-screws.
See also EliGK- lixiL, [iaj,'e 77a.
Sole-leath'er Roil'mg-ma-chine'. A ma-
chine to cumpaLt and euiisulidat
timious inner eyhndei- conoentiie with the axis of
the wlieel, and upon it the bnekets aie built.
Sole-round'ing Ma-chine'. A maeliine for
giving the eufved euntonr to strips of leather de-
signed for soles. The jiatteru is attached to the top
leather, either in 1 of the blank, and kept in contact with the guide
while tlie feed-rollers j' A- are turned,
and the blank is cut to form by
the knife attached to the block ti.
Sole-sliap'er. See Sule-
.MtlLDlNU iM.VCllI.NE.
Sole-Leather Rolling- Machine.
the side or .strip or after being cut out and shaped.
The pressure of the rolls is regulated by the treadle
anil interTii"diatc levers.
Sole - mold'iug Ma-chine'. {Shoeinakiiuj.)
The oiJeration of this niachiue comes before tln^ parts
are assembled upon
Fig 5310. the last. The sole
is molded by it to
fit the bottom of
the style of last
whieli is in \ise.
The lower platen
is forced against
the upper by the
treadle and toggles,
and is retracted by
sjirings.
So'len. {Sur(ji-
cnl.) a. A cradle
for a broken limb.
b. A tent or tilt
of splits or w'ands
to hold the bed-
clothes from con-
tact with a broken
or sore linili.
Sole-plate. 1.
{Steam.) The
foundalion-plale or
bed-plate of an en-
gine. See Sole.
2. (Si/drati! ic
Enifinecriiuj.) The
back jMrtion of a
water-wheel buck-
et. It is frequently
formed by a con-
SoU-Molding Machine,
Scle-tree. (Miuinri.) A piece of
_- wood belonging to a small windlass to
m draw up ore from the nunc.
Sol'id NeTw'el. (Joineri/.) A po.st
into which the ends of wimling stairs
are built. A hollow ncuxl winds
around a well-staircase.
Sol'Icir. 1. (iliiiiiHj.) a. One of tlie platforms
at the ends of the successive ladders in a mine.
b. A mine entrance.
2. A loft.
So'lo-graph. A photograph.
Sol'u-biri-ty. Snsce]itibility of a body to being
dissolved in a liquid. See Storer's " Dictionary of
Solubilities," ('anibridge (Mass.), 1S64.
Sol'u-ble Glass. Also generally known as va-
tcr-ijhiss. An alkaline silicate which is soluble in
water, but remains unaffected by ordinary atmos-
pheric changes.
It was fir.st observed by Von Helmont, in 1640,
and was subsequently, in 1648, made by Glanlier
from potash and silica, and by him termed fluid
silica.
It is employed as a fire-proof coating for various
substances, and latterly important as a constituent
of artificial stone. All glass is chemically a silicate
of some alkaline or metallic oxide ; but those kinds
alone in which the silica is combined with soda or
jiotash without a third substance being cnndoyed,
are soluble in water.
For much that is v.iliuible in the prepnration ami application
of watcr-ffla.'is or so!ul)lc gla^s, we are iiulehtej to Dr. .lohnnn
Fuchs, of Muiiicli. lie announced liis succc.fs iu 1825, aud
published a pamphlet shortly before his death, in 185(3.
Mr Ransome, of Ipswich, England, has also contributed to
the success of the process. It forms an essential ingredient of
Ransonie's artificial stone.
It has been used in painting on glass ; surfacing stone, wood,
and other materials to render them water-proof; covering roofs,
for the same purpose ; glazing scenery or paintings ; as a men-
struum for carbon, in making indelible ink. It h,as been used
to arrest the wear of tlie stone, on the Cathedral of Notre Dame,
P.aris, and the new houses of Parliament, Westminster, Kng-
land.
Soluble glass may be prepared by either the vet or itru way.
In the former, flint nodules are broken and cnlcined, added to
a solution of caustic potash or soda, and exposed for a time to
iuteuse heat.
SOMERSET.
2245
SONOMETER.
In the dry way the constituents are fused together in the
solid 5tat«, and afterward dissolved. Four kinds are employed,
known as the potash, soda, double, and dear silicates. The first
is composed of 15 parts pulverized quartz, 10 purified potash, 1
pulverized charcoal. Tlufse are well mixed, and exposed to a
strong heat in a gla-^s-meltiog pot until thoroughly fused.
When cool, the mass is broken in pieces, and boiled for about
3 hours in 5 times its weight of water, more water being occa-
sionally added to replace that lost by evaporation. When
thoroughly dissolved, it is viscid, and may be used in this state
or still farther diluted. It should be preserved in well-stopped
vessels.
The so«ia silicate is composed of 45 part^ pure quartz. 23 an-
hydrous carbonate of soda , and 3 pulverized charct.Mil : these
are fused and treated in the manner just described. By substi-
tuting the anhydrous sulphate for the carbonate of soda and
using about 8 times more charcoal, a cheajier compound is pro-
duced. Buchner's formula for soda water-glass is. pulverized
quartz, IW ; calcined glauber salts, *iO ; carbon, 15 to 20 parts.
The double silicate is composed of 100 parts quartz. 28 purified
potash, 22 neutral anhydrous carbonate of soda, and 6 pow-
dered charcoal. This mixture fuses more ea.'ily than either of
the iithers. In its place three parts of the first and two of the
second solutions, which mix freely together, may be employed
The mixed silicate forms with sand an excellent cemeut, con-
verting it into a stone-iike mass, and is also useful for filling
cracks in walls. Marble dust, or chalk made into a paste witii
water, dried and saturated with the silicate, forms a ma^ little
inferior in hardness to marble, and capable of taking a fine
poUsh. A mixture of marble dust and the silicate of soda forms
a cement which adheres either to stone or wood. Oxide of zinc
combines «ith the silicate, forming a paste, which may be rolled
into sheets resembling slate.
The cUar sihcate is applied for fixing the colors of pictures.
It is made by fusing 3 [Kirts pure anhydrous carbonate of soda
with 2 of powdered quartz, the compound being boiled as be-
fore. ThU is kept in a concentrated solution, and forxisel part
is mixed with 4 parts of the concentrated potash silicate com-
pletely saturated with quartz.
The^fixing water-glass of Ton Fuchs is used for fixing the
colors "in stereochromy, and is composed of silica well saturated
with potash, water-glass, and a silicate of .soda, obUiined by
melting together 3 "parts calcined soda and 2 of pulverized
quartz.
The prepared water-glass of commerce is made by boiling the
powdered water-glass in water, forming solutions known as of
33^ and 66° respectively, tho#e amounts denoting the respective
amounts by weight of solid water-glass contained in 100 parts
of the solution.
AVall paintings are fixed by water-gla-^s in a much more du-
rable manner than ordinary frescoing The ground may be simi-
lar to that employed for frescos, or a water-gbiss mortar may
be employed, composed of about 10 parts dry sharp sand, 3
quicklime, and 2 dry pulverized chalk or limestone, worked to
the proper conj^istency ivith dilute water-glass. Water-colors,
not too heavily laid on, are applied, care being taken to reject
organic colors", which are fugitive, and such others as have a
tendency to combine with the glass. Wlien the picture is fin-
ished, the whole is fixed by an application of the water-glass in
thin jets from a rose nozzle syringe. The process has received
the name oi sUrtodtromy.
Water-glass is al.so used as a vehicle for painting upon glass,
various metallic oxides and salts being employed as the coloring
mediums, the compound becoming chemically united with the
silicious surface of the glass, so as to resist the action of water.
It also is made up into a paint or cement
vrith clay, whiting, chalk, calcined bones, pow-
dered glass, or Utharge in various combina-
tions. It makes a very strong and adhesive
compound.
The theater of Munich, Bavaria,