Springfield Township (part 3 of 3)

Open Penstock For Low Heads

Where there is a low head, a plain penstock is sufficient, as shown in the plate on page 77. The wheel pit, bottom timbers and floor of flume are to be made as above directed. Where the flume is not too high, it is desirable that the floor of the forebay should be on a level, or nearly so, with that of the flume, as shown in plate on page 106, freer passage into the flume being thus afforded to the water. The penstock should be plain, substantial, and constructed according to the dimensions given in columns B, in table of dimensions on pages and high flumes, 12 to 14 ; and in very high flumes, 14 by 16. They should be rabbeted 4 inches one way and 2 inches the other. The other posts should be 8 by 10, 10 by 12 or 12 by 14 inches, corresponding to the size of corner posts above stated, and from three to four feet apart, according to the size of plank used - as the heavier the plank the further apart the posts can be placed. No particular kind of flume is required. It can be constructed to suit the peculiarities of the location ; the only essential points being to make it large enough and sufficiently strong, and the wheel-pit and conduit of such size as to give free entrance and discharge to the water.

Decked Penstocks

There are a large number of mills so situated that the power is required to be taken ofi:' from the water wheel shaft below the level of water in head-race. In such cases, the wheel can be put in as shown in plates on pages 96, 87 and 84. The floor of penstock, wheel-pit, etc., should be constructed as shown in the foregoing articles on "Wheel Pit," "Size of Penstock," and "Construction of Lower Timbers. and Floor of Flume." In addition to the ordinary perpen dicular portion of the penstock, the construction of which has been described in the article on " Open Penstocks for Low Heads," there is a horizontal portion built out, the top of which is covered or decked ; it being below the point where the power is required to be taken off. The water wheel shaft and gate rod pass through this deck or cover, and around each of these iron stuffing-boxes are placed so as prevent any leakage ot water around the shafts. We make these stuffing-boxes to order. In case where lack of time or dher reason they can not be conveniently procured, the millwright can construct wooden ones which will answer the purpose. The timbers in this decked extension should be as strong and substantial as those in the main body of the penstock ; and a few bolts put in at suitable points, as shown in plate on page 87, will repay their cost. The wheel -shaft should be placed as near the main penstock as the nature of the gearing will allow. By comparing plates on pages 96 and 87, this point will be readily observed ; and by acting in accordance with it, the space will be economized, and in many cases the construction of a greater length of decked flume than is necessary will be avoided.

We wish millwrights to note particularly the manner in which the intermediate sills supporting the floor of the penstock are hung to the main cap by means of bolts in plate on page 87, and to the lower timber in plate on same page. We highly recommend this plan, as the main sill is thus kept from obstructing the free discharge of water, while the stone piers also admit of a free escape of the water in all directions, as well as aflfording a good foundation for the whole structure ; of course the stones should be well shaped and laid up in order to withstand so great a weight. The decked portion of the penstock may be extended into the mill to any desired length, by whith means the wheel can be brought directly under the machinery.

'The advantage of this arrangement is that it avoids a waste of power by bringing the wheel and machinery as near together as possible and dispensing with a long train of gearing.

The Forebay Rack

THE FOREBAY RACK. It is highly important that the rack across the race or forebaj should be properly put in and attended to. The bars should be enough apart not to obstruct the flow of water, and should be kept clear of all trash ; many inches of head are lost by this neglect, and often the efficiency of a wheel is impaired by the same cause. Proper attention given to this matter will repay well.

It is a good plan, and we would recommend it in all cases, to put in a coarse rack, several feet above the rack just mentioned ; the coarse rack will serve to retain the coarser drift, and thus avoide the necessity of frequent removal from the fine rack. The spaces of the coarse rack may be twice as large as the fine ones are. It is also advisable to cover the entire forebay with boards from the last rack towards the wheel and over it especially where small wheels are used ; such precaution will prevent rubbish from dropping or being thrown into the water and getting in the wheel.

Draft Tube

DRAFT TUBE. In adapting wheels to very high falls, it sometimes becomes desirable, in order to avoid extreme length of shaft on wheel, and also to otherwise conform to the pecular location of the mill, to place the wheel at a distance above tail-water and conduct the water away from the wheel by an air-tight tube called a Draft Tube. It is also desirable in some cases, when the outlet is cramped, to employ a short draft tube, say of two or three feet length, thus bringing the lower timbers of the penstock up from the water, and allowing a free discharge, and likewise affording a greater convenience in getting at the wheel. There can not be, ordinarly, any objection to the use of a draft tube not to exceed ten feet in length, as within that limit, by good workmanship and proper material, a tube can be constructed both airtight and durable ; yet, as a want of experience in this matter might lead to mistakes, which would tend to greatly diminish the power of. the wheel, we would here state that as a rule we would advise the wheel to be placed at the bottom of the fall. When the draft exceeds ten feet in length, and particularly when used for small wheels, it should be made of boiler iron, gotten up in the most thorough manner, perfectly steam-tight, as our experience has taught us that when the tube is of great length, a wooden tube can not be relied on as either water-tight or durable.

On page 55 will be found a plate illustrating the use of the draft tube. The end of the draft tube should dip two or three inches below the surface of standing tail-water. The same care is necessary in making the wheel pit, Avhen a draft tube is used, as when a wheel is put in without the tube. For information on this point, reference should be made to the foregoing articles on that subject.

The following is from the " Mechanical News," of New York City. Among all existing agencies for the diffusion of useful knowledge whether inaintained at public expense or by the generosity of individuals , there is none which has a wider or more honorable fame, at home or abroad, than the Smithsonian Institution at Washington. For nearly forty years its name has been a household word among our people. Recently the managers of the Institution have undertaken the addition of a new and eminently interesting feature. Its design, to describe it in general terms, is to present in all the leading branches of mechanical and manufacturing industry examples on the one hand of the old, crude and primitive appliances which exist as a relic of the past age, and on the other the most approved specimens of American machines or devices which those arts in their modern atate afford. To do this intelligently is a task requiring no small amount of patient investigation, and the exercise of sound, skilful and strictly impartial judgment. The instructive character of such an exhibit will be readily comprehended by the reader. By the professional workman in any given department of industry it will of course be most fully appreciated. In that branch of industrial science which comprises the utilization of the power of water, the managers of the Institution have selected the James Leffel Double Turbine as the representative modern American water wheel, embodying the most improved and efficient means for the development of water power as applied to the propulsion of all kinds of machinery. To this end they requested the firm of James Leffel & Co., to furnish them a specimen of the Leffel Wheel to be placed in the new National Museum building lately completed, adjoining the original structure of the Institute, where it will form a part of the collection of the best modern machinery which is now being formed on the plan above described. This collection, it will be understood, includes but one machine or article of manufacture in each branch of industry comprised* The selection of the Leffel Wheel as the sole representative of the highest standard of excellence attained in that line is therefore justly a matter of pride to its makers.

The wheel asked for by the Smithsonian Institution has been made at the shops of James Leffel & Co., in Springfield, Ohio, and is now at their of^ce at no Liberty Street, New York. It is not a " model " merely, but a working wheel of 7^ inches diameter, one of the regular sizes made by the firm. It differs in no respect from those of their ordinary make, save in its ornamental finish, upon which special care has naturally been bestowed. The gates and gate-rods are plated with pure gold, and the other part of the casings with silver of like quality. In its workmanship, as well as in the principles of its construction and operation, which belong to it in common with all sizes of the Leffel Wheel, from a diameter of 6^^ inches to 87 inches, it will constitute no unworthy feature of the myriad collection of the best products of modern skill and invention which the managers of the Smithsonian have feathered within its walls.

James Leffel & Co., Springfield, Ohio

Upon due examination and consideration, the Commissioners of the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelpha 1876, awarded the LefFel wheel a Medal, a Diploma, and an honorable mention as to workmanship, design, general merits etc.

The Leffel Wheel has also recently been selected by the Smithsonian Institute, as representing the highest state of the art in the manufacture of practical turbines.

We might add that the Leffel Double Turbine received awards, Diplomas, and Medals, not only at the Centennial and International Exhibitions, but from time to time have received First Premiums, A words and Diplomas in every state of the Union wherever Fairs and Exhibitions have been held.

Over 20 years in operation has proven Its durability and practical adaptation to every purpose. The enormous number of our wheels used, and the unanimous praise accorded them, should be sufficient evidence that a party is trying no experiment in putting in a Leffel wheel. Heretofore we have been publishing a large list of names of parties using our wheels, some companies using as many as 27.

To print a complete list, even in the smallest type and most condensed form, would require a book of near the same size ds the present edition of phamplet. Our book for 1873 of 160 pages, contained some 67 pages of references. Although in later editions we have published a large and greatly condensed list, it would require much more space than formerly to give a complete list, especially in consideration of the very large number that we have sold during the past 12 years, or since 1873, when a list at that time covered 67 pages. We therefore omit the list from the present edition, but will be glad to supply parties at any time references in any part of the country.

This edition of pamphlet contains also only a few of the new testimonials in our possession, having a large number on file that we are unable, for want of space, to make public

Compact, Substantial And Economical

The demand for a small Portable Engine at a price which macf it available for light manufacturing purposes was fully met in e construction of the Bookwalter Engine. The aim of the makers has been to give perfect efficiency to the working parts, producing but few sizes and building them in the most thorough manner - in short, to combine effectiveness with simplicity, durability and cheapness. Every detail of their mechanism has been made the subject of diligent study and experiment, and they are offered to the public in the full confidence, based on their successful use by thousands of persons in all parts of the country, that it meets in the most perfect manner every requirement of an economical motive-power.

Every Boiler and Engine is tested by hydraulic pressure to twice the working pressure, and also steamed up and run, before leaving the works, to insure its perfect working in the hands of the purchaser.

On the opposite page will be found an admirable illustration showing the lo horse power engine driving saw mill for which it is well adapted.

No charges made for packing, boxing or drayage, but the engines are delivered on board the cars in good shipping condition, at the p rices above named.

Our New Illustrated Engine Pamphlet of Sixty-Four Pages will be sent free on application. It contains full and complete information in regard to our Bookwalter Engines. Address

James I.Effei. & Co

We are prepared to furnish, at short notice, Governors of the most approved patterns for regulating our wheels, at the manufacturers prices. Our large experience in the introduction of the Leffel Turbine, and its application to all sorts of purposes, especially where the work to be done is intermittent and irregular, together with the manufacture of Governors, has afforded us opportunity to acquaint ourselves with the various machines in that line now in the market. At the same time it has been our object also to obtain those of the greatest efficiency, and from which the best results might be expected, as frequently they afford aid to the successful operation of wheels. We will take pleasure at any time in offering any advice when called upon as to their attachment to Turbines, and as to styles that may in different cases prove most satisfactory, whether the purchase is made of us or not.

It will be seen by an examination of the map, which we have specially prepared and published on page 127, that our facilities and advantages for shipping are unusually good. There are several trunk lines running on either side of our shop, which will also be found by examination of the engraving of our works on page two. These connect with all the various trunk lines and branch lines running through our city, since it is a great railroad center, enabling us thereby to deliver abroad the cars free of freight, drayage or other incidental charges to which shippers are frequently subjected, who are not thus favorably located. It ought not be forgotten by purchasers, that often these charges, such as drayage, cartage and delivery to depots, is a considerable item of expense ; and while they are not mentioned frequently by manufacturers who have not these facilities, such expense charges will often be found in invoices or bills rendered by such parties to the customers. We have direct lines east, west, north, south, south-east, north-east, north-west, either to the Atlantic or Pacific, or to the Gulf; and can obtain and contract, by the large railroad competition that is afforded, the lowest possible shipping rates of freight to our customers.

We cannot impress too strongly the necessity of each customer ordering a wheel, of giving us some instructions as to what road, or route he may desire the machinery shipped over in reaching its destination. Usually, we understand the best route by which the goods should leave our city ; but in transfers that sometimes occur near the destination, the customer may have some preference as to the particular branch or road which should have care and charge of the shipment on its arrival or at its destination. Sometimes there may be two or three railroads at or near the place, where the shipment is desired, with which we may not be as fully acquainted as the customer ; in which case his advice as to the particular branch over which he wishes to receive it, will be of importance to us.

The Mechanical News An Illustrated Journal Of Industrial Progress

THE MECHANICAL NEWS was established by its present publishers in 1871, and is now in its fifteenth volume. It has an established position as the most popular, widely circulated and variously interesting journal of its class, and is known and valued as such by its many thousands of readers throughout the United States, and indeed in every quarter of the globe. Its regular issue comprises

Sixteen Pages, Published Twice A Month

SIXTEEN PAGES, PUBLISHED TWICE A MONTH, and profusely illustrated with choice engravings, relating to all branches of mechanical and manufacturing industry. In its editorial management, the best skill and talent is devoted to the intelligent discussion of those subjects upon which the vital interests of the country depend - the development of its material wealth, the advanc ement of its industries, its arts and its commerce, and the utilization, in the largest degree, of its manifold resources.

THE MECHANICAL NEWS is not surpassed in variety of matter, mechanical execution, or the beauty and value of its illustrations, by any journal in the United States. It is published at the low price of

One Dollar A Year, Strictly In Advance

Specimen Copies of TEE IIECHANICAL ^EWS and of the ILLUSTBATED FBEMIUU LIST will Ise sent free of charge and pjstage to any one applying f:r them.

Trumfs Improved Mill Pick

prepay postage. Furrowing Picks, (including four blades), $4.50. Postage 65 cents extra. Extra Cracking Blades 35 cents apiece, or $4.00 per dozen. Extra Furrowing Blades 40 cents apiece.

Persons ordering Blades for Picks purchased previous to March i, 1878, will so state in ordering Blades. The two kinds of Picks and four Blades can be sent by mail to any address in the United States. Persons desiring to have them sent in that manner must send the money to prepay postage. Send your orders to