EXTRAORDINARY FEAT IN TURNING. A Correspondent of the Mechanics Magazine writes thus :— Some weeks ago, I observed in a newspaper the following paragraph :— Mr. Peter Taylor, cabinet-maker and turner, of Dunmow, lately undertook to turn 18 pairs of 5-feet tent bedpillars, top and bottom, in a workmanlike manner, within twelve • The Verulam. f Mb. M»g hours. The pillars and his turning lathe being properly prepared the evening previous, he commenced this great undertaking a few-minutes after six oclock; and, notwithstanding the interruption of a full hour, by the iron-work of the lathe becoming so heated and swollen as to require alteration, he completed his work twenty-five minutes after five o clock; being, perhaps, one of the greatest efforts of the kind ever attempted by one man. Being in Dunmow a short time since, 1 called upon Mr. Taylor, and obtained a sight of the pillars, as they were turned out of his hands on the above occasion. As far as I. could judge, the work was extremely well executed; neither was it of so plain a description as might be supposed, for the posts were throughout of the reeded fashion. The wood too was a hard beech, the posts being taken out of a lot of quarters promiscuously. Mr. Taylor sharpened all his own tools, and put into the lathe, took out, and centred, every pillar himself. Each pillar was collared, to render it steady, and prevent it flying out of the lathe. They were papered off in the lathe, and finished as they usually are done. The chuck being a new one made for the occasion, it heated after about one third of the work was done, and occasioned great delay and labour during the turning of the remainder. I think an effort like this ought to be made public; for, as far as I can learn, 5 or 6 pairs are considered a full days work, and but few can accomplish that number, and I consider it the most simple yet the most efficacious 1 eyer saw, and the least liable to get out of order.
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 15:07:47 +0000