Unishear Machine.

The value of modern equipment and appliances is graphically shown in the attached photographs depicting the cutting out of a pair of shoulders for boiler fronts on the new “Unishear” machine in comparison with the same operation being done by the old method, using hand shears. This machine is the latest addition to the sheet metal working equipment in the tinsmith's Shop at Hillside.

The “Unishear” is operated by a ¼ h. p. motor having a speed of 1,425 revolutions per minute. The machine is fitted with a miniature pair of blades 1¼ in. long, similar in shape to those on a boilermaker's shearing machine and having the same shearing action. The very high rate of speed at which the machine is driven forces the blade through material up to 14 wire gauge in thickness, in an amazingly short time. Sheet metal can be quickly and easily cut in straight lines, circles or to any desired shape, an outstanding advantage being that the metal is not twisted or buckled in the process and a clean cut edge is obtained.

One photograph shows the old laborious method of cutting out these shoulders with the hand shears and the other photograph shows the same operation being done on the “Unishear” in less than half the time, with little or no effort on the part of the operator.

This machine has also proved most useful in cutting lagging bands, eight fast mild steel sheets being used for this purpose. These are cut into strips of the required width and spot welded together to the required length, the lugs then being spot welded to the ends. This is a considerable advance over the old method of cutting the strips in the Boiler Shop shearing machine, brazing strips together and rivetting lugs to the ends.

Altogether this machine is a valuable modern adjunct to the shop equipment and a wonderful time saver.