A simple and also an old mode of connecting a link to its lifting or reversing rod consists in fastening the eye-part or boss of the rod to the link stud-plate, the stud-plate itself being bolted with small bolts to the link-side.

The forging of such a stud-plate is effected by drawing down the stud at one end of a bar or rod, and then cutting off the stud with a slice of metal attached to it, which is to be spread out and welded to two other thin ends, in order to complete the stud-plate. The stud with the two plate-pieces are shown in Fig. 153.

A stud-plate of this class may be also made of one piece. By cutting open one end of a bar and spreading out the ends, as indicated in Fig. 137, sufficient iron can be obtained for spreading out to the entire distance across the link-side, which is the length of the stud-plate.

A stud-plate shown in Fig. 116 requires rather more iron than the stud-plate List mentioned, through the connexion being effected with bolts in the edge of the link, instead of its side. The forging is therefore managed with three pieces, as shown in Fig. 154; except the stud-plate is very small, in which case it is easily made of one piece, in the manner described. The eye part or boss of the reversing rod, R, is fastened to the link-stud with a screw-bolt and washer, or with a split pin and washer.

The connexion represented in link 117 has the disadvantage of not affording any stay to the mid-portion of the link, which is its weakest part. In other respects the rod with fork-end is very efficient.

Link No. 120 is made of two separate pieces or sides, and connected together partly with the two bolts at the ends, and partly with the bolts of the excentrie-rods. The circular and sliding block, B, is made either of gun-metal, iron, or steel; and is sometimes in one piece and at other times of several pieces, having wearing strips, that may be rejected when too much worn, and new ones put into their places.