A Face

A term to denote that side of a piece of work which is to be in close contact with another piece during use. To face, signifies to make a plane surface on a piece of work. To face a slide-valve is to flatten the bearing surfaces with filing and scraping.

A Feather

A feather is a ledge, and consists of a key of steel which is sometimes fitted into a shaft or axle previous to putting the axle into the hole in the wheel; and at other times the ledge is fitted to the wheel instead of the axle. Feathers are fitted into shallow recesses, instead of key-ways, that are cut through a shaft or axle; two or three feathers are sometimes required for one wheel, or one boss, and may, in a few cases, be solid with the shaft. A short feather is named a stop.

A Figure

The form of the upper, front, and side surfaces or sides of an object which appear to an observer at one view. A figure is also a mark or number of marks on a surface for explaining an idea, or representing an object. A figure for a workman, is a figure on paper or on sheet iron, which represents to him a side, or two or three sides, of the object he is to work upon.

To Fit

To properly adapt two pieces of work to each other.

A Fitter

A man who can properly adapt pieces of work to each other; whether he is a filer, turner, planer, driller, slotter, or any other sort of shaper.

A Filler

A piece of metal which is put beneath a brass, or fastened to a brass, in order to raise it after being worn. A filler is also a piece of iron driven into a hole to fill it, when it is required for drilling, shaping, hardening, and other purposes.

A Flange

A ridge, or a ledge. The difference between a flange and a collar consists in the collar being either loose or fixed, and the flange being always solid with the metal adjoining. Pipe-flanges are the projecting ridges which contain the holes for the joint bolts; cylinder-flanges contain holes for connecting the lids, slide-jackets and valve-boxes. The flanges of engine-work and cast-iron pipes are cast solid with the remainder of the work ; the flanges of wrought iron or steel work are welded and rolled; the flanges of copper steam-pipes are soldered to the pipes, and fixed at various angles to the lengths of the pipes.

A Flute

A flute in a piece of machinery is a long narrow groove having a boundary at one end, and being open at the opposite end. Some flutes have a boundary at both ends ; when of this form, the flute is a long shallow recess.

A Fork

A bar or rod having two or more branches at one end, or at both ends. A fork end of a connecting-rod may have two or four branches. Branches, arms, and prongs belonging to any bar or rod may be bent and separated in any direction until they are at right angles to the length of the rod; and if further bent to bring the extremities nearer to the rod, the branches become hooks.

A Gap

Any space or opening having a wide mouth, if bounded at the bottom and two opposite sides only. The opening between the two branches or prongs of a fork-end rod is a gap; also the space between two teeth of a wheel.

A Gauge

An instrument for discovering qualities, shapes, and dimensions of various materials. In engine-work, gauges are principally used for dimensions; and, if to be much used, are of hard steel. A couple of cylindrical gauges consist of a steel ring and plug; the plug is a small piece of round steel having a convenient handle at one end, and at the other end a part which fits the hole in the ring or collar. To gauge, signifies to measure with a measuring tool of any shape or dimensions.

Gear

A collective name for several pieces of machinery when considered as a collection. Two pieces of a machine are said to be in gear, or engaged, when the two pieces are in position for moving or acting in some way upon each other; and are out of gear, or disengaged, when one piece is shifted so that neither can move the other. When one cog-wheel is driving another cog-wheel, both are in gear; and when one wheel is shifted a short distance, to prevent it driving the other wheel, both are out of gear. Two wheels may be put into and out of gear also by means of bolts and keys, so that the relative situation of the wheels need not be altered.

A Gland

Glands of piston-rods, air-pump rods, slide-rods, propeller-shafts, and other shafts, are made of gun-metal, and consist of rings which are pressed tight against the india-rubber packing to squeeze it close to the rod or shaft. Forcing the gland on the packing, is effected with screws that are applied in various ways.

To Grind

To rub little pieces from an object through applying hard powder or stone of some sort. Also to separate pieces of two surfaces by rubbing the surfaces together. The substances used for grinding engine-work, are emery and sand, which are applied with oil and water.

A Groove

A long narrow gap. A long, narrow, curved or angular indentation intended to guide or fix some piece of machinery. An endless groove is that which is formed through the surface of some object, and entirely encircles the object, whether it is a lathe-wheel, pulley, lever, rod, or bar. A groove may be either zig-zag or serpentine in its length, and have curved or flat bottoms. A short groove is termed a gap, and the difference between the two consists in a gap being included in three sides of an object, and a groove being sometimes extended across or into five or six sides, or entirely around the object.

A Guide

Any piece of machinery which tends to force or maintain another piece in a desired path or motion. In an engine, all the moving parts are guided by those that are in direct contact and do not move. The principal guides of an ordinary steam engine are those for the piston-rod, to keep it in a straight line with the cylinder.