The chief difference between these tools and planing machines is that the work remains stationary, while the toolholder has the motion given to it, and although used for similar work, still it is of a smaller, lighter, and finer character. Like the lathe, the shaping machine has a metal shears, supported on cast-iron standards, on which the toolholder slide moves. In the majority of cases the motion of the toolholder is at right angles to the shears, but recently a new machine has been introduced, in which the cutting motion is parallel to the shears. Both types of machine give satisfactory results, but the latter has unmistakable advantages for certain classes of work. Shaping machines are generally fitted with speed cones, the high speeds being used for the short cuts, and the speed decreased as the length of the stroke increases. In most machines only one self-acting motion is supplied, viz., at an angle of 900 to the direction in which the tool moves, but there are always the usual vertical and oblique movements imparted by the hand. The travel of the tool may be easily altered by moving the driving pin to or from the centre of rotation, and the position of the stroke may be changed by shifting the relation of the toolholder slide and the connecting-rod. The tools used are similar to those of the planing machine and lathe. The work is fixed to cast-iron tables (attached to the framing) by bolts and plates, etc., as in the planing machine.

Should a certain fixed amount have to be removed from a piece of metal, either by planing or shaping machines, lines are drawn upon the surfaces at right angles to the one to be treated. As many metals are so hard on the surface that a line made by a steel marker cannot readily be seen on them, it is the usual practice in all such cases to cover the part to be marked with chalk. Even after this, the lines are often dotted along their entire length with a small sharp pointed centre punch, which will effectually preserve them. A great deal of care has often to be expended in setting and fixing particular pieces of work, the assistance of the rule, square, and spirit level being largely drawn upon. Drilling Machines.

These tools, in their simplest forms, are used for boring holes, making recesses, and slot drilling - if supplied with a horizontal feed motion. They assume a great variety of shapes, but, for ordinary purposes, that having an upright cast-iron frame, in which a vertical spindle is fitted, capable of revolving at various speeds, and of being moved perpendicularly by means of a screw, is found most suitable. In the lower end of this spindle the drills are fixed, and at the top a hand wheel is attached by which the vertical movement is supplied. A self-acting feed-motion is used in some drilling machines, but owing to the frequency with which small drills break, it is found more advisable to apply the feed by hand. The work is supported, either by the table or bench on which the machine is fixed, on the cast-iron base of the machine itself, by a movable table connected with the machine, or on the floor. A very convenient form of machine is made where the table may be moved to various heights to suit different sizes of work. Several speeds are necessary for drilling different diameters of holes. This is obtained by the use of cone pulleys, and the horizontal motion of the driving shaft is changed into a vertical one by means of mitre pinions. Large and small holes cannot be drilled advantageously with the tool running at the same number of turns per minute, hence arises the necessity for a variety of speeds, the greatest velocity being used for the smallest holes, and the speed reduced as the required diameter increases. The rule for speed, given in metal turning, will be found suitable here also. The drill, or cutting tool, used in this machine, is now made in a great many different forms, all supposed to possess special important properties. Those in most common use are the twist drill, and the old form of flat pointed drill. Each has two cutting edges, the angles of which must be made to suit the metals that the holes are to be drilled in if good cutting action is desired. The chief advantages possessed by the twist drill are the regular discharge of the borings, the production of straight and round holes (owing to their equal diameter throughout), and their quicker speed of action, together with less waste of time in sharpening. Two arguments are used against their introduction, viz., the initial cost, and the danger of breakage through carelessness ; but these are more than counterbalanced by those in favour of them. Although unequal to the twist drill, the old form of flat drill produces a very good hole if carefully made and sharpened, and it is still very widely employed. Both drills are ground to a " V " shaped point, with their cutting edges on the opposite sides. If deep holes are to be bored without the use of the twist drill, then the machine must be stopped occasionally so that the borings may be removed. This will prevent choking and consequent heating, both of which are objectionable and hurtful to the drill. Much more constant care is needed in drilling small holes than large ones, as the slightest error will often be followed by the destruction of the tool. In all cases wood should be used between the table and the work, but most particularly so if the holes have to be drilled through. The presence of the wood will indicate when the drill reaches the other side, and at the same time prevent the table being damaged by the point of the tool. As the drill passes through, the feed should be reduced so as to prevent the possible breaking of the former. This often takes place, particularly if there is any slack on the spindle. The position of a hole is generally indicated by a circle, the centre of which may be found by the compass, if necessary, and fixed by means of a centre punch. Even when a beginning is made in the very middle with the drill, it is astonishing to see how far wrong it will sometimes go before it reaches the circle. When this is the case (and it will be readily detected by examination), the centre must be shifted by means of a foals-foot or centering chisel, having a curved edge. When a small cutting has been removed at the side most remote from the circle, the drill will have to be tried again, and the operation repeated until the result is satisfactory. By this means mistakes in drilling will be few, whereas, if carelessly treated, the trouble will be constant. A very little practice with this machine will be sufficient to learn the weight of pressure suitable for various drills and the speeds required, but, as in the case of many other tools, the sharpening of the cutting edges will prove the chief difficulty for some time.