NOT QUITE SO DECISIVE AS IT WAS, BUT A LITTLE MORE OVEBWHBLMINO, 1 WE CHALLENGE the representative of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, or any ©{ the jurors on Sewing J Machines at the Exhibition who voted for the report coming from that body to controvert the following statement of facts. Messrs Meddings, Cnnnlogton, Dale, and Kirk, we call upon you to defend your report. H. C. FISKE & CO. Christchurch International Exhibition, June 15th, 1552. REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS. To H. C. Fiskk & Co, DEAR SIB, —In accordance with your request, we have examined the New Davis and the New Singer Sewing Machines, for the purpose of comparing them. In our comparison we have taken into consideration— 1. '1 he mechanical principle involved 2. The quality of the material med 3. The degree of workmanship exhibited 4, The facility for doing a good and varied o ass of work. After taking both machines asunder, carefully examining every piece, and fully testing their capabilities, we have no hesitation in saying that we consider the Davis far the superior machine of the two. Our reasons ure as follows : In both machines the same method is adopted for actuating the needle bar, viz , a crank with roller working in a cam. This cam In the Davis Machine is cnt out of a solid piece of steel and hardened, while in the Singer it is not only very much lighter, but is made of common cast iron. The feed apparatus of the two machines are very dissimilar. That of the Singer Is the usual slip feed. The Davis has the vertical feed peculiar to itself. In this arrangement the preaser foot holds the material firmly down till the needle has reached its lowest point. The pressure is then relieved and transmitted to the feed bar. Feed bar, needle, and material are then, by a very simple contrivance, moved I forward simultaneously the required length of stitch. Motion is giv<n to tho shuttle la the Davis machine f.a follows An eccentric at the wheel end of the main spindle gives motion to a vertical lever. This in turn transmits it through a ball joint of ingenious construe tlon to the only moving part under the machine, a pivotted lever having at its end [ an adjustable shuttle carrier. In tho Singer ■ Machine a pair of mitre wheels drive a vertical spindle, havi- g at its lower end a crank A oonneoting rod from this crank moves a sliding shuttle carrier. It will be seen that in the Davis there are between the main spindle and the shuttle four points of 1 friction, the pivot carrying the vertical lever, the eccentric, the ball joint, and the pivot of horizontal lever. The two principal movements, the eccentric and the ball joint, are adjustable, and the parts moat liable to wear are made of hardened steel. To compass the same work the Singer employs as points of friction tho teeth of the mitre wheels, the two journola of vertical spindle, the two 1 ends of the oonneoting rod, and the sliding shuttle carrier None of these places are adjustable. The small wheels are common cast Iron, having a certain amount of backlash, and consequent tendency to rattle and and break. The connecting rod is a thin bar of iron, with a hole in each end. The end whioh runs on tho crank pin is one of the principal joints in the machine, having a considerable amount of work to do with small bearing surface, making it very liable to wear, while, aa before remarked, there are no means of compensating for any wear. It will be noticed that the shuttle of the Singer Machine la carried In a slide, to which a iateral strain is given by the driving rod, causing a certain amount of friction, while in the Davis it is carried by the lever quite free from friction. With the exception of the small roller working the needle bar, there is not a single piece in the Singer .Machine, not even excepting the shuttle, that cannot be cat with an ordinary pooket knife, and there are no means of adjusting any wearing part. In the Davis not only are most of the pieces made of steel, and tempered, but at every , essential point means are provided for taking up any wear. On this point we may say that where we had any doubt about tho quality of the material employed the the piece was broken and the fracture carefully examined. Having examined the mechanical arrangements of the two machines, we tested their adaptability for work, and we noticed the very peculiar feed of the Davis. In this respect we have been forced to the conclusion that for all purposes, sewing from the thinnest muslin to even through a metal spoon, the Davis has no parallel for grasp, or for avoiding that puckering often the effect of the pressure on a fore motion feed. We must in common honesty express our astonishment at the range and variety of work accomplished by the Davis, which we are satisfied cannot be done by the Singer. In summarising onr report we repeat that we have no hesitation in saying that we regard the Davis as very superior to the Singer in workmanship, material, and the mechanical principles involved, and also in performing a greater range of work. We found the Davis to work with equal ease from the lightest to the heaviest fabric. JOHN LEE SOOTT (Scott Bros.), Mechanical Engineer. T. GLUYAB PASCOE, Manager of the Kaiapol Clothing Factory. GEO. P. ANTHONY, Mechanical Expert, from Nettlefold’s, Birmingham. 8300 WANTED, a Purchaser for a Grand OHESNUT FILLY. One of the best fencers in Canterbury with 10st up. Rising five years. Thoroughly quiet for a lady to ride, and guaranteed perfectly sound. Apply D. STEANAGHAN, Grocer, Victoria street. Also, two Good Springtrap HORSES for Sale BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS LARGE SHIPMENTS of the above are arriving by frequent Orient and P. and O. steamers via Melbourne. The stock is well assorted, and will be found very complete, and should command the attention of all classes of customers. There Is not any similar stock to select from in Christchurch, The quality of the goods and the lowness of the prices must commend themselves to all who pay the establishment a visit. All the goods are shipped direct from the manufacturers, and consequently can be, and are, sold very cheap, w. H AEK 1s ’ IMPERIAL BOOT DEPOT. OPPOSITE « PRESS ” OFFICE, SOS FOK THE HOLIDAYS. T R'S THE CHEAPEST SHOP IN TOWN FOR All kinds of Pipes, meerohaum and wood, Cigar and Cigarette Holders, Knives, Purses, Matchboxes, Razors, Combs, Brushes, Hair Oil, Lime Cream, & ~ &o N.B. —A lot of CRICKETING MATERIAL from last season very cheap. And last, but not least, a HAIB CUTTING SALOON, "Where yon can get fixed up for the small sum of SIXPENCE. S H. OAKES’, 9495 High street.
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Bibliographic details
Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2556, 17 June 1882, Page 2
Word Count
1,156Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2556, 17 June 1882, Page 2
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