It is possible that particulars of a machine for cutting strawboard, cardboard, etc., may be useful. The appliance shown by Fig. 25 consists of a wood or iron table A resting on a framework and four legs. On the table are gauges, which can be so adjusted that the operator can cut the boards to any size required. Close to the edge of the table is a clamp to hold the boards in position while being cut. This clamp is worked by the foot, a treadle being provided at the bottom of the legs, near the floor. The boards are cut between two knives, one, B, being screwed Hush to the edge of the table, and the other, c, being movable and screwed to the lever. The edges of the knives are beveled like scissor blades; in fact, the machine is simply a large pair of scissors. A balance weight at the end of the movable arm carries the knife and keeps it in position. Both knives should be made of steel, and in tempering them avoid getting them too hard, or they will be liable to chip.

Fig. 26 represents the gauge A on top of the table. This gauge is simply an L-shaped piece of metal; the shorter branch of the L is bent to lie close to the edge of the table. A slot almost the entire length of the gauge is cut in the latter. A thumbscrew screws into the edge of the table and fastens the gauge in position. The other portion of the gauge lies flat on the table.

The clamp is a light casting shaped like Fig. 27, It is fitted to the table close up to the knife B (Fig. 25). A short rod is fixed at one end of the clamp and a longer rod at the other end, ending in a stirrup for the foot. These rods are fitted with springs which raise the clamp and hold it up until the foot is placed in the stirrup. A little pressure on the stirrup brings down the clamp and holds the board while it is being cut. The stirrup should reach almost to the floor for convenience of work­ing. The side of the table and the front of the gauge must be a perfect right angle otherwise difficulty will be experienced in cutting the boards straight. Strips of iron, not quite l in. thick and perfectly straight on the inner edges, are screwed to the top of the table as shown. The strawboard is placed against these strips and the gauge when cutting, the clamp is applied, and the knife brought down forcibly. Such a machine is in general use amongst bookbinders, paper box makers, etc.

Bookbinders use large quantities of glue in their work, and doubtless much time would be saved by employing soma such preparation as "Gloophlex," an elastic glue, guaranteed by the makers to be strong and reliable. As bought, it has the smell and appearance of consistent glue jelly, and the only preparation needed is to melt it by heating it on a water bath, and then add boiling water according to requirements.

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