There should be a sufficient number of errand boys at different points in the shop to quickly answer all calls for tools and to return them to the tool room promptly. Their wages will be small in comparison with the time that would be lost by the men in doing similar duty. With lathe and planer tools, etc., each operator should always have a spare tool at his machine in good condition for use. He may then take out a dull tool and send it to the tool room where it will be exchanged for a sharp one, and have no delay but in changing tools in his machine.

The original sharp tools only are charged to him at the tool room. These charges, as well as similar ones for tools used continually, are made upon cards containing the man's name and number at the top, following which is a list of tools in his possession for his regular work, and which he may retain for months, the dulled, worn, defective, or broken ones being replaced from day to day. The form of this card is shown in Fig. 197.

In the regular course of manufacturing work there are certain sets of tools, jigs, gages, fixtures, etc., required at one time. For instance, where a lot of holes are to be drilled and tapped there will be required a tap drill, a set of three taps, and a tap wrench. Or, where a certain machine part is to be milled there will be needed one or more milling fixtures with the necessary milling cutters. Or, a part to be drilled will require a drill jig and drills of the various sizes to go with it. These sets of tools and fixtures should be kept in separate boxes provided with a hinged cover, lock, and key. The contents of the boxes are plainly marked on the outside, as, for instance, "Milling, Part D-135," "Drilling, Part P-24," "Drill and Tap, §,” etc.

In arranging these boxes on the shelves they should be grouped according to their purposes, or the machines to which they pertain. For instance, those for drilling and tapping, and the shelf so marked on its edge. Sets of jigs, gages, and fixtures should be grouped in a section of shelving according to the machines to which they belong, then grouped according to the particular

part to which they pertain. These sets of tools are issued only on a written. order from the foreman of the department where they are to be used. They are accounted for by the card system in the following manner: There is a separate card for each set of tools. These are arranged in one or more drawers marked "Tools in," the guide cards showing the machines to which they refer, if general in character, the kind of tools, as drilling and tapping, drilling and reaming, etc.

or,

When a set of tools is issued the card representing them is removed from its accustomed place and filed in another drawer marked "Tools out," the guide cards in which will indicate the department to which the set of tools were sent. When the set of tools is returned the card is restored to its accustomed place. Thus there is no writing necessary, the simple changing of a card answering all purposes of a book and being much more convenient for reference. Each card contains a list of all tools or pieces that are contained in the set.

At the left in Fig. 190 is shown the plan of the stock room, access to which for the purpose of drawing stock and supplies is by way of the area at the left, in front of the semicircular counter. This room is arranged in a similar manner to the tool keeping room, with sections of shelving between which are passages, or alcoves, for conveniently reaching any part of them. These shelves are arranged for the reception of boxes, drawers, sheet iron trays, or whatever form of receptacle may be needed for the particular form of small or large stock to be kept.

Up to a height of 42 inches these shelves may be formed as bins for holding the larger sizes of round and hexagonal head cap screws, set screws, washers, rivets, nut blanks, and similar stock. The smaller screws, as round and flat head machine screws, cap screws, set screws, etc., may be kept in trays or boxes, or left in the original packages on the shelves. Small stock, such as oil cups, brass cocks, gas fittings, etc., should be kept in trays or boxes, on the shelves. Bar stock, such as drill rods, square tool steel, round and square cold drawn machine steel, and similar stock, should be kept in deep pigeon holes, which take in nearly the whole length, and is provided for at D.

Sheet steel, brass, copper, and fiber should stand on edge, in a case provided with vertical partitions two inches apart, and may commence near the floor and consist of three or more sections, one above the other. These are located at E, E. Lubricating oils are kept in vertical cans holding a barrel each, and set in drip pans on the bench at F. Belting should be kept in the rolls, set on edge between upright partitions arranged under the bench at G, this location being selected for convenience in stretching out a piece of belting down the passage to the rear, in measuring it to the required length by brassheaded nails driven into the floor at proper intervals.

Waste, or whatever substitute is used in lieu of it, is kept under the bench at H. Stock issued by weight will be weighed on a proper scale located on the counter at J. Brass, steel, and copper wire in coils may be hung on brackets or pins over the shelves at the left side of the room. Small coils of wire, as of music wire for springs, should be kept in drawers or boxes on the shelves. In all cases the stock keeper will so locate his stock that the kinds most frequently called for will be the most convenient to reach, so far as it is possible to do so.

The construction herein described is of wood, for reasons of economy, as it can be built by the carpenters employed about the plant. It is not by any means the best construction, however, and several new and improved forms are in use that offer important advantages in several ways. One of these is a skeleton rack formed of uprights composed of thin iron castings set at any desired distance apart to accommodate sheet metal drawers which rest on horizontal ribs cast on the uprights, which are held together by rods and sections of pipe to act as distance pieces.

By this system the sections may be made of any length, and to suit drawers of any width. These sections are double and accommodate two series of drawers, their backs coming together. Only one pattern is necessary for these supports, the projecting ribs forming the drawer supports being stopped off in the outsides of the uprights at each end of the sections. If drawers of twice the depth of those usually used are desired, each alternate rib may be stopped off for that purpose.

Another method is to build up the sections of angle iron or steel instead of cast iron uprights, riveting on angle strips to act as drawer supports. In this case, too, the drawers are made of sheet steel. The sections are made as in the former case for two series of drawers, their backs coming together. Double depth drawers may be arranged for when the supporting strips are riveted on.

Both of these methods afford a considerable protection to their contents against fire, while their construction is such as to render them very serviceable and lasting.

Still another plan is to have the sections built of wood with the shelves inclined to the front about twenty degrees and their front edges provided with a strip one inch high. Upon these shelves is a series of sheet iron pans from 2 to 4 inches deep and of suitable length and width. Ordinary baking pans may be used for this purpose. There may be upright dividing partitions between the pans, or not, as may be desired. They are not really necessary and to use them adds 50 per cent at least to the cost of the sections over what it would be if they were omitted. The shelves are inclined for convenience in seeing the articles contained in them.

The method of keeping the stock room supplied with the articles necessary to issue, and the manner of issuing and accounting for them will next be considered. It is the duty of the stock keeper to see that he always has a sufficient quantity of all kinds and sizes of stock to meet the probable demands that will be made upon him. When more of certain kinds is wanted he will make a requisition on the purchasing clerk upon a duplicate form shown in Fig. 198,

sending him the first half and retaining the other part as evidence of what he has called for. When the stock is received he will check off the articles on this blank, and wait for the invoice, which the purchasing clerk will send him. This he will check from his portion of his requisition, upon which he will enter the costs.

FIG. 199. Stock Ledger Card, size, 4 x 6 in. Color, White.

In order to keep a correct account of all stocks received and issued; to know when a sufficient quantity of each article is on hand for issue; when to make requisition for more; and to be able to ascertain quickly at any time. the amount of any one article on hand, the stock ledger card shown in Fig. 199

is used. There will be a separate card for each kind and size of stock. All stock will be classified and proper guide cards will readily show the location of each class of stock cards. These classes will be sub-divided when necessary, the class guide cards and the sub-class guide cards being of different colors. These sub-classes may be advantageously again divided in some instances. For instance: Class, cap screws; sub-classes, round and hexagonal heads; in each of these sub-classes, soft and case-hardened. Nut blanks, square and hexagonal. Sheet steel, machine steel, spring steel, and tool steel. Sheet brass, hard and soft, etc.

When stock is received it will be entered on the proper card, giving the date of its receipt. As quantities are issued the date and amount is entered at each issue, the total carried out on the horizontal line, and at any time added vertically and subtracted from the total amount received will show the balance on hand. When this card is filled up the amount on hand is ascertained and carried on to another card against the word "forward," and future operations entered as before.

In order to prevent an unnecessary amount of any one stock, or of allowing the amount to get below a safe minimum, the stock keeper will watch the condition of his stock, note the amount issued within a certain time, and soon be able to fix maximum and minimum limits, within which the stock of each particular article is to be kept. These amounts he will enter on the upper right-hand corner of the proper card. Should his first estimate in this respect not prove correct he may change it on subsequent cards.

By careful attention to this point he may save much unnecessary outlay for stock kept on the shelves, and should any changes occur he will have less old stock to work off. Once every three months the stock on hand be inventoried as a check on the card account. If found substantially correct these periods may be lengthened to six months.

may