74                                           THE   TECHNOGRAPH.
 

COST OF MACHINE TOOLS PER POUND.
 

By W. H. VaistDervooet, M. E., Asst. Prof. Mech. Eng.
 

The great improvements made during the past five years in
the manufacture of machine tools have been due, largely, to the
persistent efforts of our manufacturers to improve their tools in
points of design, material and workmanship. Experience, ex¬
periments, introduction of the interchangeable system and use of
standard gauges, jigs and templets are the principal factors that
have brought about these marked improvements.

The reduction in price from time to time of the material used
in their construction, the use of this same improved machinery for
their manufacture and superior methods, together with the build¬
ing in large quantities under efficient management, have with a
brisk competition brought about very marked reductions in prices
of machine tools. We can now purchase a superior tool for much
less money than a few years since. The machine tool that fifteen
years ago cost $1,000, can be replaced today at one half the price,
by a modern one of the same principal dimensions, and capable
of performing twice the amount of work with a greater degree
of accuracy.

The value of a machine tool of any class depends upon its
design, weight, and the accuracy with which it has been con¬
structed. That these elements 'vary largely in similar tools
by different makers is evident The cost of production
depends not only upon these factors, but also upon
the amount of labor expended in finishing parts for looks
only, as one-half the polished work on the average lathe adds
nothing to its accuracy or efficiency, but does add quite sensibly
to its cost.

Since the weight, accuracy, general design and finish of these
tools vary so much, it would not be possible to establish a stan¬
dard price for all. It would perhaps be within the limits of a
reasonable possibility, however, to say that the different classes
of machine tools should cost so much per pound of net weight,
inasmuch as the prices vary quite uniformly with the weights;