2-888-583 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great Exhibition Building in Hyde Park - Circular Cutting Machine, 1850. 'The timbers to be planed by the machine are placed on the top of a traversing stage, which is moved in either direction by a rack and pinion, the rack being fixed under the whole length of the stage; iron slides, 2 feet apart, are placed on the two longitudinal bearers of the supporting frame, on which the traversing stage moves in either direction. When the traversing stage is to be set in motion, an apparatus, consisting of two levers, a connecting-rod, and a clutch, is brought into play; by the movement of the first lever either to the right hand or to the left, according to the direction in which it is required to be moved. When out of gear, the first lever remains in a vertical position'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.