The Operating Manual

Well I am happy to report that I completed MOST, of the tasks I set myself yesterday. It felt good to get the important one 'ticked off', (the VAT).

However I was led astray when I delved into a book that came in the collection donated to me by Bury College. Its title?

PAPER MACHINE CREW OPERATING MANUAL

This was published by Lockwood Trade Journal in 1961 and was the 'Papermakers Bible' for the industry in the USA.It is 236 pages of pure joy.

Today I will share with you just a little from Chapters 18 & 19, which relate to the duties of the various machine crew members.

It starts with the top man - the Boss Machine Tender. Number 16 of his 17 listed duties is ' Training the help under him to be skilful and good workmen'. Other duties include the 'trimming sewing and patching' of wires and wet felts.

I will not bore you with any more detail at this point, I will just leave you with the fact that the remainder of this chapter, and the next, go on to list the duties of the;

Machine Tender
Back Tender
Third Hand
Fourth Hand
Fifth Hand
Sixth Hand

The duties of the 6 th hand was essentially to keep the floor clean and remove bits of broke from the machine, and know the work and duties of the 4th and 5th hands

At this point, i will leave you to ponder just how things have changed!