(399) In preparing thread for the lace trade it is the practice to remove the loose fibres, or “ooze,” projecting from its surface. This is done by a machine called a “gassing” frame, a sectional view of one head of which, as made by Mr. Stubbs, is shown in Fig. 211. This represents one side of a machine only. The bobbin =B= is driven by frictional contact with a drum =A=, revolving rapidly, and is held in a weighted frame =C=, hinged at its inner end. =C= is raised by a bracket or arm =D=, mounted on the same pin. At the inner end of =D= is a slot in which a finger fixed on the stem of the burner =E= engages. The burner derives its gas from a tube =G= running along the frame, and is fixed in a swivel joint, being generally of the Bunsen type. The thread is drawn from the bobbin =K=, mounted on a freely revolving spindle, and is passed two or three times, as shown, over the grooved bowls =H=, these being formed with four grooves for the purpose. A guide =I=, receiving a longitudinal reciprocatory motion, guides the thread on to the surface of the bobbin =B=. As the thread passes rapidly through the gas flame from the upper end of the burner =E=, the “ooze” is rapidly singed off. When an end breaks or is “burnt down” the lever =D= is raised so as to lift the frame =C= and bobbin =B= out of contact with the drum =A=, and is sustained by a catch during the time of piecing. The same movement causes the burner =E= to be pushed at one side out of the path of the thread, and the restoration of the parts to the position shown again brings it gradually under the thread, but not until after the winding has commenced.
(400) In addition to these machines, where lace yarns are made it is sometimes the practice to use a “clearing frame.” This is an ordinary vertical spindle winding machine, but the yarn is passed through an adjustable nick, which is finely set, so as to catch or stop any knots or other unevenness in the yarn. This calls the attendant’s notice to the defect, and the thread is re-pieced, so as to remove the lump or knot. The best and most widely used “clearers” are those known as “Suggitt’s” patent, and consist of two cast iron plates, one fixed and the other adjustable. Vertical faces are formed on these, which come up to one another throughout their whole length, thus providing an opening or fine nick through which the yarn can be drawn.