Fig. 2_a_ is a sectional plan and Fig. 2_b_ an elevation of the tool by which the second operation is performed, the same tool being also used for performing the third operation. (Illustrated in Fig. 3_a_.) _h h_ are a pair of bed-dies having a space _h'_ between them to receive the lower web of the bar, and having notches, C C and D D, in their inner ends, forming counterparts of the punches by which the pairs of mortises, _c d_, Fig. 2, are punched in the pair of webs lying upon the bed-dies, _h_. These bed-dies are fitted to slide a little in opposite directions upon a suitable bed plate and are caused by the inclined cams, _i'_, on the guides, _i_, of the press head (which pass through corresponding apertures in the bed-dies, _h_) to approach each other at the moment the punches come down on the work, so as to grip the lower web of the rod and support the pair of webs being operated on close up to the sides of the lower web lying in the space _h'_, while when the punches rise the bed-dies move apart, so that the web is quite free in said space _h'_ and the rod may be easily fed forward for a fresh stroke of the press. B* is the beveled stop in the space, _k'_, as in the tool first described. The bed-dies _h_ have a second set of notches C' D' at their outer ends, similar to but longer than those C D, so that by reversing the bed-dies they will form counterparts for a second set of punches corresponding thereto for performing the third operation--_i.e._, enlarging the mortises, _c d_, as represented in Figs. 3 and 3_a_; or, instead of adapting the dies, _h_, to perform the two operations, separate tools may be used for the second and third operations.
Fig. 4_a_ is an elevation and Fig. 4_b_ a sectional plan of the tool for performing the fourth operation--namely, removing the portion _a*_, Figs. 3, 3_a_, 4_a_, and 4_b_. This is done by a pair of punches, A*, corresponding in shape to the ends of the link in the rough and to the aperture shown in the bed-die, _k_, Fig. 4_b_, which has a groove, _k'_, to admit the lower web of and to guide the rod. The beveled stop, B*, used in operating on the pair of webs, a, corresponds to the notches, _b'_; but in operating on the webs, _a'_, the stop must be replaced by one corresponding to the aperture left by the removal of the portion, _a*_.