Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World-Chapter 87: Jonathan, the Expert Machinist

September 19th, 883.

Jonathan stood at the lathe, a long metal cylinder clamped firmly in place. A group of new workers crowded around him, eager to learn the trade. The factory hummed with the steady thrum of machinery, powered by a large belt-driven motor that pulsed with each rotation.

"Now, the first step in creating the bore of the barrel is to mount it in the lathe and turn it down to the correct diameter," Jonathan explained, his voice rising above the din of the factory. "You have to take your time with this step, making sure that you remove just enough material without going too far and ruining the barrel."

The workers nodded, their eyes fixed on the lathe as Jonathan deftly moved the cutting tool across the surface of the metal. He paused every so often to check the dimensions, adjusting the lathe as needed to ensure a perfect fit.

"Once the bore has been created, the next step is to cut the rifling," Jonathan continued. "This is a bit trickier, as you have to make sure that the grooves are cut at the correct angle and depth."

He carefully positioned the cutting tool and set the lathe in motion once again. The workers watched in awe as the metal barrel slowly transformed under Jonathan's skilled hands.

As the lathe hummed and the cutting tool spun, Jonathan spoke of the intricacies of the process, sharing his years of experience and wisdom with the eager apprentices.

"The key to the rifling is consistency," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You have to make sure that each groove is cut to the exact same depth and angle, or the accuracy of the barrel will suffer."

The workers hung on his every word, their faces alight with interest and curiosity. Jonathan knew that he was passing on a valuable skill, one that would serve these young men well for years to come.

He continued his work, the lathe spinning at a steady pace as he carefully cut the grooves into the metal. He showed the workers how to use a micrometer to measure the depth of the grooves, explaining that even the slightest variation could mean the difference between a good and a bad barrel.

As he worked, Jonathan shared stories of his own journey to becoming a master machinist. He talked about his early days as an apprentice, struggling to grasp the complexities of the trade. He spoke of the mentors who had guided him along the way, and the mistakes he had made that had ultimately helped him improve. Though this was from his original world, he paraphrased his stories to make them more believing.

The workers listened intently, soaking up every word of Jonathan's wisdom. They watched as the barrel took shape under his careful guidance, marveling at the precision and skill required to create such a masterpiece.

Jonathan paused and picked up a small tool from the table beside him. It was a vernier caliper, a precise instrument used to measure small distances and diameters.

"Now, once you've turned down the barrel to the right diameter, you need to make sure that it's exactly the right size," he explained, holding up the caliper for the workers to see.

He positioned the caliper carefully, using the precision instrument to measure the diameter of the barrel with a steady hand. The workers leaned in closer, their eyes fixed on the delicate tool.

"See how the caliper slides in smoothly, with just the slightest bit of resistance?" Jonathan asked, his voice soft but firm. "That's what you want. If it's too loose or too tight, the barrel won't fit properly and you'll have to start all over again."

The workers nodded, their expressions serious and focused. They could see the importance of this step, the attention to detail that went into each and every barrel.

Jonathan continued, his hands steady and sure as he measured the diameter of the barrel in several places, checking for any deviations or irregularities. He made sure that each groove was cut to the exact depth and angle, checking them with a micrometer and a thread pitch gauge. The workers watched in amazement as Jonathan worked, taking note of every step he made and every tool he used.

"Precision is key," Jonathan repeated, a firmness in his voice. "One wrong measurement and the whole barrel can be ruined. That's why we use tools like the vernier caliper and the micrometer. They help us get as close to perfect as possible."

The workers nodded in agreement, realizing the importance of the tools and the techniques used in the trade. They saw the pride in Jonathan's eyes as he finished his work and stepped back to examine the finished product.

"That's it, gentlemen," he said, a smile spreading across his face. "That's how you create a perfect bore and rifling."

The workers cheered, their enthusiasm echoing through the factory. They knew that they had much to learn, but with Jonathan's guidance, they were ready to take on the challenge.

The workers looked at each other for a moment before one of them raised his hand tentatively.

"What happens if we make a mistake?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

Jonathan nodded thoughtfully, his mind racing with the various scenarios that could play out.

"Well, mistakes do happen," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "But it's important to catch them early on so you can fix them before they become bigger problems. That's why it's so important to be precise and careful with each step of the process."

Another worker spoke up, his tone curious.

"How do you know when the barrel is finished?" he asked, his eyes fixed on Jonathan.

Jonathan smiled, pleased with the question.

"Well, there are a few different things to look for," he explained. "First, you want to make sure that the dimensions are correct and that the bore and rifling are perfect. Then, you'll want to inspect it for any defects or imperfections, and make sure that it's properly polished and finished."

The workers nodded, taking in Jonathan's words with a newfound appreciation for the complexity and precision of their craft.

For the next few minutes, the group asked question after question, seeking clarification and guidance from him. Jonathan answered each one with patience and care, taking the time to explain even the most intricate details of the process.

"Now one last thing before we dismiss, it's important to note that the lathe can be a dangerous tool if not used properly," he said, his voice grave. "You need to be extremely careful when working with it, making sure that you're not wearing any loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in the moving parts. Otherwise, it'll get caught and suck you in. The electric motor powering this lathe is powerful enough that it can pull 37 people. Yes, I'm not joking. It's a five-horsepower motor. The lathe is a killer, a murderer, it is waiting for you to make a mistake. And if you do, it will kill you."

The expressions of the workers turned grim, scared, and paled. Jonathan was satisfied that they are having that kind of reaction.

"That's it, I want you to get scared of the lathe so that you'll respect it," Jonathan said. "Okay, now that you have learned everything you needed to know, shall we see each other tomorrow for your first day?"

Jonathan furrowed his brows, noticing that their enthusiasm was gone. "Are you that scared of the lathe? I know, you are the fifth batch to whom I have explained the dangers of the lathe. I want you to be scared, not to be traumatized that you won't be able to get the job done because you are too afraid of touching it. Okay, that's it, dismiss everyone."

After spending five hours teaching the new workers about the principles and uses of the lathes, Jonathan returned to their main office. Today was an important day for the company as it is the birthday of one of the executives. He'll be there to celebrate it. But first, he'll have to go somewhere first.