Genealogy Chat

Can anyone tell me what a wire drawer is also in what kind of industry? My great grandad's occupation on 1881 census says this and I was just wondering what on earth he did. He eventually became a policeman in Birmingham. Thanks for help Mary

Found this on google... TITLE(s): WIRE DRAWER (clock & watch) Operates wire drawing machine to reduce watch spring wire from round to rectangular cross section and improve its physical properties: Reads job instruction which specifies size, number of passes, and amount of reduction on each pass of wire through series of wire drawing dies. Sets adjustable (flat) die for first pass by turning setscrews on which divisions are shown. Threads wire from feeding roll through adjustable die and round die (ring-shaped to control wire width) and attaches end to winding roll. Starts machine and observes operation to ascertain if drawing is proceeding as specified and makes adjustments to obtain required wire tension, using handtools. Stops machine when all wire has passed through dies. Switches wound roll to feeding position and bare roll to winding position, adjusts die for next pass, and repeats until wire is drawn to size specified. Records production. May examine wire for defects, such as scratches or cracks, using eye loupe. There is also this one... WIRE DRAWER A person who made wire from metal by drawing the metal through various size holes in a template. Georgina.

Hi Georgina Why did I not think of Google!! Many thanks for your time in looking this up for me. Watch making makes sense I do believe watch making was if not still is an industry in Birmingham. Thank you once again. Mary