2. CASSON'S PATENT CONTINUOUS-FEED CIRCULAR SAW BENCH 21 66 81 To face 94 97 7. HORIZONTAL SINGLE-BLADED SAW FRAME . FIG. PAGE 20-3. NEWBERRY'S BAND SAWING MACHINE, PATENTED 1808. 120-1 130 29. SINGLE AND DOUBLE TENON CUTTING MACHINE 32. ARMSTRONG'S PATENT DOVE-TAILING MACHINE . 158 33 & 34. T. HAMILTON'S PATENT DOVE-TAILING MACHINE STOCKS, &c. . 36. SAW-SHARPENING MACHINE 37. HANDYSIDE'S PATENT TOOL-GRINDER 38. HAND-POWER MORTISING AND BORING MACHINE 186 188 39. HAND OR STEAM POWER SAW BENCH AND BAND SAWING WOOD-WORKING MACHINERY. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. Wood in its various forms enters, perhaps, more largely than any other substance into the industry of the nation, and its economical and rapid conversion from forest trees into articles of general utility cannot be but one of paramount importance. I can scarcely help thinking that sufficient interest has hardly been given by scientific men to this very important branch of engineering, whilst, on the other hand, improvements in the munitions of war, for instance, have been carried to the highest degree of perfection. When we come to consider the endless uses-in shipbuilding, railway carriage works, coachbuilding, joinery works, builders' establishments, &c.-that wood in its varied forms is put to, the importance of the subject will, perhaps, more readily strike us. Wood conversion by machinery has doubtless during the last twenty years made gigantic strides, but still there remains ample scope for further progress in this direction. The chief hard woods used in this country are oak, ash, mahogany, " teak, and elm; and of the resinous woods, red pine from Norway, Sweden, and Russia; Memel, Dantzig, and Riga fir, from Russia and Prussia; yellow pine, pitch pine, and cedar. Other ornamental woods are, however, largely used for decorative purposes. Although one of the most important branches of engineering, wood-working machinery is one of the most modern; there is no doubt, however, that the conversion of wood by means of saws, axes, &c., was known some thousands of years back, and is spoken of in ancient Egyptian, Grecian, and Hebrew history; but very few records are left us concerning their origin in this country. We must turn to the eighteenth century for any accurate information as to absolute machinery, in the true sense of the word, although, doubtless, apparatuses of different kinds were in use to facilitate hand labour before this date. First and foremost among the pioneers of woodworking machinery must be placed Sir Samuel Bentham, whose patents in the years 1791 and 1793 are truly remarkable examples of inventive genius, and fully illustrate the old adage, 'There is nothing new under the sun.' In these specifications the principles involved in many of the most important machines at present in use are claimed, and set forth in the clearest and tersest manner, affording a wonderful illustration of how a patent could be drawn in those days. The following may be named as some of the inventions included in this remarkable specification:-Planing machines with rotary cutters, to cut on several sides of the wood at once; veneer cutting machine, horizontal stone saws, moulding and recessing machine, bevel sawing machine, saw-sharpening machine, tenon-cutting by means of circular saws, and many kinds of rotary and boring tools. Many of the principles set forth in Bentham's specifications have been the subjects of a number of patents during the present century, or, I may say, during the last few years, but it is my opinion that several of these patents differ very little indeed except in matter of detail from Bentham's ideas in 1793. I do not intend here to enter further into the early history of wood-working machinery, as the data at my disposal are both scant and somewhat unreliable, but I purpose, when considering the different classes of machines, to add such notes of their origin as I may consider instructive and interesting. It is my intention to confine myself in these pages chiefly to my experience of English practice, illustrating the same with woodcuts of some of the latest examples of the most eminent makers, and explaining them as concisely and, I trust, as practically, as possible. I shall, however, as occasion may arise, touch on American and Continental makes when of interest. Till within the last thirty years, wood-working machinery in this country must be considered to have been in a very crude state, but of late great impetus has been given to it by the constant battles between capital and labour. The great cost and, in some cases, the inferior quality of work turned out by hand, have rendered the increasing introduction of labour-saving machinery absolutely necessary, to keep pace with the general progress of the times. The introduction of this class of machinery has not, however, lessened, but rather raised, the wages of skilled artisans, as it is found the cheaper production creates the greater demand. |