N. B. The spindle-ryne, &c. is drawn from a scale of 2 feet to an inch, and all the other irons 1 foot to an inch.
In addition to what is said of saw-mills, by Thomas Ellicott, I add the following.
Of hanging the Saw.
First, set the fender-posts as near plum every way as possible, and the head-blocks on which the log is to lay, level. Put the saw right in the middle of the gate, measuring from the outsides, with the upper teeth about half an inch farther forward than the lower ones; set it by the gate and not by a plumline—this is to give the saw liberty to rise without cut∣ting, and the log room to push forward as it rises. Run the carriage forward, so that the saw strike the block—stick up a nail, &c. there—run it back again its full length, and, standing behind the saw, set it to direct exactly to the mark. Stretch the saw in the frame rather most at the edge, that it may be stiffest there. Set it to go, and hold a tool close to one side, and observe whether it touch equally the whole length of the stroke—try if it be square with the top of the head-blocks, else it will not make the scantling square.
Of whetting the Saw.
The edge of the teeth ought to be kept straight, and not suffered to wear hollowing—the teeth set a little out, equal at each side, and the outer corners a little longest—they will clear their way the better. Some whet the under side of the teeth nearly level, and others a little drooping down; but then it will never saw steady—will be apt to wood too much;—they should slope a little up, but very little, to make it work steady. Try a cut through the log, and if it comes out at the mark made to set it by, shews it to be right hung.
Of Springing Logs Straight.
Some long small logs will spring so much in sawing as to spoil the scantling, unless it can be held straight: to do which make a clamp to bear with one end against the side of the car∣riage, the other end under the log with a post up the side thereof—drive a wedge between the post and log, and spring it straight; this will bend the carriage side—but no matter—it is no injury.
Of moving the Logs, to the Size of Scantling, &c.
Make a sliding-block to slide in a rabbet in front of the main head-block: fasten the log to this with a little dog on each side, one end of which being round, is drove into a round hole, in the front side of the sliding block, the other flatted to drive in the log, cutting across the grain, f••anting a little out—it will draw the log tight, and stick in the better. Set a post of hard wood in the middle of the main block close to the sliding one, and to ex∣tend with a shoulder over the sliding one, for a wedge to be drove under this shoulder to keep the block tight. Make a mark on each block to measure from—when the log is mov∣ed the key is driven out. The other end next the saw is best held by a sliding dog, part on each side of the saw pointed like a gauge, with two single joint dogs, one on each side of the saw.
Remedy for a long Pitman.
Make it in two parts by a joint 10 feet from the crank, and a mortise through a fix∣ed beam, for the lower end of the upper part to play in, the gate will work more steady, and all may be made lighter.
The feed of a saw-mill ought to be regulated by a screw fixed to move the hand-pole nearer or farther from the centre of the roller that moves it, which may be done as the saw arrives at a knot without stopping the mill.
END OF PART FIFTH.