Hand-Book for Lumbermen - Saw, Tool, Steel File Works, Philadelphia, Pa #270932

In 1840, when Henry Disston commenced the manufacture of saws, the lumber business, which has since assumed such vast proportions, was in its infancy. It had not been brought to the science it has since attained; saws were not required to stand the tremendous speed and feed which is now demanded of them; lumber was plenty, and the thickness-of the saw was not a serious question; since then mills have been introduced that drive the saw at a tremendous speed and the feed has been increased proportionately, consequently, saws must be made to stand this increased demand upon them. Still, there is a limit to the strength of steel and saw, and while we do not claim that every saw we make is perfect, (as it is impossible to discover slight imperfections in the body of the steel plate, which in spite of all care will at times exist), we do claim that if saws of our make are treated as we suggest in this pamphlet, they will meet the requirements in almost every case.<br><br>Owing to the great difficulty experienced by us in getting steel suitable for our wants, in 1855 we commenced the manufacture of saw steel, securing the services of men who had had long experience in manufacturing it.<br><br>The reputation which our saws have gained and the frequent orders received, which specify that Disston's steel must be used, is a guarantee that our steel is of superior quality, and we claim a great advantage in being able, from the fact that steel and saw works are connected, to readily detect any faults which may arise. One can see how important it is for us to use the greatest care in the steel works so that the saws will not be condemned after we have expended so much time and labor upon their making; therefore, the quality of steel used the perfect system of grinding, tempering, hammering and testing which we follow, with the great experience we have had in the business, has gained for our saws the reputation which they are justly entitled to. But notwithstanding all this care and attention on our part to produce a perfect saw, we are compelled at times to suffer from a want of experience on the part of the men engaged in the mill business, who persist in running a saw beyond the limit of endurance, and the improper methods used by some to keep their saws in order. We are always ready and willing to replace a saw faulty in either steel or manufacture, but we do not think that we should be expected to replace a saw which has been subjected to unfair usage.<br><br>Mill-owners and sawyers will find it greatly to their advantage to keep this hand-book in a convenient place for reference, for it contains a great deal of useful and valuable information for them.