Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

A Department in Which is Collected Observations in and About Factories, With Comment Pertinent and Impertinent, on Things, Men and Measures By A. B. MAINE

A

DD to the list of electrically operated plants the name of the Caswell-Runyon Co., Huntington, Ind., but above all, put it in the list of safety always plants. Every machine in this plant that should be guarded has a guard and the right kind of a guard, too. They thought the rip-saw guards ought to be a little wider than they are made by the guard manufacturers, so they made their own. When visiting the factory with Mr. Runyon, we came to the spindle shaper. The operator was shaping some material by use of a form, and he also had the guard down over the spindle. As we turned away, I remarked that most places considered the use of the form sufficiently safe without the use of the guard, and I was quietly informed that it was the policy of that factory to see how much they could use the guards, not how little. This factory was busy trying to catch up with the orders for cedar chests. They have the up-to-date equipment of endless bed sanders, "little wonders," and spraying machines.

farm, and you have to cross it to get to the factory. When the corn gets high, I should think it would be rather difficult to find the factory, but since both are productive, Fred is not worrying. Taken as a whole, I

A. B. MAINE

The Wasmuth-Endicott Co., Andrews, Ind., have been getting so much business that the management is seriously contemplating the building of an addition. It was a source of pleasure to go through this plant and see the material start from the lumber yard, go through the dry kiln and to the various operations in logical order, finally coming to the shipping-room a crated kitchen cabinet. They unload their rough lumber from the cars to a kiln car, and hold it in the yard until they are ready for it. Then they run it into the kiln at one end and in the course of time it comes out the other end right where the cut-off saws are. Then it is on trucks all the time until it reaches the assembly room. is, except when it is being worked. They think a lot of the value of rolling stock there, and if you could see the way things move through the factory you would think a lot, too.

That

Just as they do not make anything but "Fords" in the Ford factory, so they do not make anything but table slides in the factory of B. Walter & Co., Wabash, Ind., and no one has it on this plant when it comes to specializing. This is another factory that shows its faith in "rolling stock" by using it. Trucks are in good use and nothing goes on the floor to be picked up again. You may not see so many of the company's table slides as you do Ford machines, but the reason is because you do not observe the slides that are on the dining-room table. When you do that you will realize more than ever that the makers are specialists, and that their product is in universal usage.

Fred Barber is the Barber Manufacturing Co., of Anderson, Ind. The plant makes spiral springs and constructions for davenports, seats and other things. His plant was busy when I called and the indications were that it would continue so. I don't know whether he runs his factory or his farm as a side line. He has some

think he has the right idea. The man who has a few hundred acres to look after has to get out in the air and is not apt to get the consumption or grow round-shouldered over the desk.

[graphic]

"How is business?" I asked C. P. Griest, manager of the Marion (Ind.) Chair Co. His reply was: "Good, and getting better. We have about all we can handle, and have today received the largest amount in orders that we have received since the first of January." A visit to the factory confirmed his statement. Every one was on the jump, from the yard to the shipping-room. They

have to hand it to C. P. He has taken a run into the ground plant and put it on the map. Anyway, it is on the edge of the map and it will be way on shortly.

We hear more or less of a "hue and cry" about the mail order houses and their methods of doing business. I have no fight on with them and I don't care what kind of goods they make and sell. Some people wonder how they sell the things they do for so little money. I know part of the answer. In the last three months I have visited many factories that make all kinds of furniture, in four states, and I want to tell you that the most efficiently laid out plants, and the ones that seem to know the most about their costs are the ones that are controlled by, or are making goods for, the mail order houses. There is something for the other fellow to think about.

The quality of the work, some efficiency, and also safety depends on little things. Take, for instance, the guides on a shop band-saw. They require some care in their adjustment, because a guide may do lots of good or lots of harm, depending on how it is used.

The Diehl Machine, Co., Wabash, Ind., is another of the smaller plants that I found with orders booked up ahead. One of this company's latest productions is a selffeed jointing rip-saw that seems to be making a hit in wood-working circles and, of course, the glue-room appliances that they make are well known.

The Powell-Myers Lumber Co., South Bend, Ind., have some live wires connected with the organization. They are specialists in hardwood dimension stock, and it is possible for the furniture manufacturer to get his cutting bills taken care of through this company.

I had a new experience waiting for me when I called at the Peru (Ind.) Chair Co.'s factory. A lady showed me over the plant, and I want to assure you that the new experience was a pleasant one. You bet I am going back again when I get a chance. The factory is not

what you call large, but it is compact, and they turn out the goods. This is one of the very busy plants that I saw in March and early April. The other busy ones were small ones, too, which leads me to think that in these "watchful, waiting" times the small fellow is getting more proportionately than the large one.

A year ago the Indiana Manufacturing Co., Peru, Ind., was just emerging from the flood waters that changed the face of the land in that section of the country, and it was emerging in the shape that would have struck discouragement into the souls of anyone but a family of fighters. When a mammoth plant gets submerged to such an extent that its first floor is ten feet below the water mark, and when two million feet of lumber go floating down the river, one would be justitied in looking for a new factory site, and beginning a plan of retrenchment. Not so with this company. As soon as possible it began operations on a larger scale than ever, and furthermore it began to put new equipment in and to remodel the factory.

First it became converted to the benefits of the electric drive, and it went farther than most factories go in this direction. So far as possible every machine is equipped with its individual motor attached to its machine base. If the growth of the factory makes a movement necessary, all that needs to be done is to move a machine to its logical place, attach the wires, throw in the switch, and the machine is ready for operations. By the proper routing of work, the material passes through seven operations without touching the floor or being put on a truck. Before the flood there were seven single surfacers doing the work that is now being done by one electrically driven double surfacer. As we went through the plant, Mr. Shirk drew our attention to an automatic glue jointer that is on the market for $10,000, and advised us that

he considered it the best investment that he had ever made. That is only a few of the things that have been done since the waters claimed a small fortune from this one plant. When asked if it was considered safe to continue in the same place after such flood havoc, we were informed that before they had another flood there would be ample protection to keep the waters from the city. Truly, some hearts know not the word fear.

One of the most pleasant trips we ever had was in the company of D. E. Ewell, who represents the SherwinWilliams Co., varnish manufacturers, and Wm. J. Mulholland, of the Interstate Adjustment Co., mercantile collectors. Both are out of Cleveland. I had "met up"

with the former in the lobby of the Bearss hotel, in Peru, Ind.,and we happened to run in with each other the next afternoon on the way to Marion. The former came into the train as it was pulling out, and though the two run

ERNST

out of the same city, it was evident that they had not seen each other for some time, for they greeted each other like two long-lost brothers. Ewell had one of the last issues of the little publication his house issues for its representatives. In it the president of the company had given him a little puff for the work that he was doing, and he was as pleased as a child with a new toy. I don't blame him any. If I worked for a house that was not as quick with its boosts when they were deserved as it was with its kicks when needed, I would hunt another job. These fellows got talking over old times, and I am not going to let out any confidences, but the talk took me back to the happy days of kidhood when my bosom friend and myself had a fight every other day and between times ran away from school to go fishing. "Them was the happy days." The last warning that I received was to be sure to make Cleveland in time for the opening baseball game of the season. I didn't make it, but I sure wanted to like thunder.

It has been remarked that laziness has perhaps induced quite as many labor-saving inventions as any other one cause. Wonder if that cause had anything to do with the self-feed rip-saw being perfected?

Man, put your life above the dollar.
Boss, put the man above the dollar.
Don't be careless.
Safety first.

A Morton Catalog

N CATALOG No. 40, issued as a supplement to its regular trade publication, the Morton Dry Kiln Co., Chicago, covers fully, by illustration and description, the comparative merits and proper use of progressive, compartment, pocket and box kilns. The book is a complete manual of kiln operation and in connection with the lumber drying devices of the Chicago manufacturers, offers an effective remedy in cases where kilning has become a serious problem. Methods of installation also are described, together with reproductions of the Morton kilns in actual use.

FACTORIES WANTED

WANTED-MANUFACTURERS TO LOCATE in a live Upper Michigan city. Good shipping facilities, rail and water; cheap electric power; plenty of good sites on water front; labor in abundance; accessible to

good timber, suitable for wagon works, sash and doors,

woodenware factory, box factories, etc. Live commercial association is anxious to coöperate with any manufacturer wishing to locate in Gladstone, Mich. For further information, address, Secretary, The Gladstone Commercial Assn., Gladstone, Mich.

& ERNST

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
IMPARTIAL AUDITS-SYSTEMS

OOST AND AOOOUNTING SYSTEMS INSTALLED TO MEET THE PRAOTIOAL NEED OF ANY BUSINESS

[blocks in formation]

KNOW

PERIOD FURNITURE

By Buying and Reading

W. L. KIMERLY'S BOOK

Published by

GRAND RAPIDS FURNITURE RECORD CO.

Lumber Dried As Never Before

SEE THE DIFFERENCE

GRAND RAPIDS DRY KILN

GRAND RAPIDS VENEER WKS., SOLE MFRS., MICHIGAN

Adams & Elting Co.... American Walnut Association.

26

Hart Mirror Plate Co.....

10

American Woodworking Machinery Co... Andrews, A. H. Co., The..

.Back cover

[blocks in formation]

7

Lackawanna Leather Co.

5

Astoria Veneer Works...

Barton, H. H. & Son Co..

Bennett, E. W....

Berlin Machine Works.
Bernard, J. Co.....

Bilstrom, Nels J..

Blodgett Company, Ltd.

Booth, N. E...

Brown & Co., Geo. C..

Carborundum Co...

Cartier-Holland Lumber Co..

Chicago Mirror & Art Glass Co...

Cleveland Wire Spring Co....

Cyclone Blow Pipe Co....

D'Arcy Spring Co.....

Dean-Hicks Company, The.

DeVilbiss Mfg. Co.....

Eggers, F. Veneer Seating Co..

Emerson Dry Kiln Co...

Ernst & Ernst

Falls Machine Co....

Fay, J. A. & Egan Co..

For Sale

Foster Bros. Mfg. Co..

Furniture Commercial Agency

Foster, Merriam & Co....

29

Linderman Machine Co.

1

21

Lockhart, Hodge Co.

21

21

[blocks in formation]

2nd page cover

[blocks in formation]

13

[blocks in formation]

20

[blocks in formation]

212

[blocks in formation]

20

Mitchell, Mendenhall & Co...

24

29

[blocks in formation]

25

29

[blocks in formation]

20

Perkins Glue Co.

28

30

23

Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.

21

28

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

WANTED

Purchaser for a Complete Wood-working Plant, with a small Foundry attached.

New Machines, all motor driven. This plant was bought at forced sale, and will be sold at a bargain. Just appraised by American Appraisal Co.

Buildings in good condition; spur track into property. About three acres of land, which will increase in value each year. Located at Jackson, Miss., on the main line of Illinois Central Railroad. Has been used for manufacturing School Furniture and Mantels. This is an ideal location for a wood-working plant. Wood of all kinds can be bought at very low prices.

Write or wire us for list of machines and particulars. Prices and further information furnished on request.

Jackson Casket & Mfg. Co.
Jackson, Miss.

[graphic]
[graphic][ocr errors][merged small]

Stop doing so much expensive hand sanding! Don't even try to sand small and short stock on a roll feed sander. The roll feed sander is best for long and wide stock. For small and short stock there is a less expensive way

The Berlin

Sand your stock the Berlin Endless Bed Sander way -the way that assures the greatest amount of finely sanded stock at lowest possible cost. It means bigger profits for you. Send for complete data.

[ocr errors]

Endless Bed Sander Way

The full width of the bed is used; many pieces are sanded at one time. The Berlin Endless Bed Sander handles stock as short as three inches. The finish is practically perfect. Hand "touching up" afterwards is seldom necessary.

And much of your larger stock, too, such as small table tops, chair seats and rails and stretchers, panels and similar stock, can be finely sanded and at lowest possible cost on a Berlin Endless Bed Sander.

When equipped with Berlin continuous cutting spiral drums, this sander gives unquestionably the finest finish. However, we will provide an improved type of straight opening drum, with automatic takeup if this type be preferred.

You want to reduce your sanding costs and improve the finish of your sanded stock. Don't you? Then ask us for complete information regarding the Berlin Endless Bed Sander. Write for descriptive circular now-before it slips your mind.

THE BERLIN MACHINE WORKS, Beloit, Wis.

Largest Manufacturers of Woodworking Machinery in the World CANADIAN PLANT, WITH OFFICES,

HAMILTON, ONT.

« ÎnapoiContinuă »