Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-08-13
Making Match-Sticks.

THE process of cutting small, round
sticks used for matches is an interesting
one, and in writing this description we
shall endeavor to make it clear to the
reader in as simple language as possible.
1t must be borne in mind that making
match-sticks is one branch of business
applying the composition another. After
the pine logs are reduced to plank the
next operation is to cut them into blocks
four and five inches in length, by means
of small circular saws. They are then
assorted BY boys, preparatory to being
fastened to the great wheels, TO be cut
into match-sticks. Pine slabs obtained
from the sawmills to manufacture blocks
are found to answer the purpose well, as
the lumber in them is of the best quality.
In thus utilizing the refuse lumber there
is great saving Few people have cor
rect idea how match-sticks are made. In
the first place there is an immense wheel
twenty feet in diameter, with two SIX
feet faces or breasts, much resembling an
oldfashioned overshot" water-wheel,
on which these blocks are fastened in
rows by means of clamps or
screws. The machinery is of such
powerful character that the frame
work on which this ponderous wheel is
hung is composed of heavy oak timbers,
twelve by sixteen inches, resting on a
solid stone foundation twenty-five feet by
twelve and five and one-half feet deep,
laid in cement. The necessity for such
firm foundation will be readily seen
when the reader is informed that this
wheel makes twenty-one revolutions in
minute, and must not vary hairs breadth
in its motion. The face of the wheel
L. l., Ia
of cutting the sticks is commenced. A
rest, similar to an iron lathe, is placed IN
front of the breast of the wheel, which is
moved right or left, on the lathe princi-
pie, by means of screws, etc, on which a
number of small steel cutters, with holes
like an eyelet, are fastened. These cut
tiers are adjusted 50 as TO face the blocks,
and as the wheel revolves each one cuts
a splint out of the wood and drops it be
low. There are sixteen of these cutters
or punch-like chisels to each wheel, and
the number may be increased to thirty
two if necessary. The principle upon
which the match-stick is made is the
same as that used in oiden time for max
ing rake-teeth round, which consisted in
driving piece of wood through a steel
tool having hole in it with sharp edges.
the large revolving wheel In this case
serves as the propelling power, ands force
the faces of the blocks that are securely
fastened to its outer surface through the
small steel eyelet-like hole in the end of
the tool, and a splint is cut out almost
with the rapidity of lightning, and
dropped below. The machine is so per-
fectly adjusted, and works with such
exact minuteness, that it cuts 100 splints
from every solid inch of timber-no
more, no less This fact has been demon
strated. The delicate cutting tools are
moved horizontally at right angles with
the face of the wheel by "a screw, which
moves the row of cutters exactly the
thickness of a matchstick, from left to
right, at each revolution of the large
wheel. Each pair Of cutters has sec
ton of blocks to pass through, six, eight
to ten inches, as the case may be, which
when performed, the tender, by the turn
of small wheel, brings them back to
the starting point, sets the cutters by
the turn of another small wheel, and
they start again across the breast of the
large wheel. As the round splints are
cut out of the face of the block il as
sumesa corrugated appearance, not un
like the face of an ordinary washboard,
and when the machine starts on the next
cut the projections, forming one-half Of
the spliDt, are cut out, thus alternating
the corrugations. The two machines
thus in operation will cut twenty -four
gross of sticks 1920 to the gross per
minute, with sixteen cutters to each,
or, in the aggregate, 172, 800 per minute,
10,36s000 per hour, or 103,6S0, coo per
day of ten hours.-Scientifc Amertc1m.