The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-02-01
OUR INDUSTRIES, No. 3.
pressing I.umbef Tor tho Artisan.

Dressing Lumber for the Artisan.
In the early history of the human race
and before the present age of invention
man depended upon his own muscle for th,
accomplishment Of any kind Of work, ant
it was a long time before he discovered thai
the energy of the natural forces could b,
made subservent to his needs. The won,
derful industrial advance of the present
century, the application of steam, Of the tel
cgraph, of science 10 the arts, are evidences
that the race, or portions Of the race, are
becoming acquainted with their powers,ant
are beginning to use them. The application
of machinery TO performing the processes
which formerly were carried on by the slow
aud tedious methods Of hand labor; is G
most striking exemplifcation Of this genera
principle; and the inventors of this age, by
lessenng tie time and labor required fol
the production Of the necessities of life, are
doing a work that is equal, If not superior
to that of the moralist, in aiding and stim-
ulating the social and moral progress of so.
ciety towards a more perfect organization oi
its forces.
Tic memory Of men now living can re-
call the day when journeyman carpenters
or house builders outfit required the services
of horse and wagon to convey them from
one scene of his labors to another, and that
the erection of fine residence, where the
taste ofthe owner inclined to the ornamental
and curious workmanship in wood, required
one or more years, where the greatest speed
was made, and the outlay ofa small fortune.
Now the implements of his trade which the
carpenter needs to be used in building even
palatial framed residence, elegantly and
artistically ornamented with handsome cor
nices, carvings, mouldngs and raised PAN
nels, he can carry in his hands; and in a
few weeks, if the mason, plumber, painter
and interior decorator are prompt, the
house is ready for a tenant.
Indeed, when he goes to the scene of his
labors, be nnds tie AorR which he once
did with such patience all done, and only
waiting for his skill to be put together 1t
has been done at the planning mill, so called.
The design of the building has been taken
to that establishment with the lumber out
Of which the house is to made, and the
power planning machine, the boring, NOR
tlsing, tenoning, moulding and panneling
machines, with the curious and humming
little saws and lathes have trimmed, cut
and fashioned every piece and parcel, after
the design, to be used in the structure.
And what is here said of the house build
cr's occupation is equally true of the cabinet
makers also.
1t was to keep pace with the progress Of
othor communities, and to give the people
of this portion of the LeAiigA Valley the
advantages to be derived from having
such an establishment located in their midst
that firm of gentlemen conceived of and
executed the plan Of establishing the Weiss
port Planning Mills. 1t was done about
three years ago, in the midst of the CONNER.
cial depression which has 50 seriously tried
the souls of business men.
Tic site selested was that Of the old sew
mill, the facilities of the water-power which
had been used by the old mill being adapt.
ed to the new. A large building was built
and supplied with all the latest improved
machinery used in such an establishment
The power is furnished by Turbin Wheel
of about 40 horse power, which, in the time
oflow water in the Lehigh, still has ial
OF seven feet Of water.
The surface plamer used is of Power, Tain
ter ~ Co.'S make; IL. b. Smiths heavy
moulder, Houston & Smiths mcfticer, C
| II. Mcllor's improved reversible m0ulder
with attachments; and the tenoning, pan.
nel-raising, ind-slat-turning and Other
machines, are from the best mdnulactdrers
In view of the increased prospects for busi
ness, Mr.. John q. Biery, the enterprisin2
agent of the establishment, is contemplate
ing putting in a more improved waterwhee
| than the one now in use.
Most of the lumber used in the estab
lishment and especially such as is used fol
mouldings, turnngs and fancy cornices ant
fine cabinet work, is brought from Michigan
and other western States. Mr.. Bicry give
the closest personal attention to all the worl
done in the mill, and no job is allowed t,
leave it until it has been inspected and pro
nuunced perfect, and where he furnishe
the lumber none but the best is used.