Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-01-22

TRY.--It is quite refreshing 10 step from
the prevailing inactivity Of town, across
the small intervening space, into the ener-
getc life and motion which has for some
time been going on at the Phoenix Planning
Mill. Where there il work there il cheer
fulness, prosperity and happiness where
there Is idicness, either enforced or volun-
tary, there ia always It's off,pring, vice.
Therefore, the hum made by industry il II
cheerful sound, and the clear notes Of the
whistle from tho Phoenix Planning Mill in-
dicate that busy hands are at work fash
ioning those objects which are 10 add TO
the beauty of the world
"The Phoenix Planning Mill Company"
ia the name, style and title of the corpora
tion of which John Ardell, Jr., Il the
principle business manager, and which
transacts its business in the new buildings
recently erected in the vicinity Of the
spring on the piece Of ground that was once
fondly talked of as the future Bellcfonte
Park. But IL is now converted into pur-
pose which does ms much good as II other
wise could under any possible circum-
stances, which all will testify 10 who see
the rough boards go in and then witness
their transformation into the shapely doors,
window-sashes, blinds, brackets and the
thousand and one substantial and ornamen-
tai articles of woodwork which are pro-
duced in a well-regulated planning mill.
From the street, entrance is made into
convenient and cosy little business office,
where Mr.. John Ardell may usually be
found, and where Mr.. Harry Sayre, the
clerk, is always at his post, either of whom
will attend TO your wants with pleasure,
answer your inquiries, and never allow
you to depart until you are satisfied.
Persons coming TO the mill in conveyances
will very soon find long line of open
sheds erected in the yard into which they
may drive their teams. The shedding nj
present in position is occupied with the
large amount of lumber on hand.
At the right Of the entrance into the
mill proper is the boiler room. Here IA
30-horse power engine works away with
lightning like rapidity. To protect the viz
itor from approaching too near the heavy,
fast-moying belt which connects with the
other machinery Of the mill, II neat railing
has been constructed, and it would be al
most impossible for child TO be injured
here This i very comfortable apart
ment and is now prepared to receive q
fresh coat Of paint, which will make il
beautiful rs we'll n cheerful. Another
little room leading from this is fitted up
with de.k for the nse of the mouldor in
drawing his designs.
The planning mill room, which is a large
apartment 4Oxs0 feet, is supplied with
every kind Of necessary machinery, and
there seems % be always "more to follow. "
planer, with a capacity OF planning ~ 900
feet Of lumber per day, IL steadily perform
ing its work. 1t Is soon intended to add
another planer with an equal capacity,
and which will plane both sides OF the
board at the same time. Then there i. a
machine called the "re-saw" for saving
strips in any dcsircd thickness. a "pennon-
ing machine which cuts Stats for window
blinds, &c., and moulding machine,
10 which soon will Dc added another ma
chine of the latter kind These all per.
form their several parts in the work of the
mill. Instead of ssnd-papering in the old
way, machine for that purpose il in posi-
tion, which can do an immense amount Of
work in short space Of time, and can do
much better than ifpcrformed by hand.
A surface of mirror-likc smooihncss can be
pu, on the work when 1t is desired. Proba.
bly, the most interesting part Of the plan
ing mill performance is the work done with
the scroll saw on brackets and other orna-
mental objects. Figures of every shape
are cut from the wood by a slender, spiral
saw running back and forth in perpen-
dicular position. In such work IL is neces-
sary Tor the workman To approach with
his hands very close 10 the saw, but woe to
the finger that touches il, for, like the
money you loan magician, presto and
it's gone. Much time and attention Il de-
voted to this part OF the work and the ar
ticles already turned out testify to the
skilled work put upon them. Yet another
machine called the "psnel raiser" is con-
sidercd one of the most useful belonging 10
the establishment.
1t is found that the present room is not
large enough TO accommodate sll the ma
chinery and work ~ be done, and at an
early day 20x40 foot addition will be
erected on the southern side Of the present
mill, making il half again as large. Into