The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-02-06
THE TALE OF THE TUB.
How We Make the Washtub Within
the Walls.

hear how we build the charming washtub
They all love the modest piece OF woOdshed
furniture. but with many it is case where
Distance lends enchantment."
never will forget how the washtub used
to loom up OH Monday morning in the days
when used to turn the wringer. never
longed for Monday to come. and yet it al
ways put in an appearance with the wash
tub as master of ceremonies.
Of course you all know that the body of
this popular article is made of pine. though
it never pines away; now and then one gets
broke and remains in that embarrassed con-
ditiOn. The washtub is bound to stave it.
self upon most any community regardless of
fashion and fancful favOrtiSm.
The state bOarders are becoming familiar
with the different stages of life of the wash
tub as it proceeds to gather itself together.
When the timber is brought to the factory
it is green and the Stave timber is sawed into
strips ranging from four to six inches thick
and the width varying in accordance with
the size of the original log. This is sawed
into blocks somewhat larger than when
set in the tub. and these blocks are then
transferred to the clipper saw where the raw
stave is sawed out, leaving both ends alike.
This stave is then transferred to the dry
kiln by means of the stave carrier (similar
to a straw carrier to thresher)and after it
is thoroughly dried it is carted back to the
workshop. The Stave is now ready for the
shaping saw which saws off the sides, bev
els it and makes one end smaller than the
other. 1t is next sawed to the proper
length by being forced between two saws
Zone at each end OF the stave) with one
movement. Next the stave passes into the
hands of the operator who grooves and
tongues the edges OF the stave. The latter
is done Oh a machine similar to all edge
planners. The stave is now ready to 90 into
the tub-ittle thinking of the experience
that awaits that tub. The tub is set up
inside of an iron ring to within
three or four inches of the top, and
when the slaves are driven sOundly into the
ring it is screwed into lathe the gOuges of
which slide on stationary bar. cOmmenc-
ing at the small end of the tub and plan
ing off the outside from bottom to top in
few seconds. The sand paper is then APP
piled after which the hoop is run on by
means of lever with a Swivelhead in the
center, while the tub is revolving. (nOw
and then a tub eXpIOdes and the slaves play
tag with the operators nOSe). The tub next
goes to the lathe that turns out the inside.
TO do this the tub is pressed into an iron
hOlder-shaped like tub-small end first.
and then the gOuge which is fastened on the
end of heavy iron sliding bar. is forced
into the tub and quickly turns out the inside.
When the gOuge reaches the bottom of the
tub the workman springs small lever
gOuge which cuts the groove for the bottom.
After the edge of the top has been trimmed
and the sand paper applied the tub is
lOOsened and run out OF the carrier, which
continues to revolve all the time. The tub
is next pressed onto beveled spool large
end (top) first and an edge trimmer is APP
piled to the bottom part of the slaves and
the bottom edge is trimmed. The sand pa
per is then applied and it is then ready for
the bottom. The bottoms are first sawed
from rough boards, glued together. then
run through planer. both sides planed.
and next they are placed in lathe. which.
when the clamps are closed upon it, and
the belt thrown on will by raising lever
cut it out perfectly round and plane the
edges down so that it will fit the groove in
the bottom of the tub. The bottom is then
pressed in from the top, after which the
lower hooper hoops are driven ON with a
screw press, and the tub is ready for the
paint shop. The painting is done in
novel way; the tub is placed on spindle,
and while the painter turns crank he ap-
plies the brush. The tub is first primed
then painted, next grained. and lastly
The granting is done in jiffy.
The granting pattern is cut in rOl
Ter made to fit the side of tub. and
of a material similar to the soft
composition used on printers
rollers. The dark paint is applied to the
roller and the tub need be revolved but
once against the grainer when it is hand
somely grained in imitation of oak. The
wood handles are turned from birch, which |
material is first sawed and then soaked in |
water before being placed in the lathe
will not attempt to picture the life of |
the tub after leaving the factory. There is