The record-union., 1896-06-14


terror finish of cars are turned out in
various patterns, by means of compli-
Gated machines operated by skillful
mechanics The sash, doors and screens
are made of the very best material, Sc
lected for the purpose, consisting OF OAK
walnut. ash and mahogany, which is
first cut into proper sizes by the ma
chine hands and then passed to the
planer, where each of the four sides is
carefully smoothed.
The stiles, or upright pieces are NOR
ticed by a machine designed for the
purpose, and the rails or cross pieces
are taken to the tenOning machine,
where the ends are cut to fit the NOR
tees, after which they are passed
through a universal molding machine,
or sticker which furnishes the edges
with molding and rabbet ready for the
glass. They are then ready for the
cabinet-maker, who fits, planes. scrapes
and CLUES them together ready to be
fitted into the car.
The window blinds, which form such
an important part of the passenger car
in protecting the passenger from the
too kindly rays of the sun, are also
made by the cabinet After go
ing through the various processes be-
on to be slotted for the reception Of the
many Stats by a machine designed for
that particular purpose by General
Foreman Victor Lemay. The machine
works automatically; mas a hand and
foot lever attachment, and may be ad-
justed so as to cut any angle or width
desired. 1t is geared to make 1000 rev.
olutions a minute, and is one Of the first
ldbor-saving machines now in use at
the shops. After leaving the machine
the bench hands put the finishing
touches to the blinds in the usual man
ner, and they are ready for the car.
Next in order comes the seat frames,
which go so far toward securing COM
fort to the traveller. They are cut,
shaped, turned and ornamentally
carved-as are also the skeleton seat
back frames-and fitted together before
being sent to the upholsterers' depart
ment, where the cushions are added,
making the whole into one Of the most
comfortable things to be met with while
making journey.
The bent wood holdings on seats are
also prepared here. After being cut
into the sizes desired they are placed in
steam boiler and thoroughly cooked,
which renders the material pliable.
They are then screwed onto form, or
pa tern, to give them the desired sha pc,
and not removed until dry and set,
when they follow the course of all other
material which goes through the hands
Of the deft cabinet-makers.
Besides all this, the office furniture
used throughout the Southern Pacific
system is manufactured in this depart
ment, including tables, desks, pigeon
holes, telegraph tables and ticket cases
of all sizes.
And here also is turned out the wood
wood for hand-cars, section-cars and
all kinds of railroad velocipede- cars /;
hundreds Of each kind being built an
| nually. Baggage trucks, steam trucks,
| freight trucks, etc, are also made here,
as well as all station and crossing
signs, and everything of a similar ma
ture.
One of the greatest labor and mate
| rial saving machines now at use in the
| shops is to be found in the cabinet
| shop. 1t is a plugcutting machine,
and has been in use several years. By
| its use all scrap lumber is worked up.
1t cuts out and cuts off and joints the
| plug at one and the same operation
and the plug itself is used to plug up old
| spike holes in railroad ties, thus pro-
| longing their usefulness. The machine
will cut from 10000 to $4,000 plugs a
day, and was invented by General
! Foreman Lemay.
The force of machine hands, cabinet
makers, carvers and turner's employed
in the shop are experienced and re-
| liable, and the work they turn off daily
is excelled nowhere in the United
States. Their names follow:
William Woolston, Foreman; ]. P
Brendel. L. w. Grothen, Assistant
/ r-~.~o,,,ar