Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-11-16

-" lSo'ic as tney dodge by q pack
ing case at the front OF store. have
any idea OF the manner in wAich II Is
manufactured. Some who LEI tho subj
Ject rest in their minds for a moment
may have the idea that they are
manufactured in much the sarn.. ,l7f,n
ner that y house is built. that is each
piece is fitted 10 the other. the sole
purpose Of the builder being to make
that particular box. That this is not
the case was brought to- mind when
the plant Of Glidden Brothers was
seen in fun operation.
The plant was formerly located in
the city at q place where it was
supposed il would remain for Il num-
Der OF years or until the lease ran out.
Owing to certain changes the firm did
ret remain in those quarters, but re-
moved To the location of the oil cloth
factory near the Augusta line where
they bought q part OF the plant for-
ncrly owned by Alderman Sewa.l be-
fore its destruction by fire. At present
the firm occupy the brick building
which the fire did not destroy. They
moved into this about a lnonth ago
and are nov doing business at that
stand. Ii is here that the rough lurn-
! Der is taken III at one end and turned
out at the other end III the manu-
featured state.
The power, which is supplied by an
| electric motor. is sufficient 10 run :
much larger plant, but for
AL that it is really no more
than is needed. as there is no
hating or putting of the engine when
, the machines are subjected TO unusual
strain.
Near the planer at the lower end Of
the shop. IS pile OF lumber IL the
rough. These boards are ran through
the planer which is connected with q
blower. By means o. this tn" shavirgs
are carried outside OF the building in
such a thorough mannev that even
after "a days work there is but little
waste left on the floor.
When taken out the boards ere
rlarcd on botn sides. They are then
passed along to the machine by which
they are sawed into the proper lengths
for the boxes into which they are to BE-
manufactured. These boards are not
sawed one at q time as might b. sup
i posed. Rather several are cut together
IS in this manner there is ii great
saving of time and labor III handling
the lumber. \ remarkable thing noted
IS that from half q dozen boards there
was so little waste that q person VIII,
was given that for lIindling a fire
would study the drafts OF his stove
some time before trying to generate
heat from that small amount o. fuel.
Next the boards were passed 70 .
machine where the lumber is trimmed
+ to the right width. If one board va:
4; not wide enough for the top or the
! side Of box then TWO were used and
/ sawed to the right width. /: left in
this state the boards would not form q
dust-tight box. To overcome this they
are taken to the next machine. Her
/ The tJro pieces are placed one between
| each set of rollers at the bottom OF
/ which We're knives. When the Doarcs
had left this machine they were
grooved and tongued. dozen OF these
narha,,s were placed SIDE By side III 2
pile and when til. lot was Completed
they were struck sharply with "a nam
mer and driven together So mat on
board was apparently formed from
two.
Even then the boards are not OF the
' right length and are sent 10 another
machine. Here several circular saw
are mounted on one long shaft. Even
with the machinery in motion these
saws can be moved SO tnat they may
~. any distance apart. Then with hal;
:, dozen saws revolving in front OF MIN
me orarator places half a dozen pieces
Of lumber upon the table and when
that is moved forward the boards arc
cut into the right lengths for the TOP
hottoru. ends and sides Of the box. Inc
lumber is then ready to be assembled
In places where the plant employs
i lar.r,- number OF men the naming IL
done by machinery. This IS aoFan-
tareo;,s where boxes CT only one o.
mensiou are made. but III the case %
this particular plant where thefe 1
| such = variation IN sizes iron! GAY -
| day. the mailing can be dom hE hah'
to much better advantage. Nhen ms
! box has passed through the hancS -
tho mailer ii is ready to ID" sent 70 M
snoe. manufacturers who use me case
in shipping their goods y uiilSlcn
! parts OF the country.
The iirnl have bought enough OF 'ht
surrounding property to enanse theii
70 make extensions Of the plAnt
, necessary. but there is sufficient room
1T the present time to allow thelh "'''
n crew of three men to finish 3eo cast
a dav or to use up 1900 feet of lumber
nv the addition of one more nachih
r. they will be able to double the anlo"i'
of work they can turn out i'i'e
u,tla farther from town than former
Nv the firm are now able to turn on
three times the amount OF "oih 81,
,va-e previously able TO co. Al u"
present time the firm supply 'he ai''
,nons in Gardiner and H2lloWeii' ans
also make large number OF tonnt'
hoxas. The contract for FURNISHING II
Gardiner firm with shoe boxes va
. Gained through the quality Of the woEi
in tae making of the boxes ana IN
r,ro,rptness in delivery
II is the intention OF the hrm H,e
ON 70 make an addition to the PLANK d,
which they will be able TO TAKE IN
,o,rs from the river and pass the iuli.
rer through the various stages uhti
Il comes out a finished box ready 10
= delivery. ,.,..
/ Tho members of the firm, are hustler
,,d II is expected that In short tim
i - o,,,city OF the plant viii ne great