AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SAWS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Bennett Howell, of Sheffield, in the
County of York, Steel Manufacturer, and William Jamieson, of
Ashton-under-Line, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist, for
the Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF SAWS."
Sealed the 9th November 1858, and dated the 25th July 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Bennett
Howell and William Jamieson at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 25th July 1853.
We, JOSEPH BENNETT HOWELL, of Sheffield, in the County of York,
Steel Manufacturer, and WILLIAM JAMIESON, of Ashton-under-Line, in
the County of Lancaster, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
PACTURE OF SAWS" to be as follows:-
It consists in the application and adaptation of a certain machine or
combination of machinery or apparatus to the purpose of facilitating and
perfecting the manufacture of saws.
One part of this machine consists in a punching apparatus, the punch

page_text: and its die being of such a form as to punch or cut out the notches or
spaces by which the teeth of the saw are formed. It is combined or
not, as may be required, with a shearing or cutting apparatus, the
actionof which is to give a correct straight or curvelinear form to the
edge of the plate of metal, on which the teeth are to be cut.
Another part of the machine consists in the directing apparatus, by
which fresh portions of the plate of metal are brought successively under
the action of the punching and shearing apparatus. The punching
and shearing apparatus is actuated by a cam or eccentric on a re-
volving shaft, kept in motion by a steam engine or other adequate
power, whilst another cam on the same shaft gives motion to the
directing apparatus. The operation of punching or cutting out the
notches and moving forward fresh portions of the plate of metal taking
place alternately.
A third part of our Invention consists in the application of a rotatory
file or files, by the action of which any roughnesses on the surface of
the teeth of the saw are removed.
We combine this part of our Invention with the other parts so as
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Bennett Howell and William Jamieson
in the Great Seal Patent Office, on the 23rd January 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we,
JOSEPH BENNETT HOWELL, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Steel
Manufacturer, and WILLIAM JAMIESON, of Ashton-under-Lyne, in the
County of Lancaster, Machinist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of July, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the seven-
tcentl year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said Joseph Bennett Howell and William.
Jamieson, ler special license that we, the said Joseph Bennett Howell
and William Jamieson, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or

page_text: such others as we, the said Joseph Bennett Howell and William
Jamieson, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, shot and lawfully might make,
usc, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SAWS," upon
the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Joseph Bennett
Howell and William Jamieson, by an instrument in writing under our
hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Joseph Bennett Howell and
William Jamieson, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, that is
to say:
It consists in the application and adaptation of a certain machine or
combination of machinery or apparatus to the purpose of facilitating and
perfecting the manufacture of saws.
One part of this machine consists in a punching apparatus, the punch
and its die being of such a form as to punch or cut out the notches or
spaces by which the teeth of the saw are formed. It is combined or
not, as may be required, with a shearing or cutting apparatus, the
action of which is to give a correct straight or curvilinear form to the
elge of the plate of metal on which the teeth are to be cut.
Another part of the machine consists in the directing apparatus.
by which fresh portions of the plate of metal are brought suc-
cessively under the action of the punching and shearing apparatus.
The punching and shearing apparatus is actuated by a cam or
eccentric on a revolving shaft, kept in motion by a steam engine or
other adequate power, whilst another cam on the same shaft gives
motion to the directing apparatus. The operation of punching or

page_text: cutting out the notches and moving forward fresh portions of the plate
taking place alternately.
A third part of our Invention consists in the application of a rotatory
file or files, by the action of which any roughnesses on the surface of
the teeth of the saw are removed. We combine this part of our Inven-
tion with the other parts so as to form a single machine, or use it
separately, as may be required.
In order to make our Invention more clearly understood we have
hereunto annexed two Sheets of Drawings marked I. and II., to which.
and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, the following
description relates. It being premised that in all cases where the same
letters of reference or letters and figures conjoined are found they indi-
cate the same parts of the machinery or apparatus. Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 5, are on a scale of two tenths of an inch to one inch; Figure 4,
on a scale of four tenths of an inch to one inch; and Figures 6, and 7,
are on a scale of full size.
Fig. 1, represents a side elevation of a machine in which our improve-
ments are exhibited as applied to the manufacture of circular saws;
Fig. 2, a front elevation; and Fig. 3, a plan of the upper part or table
of the machine. A, A, &c., the two end frames or standards of the
machine; A', A 1, vertical cross rail for connecting the two standards
together; A, A., bottom cross rail; A", A., &c., the platform or
table of the machine, which is supported by the two standards A, A, &c.;
B, B, a headstock, which carries the hollow axis B, B'; on this
hollow axis are the fast and loose pulleys or riggers B³ B³, on
which the strap or band acts which gives motion to the machine; B³,
a fly wheel at the outer end of the hollow axis B, B', for regulating
the motion of the machine, and which is constructed so as occasionally.
to answer the purpose of a strap pulley; C, C, the punching headstock,
which carries the mechanism for punching or cutting out the spaces or
notches by which the teeth of the saw are formed, with which is also
combined, when necessary, the cutting or shearing apparatus. This
punching headstock is shewn more at large in Fig. 4, where it is
represented with the front plate removed the better to shew the internal
arrangement. C, C, a shaft, having a longitudinal groove nearly

page_text: the whole of its length. This shaft (slides through the hollow axis B, 'B',
and is carried round with it by means of a feather or pin which enters
the longitudinal groove. By means of this contrivance and a slot in the
table or platform A, the punching headstock C, C, can be placed in
any position along the middle of the table (to suit the size of the circular
saw to be manufactured), and clamped fast by means of a bolt passing
through the slot. C, a cam or eccentric fixed ou the shaft C, and
which actuates the slide C, which has at its lower extremity a pre-
paration to receive the punch C4, and the shearing tool C 5. These
tools, when adjusted, are secured by means of set screws. C 6, a
preparation on the frame of the headstock to receive the die, which
Correspond to the punch C4, and also the under shearing tool. The
puuch C4, and its die are of such a form as to punch or cut out the
spaces or notches by which the teeth of the saw are formed. The die
and under shearing tool are adjusted and secured by means of set
screws. D, D, a vertical shaft or axis, at the upper end of which is
fixed the plate of metal which is to form the circular saw. It carries
the ratchet wheel D, D, which must have as many teeth in it as
there are intended to be in the circular saw to be made. It is moved
forward one tooth at a time by the cam B4, on the hollow axis
B1, B1. For this purpose the cam gives motion to the lever B 5, on
the vertical axis B 6, which has at its lower end the arm B7. This
arm gives motion to the lever D8, by means of a connecting rod D 2,
the quantity of motion being regulated by means of an adjusting plate
attached to the arm B 7. The lever D 8, carries the click or catch D4,
which takes into the teeth of the ratchet wheel D 1, D 1, with
which it is held in contact by means of a spring. D 5, another
click or catch, which also takes into the teeth of the ratchet wheel
D1, D1, which it secures or retains each time the wheel is moved
forward by the action of the .cam B4. The catch D5, is held in
contact with the ratchet wheel by a spring, and turns on a centre
secured to the cross rail A 1. The ratchet wheel D1, D1, and the
mechanisui connected with it, are for the most part shewn by dotted
lines in Fig. 3. D 6, 16, a friction pulley fixed on the vertical axis
D, D; this pulley is embraced by the friction brake D7, D7, which

page_text: is composed of two straps of metal connected together by two screw
bolts, by means of which the friction of the brake on the pulley is
regulated. One end of one of the straps is elongated so as to form
an arm or lever D 8, to the end of which is attached the spring D 9,
at the opposite end of which spring is a tightening screw, which passes
through a filbow attached to the underside of the platform A 3, A 3.
The quantity of the friction of the brake D 7, D7, and tension of the
spring D 9, being regulated as described, the action is obviously to
hold the ratchet wheel D 1, D 1, firmly against the catch D5, at the
time when the cam B4, is drawing back the catch D 4, in order to
engage a fresh tooth of the ratchet wheel. As the ratchet wheel is
moved forward the spring D9, becomes lightened until its tension is
sufficient to overcome the friction of the brake on the pulley D 6, D6;
the brake then slips on the pulley. and the tension of the spring is
diminished, until it is again tightened by the action of the cam B 4, on
the ratchet wheel D 1, D 1. D10, D 10, the plate of metal which is
to form the circular saw. It is firmly held betwixt the two plates
D11, and D 12, which revolve with the vertical axis D. The punch-
ing headstock C, C, is fixed in such a position that the punch C4,
and shearing tool C5, are enabled to act upon the edge of the plate
D10, D10, which has been previously brought to somewhat near a
circular form. It will be seen that the cams C2, and B4, are placed
in such positions with respect to each other that when the cam C2,
is forcing the punch C4, through the plate of metal the cam B4, is
in the act of drawing back the lever DS, to enable the catch D4, to
take hold of or engage a fresh tooth of the ratchet wheel D 1, D 1,
and that when the cam C2, by its reverse action has withdrawn the
punch C 4, clear of the plate of metal the cam B4, reacts on the
catch D 4, and consequently moves forward the ratchet wheel D 1, D 1,
one tooth. By this means a fresh portion of the plate D 10, D 10, is
brought within range of the action of the punch C4, and the process
is repeated as before. This is continued until the teeth are formed all
round the saw being then complete is removed, and a fresh plate
substituted in its place.
Fig. 5, represents a plan of a machine in which our improvements

page_text: are exhibited as applied to the manufacture of reciprocating or straight
edged saws, the cutting edges of which have a straight or curvelinear
form. E, E, a bed plate fixed on the platform A 3, and on which
slides the sliding plate E 1. E 1. Attached to this sliding plate are
two plates E 2, E 2, between which is firmly held the plate of nietal
E 3, E 3, which is to form the saw. The two plates 1) 11, and D 12,
are removed from the top of the vertical axis D, D, and the pulley
D 18, substituted in their place. One end of the chain D 14, D 14,
is attached to the pulley D 13, and the other end to the pin or stud or
filbow E 4, on the sliding plate E 1, E 1. Underneath the sliding
plate E 1, E 1, and at the opposite end, is attached a cord or chain,
which passes over a pulley (fixed in an apperture in the bed plate E, E,
and platform A 3, A. 8), and thence downwards, having a weight
attached to the end. The operation of the weight is obviously to
act against or extend the chain D 14, D14, and consequently in
proportion as the chain is coiled on the pulley D 13, the weight is
raised. The effect of this arrangement is therefore to cause the
sliding plate E 1, E 1, (and also the two plates E2, E2, and plate
of metal E 3, E 3.) to have a forward motion corresponding to the
circular motion of the pulley D 18. The front edge of the plate E 1, E1,
is straight or curved (according as the cutting edge of the saw is
straight or curved), and bears against two pins or studs on the bed
plate E, E. The back edge of the plate E 1, E 1, (or that next to the
pulley D 13.) is pressed upon by a friction roller on a lever E 5, E 5,
which turns on a centre on the bed plate E, E; at the opposite end of
the lever is a tightening screw, which acts on the lever through the
intervention of a worm spring. By this means the front edge of the
sliding plate E 1, E1, is kept in contact with the two studs before
mentioned, whilst at the same time a free motion endwise is per-
nitted. The arrangement of the vertical axis D, D, and the ratchet
wheel D1, D1, is the same as already described, it being observed
that the number of teeth in the ratchet wheel D1, D1, and the dia-
meter of the pulley D 13, must be so regulated as to give the proper
number and pitch to the teeth of the saw to be manufactured. Also,
if it is required that the pitch of the teeth should vary betwixt the two

page_text: ends and middle of the saw, this may be effected by making the pulley
D 13, more or less eccentric. With this arrangement the friction pulley
D:6, D6, may be dispensed with, the other parts of the apparatus re-
maining the same as before described. The punching headstock C, C,
being fixed so as to allow the punch and shearing tool to act on the edge
of the plate of metal E 3, E 3, the ratchet wheel D 1, D 1, is turned
backwards; the sliding plate E 1, E 1, has in consequence a correspond-
ing movement given to it by the descent of the weight before described.
When it has been carried so far back as to bring that part of the
plate E 8, E8, where the teeth are to commence under the punch and
shearing tool, the ratchet wheel D 1, D1, is secured by the catch D 5.
The hollow axis B 1, B-1, being now put in motion, the plate E 3, E 3,
is carried forward, and the teeth formed in the same manner as already
described in the case of the circular saw. When the whole of the
teeth are finished the saw is removed, and a fresh plate being substi-
tuted in its place, the operation is repeated as before. We would
observe that we do not confine ourselves to the use of the ratchet
wheel D1, D1, as other means may be employed to answer the same
purpose. For instance, we sometimes substitute a worm wheel, which
is acted upon by a worm combined with change wheels on pinions (by
which the fineness or pitch of the teeth of the saw is regulated), and
a small ratchet wheel which is put in motion by the cam B4. Neither
do we confine ourselves to the use of the pulley D 13, and chain D 14,
D 14, as the same end may be attained by using a rack combined with
a toothed wheel or wheels. Neither do we confine ourselves to the
use of two cams or eccentrics, as one cam may be arranged so as to
actuate the punch and shearing tool, and also to give motion at the
proper time to the directing apparatus. Neither do we confine our-
selves, in the case of reciprocating saws, to the use of the vertical
shaft D, D, and its appurtenances, as we sometimes use a directing
apparatus of the following construction instead:-A series of ratchet
teeth are formed on the back edge of the sliding plate E1, E 1. Two
clicks or catches are arranged so as to take into these ratchet teeth so as
to retain the sliding plate E 1, E 1, alternately. The direction of the
ratchet teeth being such that the action of the catches is to prevent the

page_text: forward motion of the sliding plate. The weight with its band or
chain (before described) is retained, but its position and action on the
sliding plate is reversed, so as now to press the sliding plate forward,
and so to hold it firmly against one or other of the catches, as the case
may be. When the machine is at work the catches are lifted alter-
nately by means of a cam provided for that purpose, the sliding plate
moving forwards when one catch is lifted until it is retained by the
other, and in consequence fresh portions of the plate of inctal are
brought successively under the action of the punching and shearing
apparatus before described.
The next part of our Invention consists in the application of a
rotatory file or files for the purpose of removing the roughnesses
and filing up the teeth of saws used in saw gins for ginning cotton,
and other saws, which require to be treated in a similar manner.
The construction and application of these files will be understood
from Figs. 6, and 7. Fig. 6, representing a plau, and Fig. 7;
an end view of two rotatory files as arranged and adjusted when in
operation on the teeth of the saw; G, G, a portion of a saw plate in
which the teeth are partially cut (shewn in section in Fig. 7). G1, a
rotatory file which acts on the upper side of the saw plate, and G 2;
another rotatory file which acts on the lower side of the saw plate.
The form of these rotatory files is similar to that of two frustums of
cones or solids of a conical form, the bases of which are placed toge-
ther, forming an angular edge all round from which the bevil or slant
surfaces slope both ways. On these slant surfaces the file teeth are cut
all round, the form of the surfaces being such that while one of them
removes the rough edge or arris from the back of one tooth the other
removes it from the front of the next. The action of the two rotatory
files are simultaneous, the rough edges of the upper side of the teeth
being removed by the upper file, and the rough edges of the lower side
of the teeth being removed by the lower one. It will be seen that the
two rotatory files cannot operate in the same space or notch between the
saw teeth at the same time, but are placed so as to operate in notchés
a tooth or two distant one from the other. G 3, a shaft or axis on
which the rotatory file G, is fixed; and G, a shaft or axis on which

page_text: the rotatory file G, is fixed. These two shafts are geered together by
means of toothed wheels so as to operate both at the same time, and
are fixed in a framic which turns on a centre or swivel. To this frame,
and consequently to the rotatory files, a vibratory angular motion is
given by means of a cam. When the files have removed the rough-
nesses from the edges of the teeth with which they are in contact they
are withdrawn clear of the saw by the action of this cam. The saw
is then moved forward the space of one tooth by means of the direct-
ing apparatus, which being done, the rotatory files are each reinserted
in fresh spaces or notches, and the operation is repeated as before, and
this is continued until the roughnesses are removed from every tooth
of the saw. When the rotatory files are combined with the machine
shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, they are arranged so as to operate at the
same time as the punching and shearing apparatus; when the punch
and shearing tool are raised so as to clear the plate of metal, the
rotatory files are withdrawn at the same time, so as to allow the plate
to be moved forward the space of a tooth, as before described. In this
case the rotatory files may be actuated by means of a strap or band
from the fly wheel B 8, and as they are brought into action simulta-
neously with the punch and shearing tool the same cam may be
made to actuate both. But it is obvious that the rotatory files and
their appurtenances may be arranged so as to constitute a separate
machine, if required.
By means of the mechanism above described we are enabled to
manufacture saws of every description with great facility, the accu-
racy of the workmanship being at the same time of a superior descrip-
tion to what is produced by the usual and common process.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and how it is to
be performed, we would have it understood that what we claim as new
and of our Invention to be as follows:-
First, we claim the application of the punching headstock C, C, in
combination with the directing apparatus (that is, the vertical shaft D,
D, and its appurtenances, as applied to the manufacture of circular
saws, as set forth and described.
Second, we claim the application of the punching headstock C, C, in

page_text: combination with the directing apparatus (that is, the slide E 1, E1,
in connexion with the vertical shaft D, D, and its appurtenances, or
the substitute or substitutes for the same,) as applied to the manufac-
ture of reciprocating saws, as set forth and described.
Third, we claim the application of rotatory files for the purpose of
removing the roughnesses and filing up the teeth of saws, cither in com-
bination with the other parts of the mechanism, or as a separate
machine, as set forth and described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Joseph Bennett Howell and
William Jamieson, have hereunto set our hands and seals,
this Twenty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
WILLIAM JAMIESON.
(L.S.)
5 Signed by the within-named
Joseph Bennett Howell and
William Jamieson in the pre-
sence of
Taux Dom
T
WILLIAM JAMIESON.
(L.S.)
Signed by the within-named
Joseph Bennett Howell and
William Jamieson in the pre-
sence of
JOHN POTTEN, CE,
9, Corporation Street,
Manchester.
sence of
pre-
JOHN POTTEN, C.,
9, Corporation Street,
Manchester.