SOTPEA
Some Interesting Sawmill Terms
carriage ...a unit comprising of headblocks,setworks, frame and wheels that moves the log back and forth through the saw.
head block...a unit that is attached to the carriage comprising of bolster, knee and dog that moves the log into the saw by action of the set works to determine the thickness of the cut.
bolster...the stationary portion of the headblock that the log lays on. knee... the moving upright portion of the headblock that moves the log into the saw determining board thickness.
dog...a pointed moving part that travels up and down the knee to bite into the log and hold it to the knee.
set\vorks...a mechanism that converts rotary motion to linear motion to move the knee back and forth.
husk...a frame attached to the track that houses the saw, saw mandrel, and feedworks.
feedworks...a mechanism that through belts, gears, cable,and drum is operated by the sawyer that moves the carriage and log back and forth through the saw.
sawyer...the person who operates the mill and makes judgments on how to saw the log.
deckman...the person who keeps logs on the deck and helps the sawyer put logs onto the carriage.
offbearer...the person who removes lumber from the mill (may also grade, sort, and stack lumber).
board...a wide faced piece of lumber I" in thickness or less. piank...a wide faced piece of lumber more than 1" in thickness. board foot...Bd. Ft. -12"X12"X1" thick-144 sq. inches surface area 1"
thick.
' cant.,..a log sawn on two or more opposing sides.
wane...bark on the edge for the board.
flitch...a board with bark or wane on the edge.
slab...the outer bark covered piece first sawn from the outside of the log.
sa\vdust...the stuff, lies, tales, stories, bull,that comes out of the mouths of
sawmill people whenever they get together.
"Alabama No. 4"
By E.A.Mahoney
This thirty foot, three ton, eighty year old, steam powered boat is a sight to behold and a true pleasure to ride for both old and young, steam enthusiast or not
The Manitowoc Boat Company in Wisconsin built the Alabama No. 4 in 1915. Originally powered by oars and seating fifty people, the craft was built as one of five lifeboats for the SS Alabama, a cruise ship that sailed Lake Michigan until it was decommissioned in 1948.
In the late 1950's, a gentleman by the name of Walters bought the boat and converted it to steam using a "1900's" boiler and "1910" steam engine which were fired by coal. During the time Mr. Walters had the vessel, he used it as a plaything on the Kalamazoo River near Holland, Michigan.
The boat was then bought by the La Porte County Historical Steam Society in Hesston, Indiana; were it sat untouched for about twenty-five years until the present owner, Jim Kinkaide, bought the boat and began restoring it. Primary restoration was completed by Kinkaide and a friend. Homer "Pee Wee" Wortman. Several months before the project was completed another friend, Ritch Williams, joined the project. This original restoration included changing the fire system from coal to kerosene. This made the operation of the boat much safer, cleaner and less labor intensive. The rebuilding also included new seating, decking, canopy and railings. In short, with the exception of the hull, everything was replaced or rebuilt.
In April of 1996, the restored craft made its maiden voyage on Simonton Lake in Elkhart, Indiana. It was just prior to this time that another friend, Ed Mahoney, joined the crew. Since then a number of modifications have been made. Those include upgrading the fire system to propane and the installation of a new 'code' boiler. These changes have helped make the craft much safer, as well as cleaner burning and more efficient.
Kinkaide, the Director of R&D for Wells Cargo, Inc., a utility trailer manufacturer based in Elkhart, says, "without their (Wells Cargo) support, this monumental task could not have been completed, as most of the restoration work has taken place within one of Wells Cargo's warehouses. " Kinkaide also said that he "owes Wells Cargo a great deal of thanks and gratitude for allowing him to pursue this project."
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SCOTTS' OLDE TYME POWER AND EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATION
