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every method of manufacture although the details differ some- 
what in order to suit the various stones. The process consists of 
but two parts: (1) the rough shaping of the stone to the desired 
form, (2) the rubbing down of these rough stones to a smooth 
finish which is always accomplished with sand and water. Thus 
simple is the entire process. In the early history of whetstones 
it is quite probable that the grinding with sand and water on a 
smooth surface comprised the greater part of the process, and 
even now it takes much time and labor. Since, however, it has 
become customary to first saw the stones into shape, the grind- 
ing has been much reduced. At present the cutting is done by 
means of gang-saws, while the rub-wheel is employed in the 
abrading process. In the factory at Manlius they have eight pair 
of gang-saws, also three rub-wheels, and so successful is the in- 
dustry that all are kept running constantly. 
THE Ganc-Saw consists of a rectangular frame in which 
strips of iron one-eighth of an inch in thickness, three inches in 
width, and some ten feet in length, are placed edgewise at the 
desired distances apart, and parallel to the long sides of the rect- 
angle. This machine is suspended in a horizontal position over 
the bed on which the stone to be sawed is placed, but attached to 
another framework sliding in oiled grooves; the latter is fastened 
at the four corners by chains which pass over wheels in the solid 
woodwork above and attached to an axle at about the center and 
top of the machine. To the wheel of the axle is attached a rope 
also passing over wheels at or near the end of the gang, and to 
the other end of this is fastened an adjustable weight. By means 
of this contrivance the gang-saw may be very easily raised, for 
simply pressing down on this weight turns the wheel and axle, 
winds up the chains, raises the sliding framework, and thus lifts 
the gang-saw attachment. By means of the adjustable weight 
which is always lighter than the framework and gang, the saws 
are kept constantly and steadily at work with a pressure equal 
to the difference of the two weights. While this machine, which 
is known as the Rope and Chain Gang, may seem a trifle cumber- 
some it has the great advantage of regulating itself to the char- 
