124 



THE SAWMILL 



(E) THE TRIMMER. In large mills, trimming follows edging. In small mills, edging follows trimming. 



1. Parts of ttie trimmer are:- 



(a) One or several circular saws about 18 inches in diameter. A one-saw trimmer is called a "cutoff;" 



(b) Feed works, viz. live rolls or carriage or barbed chains running over sprocket wheels; 



(c) Table. 



Trimmer. Whelaiid Machine 

 Works, Chattanooga, Tenn. 



II. Task of the trimmer is:- 



(a) The shortening of boards to standard lengths allowing 2 inches extra for shrinkage; 



(b) The removal of defects at either end, so as to raise a board into a higher grade; 



(c) The cutting of straight ends. 



III. Pointers. 



(a) Where two saws are used, the distance between them is changed by a lever or by a screw 

 wheel, shifting one of the saws, while it is in motion, along the shaft; 



(b) Chain power fed trimmers are used 

 in all large mills. The saws are 

 either jump saws, easily pushed from 

 below the table, or swing saws, 

 hanging above the table and, simi- 

 larly, pressed down by the attendant 

 by a touch on hand or foot levers. 



(F) YARD WORK (SORTING AND 

 PILING). 



I. Sorting. The board after leaving the 

 trimmer is taken up by a chain or cable con- 

 veyor and passes by the lumber inspector, who 

 pencil-marks its quality. 



The various qualities are either at once 

 thrown into parallel gutter conveyors, leading 

 to separate chutes, below which a waggon or 

 truck is in waiting, or are transferred to the 

 piles by endless chain conveyors, by hand 



Yellow poplar lumber yard of the Biltmore Estate. 



