How Shingles are Made.
In making shingles on a large scale the logs are first cut into blocks by what is termed the "band" saw. They are then taken to the "knee-bolter," where the bark and sap are cut off, making the blocks smooth on all sides. From the knee-bolter they are carried to the "power-feed machine," where a piece is cut out at each movement that is the exact thickness of the shingle. They then drop into a "carrier," where they are transported to the "knot-sawyers," who cut out all knots and even up the edges. They are then packed into bunches, whence they are taken to the "dry kiln" to dry. Only the "red-cedar shingle" is manufactured in this (the southwestern) part of the State. Every bunch has to be weighed when taken from the dry kiln, after which it is loaded on cars and shipped to different parts of the United States. The average mill employs from twelve to twenty men.
Ruel M. Nims.
Cosmopolis, Wash.