The creation of these mills was purely upon the principle previously described by Mr. Esplin who so signally failed in its application. Plainly it was evident that to secure a nervous, sensitive and constant strain on a band saw, it was imperative to reduce the weight upon the straining levers to the least possible quantity consistent with strength, and to make all the pivotal points as near frictionless as possible by the intervention of knife edges or ball bearings; and while it was impossible to reduce the weight to a point so as to accomplish an automatic adjustment as quick as a flash, it is a fact, nevertheless, that in the Prescott mills of that date a strain was automatically maintained sufficient to successfully accomplish the work of sawing lumber accurately and in acceptable quantities. And these were the mills that set the pace for all other builders and revolutionized saw mill constructions.
PRESCOTT BAND SAW MILL
Patented September 13, 1887; over 150 built and most of them are
in service at the present time, 1910
PRESCOTT BAND SAW MILL
Patented November 26, 1889, with set-off for increased space
from saw line to column. 8 foot wheels, 12 inch saws
The light metallic top wheel with its shaft, runs in boxes mounted on plungers, and from them stems lead down to the straining levers, and all were made as light as possible. Characteristically about all band mills now employ this system, and whether they have a single column or a double column, the arrangement is substantially the same.
We often read of big day’s work performed by some make of band mill, but it is proper to say that the day’s work performed in the saw mill of the North Wisconsin Lumber Co. at Hayward, Wis., has never been equaled. This was done by two of Prescott’s No. 3 mills, being the second one illustrated, as follows:
NORTH WISCONSIN LUMBER COMPANY
Hayward, Wis., Aug. 23, 1893.
D. CLINT PRESCOTT.
Dear Sir:—The North Wisconsin Lumber Company made the following cut: August 22, 1893, with two Prescott Band Mills only, 609 selected logs, scaled full. Average 1.97 to 1,000 feet, 309,400 feet.
Lumber scale, 1 inch, 45,236 1¼ and 2 inch, 294,077 339,313 feet The cut of August 22nd shows what can be done with large logs, and the cutting was as perfectly done as any day’s cut we ever made. W. H. Elliott, Superintendent of Valley Lumber Co., Eau Claire, and A. L. Ulrich, of Rice Lake Lumber Co., will vouch for the cut of August 22nd, as well as Captain Rogers, our Superintendent, and myself.
Yours truly,
R. L. McCORMICK,
Secretary N. W. L. Co.