JONSON'S SASH AND DOOR FACTORY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 6, 21 September 1880, Page 2

JONSON'S SASH AND DOOR FACTORY.

# Hitherto large sums of money have beon annually seat out of Foxton for the purchase of windows, doors, and similar articles, but there is every probability that in future the money will remain in the place, Mr Andrew Jonson having purchased and erected a plant capable of executing all those branches of the building and cabinet making trade. On Friday afternoon our representative went over the establishment, and (ho working of the various machines was fully explained by Mr Jonson. To accommodate the new plant Mr Jonson has erected a building at at rear of his shop, the dimensions being 35 feet x 20 feet. The motive power is Bteam, tho engine being a horizontal of 3-horse power nominal, which the Inspector of Machinery nas given permission to work up to 9-horse power. The makers are Messrs Barrett, Exail and Andrew, whose names are sufficient guarantee of tho quality of the engine. The boiler is set outside tho main building, and the engine occupies one comer, and has a very the cleau,tieat,well-kept appearance. Except ironwork and bolts the whole of the drums, pulleys, and other gear have been made and Sited by Mr Jonson, assisted by his brother. We should also mention the engine its- If was put into order by Mr Jonson, who np • pears to be quite aufait in tho working of the steam engine. At the time our reporter visited the factory, Mr Jonson was working the twin saws, cutting limber ready for being worked up into doors. The saws were comparatively small, being 8 inches from the centre tothecirctimferer.ee, but Mr Jonson informed u< he has a saw II inches deep, so that heavy pieces of timber can be c; t. After finishing the work he was engaged on Mr Jonson took out one saw, and the other literally " walked through " some heavy totara limber in a very few minutes, the cut being a model of smoothness. The gear was then placed upon the frame saw, v little thin affair which in Mr Jon>on's hands speedily changed a rough lump of wood into a very neat sofa end, tho saw working .around the curves with rcmaikahle case. The Lithe was then conned ed with the engine, and in about five minutes Mr Jonson placed in our h.inds a handsome tablo leg, which he had before our eyes made out of n rough piece of rimu. He has also a heavy moriising machine, and a very large face turner, for making architraves, circular tables, &c. The only thing in the whole shop worked by hand is tho mortising machine, everything else being driven by stenm. Tho whole plant is exceedingly complete, and considering the machinery had been erected only two or three days at the time of our visit it worked with wonderful smoothness. Ihe erection of the plant described we regard is si step in the rijrht direction, nnd doubt • less Mr Jonson will re:ip the reward of hU enterprise in a very large increase iv his business.