I.B.McQuesten Esq.
Hamilton, Ont.

Dear Sir,

In the early part of the week I send you a sample tool for Trimming Band Saws.¹ To fully understand which requires some explanation. To enable me to do this, I have made a rough sketch.

a.a.² are the files for dressing the saw and are "cut" on both sides, so that when the one side is worn out then the other can be used.

b.b. are "set" screws for [??] [out??] springs [which??] are on the inside. These springs are adjusted for the thickness of the blade, and are for the purpose of keeping the blade equidistant from the files on each side so as not to affect the regular set of the saw. Hence if the teeth are very regular, the tooth will pass along without affecting them, but if there is a projecting tooth a irregularity[?] and the file will dress it off. The proper way being to adjust the files to the set of the teeth by means of the Screw [Ch??] and then throw out the inside springs by means of the screws b.b. allowing sufficient space for the blade to pass through easily. Care being taken to have both springs project equally so as to keep the saw in the centre thereby having the same set on both sides of the saw.

c Is the screw for opening and closing the jaws.

d Is a screw for preventing the jaws from coming together after being set[?]. With ordinary care the spiral spring surrounding (C) is sufficient to the object. But as a surety all that is necessary to turn C. until it strikes [??] the opposite jaw.

e Is a sliding rest which can be arranged for the width of the saw.

This tool is merely to trim the teeth of saws when they are irregular and to take off the burr that would otherwise lodge in the wood and should only be used immediately after filing and setting the saws. Because if a saw has been used for any length of time the injury to the saw has been accomplished, which this is intended to obviate. In using this tool some little judgement and care Should [sic] be exercised so as not to strike the saw too much but just enough. If a saw is set very regular and filed smooth then this [??] other service [??] required, but there are very few who are competent to have their saws in such a favourable condition. [??] [him??] to resort to the use of a stone or piece of emery or run the saw through the guides thus having a tendency to destroy both the saw and the guide.

I have [tested] this tool at a number of factories and have met with varied success. Whenever I have shown it to any excepting [sic] Dutch, they have all pronounced it a useful tool and have purchased. But unfortunately about nine tenths of the Band Saw operators here appear to be Germans. And I do not admire them as a rule, as they are so evidently fearful to examine or buy any device that might lessen work, or make their services of less importance. And all the employers readily understand and acknowledge this to be the case. However it only requires tim e to prove the usefulness of this Tool [sic] as well as the "Sett."

As this appliance [??] be owned by the workman, and in a city like this it is almost an impossibility to get at them while at their work. I have thought of sending some of them up to the American Institute which has just opened.³ But I wanted to know what the Exhibition would be like before [engaging??] space and making an Entry. I am told that great numbers attend the Fair after it is thoroughly opened, whether they are a class that would be likely to want such articles is the question. There is a party with whom I am well acquainted that has been speaking of entering some goods which I may [want?] a paying arrangement to take charge of in such event I should enter these articles for exhibit and [such was??] [??] [instruction??] I know that it is [a good matter of??] advertising but unless I can make [??] referred to do not think it possible to carry out the other part advantageously. As I have been at considerable expense putting this [last trial??] into a perfect shape and as stated in my last, my trips End [sic] was not a success as far as orders were concerned [and??] the only consolation for that is if I had sent an agent [in that??] direction he would have returned dissatisfied, and I would not but think he had not persevered as he ought and in all probability would have gone over the same ground again. As considerable cash I have found [without??] sufficiently of introducing new machinery especially when other machinery for the same purpose has turned out so unsatisfactory [or it??] makes would-be purchasers [very??] careful about giving an order and [by??] doing so want a long trial to [be??] convinced [that?] the [machine?] is so represented. This battle I have had to fight and have been in that sense [??]. But in a pecuniary view I made a mistake in not going west instead of coming here. I will write you as to what course [??] [I think best to do in??] a day or so at least as soon [as] I [have leave??] with reference to the American Institute.

¹ William Dunn either designed or improved machines, patented them and then tried to sell them. Isaac provided him with funds but because of Dunn's incompetence he saw no return on his investment. See W2554a for more details.

² Dunn appears to be using letters to refer to a figure which was not included here.

³ In several other articles, Dunn mentions the machinery exhibition at the American Institute in New York. See W1709 for an advertisement of the exhibition.