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THE
MARCH 10, 1923
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
VALUABLE COURSES BY FOREST PRODUCTS LABORATORY
Department of Agriculture Institution Offers Instruction in Boxing, Crating, Gluing and Kiln
Drying—Total of 532 Have Already Taken Advantage of Courses
In five years iifty-threc short courses have
been given at. the Forest Products Laboratory,
Madison, Wis., for men from the leading indus-
tries of the country to study better methods of
boxing and crating, gluing and kiln drying.
Five hundred and thirty-two have taken these
courses. Twenty-nine courses have been given
in kiln drying with a total enrollment of 326;
there have been nineteen courses in boxing and
crating, with 167 enrolled, and thirty-nine men
have attended ihd five classes in the gluing of
wood.
In the last courses, which ended recently,
twenty-eight were enrolled. In the course in
boxing and crating practical experiments vvcrt
performed in the box laboratory to show 7 what
different style boxes and crates would stand
under ordinary shipping conditions. Members
of the last class were shown the workings of
the giant drum wheel which caused the boxes
and crates to tumble slowly on to their
destruction.
During the course much emphasis was placed
on the strapping of boxes. Tests were made
to demonstrate the relation of the thickness of
the sides, top and bottom to the number, size,
position and method of applying the straps.
The thickness of the tops, sides and bottoms of
well-balanced, nailed wooden boxes, possessing
adequate strength and serviceability without
metal bindings, may be reduced 20 to 40 per cent
when metal bindings are properly used, without
any reduction in the strength and serviceability
of the container.
The application of metal bindings also permits
the use of poorer lumber. The serviceability
of the container and the permissible reduction
in thickness and grade of material normally in-
crease with the number of metal bindings used,
but vary somewhat with the construction of
the box, the nature of the contents, the kind
and size of metal bindings and their position
and method of application.
It is not economical to use fewer nails in
strapped boxes than in unstrapped boxes. With
the reduction in the thickness of sides, top
and bottom, more nails, though somewhat
smaller ones, should be used than are required
in the nailing schedule for unstrapped boxes
of the same kind and thickness of end material.
Write for a sample can of Behlen's
Varnish Crack Eradicator and try it.
Once you learn how much it means to
you in the saving of time on your refin-
ishing jobs by eliminating the necessity
of scraping off old varnish and shellac,
and how much more satisfactory are
the results, because of the better sur-
face it gives to work on, you, like others
will continue to use it.
Write to-day.
It was shown that boxes should be made from
lumber seasoned in accordance with the atmos-
pheric conditions they will encounter on their
journey. Members of the class were told that
if it were impossible to determine what atmos-
pheric conditions the carriers would have to
undergo it would be advisable to use thor-
oughly air-dry lumber which contains from 12
to 15 per cent moisture.
Courses in Kiln Drying
Conferences to discuss the kiln drying situa-
tion at each plant represented were held. Lec-
tures were given on methods of identifying
woods, structure of wood, the moisture content
of wood, the shrinkage of wood, warping, cup-
ping and collapse, casehardening and honey-
combing, decay and durability of wood, the
effect of kiln drying on strength, effect of end
drying and end coatings and humidity control
apparatus.
A demonstration kiln run using one-inch air-
dry oak was made for the class. The moisture
content of the stock was determined by weigh-
ing moisture samples at different stages of the
drying and the temperature and humidity were
governed accordingly. The effectiveness of high
humidity treatment in relieving case-hardening
was demonstrated.
Courses in Gluing
Demonstrations in mixing glues and in actual
gluing runs were made for the class. Among
the subjects studied were vegetable glues; water
resistant glues, including casein and albumin;
testing of glues; the effect of gluing conditions,
such as pressure and temperature on the
strength of the joints; relation of moisture con-
tent of wood to relative humidity of the atmos-
phere; humidity control in factories; shrinkage
of wood; causes of warping in glued products;
d y i n g of plywood; plywood construction; case-
hardening or honeycombing; warping, cupping
and collapse; rate at which glues set in joints
and defects common in gluing.
The next courses at the laboratory will start
Mav 14.
BRIDLESTRAPJWCE INCREASED
37
SNOW NO HINDRANCE
TO SHIPPING
F. A. Wessell, Back From Wessell, Nickel &
Gross Mills in Vermont, Reports Steady Ac-
tivity—Alterations in New York Factory
F. A. Wessell, president of Wessell, Nickel
& Gross, Inc., manufacturers of the Wessell,
Nickel & Gross piano action, New York City,
returned on Monday from the mills of the com-
pany in Vermont. Mr. Wessell reports that
they are very busy. The heavy snows of the
Winter aided, instead of hindering, shipments.
Slight alterations arc being made on the
ground floor of the Wessell, Nickel & Gross
factory in New York,,which will allow increased
space for the production of action parts. .This
added space was part of the space used by the
mill department prior to the opening of the
mills in Vermont. Wessell, Nickel & Gross re-
port good volume of orders being received and
a bright outlook for the future.
SUPERIOR REPORTS BIGGER ORDERS
CLEVELAND, O., March 5.—Increased orders for
piano plates indicate a healthy and flourishing
condition in the piano manufacturing industry^
according to William H. Kassin, of the Superior
Foundries Co., one of the largest manufacturers
of piano plates, in a talk with a representative
of The Review. Mr. Kassin stated that at no
time within the past year or two has business
been as promising in the music industry as it
seems to be right now. He predicts a period
of steadily growing prosperity. The Superior
Foundries operate a huge plant covering several
blocks at Union avenue and the Lake Erie &
Wheeling R. R., making all kinds of castings.
PLAYER LEATHERS IN DEMAND
There has been a wonderfully fine demand
for leathers in the piano trade this Winter,
according to T. L. Lutkins, president of T. L.
Lutkins, Inc., 40 Spruce street, New York City,
one of t4ie best-known leather houses in the
trade. The unprecedented demand for piano
and organ leathers has made it necessary for
the company to increase its stock.
T. L. Lutkins, Inc., makes a specialty of
pneumatic and pouch skin leathers, both of
which are in excellent demand right now. They
are doing a big,business in leather specially
tanned for player-pianos and organs, as well as
chamois, sheepskins, Indias and skivers.
Advertising pencils bearing the firm name and
address have been distributed to the trade.
George W. Braunsdorf, Inc., New York City,
manufacturer of the Braunsdorf all-leather
bridle strap, has announced a slightly increased
price list on this popular device. This increase
is entirely attributed to the tariff situation and
its effect on the leather market. The stock of
raw materials on hand enabled George W.
CORNWALL & PATTERSON MFG. CO.
Braunsdorf, president of the company, to keep
from raising the price for some time, but as
BRIDGEPORT, CONN., March 6.—The Cornwall
new leather was purchased the increase was & Patterson Mfg. Co., manufacturers of piano
found necessary. Mr. Braunsdorf reports gen- and organ hardware, report business as very
erally good business being received on all num- good. James Rose, secretary of the company,
bers of the line, which includes, in addition to is optimistic over the future.
'
-.-.-•-_
the bridle straps, paper, cloth and felt punch-
ings.
WOOL PRODUCTION LIKELY TO GROW
According to the Department of Agriculture
present indications are that the country's wool
production will increase in response to better
prices prevailing. Every section of the country
brings the same reports.
Leather Specially
Tanned for Player-
Pianos and Organs.
Also Chamois
Sheepskins, Indias
and Skivers
A Specialty of
H. BEHLEN & BRO.
Anilines
Shellacs
THE
Cxclusive manufacturers of
Stains
Fillers
Piaivo Beivekes
and Nusie Cabinets
10-12 Christopher St., New York
Near 6th Ave., and 8lh St. 9
ARTNOVELTYCO.
GOSHEN
Write for catalog a,nd
details
INDIANA
Pneumatic and
Pouch Skin Leathers
T.L.LUTKINSInc
4 0 SPRUCE ST.. NEW YORK.N.Y.