The Citizen, 1994-09-09, Page 12PAGE A-12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1994.
___________Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion 1994___________
Sawmill display reminiscent of century old operation
‘The cutting edge
the area throughout the year."
"This type of sawmill show spectators
what it was like 50 to 100 years ago," he
says.
"The mill is run completely by steam
engines, 10 in all, which come from Luck
now, Auburn, Moorefield, Mitchell, St.
Thomas, London and includes two Sawyer
Masseys from Watford," says Jim Sloan,
who is helping to run the mill throughout the
event.
"The engines used range in horsepower
from 10 to 75. They have great lugging
power and each size is useful for specific
woods. The 10 hp is used for softwoods and
the 75 hp is used for beech logs," says Mr.
Sloan.
Mr. Phillippi says, "The logs are sawed to
rough lumber and are then used for the
construction of furniture. There is no waste
with a steam powered sawmill because the
scrap wood is then used to fire the engine."
Mr. Sloan says, "The mill used by the
Threshers was donated to the club more than
20 years ago. It has an all steel track and cuts
nice and true. The mill has a 54 inch blade
and an edger for edging the logs."
"This year's event will have two less steam
engines than in the past because each
machine must meet government standards
before coming to the show. This time, two
failed. The boiler must be checked to assure
Wilbert Phillippi of Chepstow operates the sawmill at the Blyth Thresher Reunion, demonstrating to spectators the
type of sawmill used 50 to 100 years ago.
By Janice Becker
The Thresher Reunion and Hobby
Association has many sights not often seen
by the young generation, with its collection
of antique threshers, tractors and trucks, but
there is one exhibition which even antique
T’ve got ad the toys I
Continued from A10
lunchbreak and then continue threshing until
dark."
He also learned how to fix the machinery,
sometimes staying up until 3 a.m. in order to
get the machinery ready for the next day.
"It was a differenl time. Today people can
bring their cars and farm machinery into the
enthusiasts may only get to see once a year.
Each September, the members of the
reunion haul the steam powered sawmill out
of storage and spend a couple of days
reassembling and oiling the equipment and
sharpening the blade.
Operator of the mill, Wilbert Phillippi of
need’) says Lewis
shop just to get their oil changed."
Fred's hobby has kept him busy since his
wife died eight years ago and at 79 he shows
no signs of slowing down. Commenting on
his hobby, he says, "The difference between
adult toys and kid toys, is that their"s
(children's) are more expensive. I've got all
the toys I need now."
Chepstow, says, "A group gathers a few
days before the event to put the machine
together because it has to be dismantled and
put in storage. The belts and blades are
removed for the safety of children playing in
Thurs
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Welcome to
Pioneer Thresher Reunion
from
safe operation," says Mr. Sloan.
"I first attended the Thresher Reunion in
1962. At the time the portable sawmill was
powered by six or seven different steam
engines. The show has grown a lot over the
last 33 years."
The sawmill will be set up near the tractor
pull site, at the southwest side of the park.
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08 loxJ
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