Creative Woodworks & crafts 2004-11, страница 41

According to Draht-Welt. this all started in an area between the Mosel and Rhine Rivers in western Germany called Hunsriicker.

Hunsriicker farmers were the primary manufacturers of the blades. Yes, farmers. During the winter months when they had much Ircc time, the fanners took up blade making. Not only did it give them something to do, it also supplemented their income. Little did they know how supplemental it would become.

The entire process was done by hand, with each tooth notched or punched one at a time. Material was fed into a die and, through the use of a hammer and punch, each tooth was meticulously fabricated out of the steel. As primitive as it was, the workmanship was outstanding.

As demand for blades increased, an entrepreneurial spirit arose among some of the farmers. Soon, three manufacturers were formed in the central Rhine region, and these manufacturers employed 200-300 fret saw-home workers. What an excellent example of the term "cottage industry"!

The original clock spring performed so well that the Hunsriicker farmers did not change the characteristics of the blade. In order to keep the composition and temper exactly the same, where do you think they • sourccd the steel? You guessed it— Switzerland. Who better to make the flat wire than the Swiss?

Additional articles in Draht-Welt show that heat-treating of the blades was done at a central location, which does stand to reason based on the equipment described in the article. The home workers could not have been able to maintain such an important process. There is an entire section of this publication describing the heat-treating, but it is very technical and probably would not make a good magazine article.

Names and dales are not known, but soon enough a large import house from North America sent a representative to Germany for the sole purpose of importing the blades to the United Stales. Running sales orders gave these humble new manufacturers an expanded market and now world recognition.

Il is difficult to say what manufacturers still exist, as the publication never mentioned anyone directly by name. Who knows? At the time the article that I read was written, secrecy probably still remained a priority, T do know that the Held is narrowed down considerably and is still centered in Buropc.

Draht-Welt didn't go much further, but for jne it was enough to answer my question of where the blades goL their start. 1 hope that those of you who read this article find all of this entertaining, that you might think about the farmers making blades on a winter nighl when you are creating your next picce of ait.

Just a closing note: All data can be disputed, this article included. As 1 mentioned earlier, records pertaining to saw blade development is scarce. Tn regards to fret saws, this is the most information I have uncovered in my tenure in the saw blade industry. The write-up is only intended to give some insight into the industry, if there is anyone who has additional information or corrections and is willing to share il, I would be pleased to hear from him or her.

Ralph Costa is a design engineer and has worked in the saw blade industry for the past 15 years. He has designed equipment for fabricating saw blades, developed new processes, and consulted for companies worldwide. Ralph is currently Worldwide Sales and Product Manager for Sci.es Miniature SA and Grobet USA (manufacturers of Pegas saw blades). Ralph can be

reached at rcosta01@snet.net. xa

©

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Creative Wowtaks &^:Crafts November 2004 • 41