Here's letter IV, which proves to be just as terminal as the
previous letter.
" Ithaca Nov 17th 1856
J.B.Anthony Esq.
Providence
Dear Sir
There has just
been suggested to my mind another important
idea relative to my improvement in bench
planes which I wish you to consider.
It is that the throat case may be manufactured
as disconnected with the plane stock and
be an accompaniment of the iron only should
this plan be adapted the sale of the case
would be as soon as regularly introduced
almost as general as is the demand for irons.
There would be found equally advantageous
disposition of the cases in that way both with
planemakers and common hardwares.
The fact is no mechanic after being
posted with reference to this improvement
will think of having a plane without it
and very shortly I venture to say should
these cases be acceptable (I mean to be pro-
cured at common hardwares with plane irons)
will almost every mechanic have them
applied to his present planes.
My mind has been brought to this consider-
ation by already frequent applications
for cases for this purpose. I have been
offered $4.00 to aply the cases to a
single set of planes which had become some
worne. In fact many in our village who
have lately purchased new planes have
requested the construction of the cases
therein. Now you see one very important
feature in favor of this new provision is
that those planes which are nearly or quite
worne out (as their wearing out is occasioned
by the enlargement of the throat) may be renew-
ed by the application of said case and thus
rendered 500% better than they ever were before
and the construction of the case to a common
plane may be accomplished by the most common
of workman. It is my idea however that
it would be best for at least some years
to connect the case in its manufactory
with the complete plane as I am
fully satisfied that it is suf-
ficient to warrant the project of
a complet monopoly of the
article at least so far as I have
introduced it which has been generally
in our vicinity this opinion is general.
Please pardon me for suggesting
as I did in my last that you might
credit me with a part of the availes of those
articles sent you. I lacked apprehention
at the time that you might be to some
considerable trouble in exhibiting the same
to my benefit. You are welcome to all
that they may meet you after payment
of charges. Just detach from
the stock of the plane sent you the
throat case and apply the iron and
wedge there to and you see the complete
arrangement as I should propose
furnishing to both plane makers and
common hardwares instead of the
irons alone. Should that method of dis-
position be considered preferable
the fase part of the case need
only be emerced upon the common
emery wheel which will be all the finish-
ing required for the ordinary article.
It of course wants a nice articl of
casting much nicer than that
sent you. The mill head screw
I think I told you before I consider
of little or no importance therefore
in the case of the omission of said
screw that portion of the case above
the stock should be dispensed with.
Please to inform me in your next
where I may apply for some mal-
eable castings to order refer me
to the best establishment you know
of if you please. I wish to make
some of those saw gages.
Yours Obedt. Servnt.
M.B.Tidey"
Luckily, Tidey decided to keep this letter a bit shorter than the
previous one. It's also a bit more comprehensible.
Tidey hasn't given up hope in trying to have the PTCo manufacture
his 'great' idea. He makes mention that the cast iron insert can be
made and then retrofit into existing common wooden bench planes. While
that is certainly true, one must doubt his claim that the plane is made
500% better (how does one quantify such a claim?).
His idea, then, seems that it would be best to make the insert and
then sell it to planemakers and hardware suppliers, the latter of which
can offer it to those craftsmen who make their own planes and get their
irons from the hardware vendors, which was relatively common occurence
back then. However, Tidey later contradicts himself by saying he thinks
it best, initially, to limit the availability of his insert by making it
the exclusive of planemakers. He then contradict this contradiction by
going back to his initial plan.
He finally tells the Co how the insert is machined and that the final
product should be of a better casting quality. He wants the Co to refer
him to a foundry capable of casting malleable iron.
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Patrick Leach
Just say Tidey is on his heels, ready to kiss the mat.
etc.
Check IT out at http://www.intool.com
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