Brian wrote:

[much snipped]

> 1. The improved process herein described, of tempering and
> straightening saws by means of heat and pressure, and without
> hammering, the saw being protected from atmospheric currents....
> 2. As a new article of manufacture, saws tempered and left by
> the tempering heat in ultimate form, and in a condition free
> from the irregular strain or buckle of hammered saws."

It didn't work. :-)  New head saws still have to be hammered to adjust
the tension.  See:

http://www.paynesaws.com/

These guys have my 48 inch blade that needed re-tensioning.  They have
two people who hammer them by hand.  They wouldn't say how much it would
cost, just that they will call when it is finished.  For the record, the
blades don't work worth a $%^# if not properly tensioned.

A bit off topic, but interesting nonetheless.

Jerry
Griffin, GA