Steam Circular Sawmill Story

[Steamenginesmitty]

I thought that some of you might get a chuckle out of this story, although it almost sounds farfetched........If you have a circular sawmill and don't like paying for new teeth, you could do like a very good friend did when we were sawing with a steam engine and circular mill at an old engine and tractor show.  He put all of the used teeth in his pocket and he put one in a rag.  He would walk up to a person in the crowd and pull the rag out of the other pocket and place it in his hand.  He then opened it up and showed the person standing next to him and explained how the steam engine worked and the sawmill.  He explained that the blade had 54 teeth and that each tooth was $1.00 new.  He then asked them if they liked the demonstration and then asked them if they would like to buy the used tooth in the rag for $1.00 to help support the mill for future patrons to be able to see the mill in action..................he sold 53 teeth!!!  After he sold 53 of the teeth he came and showed me the handful of 53 one dollar bills while I was firing the steam engine and he handed me the last tooth and said that he wanted me to have it for busting my chops that day and also that I could pick it up and remember the day he sold 53 dull teeth for a $1.00 each to 53 people willing to listen to his story and look in the rag....................

[dail_h]

Got to be creative. Now 53 people have a $1 sovienour from steam mill

[LOGDOG]

Good story. That's one thing I have to say about having been around sawmills for more than half of my life ...I've definitely been able to meet some interesting characters. Lots of story tellers through the years.

[Ianab]

Heck if you go to Disneyland a souvenir of your visit is going to cost more that a dolllar  :D

And I find that people a more willing to donate a dollar if they get something in return. If it has a story to go with it, even better.

Anyway, that's a cool idea for those "side show" sort of demonstrations.

Ian

[steamsawyer]

I thought that some of you might get a chuckle out of this story, although it almost sounds farfetched........If you have a circular sawmill and don't like paying for new teeth, you could do like a very good friend did when we were sawing with a steam engine and circular mill at an old engine and tractor show.  He put all of the used teeth in his pocket and he put one in a rag.  He would walk up to a person in the crowd and pull the rag out of the other pocket and place it in his hand.  He then opened it up and showed the person standing next to him and explained how the steam engine worked and the sawmill.  He explained that the blade had 54 teeth and that each tooth was $1.00 new.  He then asked them if they liked the demonstration and then asked them if they would like to buy the used tooth in the rag for $1.00 to help support the mill for future patrons to be able to see the mill in action..................he sold 53 teeth!!!  After he sold 53 of the teeth he came and showed me the handful of 53 one dollar bills while I was firing the steam engine and he handed me the last tooth and said that he wanted me to have it for busting my chops that day and also that I could pick it up and remember the day he sold 53 dull teeth for a $1.00 each to 53 people willing to listen to his story and look in the rag....................

I was sawing that day an there must have been a hundred people there around the mill. I watched while Dave was making his rounds and I couldn't figure out what he was doing. Then he showed the wad of money. We all got a charge out of that one.

[markd]

If I were in the crowd watching a steam sawmill I's give you $2 bucks for a tooth, you earned it! Markd

[steamsawyer]

Hey markd,

We have a tentative plan to run next month, May 20th. Come on down and we'll let you toot the whistle, for free.

Alan

[Ron Wenrich]

The PA Lumber Museum has a Barkpeeler's Convention in July in northern PA.  They have a full sized steam powered sawmill they run, along with a geared locomotive that runs on a short track.  The sawmill has a log pond, mill, edger, and cart system along with a big boiler system.  The mill is manned by some of the local millers.  They don't sell teeth.   :D

[Weekend_Sawyer]

I'd buy that for a dollar!

[bandmiller2]

I'am rich,I'am rich,got a whole coffee can full of old bits.Shows are good many folks have no idea where and how lumber is cut.Ask them where studs and rarters come from they say home depot. Frank C.

[Misfit]

I'd buy that for a dollar!

Somebody is a "Running Man" fan. Another good Arnie film.

[Misfit]

A great idea! Nice souvenir from an enjoyable event. Cheap even at twice the price.

[r.man]

I think the people got great value for their money although if he had been in Canada the 53 dollar coins would be heavy.

[markd]

I heard they have a great steam  donkey and sawmill show and steam train ride in Vancouver BC, It's on my list if I ever get a passport. Havn't been out of Oregon in 45 yrs haha. Markd