The Monarch Lightning Sawing Machine

Jeff · February 22, 2013, 06:08:16 PM

I spent much of the day scanning and creating images for an old Manual I have from the 1880's. It is for the "Monarch Lightning Sawing Machine" made by the Monarch Manufacturing Company Of Chicago Ill. This is a manual powered Drag Saw. I wish I had the saw too! I have never actually seen one of these. I've got this set up a little different, as I wanted the full size images to be easily readable. No since scanning a 130 old document if you don't have it big enough for historic record.

You can click on the cover photo picture below, to view the entire manual. I hope you find it interesting.

Paul_H · February 22, 2013, 07:15:31 PM

I'd love to try one out and see how it performs.Shipping is only $1

Jeff · February 22, 2013, 07:21:52 PM

I've got the links corrected now Paul. When you looked at it in conferencing, it was all messed up. I had moved it in there to fix it.

Paul_H · February 22, 2013, 07:51:17 PM

The writing style is pretty neat,reminds me of Ten Acres Enough.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · February 22, 2013, 08:02:51 PM

I like this!

This has GOT to be the best thing I have read in a while. Comparing this company to todays sawmill companies.....it's like, yes, things have changed but oh how they have stayed the same.

Some of the words they used are forbidden in some markets today.....but thats the way it is.

History of the company......a sales pitch to where I wanna work for them NOW to buy a farm.

Reviews from customers........contest......I mean, ain't much changed.

It sounds like that was good money back then and A LOT of fun!

I like where it said to use your own bolts because you can buy yours cheaper than we can ship them. :D

This is VERY good Jeff! Thanks.

P.S. If you don't quite have enough money to buy one of our saws.....borrow it from a friend. ;D

Mooseherder · February 22, 2013, 08:51:02 PM

It was 30 dollars back then. I wonder what that would be in today's money?
I googled to see if the company was still in business. It didn't appear that they are.
The manual is worth 5 times the cost of the saw now.

Paul_H · February 22, 2013, 10:38:03 PM

QuoteWhat cost $30 in 1883 would cost $727.73 in 2012.
Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2012 and 1883,
they would cost you $30 and $1.31 respectively.

Slab Slicer · February 22, 2013, 11:01:50 PM

Jeff, that one looks pretty close to this design.

pigman · February 22, 2013, 11:08:34 PM

I like the statement that one man with the saw would replace four to six horses and as many men using a horse powered drag saw.

Jeff · February 22, 2013, 11:59:08 PM

Quote from: Slab Slicer on February 22, 2013, 11:01:50 PM
Jeff, that one looks pretty close to this design.

Kinda sorta, but not really. Other than it has a saw at the end of a manual powered pitman. As I get time, I'll get all my documentation for the folding saw scanned in. I have a bunch of material I got from the daughter of one of the sales people from that company. I'd never seen a folding saw dolled up that much. It has to be a much later one, or a special paint job on it. I don't believe that to be at all original paint, or the label on it either. The first ones such as I have on my mantle, were oiled ash. No paint.

customsawyer · February 23, 2013, 06:30:23 AM

That is pretty neat.

Slab Slicer · February 23, 2013, 09:04:13 AM

I agree Jeff. This one seems to be an overdone restoration. Someone made it look too pretty. I think you description of oiled ash is more the style of finish they would have used. I'd like to see the info on the folding saw that you have. Hopefully some more accurate pics of the original finish.

Jeff · February 23, 2013, 09:07:25 AM

The later models were painted. Mostly red, but I have seen one yellow one that I know was original paint as it still had the original shipping label on it. I've got the materials here on my desk, just have to find a few hours to get it all scanned and cataloged.