Abstract: A rotator is disclosed. The rotator includes a base and a mounting ring supported by the base. The rotator further includes a plurality of rollers on which the mounting ring rests when the rotator is fully assembled. The rotator is configured to support a steel column and allow rotation of the steel column to facilitate fabrication of the steel column.

Abstract: Cutting assemblies are disclosed that include an entrance portion and a receiving portion, with the receiving portion defining a receiving opening configured to be axially aligned with an entrance opening of the entrance portion when mounted to the surface of a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies are also provided that include a material carriage configured to be borne by a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies that include a material receiving portion configured to be slidably mounted to a surface of a cutting apparatus are also disclosed. Cutting methods are also disclosed that can include rotating a piece of material around the materials longitudinal axis and delivering the material to a cutting tool while the longitudinal axis of the material is aligned substantially opposite the direction of rotation of the cutting tool.

Abstract: An improved machine for pointing a wooden stake having a cutting tool that includes a movable plunger having motion coordinated with the feed and ejection motion of the stakes in the machine that assures that any debris entrapped in the cutting tool is dislodged and discharged from the cutting tool during the interval between the discharge of an already-pointed stake and the feeding of an un-pointed stake.

Abstract: A wooden stake sharpening machine moves a conical cutting head along a linear path into engagement with a clamped wooden stake blank to affect sharpening thereof. A walking beam conveying apparatus moves a wooden stake blank into position from a supply bin where a clamping apparatus holds the stake blank in place while the cutting head moves onto the stake to form a point thereon. The drive mechanism moves the conveyor in coordination with the linear movement of the cutting apparatus, which trips a switch to actuate the clamping mechanism as the cutting head moves toward engagement with the stake blank. The conveyor then moves the sharpened stake toward a collection area while moving another stake blank into position for sharpening as the cutting apparatus is retracted away from the stake, thus providing an automated stake sharpening machine with a minimal number of moving parts.

Abstract: Cutting assemblies are disclosed that include an entrance portion and a receiving portion, with the receiving portion defining a receiving opening configured to be axially aligned with an entrance opening of the entrance portion when mounted to the surface of a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies are also provided that include a material carriage configured to be borne by a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies that include a material receiving portion configured to be slidably mounted to a surface of a cutting apparatus are also disclosed. Cutting methods are also disclosed that can include rotating a piece of material around the materials longitudinal axis and delivering the material to a cutting tool while the longitudinal axis of the material is aligned substantially opposite the direction of rotation of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A peg cutter for the peg elements of stringed musical instruments, comprising a cutting-object receptacle, a blade with at least one cutting edge the position of which relative to the cutting-object receptacle is adjustable, and at least one contact element for the blade for defining the position of the at least one cutting edge relative to the cutting-object receptacle, wherein the cutting-object receptacle and the at least one contact element are formed in such a way that the at least one cutting edge lies on the envelope of a cone when the blade rests on the at least one contact element.

Abstract: A dowel transfer station in a dowel driving device which includes a dowel separating and conveying unit and a manually operated driving gun to which dowels are supplied through a hose line. The dowel transfer station is arranged between the dowel separating and conveying unit and the hose line conducted to the driving gun. The dowel transfer station includes a reciprocating dowel holder which receives a dowel emerging from the dowel separating and conveying unit and supplies the dowel to the opening of the hose line conducted to the driving gun. For eliminating dowels which do not have the appropriate size, the dowel holder has a bore for receiving a dowel, wherein the depth of the bore is adjustable and the inner end of the bore is connected to a compressed air line which can be switched on and off by a valve.

Abstract: A machine for milling fence rails and the like having a pair of opposed milling units, each having a cutter head with a conically shaped inner surface, cutting knives arranged to taper material inserted into the heads to the shape of the inner surface and to form a projecting tine that is also tapered.

Abstract: A dowel cutting method and apparatus comprising a stationary cutting tool having an internal bore and at least one cutting edge at its input end into which woodstock is disposed while being rotated by an electric hand drill or the like to create a finished dowel at the opposite end of the cutting tool. The cutting tool may be held in a bench vise. A sizer for dowels is also disclosed comprising a series of holes in a flat metal plate having a ground side which cuts down a dowel in a sequence of operations, if needed, to an accurate smaller dowel. A simple final sanding operation is also disclosed utilizing sandpaper and the sizing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique die (11, 111) that can be employed in apparatus (10) for shaping a workpiece (14, 114) according to the method of driving the workpiece at relatively high speeds through the die (11, 111) which remains fixed. The die has a throat (40, 140) which extends longitudinally through a body portion (35, 135) and opens through a crenelated mouth (45, 145). The mouth is provided with opposed noses (46, 48, 146, 147 and 148) which delineate the distal extent of the mouth with respect to the body portion of the die. Cutting edges (50, 51, 54, 55, 150, 151, 154, 155, 173 and 174) extend rearwardly from the noses, with each pair of adjacent cutting edges joining to define a crotch (59, 60, 159, 178 and 179). The resulting plurality of crotches delineate the longitudinally proximal extent of the mouth with respect to the body portion of the die. Each cutting edges is disposed so that the entering angle .theta. falls within the range of from 25.degree. to 50.degree..

Abstract: A tool for forming striations (shallow grooves) in a cylindrical dowel which includes a block having a dowel hole, and crested edges, such as screw threads, extending into the hole such that when a dowel is driven through the hole, it will be provided with surface grooves on one or both sides to provide glue release passages and a tight dowel joint.