Cutter, Wood

Description

Machine of wood and metal. Belt driven from external power source by an iron wheel linked to a succession of gears which turn a drum of wood and metal with a leather cover on the circumference. A spring loaded iron cutter head attached to a wooden handle holds approximately 33 knives (more originally) which sliced the poplar veneer into 1/8" wide strips for weaving. Wood parts painted yellow.

Notes

Acquired from, and used by, the Canterbury, NH Shakers, but made by the Mount Lebanon Shakers. The head for the cutter matches another cutting head in the museum's collection, as well as a casting pattern for the cutting head, both of which were acquired from Mount Lebanon. There is also another poplar shredding machine in the museum's collection with the same cutting head; perhaps it was a later replacement for this one, which the Mount Lebanon Shakers then gave or sold to the Shakers at Canterbury.