[We have referred this to Mr. C.J.H. Woodbury who replies that the
method followed by the best mill-builders is to bore a hole along the
axis one and three-fourth to two inches in diameter. The method formerly
used was to bore the hole in half-way from each end after the column was
finished, but as the auger would follow the grain of the wood, the holes
would not always meet, and running out nearer the side of the column
would produce structural weakness which has been revealed in tests of
columns whenever destructive tests of such columns have been made. The
better way is to arrange a lathe with a hollow headstock and a guide
which will carry a pod-auger boring in from one end. This will define
the axis of the column whether it is to be turned or left square. Near
each end, say five inches, a couple of transverse holes generally
five-eighth of an inch in diameter are bored. This arrangement is to
reduce and in some cases prevent checking in the same way as has been
used, time immemorial, for getting out hubs for wagon wheels.--EDS.
AMERICAN ARCHITECT.]
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