The largest circular saw in the Near East–a diamond saw over four feet in diameter–has been put into service at the Palestine Quarries near Jerusalem.
The saw was part of a shipment of new machinery which required 30 laborers and more than 700 tons of concrete to set in place. It has 130 diamonds on its circumference and can slice a block of stone 45 cm. thick.
A “drifter drill” which can carve out huge blocks of stone without blasting has obviated use of dynamite. The drill, operated by compressed air, cuts stone at 90 cm. a minute and can be managed by one man.
The improved equipment has made possible an increase of $150,000 in the capitalization of Palestine Quarries, Ltd.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.