Whipsaw
A whipsaw or pitsaw was originally a type of saw used in a saw pit, and consisted of a narrow blade held rigid by a frame and called a frame saw or sash saw (see illustrations). This evolved into a 2-3 metre straight, stiff blade without a frame and a handle at each end. It was used close to the felling site to reduce large logs into beams and planks. Sawyers either dug a large pit or constructed a sturdy platform, enabling a two-man crew to saw, one positioned below the log called the pit-man, the other standing on top called the top-man. The saw blade teeth were angled and sharpened as a rip saw so as to only cut on the downward stroke. This arrangement made it easier for the man above to raise the saw, thereby reducing fatigue and backache - the sawyers worked together to raise, lower, and guide the saw. The pitman had to contend with sawdust in his mouth and eyes and the risk of being crushed by a falling log. [1]
Gallery
-
Two men sawing lumber with a pit saw, the log on trestles rather than over a saw pit -
Two types of hand-powered frame or sash saws -
A postcard of Chinese sawyers using frame saws around 1900. This method does not need a saw pit.
References
- ^ The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (1993)
External links
| Tree planting, afforestation |
|  |
|---|---|---|
| Mensuration | ||
| Fire suppression | ||
| Axes |
| |
| Saws | ||
| Logging | ||
| Other | ||
