Graphical Construction Glossary >> Woodwork. >> Hand Tools >> Pit Saw

Pit Saw

The main tool of the trade of the pre industrial age sawyer. A long steel blade with handles for a man at each end. Used in a saw pit, with one man on the top and one man underneath. for ripping down the length of logs.

Above is a detail of one of the saws at the right. The handle and wedge is of course a modern replica but the saw blades themselves date back to the middle ages.

The top handles are are permanent wrought iron fixtures, but the reason for the removable handle at the bottom, is of course so that the saw blade can be removed from the saw cut to move the log supports etc.

Note! The handle in the top photo has been placed on upside down. It should have the wedge pointing upwards so the action of the saw would tighten the wedge. In the photo on the right, the second saw along has the wedge pointing the right way.

Photographs taken at Cressing Temple Barns, near Braintree in Essex,UK.

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