Complete Pit Sawing and Lumber Production: From Log to Board
Before sawmills, lumber was produced by hand with pit saws. This campaign covers pit saw construction, sawing technique, lumber grading, and drying.
Chapter 1: Pit Saw Setup
Component
Material
Purpose
Specification
Saw blade
Steel, 5-7 feet long
Cuts wood
Rip-tooth pattern, 2-3 TPI
Tiller handle (top)
Hardwood
Top sawyer control
T-handle or box handle
Box handle (bottom)
Hardwood
Bottom sawyer control
Removable for repositioning
Saw pit
Excavated trench
Provides clearance below log
6 feet deep, 4 feet wide, 10+ feet long
Trestle (alternative)
Heavy timber frame
Elevates log without pit
5-6 feet high, very sturdy
Dogs (log clamps)
Iron
Secure log to pit frame
Driven into log and beam
Chalk line
String and charcoal
Mark cut lines on log
Snap straight lines
Chapter 2: Sawing Technique
Pit sawing process: 1) Position log over pit on heavy beams. 2) Secure log with iron dogs (clamps). 3) Snap chalk lines on log ends (mark desired board thickness). 4) Top sawyer stands on log, guides saw along line. 5) Bottom sawyer stands in pit, provides pulling power. 6) Cutting stroke is downward (bottom sawyer pulls). 7) Top sawyer guides and lifts on return stroke. 8) Advance along log, following chalk line. 9) Typical production: 100-200 board feet per day (two-person team). 10) Re-position log and dogs as needed.
Role
Position
Primary Task
Difficulty
Top sawyer (top dog)
On log
Guide saw along line, lift on return
High (skill)
Bottom sawyer (pit man)
In pit
Pull saw down, provide power
High (endurance)
Chapter 3: Log Preparation
Step
Purpose
Method
Tools
Debarking
Remove bark (prevents dulling)
Draw knife, bark spud
Draw knife
Squaring (optional)
Create flat reference surface
Broad axe, adze
Broad axe
Marking
Layout cut lines
Chalk line, square
Chalk line
Positioning
Place over pit
Levers, ramps
Cant hook, peavey
Securing
Prevent movement
Iron dogs into log and beam
Dogs, hammer
Chapter 4: Lumber Dimensions
Board Type
Thickness
Width
Common Use
Board
3/4-1 inch
4-12 inches
Siding, shelving, trim
Plank
1.5-2 inches
6-12 inches
Flooring, decking
Timber
3-6 inches
3-6 inches
Framing, posts
Beam
6-12 inches
6-12 inches
Structural, heavy framing
Slab (waste)
Variable
Variable
Fencing, rustic siding
Chapter 5: Drying and Storage
Drying Method
Time
Quality
Cost
Best For
Air drying (stickered stack)
6-12 months per inch
Good
Very low
General lumber
Solar kiln
2-4 months per inch
Very good
Low-moderate
Faster drying
Dehumidification kiln
1-3 months per inch
Excellent
Moderate
Precision drying
Air drying: 1) Stack lumber with stickers (spacers) between each layer. 2) Stickers: 3/4 x 1.5 inch strips, spaced 16-24 inches apart. 3) Align stickers vertically (prevents sagging). 4) Elevate bottom of stack 12-18 inches off ground. 5) Cover top with roofing (shed rain, allow air flow). 6) Open sides for air circulation. 7) Weight top of stack (prevents warping). 8) Rule of thumb: one year per inch of thickness. 9) Target moisture content: 12-15% for construction, 6-8% for furniture.
Reference Card
The pit saw is civilization's lumber mill (before water and steam power, every board was cut by hand with a pit saw; two people can produce 100-200 board feet per day). 2. The top sawyer is the skilled position (guiding the saw along the chalk line while standing on a moving log requires experience and steady hands). 3. Snap your lines carefully (every board starts with a chalk line; crooked lines produce crooked boards; take time to mark accurately). 4. Rip teeth cut with the grain (pit saw blades use rip-tooth geometry designed to cut along the grain; crosscut teeth are for cutting across the grain). 5. Debarking saves the saw (bark contains grit and stones that dull the blade; always debark before sawing). 6. Sticker every layer (lumber stacked without spacers traps moisture and develops mold, stain, and warp; stickers allow air circulation on all surfaces). 7. One year per inch (air-dried lumber needs approximately one year per inch of thickness to reach usable moisture content). 8. Weight the stack (lumber dries under tension; weighting the top of the stack with heavy material prevents warping and cupping).
