Author: fitz

The labour of the sawyer is applied to the division of large pieces of timber or logs into forms and sizes to suit the purposes of the carpenter and joiner. His working place is called a saw-pit, and his almost only important tool a pit-saw. A cross-cut saw, axes, dogs, files, compasses, lines, lamp-black, black-lead, chalk, and a rule, are all accessories which may be considered necessary to him.

Unlike most other artificers, the sawyer can do absolutely nothing alone: sawyers are therefore always in pairs; one of the two stands on the work, and the other in the pit under it. The log or piece of timber being carefully and firmly fixed on the pit, and lined for the cuts which are to be made in it, the top-man standing on it, and the pit-man below or off from its end, a cut is commenced, the former holding the saw with his two hands by the handle above, and the other in the same manner by the box handle below.

The attention of the top-man is directed to keeping the saw in the direction of and out of winding with the line to be cut upon, and that of the pit-man to cut down in a truly vertical line. The saw being correctly entered, very little more is required than steadiness of hand and eye in keeping it correctly on throughout the whole length.
(more…)

Rather than attempt to explain the specific details of French style trestle sawing, I have attempted to translate two the of the best primary French sources on sawing timber. The translations are not polished, but they will begin to help explain the methods used to mount heavy timbers on the chevalet type sawing trestle.
(more…)

300. Edward Turner was indicted for stealing, on the 4th of November, 1 saw, value 1l. 7s., the goods of William Beal, and that he had been before convicted of felony.

William Beal. I am a sawyer, and live at Mr. Langton’s timber-yard, Narrow-wall. I lost a saw, on the 4th of November, from that yard—I was at work with it all that evening—I left it under the roof of the sawpit—I returned the next morning, as soon as it was light, and missed it— I found it at the pawnbroker’s—I do not know the prisoner—this is the saw—it cost me 29s. when new.

Henry Garrod. I live at No. 51, Charlotte-terrace, Lambeth. On the 4th of November, I took this saw in pledge from the prisoner, in the name of James Turner—I am sure it was James.

William Turner. I was standing before Mr. Hickinbotham’s shop, on the 4th of November, and saw the prisoner take the saw to pawn—I am no relation of his.

Stephen Warley, (police-constable L 121.) I took the prisoner into custody, and produce the saw.

William Driver. I am a cooper, and was a constable. I produce a certificate of the prisoner’s former conviction, which I got from Mr. Lawson’s, the clerk of the peace for Surrey—the prisoner is the man (read.)

Prisoner’s Defence. I pledged the saw and a copper glue-pot—on the 6th I went to get it out, and I had not got sufficient money—this is the ticket he gave me—he put a wrong name on my ticket—I had not sufficient money to get the things out, and left some articles for them— this is the hand-writing on the ticket.

GUILTY. Aged 22.—Transported for Fourteen Years.

Taken in short-hand by Henry Buckler.

Central Criminal Court. Minutes of Evidence Vol. III – 1836

—Jeff Burks

The muſcular ſtrength of the Indian is ſtill leſs than might be expected from the appearance of the texture of his frame. Two Engliſh ſawyers have performed in one day the work of thirty-two Indians: allowances made for the difference of dexterity, and the advantage of European inſtruments, the diſparity is ſtill very great; and would have been more, had the Indian been obliged to have worked with the inſtrument of the European, as he would ſcarcely have been able to have wielded it.

As much as the labourer in Indoſtan is deficient in the capacity of exerting a great deal of ſtrength at an onſet, ſo is he endowed with a certain ſuppleneſs throughout all his frame, which enables him to work long in his own degree of labour; and which renders thoſe contortions and poſtures, which would cramp the inhabitant of northern regions, no conſtraint to him. There are not more extraordinary tumblers in the world. Their meſſengers will go fifty miles a day, for twenty or thirty days without intermiſſion. Their infantry march faſter, and with leſs wearineſs, than Europeans; but could not march at all, if they were to carry the ſame baggage and accoutrements.

Robert Orme

Historical Fragments of the Mogul Empire of the Morattores, and of the English Concerns in Indostan – 1805

(more…)