Pit Saw

Pit sawing operations have a long and vibrant history.  Well before circular saws were used to saw logs lengthwise, they were processed by placing them over a “pit" – hence the reference to “pit saw.”

The saw operates vertically up and down.  Operated by two men, a man on top, known as the "Top Dog", guided the saw as it was pulled down in a cutting motion by the "Underdog".  The "Top dog" recovered the saw and the "Underdog" then pulled it down in a cutting motion again.  Needles to say the "Underdog " copped a fair bit of sawdust.

The top of the saw has a fixed "tiller handle" so the topdog can guide it and cut a straight line.  The lower part of the saw has a "block" which is easily detachable with a wedge.  The block can be taken off to allow the saw to be threaded through the saw cut. 

The log is moved along when the saw comes to a cross bearer.

Back in the early days, it was very hard work.  In the penal settlement on Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour, in the early part of the 1800' s, settlers had as many as 14-20 pits working at any one time.

The use of Pit Sawing in Tasmania slowed down about the time the steam mills started to come on line in the 1870's

Two of these saws were used in cutting boards and frames for the Clarke's houses "Woodside" and "Erondelle" at North Franklin in 1838.

One of the sawyers demonstrating the pit saw at the festival in 2006 was Ian Scott, who has competed and won as a sawyer at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and is a World Champion Sawyer. 

If you know would like to become involved in the provision of some historical displays, photos or memorabilia, ore have some ideas of what we can include in future events, please contact the Historical Displays Co-ordinator.  We would love to hear from you!