Скачать или смотреть Traditional Wood Sawing Restoring an Ancestral Home: Old Technique to Cut Giant Timber

Steel teeth sing slowly, and time itself does the heavy lifting.

This video reveals the traditional wood sawing process used to restore an ancestral home, where giant timbers are cut by hand using ancient techniques instead of machines. What appears slow and primitive is actually a deeply optimized craft built on gravity, rhythm, and teamwork capable of producing straight, structural beams with nothing but muscle and experience.

The Process

Timber Selection & Marking:

Mature logs are chosen for straight grain and minimal internal stress.

Cut lines are snapped with chalk to guide accuracy.

The log is positioned to let gravity assist the cut.

Saw Pit Setup & Log Elevation:

A pit is dug or a raised frame is built beneath the log.

One worker stands above (top sawyer), one below (pit sawyer).

The log is secured to prevent rolling during cutting.

Two-Man Pit Sawing Technique:

The long saw is pulled down by the top sawyer using body weight.

The bottom sawyer guides the blade upward, keeping it true.

Rhythm is maintained to prevent binding and uneven kerfs.

Kerf Control & Chip Clearing:

Wooden wedges are inserted to keep the cut open.

Sawdust falls freely, reducing friction.

Adjustments are made instantly if the blade drifts off line.

Beam Finishing & Structural Prep:

Rough-sawn beams are checked for straightness.

Surfaces are refined with adzes or hand planes if needed.

Finished timbers are ready for traditional joinery.

Why This Works

✔ Gravity Assistance: Downward cuts use body weight instead of brute force.
✔ Full-Length Accuracy: Long saws naturally average out deviations.
✔ Material Respect: Slow cutting preserves wood fibers and strength.