Pit-Sawing Square Timber and Battens from a Log (Moxon, 1678)

"If they would take any Square, Quarter, or Batten, &c. off, they first set off their Scantlin."

Open the compasses to the size you want plus the saw's kerf (e.g. 70 mm + kerf for a 70 x 70 mm square) and prick that distance from one side at both ends of the log. Set off exactly the size and the piece comes out half a kerf thinner.

Chalk a line hard, hold it on the pricks at both ends, strain it stiff, lift the middle straight up and let it snap down to leave a chalk line. Mark the underside the same way. Working alone, hook the line on a compass point or a nail at one end.

Wedge the log fast over a saw-pit, or on two strong trestles a little more than man-high with four spreading legs. Plumb the side the lines were set from so it hangs exactly upright, or the piece will be thicker at top or bottom.

Enter the pit-saw at one end: the top-man on the log guides it exactly in the line and draws it a little towards him on the down stroke; the pit-man below pulls straight down with all his strength, not so far that the handles drop out of reach. On the up stroke bear the teeth off the wood. When the sawn pieces pinch the blade, drive a wedge into the kerf, as far as you dare without splitting it.

Turn the log and line and saw the other faces the same way to get squares (70 x 70 mm here) and thinner battens.

From Joseph Moxon, **Mechanick Exercises**, Numb. V, Joinery (1678), §27, pp. 96-98, and Plate 4 M (checked on the archive.org scan mechanickexercis00moxo). Softwood, the 70 mm size and the kerf figure are ours.