Timber Beams Hewn Square from the Log

Before sawmills, beams for frames and machines were hewn square from the log with axes. Snap a chalk line, score notches down to it, knock out the wood between them (juggling), then hew the face smooth to the line with a broadaxe. Turn the log and do each side. The picture: shipwrights with broadaxes hewing timbers for a ship, about 1915–1920 (Bain News Service, Library of Congress).

متوسط

A day per beam

التعليمات

Set the log up and mark

Block the log off the ground so it cannot roll. Mark the beam's outline on both ends with the square and snap chalk lines along the log between them.

المواد لهذه الخطوة:

جذع شجرة1 قطعة

الأدوات المطلوبة:

زاوية نجّار ثابتة

خيط التخطيط الطبشوري

Score

Stand on the log and chop notches every 30 cm or so, almost down to the line.

الأدوات المطلوبة:

فأس

خوذة أمان

Juggle

Knock off the blocks of wood between the notches with the axe, leaving a rough face just short of the line.

الأدوات المطلوبة:

فأس

Hew to the line

Hew the face smooth to the chalk line with the broadaxe, working from the bottom of the stem upward.

الأدوات المطلوبة:

فأس عريضة

Turn and repeat

Roll the log a quarter turn, snap new lines from the end marks, and hew the next face. Check the corners with the square; dress any high spots with the adze.

الأدوات المطلوبة:

خيط التخطيط الطبشوري

زاوية نجّار ثابتة