| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| gil |
pit sawsAt least, I think that's what they're called. Those two-person big saws for big logs.Anyone got or ever used one ? Are they any good ? Easy to use or not ? |
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| vegplot |
It's where the expression top dog and under dog comes from. Hard work, but if you have a good sharp saw... | ||||
| crofter |
I have used one. Agree with Vegplot - it is hard work. | ||||
| earthyvirgo |
Re: pit saws
I'd say not Gil. I think it's probably best with two people of equal strength. Our 1st attempt was a litle ...errr ...well, fraught. "Are you pushing or pulling"? "I dunno, what am I supposed to be doing?" EV |
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| gil |
So something to be used by two people who are used to working the saw with each other. Not a tool to be shared with / inflicted on occasional guests / visitors 
Could you use it sideways on a saw horse, rather than up and down over a pit, or is that not possible/more difficult ? |
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| earthyvirgo |
We used it on a saw horse. With a bit of practice and patience, I'm sure it will be a fine tool. EV |
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| Hairyloon |
I would think that would be a lot harder. I've never tried it, but it has been the standard way of sawing timber for centuries so it can't be that difficult. Think I'll stick with a chainsaw (or maybe two) myself. 
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| vegplot |
That was with a cross cut saw and very different to pit sawing which requires a rip saw. |
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| vegplot |
It would be very difficult to keep the cut straight. Also, with pit sawing, the main cut stroke was made dowwards so gravity would assist. The top dog mainly raised the saw and guided the cut but techniques varied. |
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| Anders |
We have got a two- person saw - a cross cut saw, five foot. It was bought here:
http://www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk/acatalog/One_and_Two_Man_Cross_Cut_Saw.html#a57 Very nice saw and pretty effective, - but hard work. We've just bought a chainsaw as well and will be using both. |
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| robin wood |
I see nice old cross cut saws fairly regularly at car boots and if well sharpened and set they work well though obviously harder work than a chainsaw, they also remove a wider kerf than a modern bowsaw which means a little more effort per log cut.
I have also used pit saws over pits and on trestles for rip sawing planks but I suspect the original post was looking for cross cuts not pit saws. |
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| dpack |
hard work
or chainsaw proof trews and hat |
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| dpack |
as a slight aside avoid the 2 human pulled chains with teeth like a chainsaw but hippy/squaddie powered rather than a motor ,the ones we have tried jam and break too often
the big heavey two handed saws work ,if kept in good order ,the teeth need sharpening and setting quite often a big bow saw will work two person in a very nice way and you can choose the blade to match the timber mostly it is working as a team |