David Armsteader

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since Nov 17, 2015
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Hey guys! I found another video describing the cutting speed of a pit saw. The video shows two men on their first day learning to saw. 46-1/2 inches cut in 7 minutes 15 seconds which is 6.4 inches per minute through 8 inch oak. Frogwoodtool.com guys. Let’s get our pit saws on order so we can use them as stocking stuffers. Don’t waste your money on gym memberships! Take turns being the “top dog” and the “under dog”. I read that pit sawing is where those terms come from. Sorry if the link doesn't work if you click on it. I haven't figured out how to do that yet.


Thanks for all this great feed back folks! If you're like me and you've been interested in adding a pit saw to your homestead tool box for a while, we're in luck! frogwoodtool.com has them for around $230.00. They are German made and come set and sharpened with both handles including the tiller. I am on the back order list already. As soon as they have twenty saws on back order they place the order with the manufacturer. Call them and get yours on order to. They are a top supplier of timber framing tools as well. I am not affiliated with Frog Wood Tool in any way. The only thing I get out of this is the chance to buy a pit saw at the same price as everybody else.
Hand tools like cross cut saws, axes, plains and yes, even the much maligned pit saw, enables us to convert muscle power, aka “elbow grease”, into lumber. Pit saws are still used extensively throughout South America, South East Asia and Africa. They are still manufactured by the tens of thousands in India, China and Germany. Why is it that we in the western world shrink in terror at the prospect of a task requiring a little elbow grease but are all too willing to use gallons of petrochemicals and coal based electricity to do things that our grandparents did without such crutches? Let’s get back to the spirit of “By the sweat of our brows and the strength of our backs and the courage of our hearts”! (Any pirate fans out there?) Check out Roy Underhill's Ted Talk “Have Broad Axe, Will Travel”. I grew up using un-powered hand tools and still do almost exclusively. Often I am working where electricity isn’t available. Most people who shy away from using un-powered hand tools do so because of a bad experience with a tool that wasn’t properly maintained. Many others just have never had the opportunity to give them a try. In some cases the old school un-powered tool is actually more effective than its modern counterpart. If you’ve ever drilled a hole through an old locust post with a modern drill and bit you know what I’m talking about. My grandfather’s old brace and bit performs this task with minimal effort. The key is that he taught me how to sharpen and maintain them.
(Pit Sawing Reclaimed Longleaf Heart Pine.mp4 - YouTube) This YouTube video shows two men sawing an old pine beam into boards with a pit saw. The video claims that two men cut 250 boards in three weeks. That’s less than one man hour per board. Pit saws are designed to cut green or “wet” lumber so productivity would be even better when cutting one’s own logs. They were cutting one inch boards. If they were cutting "two by" stock their board foot per man hour ratio would almost double. I’ll be the first to admit I wouldn’t want to be the one who had to write a business plan based on those numbers. For a homesteader however that just wants an inexpensive (sustainable) way to convert his logs and elbow grease into a valuable resource, this is an intriguing option. I need a few more adventurous souls to go to Frog Wood Tool and order a pit saw so I can buy mine.
You will get no argument from me there. Some folks would say the same thing about growing your own food. I had an opportunity to try out an antique pit saw and it cut faster than I would have guessed. The thought of a tool that cuts boards without the need to ad gas or plug it in apeals to me. I'm hoping that there's at least nineteen more crackpots like me.

Any body ever heard of a "Pit Saw"?. A pit saw is a two person manual rip saw that's used to ruff saw logs in to lumber. The only fuel needed is elbow grease. No more loud smokey chainsaw mills or having to haul logs off site. I found a place in Chicago that still sells them but they have to order twenty at a time. As usual, my timing is impeccable because I'm the only customer on the list of twenty for the next order. I only need nineteen more Permies or homesteaders to get on the list with me so I can buy my pit saw. The place is called "Frog Wood Tool". A quick search of that name will take you to their site. I am not affiliated with them in any way! I just want to be able to buy a saw. I have a brother in law and two sons that I can't wait to recruit in to a new homesteading adventure. Thanks in advance guys.