Frame saw

It is unknown how early framed pit-saws came into use however there is an Italian fresco from c. 1300 depicting their use.

A more modern development from the 18th Century is the open pit saw which resembled a large hand saw with no frame, a till for a handle at the top and a box for a lower handle.

This form of pit saw is still manufactured and in use in rural areas of developing countries as a means of processing timber.

In some early sawmills a frame saw was powered from a water wheel, wind mill or other rotary motion through a crankshaft and connecting rod.

Frame saws are now largely obsolete, although woodworkers who eschew power tools still make them for personal use in many sizes and styles of assembly.