At the millpond the logs were unloaded onto a sloping ramp
and into the pond, ready for the next days sawing. The hot pond, which
allowed sawing all year round, was heated by exhaust steam from the mill
.
(voice over of former mill worker Donat Huneaualt) Logs where hooked and drawn up the jack ladder by an endless flat link
chain onto a log deck in preparation for sawing
On the reciprocating shotgun carriage the dogger held the
log in place with steel dogs. The key player in the mill was the head sawyer
shown on the left. He signaled the setter who set the width of cut. The
kicker rotated the log and pushed it against the carriage for the next
cut.
A ten inch bandsaw blade cut only on the forward stroke
of the carriage. This allowed the sawyer to select for higher grade cuts.
Rough edges were left on some planks to be trimmed latter by the edger.
Above the main sawing area was the saw filers' loft where
saw blades were sharpened daily, or more often if required. Saw filers
were in great demand and were among the highest paid men in the mill.
