A dragsaw or drag saw is a large
reciprocating saw using a long steel
crosscut saw to buck logs to length. Prior to the popularization of the
chainsaw
A chainsaw (or chain saw) is a portable handheld power saw, power saw that cuts with a set of teeth attached to a rotating chain driven along a guide bar.
Modern chainsaws are typically gasoline or electric and are used in activities such as t ...
during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, the dragsaw was a popular means of taking the hard work out of cutting wood. They would only work for a log on the ground. Dragsaws are known as the first mechanical saws to be used in the
timber industry
Lumber is wood that has been processed into uniform and useful sizes (dimensional lumber), including beams and planks or boards. Lumber is mainly used for construction framing, as well as finishing (floors, wall panels, window frames). ...
operation. These tools were most useful in the logging business, because they were efficient and very resilient. Not to be confused with a
steam donkey.
History
Early dragsaws of the modern era were powered by levers or foot pedals,
steam
Steam is water vapor, often mixed with air or an aerosol of liquid water droplets. This may occur due to evaporation or due to boiling, where heat is applied until water reaches the enthalpy of vaporization. Saturated or superheated steam is inv ...
and later
gasoline-powered. The post-modern steam-powered dragsaw was most commonly used in logging industry rather than merely clearing land due to its versatility. Many of the basic design principles from early dragsaws still apply to current products in the industry today. The inventor Robert G. Moores hypothesized that early non-mechanical versions of dragsaws may have been used to cut stone in
the Fourth Dynasty, Egypt, with copper saws suspended from ropes and advancing into the stone blocks by gravity.
Types
Human-powered
The human-powered dragsaw was a much more commonly used dragsaw among the general population due to their relatively low cost compared with their higher efficiency. Dragsaws powered by humans would often stem from a lever the person would use to manipulate the saw blade in a much easier manner. Other common formats included foot pedals or
treadles. These allowed for greater maneuverability when clearing a tree.
Engine-powered
Gasoline or
kerosene
Kerosene, or paraffin, is a combustibility, combustible hydrocarbon liquid which is derived from petroleum. It is widely used as a fuel in Aviation fuel, aviation as well as households. Its name derives from the Greek (''kērós'') meaning " ...
powered drag saws were popular between the 1910s-1940s when chain saws became preferable. They usually did 90 strokes of the saw per minute. Most of all gasoline-engine-powered dragsaws were made in
Portland, Oregon, United States. Steam-powered dragsaws utilized a piston hooked directly to the saw blade. The boiler was separate for easier portability. "They were very reliable and very rugged and were significantly more efficient than cutting (bucking) by hand." Some engine-powered dragsaws used a separate engine and were geared to a pulley.
Manufacturers:
* Ottawa
Among the first engine-powered drag saw companies. Saws used a four-cycle
hit 'n miss engine usually equipped with an angled water-hopper. Direct gear drive.
* Wolf Iron Works
Small machine shop that made saws under their own Timber Wolf name as well as Ward Sawer for
Montgomery Wards. Saws were two-cycle, chain driven and had a round gas tank that contained the radiator. The factory today resides at
Powerland Heritage Park.
* Vaughn
Vaughn made steam-powered drag saws. They also made drag saws of similar design to Timber Wolf between 1909-1948. After drag saws lost popularity, Vaughn made tracked tractors.
* Multnomah
Named for the county
Portland, Oregon
Portland ( ) is the List of cities in Oregon, most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest region. Situated close to northwest Oregon at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, ...
is in.
* Wee McGregor
* R.M. Wade.
Preservation
Engine enthusiasts and vintage logging machinery collectors have restored many examples of engine powered dragsaws. Restored saws can be seen at some
steam fairs.
References
External links
''Gas Engine Magazine'' article on operating an antique dragsaw
{{Forestry tools
Forestry tools
Saws