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Over the course of 150 years in the history of sawmilling in BC changes in saw designs, energy sources, and transportation methods both outside and in the mill revolutionized the production of lumber. Straight saws were replaced first by circular saws and then by “gangs” of multiple straight saws. Finally, thinner, and less wasteful, band saws were introduced and arranged in opposing pairs. Power was initially provided by the water wheel, then by the steam engine, the internal combustion engine, and the electric motor. In addition to running the saw, power was needed to move the logs into the mill, along the production line and out as freshly cut, or “green” lumber. The final step, removing the lumber from the production “chain,” and sorting it into piles according to grade was done manually by the greenchain workers. |
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