Some Interesting Sawmill Terms
carriage ...a unit comprising of headblocks,setworks, frame and wheels that moves the log back and forth through the saw.
head block...a unit that is attached to the carriage comprising of bolster, knee and dog that moves the log into the saw by action of the set works to determine the thickness of the cut.
bolster...the stationary portion of the headblock that the log lays on. knee... the moving upright portion of the headblock that moves the log into the saw determining board thickness.
dog...a pointed moving part that travels up and down the knee to bite into the log and hold it to the knee.
set\vorks...a mechanism that converts rotary motion to linear motion to move the knee back and forth.
husk...a frame attached to the track that houses the saw, saw mandrel, and feedworks.
feedworks...a mechanism that through belts, gears, cable,and drum is operated by the sawyer that moves the carriage and log back and forth through the saw.
sawyer...the person who operates the mill and makes judgments on how to saw the log.
deckman...the person who keeps logs on the deck and helps the sawyer put logs onto the carriage.
offbearer...the person who removes lumber from the mill (may also grade, sort, and stack lumber).
board...a wide faced piece of lumber I" in thickness or less. piank...a wide faced piece of lumber more than 1" in thickness. board foot...Bd. Ft. -12"X12"X1" thick-144 sq. inches surface area 1"
thick.
' 
cant.,..a log sawn on two or more opposing sides.
wane...bark on the edge for the board.
flitch...a board with bark or wane on the edge.
slab...the outer bark covered piece first sawn from the outside of the log.
sa\vdust...the stuff, lies, tales, stories, bull,that comes out of the mouths of
sawmill people whenever they get together.