Water-Driven Sawmills General

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Water powered sawmills have existed in Europe since the 4th century and in Bohemia they date back to the Middle Ages. The earliest sawmills were equipped with only one machine, a single-frame, single-bladed saw that cut the log in half. Over time, this was supplemented by a circular saw with a long movable table, which was used to cut the edge of boards vertically. Other innovations of the time included the extension and improvement of saw frame blades, but the system itself remained unchanged. Water motors were used to power both types of machine (see Watermill).

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