How to Make an Axe Hewn Beam

Before the invention of the steam engine and its application toward powering sawmills, the early pioneer had to rely on strength and hand tools to create floors and ceilings. One key component of ceilings and floors was beams to provide strong structural support. Beams were hand-hewn with broadaxes. They can be identified by a characteristic notching pattern. Today, restoration of historic buildings often requires the replacement of a rotted beam. To keep a restoration project true to its time period, builders recreate axe-hewn beams using a technique that works as well today as it did before the invention of the steam engine.

Log
Broadax
2 log dogs
Felling axe
Carpenter's adze
Tape measure
Chalk line

Instructions

- 1
  Raise a log off the ground by placing it perpendicular to two logs placed near the ends of the log to be hewn. Secure the log to the supporting logs by driving one end of a log dog into the side of the log and the other end into the top of a supporting log. A log dog is a long staple-shaped steel brace that is nailed into a log's side to secure it temporarily to another log.
- 2
  Mark the parallel and horizontal borders of the desired hewn log onto both ends of the log. Connect a chalk line on one side of the log between the top horizontal borders at both ends and snap a line demarcating the border along the length of the log. Repeat with the other side.
- 3
  Chop V-shaped notches on top of the log every two feet using the felling ax. The notches must go no deeper than the demarcating chalk lines.
- 4
  Remove the log dogs and turn the log 90 degrees so that the side to be hewn is perpendicular to the ground. Reinsert the log dogs to secure the log.
- 5
  Stand on the opposite side of the log and chop across the surface of the log between the V-shaped notches. This will create the first flat side of the ax-hewn beam. Repeat the chalking, notching and hewing steps with the remaining sides of the log.
- 6
  Chop along the length of the rough surface from one end to the other using an adze to create a final finished surface that is flat and square.

Traditional New England Porch Railing Styles

How to Hand Hew a Beam

Historic Restoration