"Rob Gray" wrote in message
...
My house was built in 1820 and the beams (floor joists) in the basement
below the first floor are "and hewn" beams where the two verticle sides of
the beam still show the shape of the tree and some still have bark on them
whereas the upper and lower surfaces of the beam show the marks where the
beam was cut amd leveled out by hand. I'm not real familiar with exactly
how they cut beams back then by hand and was just curious about it. Does
anyone know of a website that shows the tools and methods used?

Also, there are a few of these beams that have been damaged over the years
by water and such and I was interested in replacing them with beams that
fit in with the rest of the construction. Is this something that is done
often, or would replacing the beam with a beam from the lumber yard be the
wisest move? The beams vary in size but most are probably around 10"
square or thereabouts.

Rob
NE PA

The work was probably done with a broadaxe or adze. I've been a remodeling
carpenter since the 80's and have not seen a restoration job in your
instance. Consider oversizing the replacement members, as modern homes
typically have greater loads on them due to more finished space and
furnishings (plus that old growth timber is no mo).