Kostruzzjoni / Construction

Lupa / Crosscut saw

Lupa / Crosscut saw

Il-lupa magħruf ukoll bħala s-serrieq it-twil li kien jintuża fil-qtugħ ta’ xi kolonni, injam jew inkella xi ħajt wiesa’. Fuq il-parti tal-manku kien ikun hemm toqba, sabiex il-puntell tax-xafra kien jgħaddi minnha u kien ikun isikkat sabiex ix-xafra u l-manku jkunu ħaġa waħda. B’hekk kien ikun hemm aktar effiċjenza fil-qtugħ tal-ġebel. Wara l-użu tal-għodda, il-bennej jew in-naġġar kien idellek żjut jew xaħam mal-wiċċ tas-serrieqa biex jevita il-ħruġ tas-sadid billi f’ħafna drabi l-għodda kienet tinżamm ġewwa xi għorfa umduż. Kien hemm diversi kobor ta’ lupa u kienet tintuża skont il-ħxuna tal-kolonna jew tal-ħajt.

The crosscut saw was used in the cutting of pillars, wood or wide walls. On the handle there used to be a hole, this was so that the pin of the blade would go through it and become as one piece. This is how there was more efficiency in cutting the stone. After use, the builder or stone cutter would spread oil or fat on the blade of the saw to prevent it from rusting as it was often placed in a humid environment. There used to be diverse sizes of saws and these were used according to the thickness of the pillar or wall.