Technology of sawing a log into boards with a chainsaw
Sawing a log into boards with a chainsaw is a fairly convenient and easy method of working with wood. Thanks to the presence of various nozzles, the master gets materials that have a smooth and even surface. It is easy to make boards on your own, you do not need to go to specialized stores.
The method of sawing logs with a chainsaw has several advantages.
Ability to work in any conditions. a chainsaw is not afraid of moisture, so the sawing experts can saw logs during rain, the equipment is not spoiled in such a case.
High performance. it is allowed to carry out woodwork throughout the day, but it must be taken into account that the power of the machine must be at least 7 horsepower.
Stand-alone device. the equipment runs on gasoline, does not depend on electricity, the workplace is installed in any area where it would be more convenient to carry out the process.
Ease of operation. the chainsaw is equipped with a smooth start and adjustable speed of the chain, these conditions ensure a quality result for beginners in this business.
The undoubted advantage is that the equipment is much cheaper than a small sawmill. In the event of a breakdown, repairs are inexpensive and do not take much time.
Working tools types
Sawing logs with a chainsaw is carried out in different ways, masters work with wood along the grain, as well as across it. It all depends on what attachments are used in a chainsaw.
Nozzle for longitudinal sawing
Used for sawing logs longitudinally, the process takes place in a horizontal position. After work, the master gets the same thickness at the product. Finished materials are dried, and then the boards are used in construction.
In appearance, the device is a frame of small size, it is attached to the bar on each side.
Sawing with a light nozzle
The method is not of high productivity, but is used quite often. The element is fastened on one side, but the workpieces are slightly uneven. Such materials are needed for the construction of barns or fences.
The drum debarker
With this attachment it is easy to debark the log, it works due to the V-belt transmission. Attached to the belts on both sides, special pulleys are used for this purpose. The speed of rotation of the shaft depends on the size of the pulleys, so the performance of the nozzle is not difficult to change.
This technology forces the craftsman to closely monitor every step of the process, some specialists use an assistant during this sawing. But it requires increased safety precautions.
Advantages of a home-made sawmill from a chainsaw
Although workers in the timber industry may disparage the low-power “device”, it still has a number of advantages precisely for private use:
- Cheapness. One of the decisive benefits. Industrial machines are designed for large volumes and continuous work during a work shift. However, the simplest and low-power domestic band saw costs one and a half times more. Foreign samples are several times more expensive. The cost of metal parts and welding do not affect the price significantly.
- Compactness. With few exceptions, the home-made sawmill is a small unit. It can be transported without problems, which has the advantage that the timber can be thinned on site without having to drive the complete trunks to the machine’s location. if the logs are not near where they are needed, the logs must be transported all the same, but this task is easier in terms of loading and transportation requirements. A chainsaw sawmill takes practically no space when disassembled.
- Simple construction. The tool, made with their own hands, is characterized by a small number of parts and can be assembled by a person without special training, except for welding skills. Accordingly, the only thing that can break in it is the chainsaw itself.
Types of log sawing
Before you start sawing a billet, you need to decide how to get the final product of high quality with the least amount of waste. The timber is not of uniform quality, the lower part of the trunk yields the most valuable lumber. The following types of lumber can be obtained by sawing from a log:
- timber is a sawn timber with a thickness and width of more than 10 cm. the most common type is a four-beam, square in cross-section. Used as a construction material and in the manufacture of furniture;
- Board. sawn timber, up to 10 cm thick and twice as wide as the thickness. Boards are obtained from logs or cants and are used in construction and in the furniture industry.
With theoretical knowledge and practical skills, you can make boards and cants with your own hands.
Design features of a sawmill from a chainsaw
If factory assembled machines are mostly stationary variants, then self-made ones are more profitable and easier to make portable. This determines the peculiarities of design. If the cutting part of the factory unit is mounted on the frame, then the self-made saw blade is installed in a special frame welded from a metal profile. It acts as a stroke limiter, as well as determines the flatness of the cut.
However, sometimes you can also find a stationary model in the economy, which the enterprising owners assemble in a specially designated place on the site. Here already uses a more massive rolled metal. channel, and angle, of which the bed for the trunk of the tree is made. The massive carriage with the chainsaw mounted on it travels along the log on guide rails by means of rollers. Such products, while giving more accurate cut, are much more complex and expensive to produce, so they are justified only there, where it is necessary to work with a large volume or for a long time.
Requirements for a chainsaw
No matter by what drawings the sawmill is assembled, it will not provide the required productivity if the main element. the chainsaw itself. is selected incorrectly. It’s worth noting right away that longitudinal sawing takes a long time and puts a lot of stress on the engine, transmission and saw unit. So the better and more expensive a chainsaw works in conjunction with the frame, the faster, better quality and safer the work will be.
Therefore, it is better to use products of the semi-professional and professional segment of such brands as STIHL, Husqvarna, Echo, Makita, Oleo-Mac, Komatsu. Firstly, these companies offer tools for professional use. Secondly, the high quality and reliability of parts and components will cope with the task assigned to the saw without failures and stoppages in the work.
Actually, nobody forbids to use an inexpensive Chinese chainsaw for a sawmill, like the same Kalibr or Hooter. But taking this step, the owner should be aware of the fact that the work of the tool for dissembling a pair of logs into boards for a day can be the last. Even if you successfully cut firewood or even felling trees, there is no guarantee that the engine will not overheat and jam during a longitudinal cut. When you split a log, you get the right length of log at the right time. After such a load when using the domestic version, you will need to wait 10. 15 minutes to let the engine cool down.
Regardless of the manufacturer, the following parameters should be taken into account:
- Sufficient power, not less than 3.5 liters. с. This prevents the engine from getting bogged down when the saw blade “binds” in the wood. Even better, when it is 4. 4.5 hp.с. But the lucky owners of professional chain saws with 5 to 6 kW will be able to easily operate the assembled machine.
- The length of the bar should not be less than 45 cm. The smaller outreach of the saw head is obviously not enough for longitudinal sawing work. Considering that it is not possible to finish cutting as in crosscutting, the length of the bar limits the maximum possible diameter of the log or beam.
- The chain must be strong and of good quality, so it does not stretch after one or two cuts. If you want to change the chain you have to remove it from its mounting, you’d better not deal with the cheap versions that have no name, which are spliced from a coil of unnamed material right in front of you. STIHL, Oregon, Husqvarna, at most Champion. this is the range of products that can be used for a relatively long time without replacement.
Separately, it is worth noting such parameters of the blade as the chevisel shape of the teeth, which increases the cutting speed, as well as the sharpening angle. For longitudinal sawing, the cutting edge must be reduced to 10 degrees. Such chains are sold separately, but you can also resharpen an old chain, especially if you have a sharpening machine.
Peculiarities of crosscutting logs
Sawing a log lengthwise is a rather labor-intensive process. That’s why many chainsaw owners prefer to saw tree trunks crosswise. In these cases it is possible to get disks, and already with them to saw straight boards of varying thickness. The finished wood can then be used to make benches and other garden furniture.
To make a cross-cutting sawing of logs, proceed as follows:
- First, the trunk will need to be set up on a trestle that is at least 80-90 cm high;
- Then the trunk will need to be cleaned from the bark;
- Next, it will be necessary to make a small kerf, which will play the role of guide groove;
- After that the log used must be turned around by 90 ⁰. At the same time the tire of the gardening tool must saw strictly in the direction of the intended groove.
It must be remembered that when performing both longitudinal and transverse sawing of a log into boards, there is a great risk of injury. Therefore, both types of work should be carried out in accordance with all safety standards. The operator must wear gloves, safety glasses, shoes with anti-slip soles, and a suit of thick fabric. During sawing of a log it is necessary to stand in several meters from the bar as the chain can snap at any moment and cause harm to the operator and people around.
Sawing a log into boards with a chainsaw and wooden guide
According to the presenter of the YouTube channel Advokat Egorov, this method is most suitable for plots, where there are fallen trees. To saw logs, a medium-powered chainsaw with a short bar and two planed boards is enough. Boards are screwed together with butt joints, and the resulting rectangular structure for rigidity is reinforced with rectangular bars.
Log prepared for sawing
Start cutting a log by removing a small hump. To make the cut even, an angle is set to the log and used as a guide.
Positioning a square corner on the log
Turn the log over and fix again the guide corner on the cut. For ease of installation set the prop.
Guide angle with support
The height of the guide angle determines the thickness of the resulting lumber.
Cutting of the second slab on the log
After cutting the two slabs, you get full boards. If the log is long and when sawing the board clutches the blade, then wedges are inserted.
When sawing long logs it is necessary to watch the heat of the saw and stop to let the tool cool down.
Sawing the log along the guide
After sawing the log in this way you get boards of different quality and thickness.
Logs sawn into boards
Sawing a log into boards with a chainsaw along the marks
As shown in the video on the YouTube channel “Grouse”. Second channel”, before sawing with this method logs are cleaned of bark, put on spacers and fastened with two screws.
Fixing the log to the screws
Marking out with level. Make two vertical lines on the ends of the log.
Marking the face of the log
According to the markings stretch the marking cord or put marks, and then connect them with a ruler.
Using a marking cord
Marking out the log with a ruler
The first saw cut of the log is made on the marking.
The first cut of the log
Deep sawing of the log
The final cut of the log
Before the last pass of the log for insurance put a hanger on the log, only after that remove the fastening screws.
Removing wood screws
Log, sawn in two parts
Sawing a log into boards with a chainsaw along the marks
As shown in the video on the YouTube channel “wood grouse. The “second channel”, before sawing with this method, the log is cleaned of bark, laid on spacers and fastened with two screws.
Fastening of a log on screws
Use a level to make a marking. Two vertical lines are marked on the ends of the log.
Marking the face of the log
According to the marks, a straightening cord is drawn or marks are put, and then they are connected with a ruler.
Use of the marking cord
Marking the log with a ruler
The first cut of the log is made in accordance with the marks.
The first saw cut of the log
Deeper cut of the log
The final cut of the log
Before the last pass, a safety hanger is put on the log, and only then the fastening screws are removed.
Remove the fastening screws
A log sawn in two parts
Features of the crosscut
Cross-cutting is only suitable for firewood or interior fittings. The work is carried out according to several principles:
Before working, position the log horizontally on the supports. The height of its location must be 0.5 m.After that it is necessary to remove the bark from the log completely.The next step is to mark all the logs at regular intervals.Then, according to the created marks, it is possible to saw.
Components
A typical chainsaw carriage design consists of the following parts:
- A base frame with guides, which are assembled directly in the place of use using standardized sections.
- Systems of automatic control of wood machining parameters which includes limit switches, depth of cut control sensors, temperature detectors, units for current tool vibration measurement, etc. Each carriage manufacturer has a different set of these assemblies.
- Measuring scales mounted on guide rails.
- Motor for carriage movement.
No additional maintenance required.
As an example, let’s look at the circuit and possibilities of the portable saw Logosol F2 Farmer with a chain saw carriage. Designed for longitudinal sawing of logs up to 60 cm in diameter, made of standard anodized aluminium sections with a length of 1 m.
- For chainsaws with manual feed, a 4-meter guide rail design is used to move the carriage vertically and horizontally. The most suitable chainsaw for such a chain saw is the STIHL MS391. Engine output 3.3 kW at a weight of 6.4 kg. Sawing is even faster with a bigger saw, like the STIHL MS661.
- For chainsaws with automatic feeding the Logosol Log Moulder is the right choice. It is a set with a drive carriage, which has the ability to change the performance and speed of the saw blade according to the resistance force of the material to be processed. The unit is used mainly for electric saws, but can be adapted to petrol saws as well.
Safety precautions
It is necessary to observe safety rules when working with a chainsaw, they will allow to avoid traumas and unpleasant situations:
- No one, especially children, should be allowed on the work site.
- Always wear a circular saw blade guard when working with the circular saw.
- While sawing a log it is necessary to use sawdust and noise protection.
- Always have a medical kit with medicines to treat cuts.
- It is forbidden to pour petrol into the heated tank of the chainsaw.
- Do not use your chainsaw for its intended purpose and never run it at full throttle unless it is in use.
- Install the logs only from the right side.
- It is strictly forbidden to exert pressure on the equipment when working with it.
If you observe safety precautions, the work will not be difficult, and the result will be high quality material without harming your health.
The chainsaw is a versatile piece of equipment that is easy to use. Masters can use it in the homestead, in a private home. In addition to getting boards, used for repair work on household outbuildings and wooden decorative elements. No need for a large number of boards, just a couple of logs.
The chainsaw is a tool for sawing boards
Makeshift device for sawing logs into boards with a chainsaw, a detailed description of making a device with dimensions and photos.
Hello all! I want to show a homemade device for sawing boards, which is installed on a chainsaw or electric saw. This home-made device I made for his electric saw, and with it sawed planks, I was satisfied, the way really works, but you will need all certainly adjust for yourself.
I will describe how it is made, and who is interested you can learn and improve this design.
Materials used:
All elements are aligned by level and welded, the dimensions I took at random, at my discretion, and focus on my saw. Be sure to make a handle for sawing and pushing direction.
Everyone’s saws are different, in terms of size and length of the bar, and so there may be modifications to the design for your particular saw, which will need to be taken into account.
I was forced by the need to saw boards myself, why? When you live in the countryside, you need boards for their needs, the thing is very much in demand. There is always something to nail, make, replace, chipped. Where to get boards for your needs? Tell me you can just buy. Yes you can, but it’s not always profitable, and you have to pay more for shipping. And if you need a little, say only a few boards, 2-3 pieces only, small stuff nail. After all, a few pieces of boards, no one will sell you if you do not live in the city.
Now, let me tell you how I sawed. To start, I fixed the log on a simple workbench, with clamps.
I evened the upper part of the log with an axe, and then I treated it with an electric planer to make the surface even. I did it by eye, but used a ruler for more or less flat surface.
And then, I just put a saw with a nozzle at the end of the log, with a preset board thickness size, and saw. That’s it!
Some people make special rails for straight sawing, along which the saw and attachment moves, but I sawed straight through the log and it seems to work. Although special guides simplify the process of sawing, but you have to do a lot of them too.
And in this simple way, I sawed myself about 50 boards, ranging in length from 1.4 to 1.8 meters long. I chose logs of this length, for easier carrying and carrying alone, by hand.
A little clarification! The chain of a chainsaw is sharpened for a longitudinal sawing at an angle of about 10 degrees. It’s not fast, but it’s doable. Speed of cutting depends on saw power and sharpness of sharpened chain. The more powerful the saw, the faster the sawing process. If the chain gets blunt, it will be slow to cut, and fine dust will fly out. Also, I removed the tooth stop from the chain a little to get the chain to cut into the wood better. I took it off by eye, about a millimeter.