The chainsaw is a portable saw which is the best for heavy-duty jobs. They get used to cutting trees and firewood. But imagine you have a chainsaw and you’re expected to cut some wood slices. The chainsaw will never be your first choice, but it can also cut these precise wood slices. But it is not as easy as the other saws. So here are a few methods that help give you a process on how to cut wood slices with a chainsaw.
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Method 1: Simple Cutting Method
This method is straightforward, and all the user needs are to cut in freehand. There are no extra tools needed other than the saw and the support.
Total Time: 1 Hour
Step 1: Positioning
Having a log in the right position will result in proper and better cuts. If the user keeps the log on the floor and cuts the slices, it will never be easy to control. The chainsaw blade gets damaged if it hits the ground at the end of each cut. So for better cuts, prop the log on a sawbuck or a chainsaw horse. The user can either buy these or even make one in lumber. If these are not available, have the log at a place above your knees.
Step 2: Check The Logs
The logs won’t be the same throughout the piece. There may be three knots at different parts of the log. This can be a problem as it can spoil the saw blade, or it can result in minor injuries on the user. So before turning the chainsaw on, check the log for three knots. They will look circular and somewhat condensed. They will look odd in the log’s surface, and sometimes they extend beyond the trunk. Try to avoid the part where the tree knot is there to get better wood slices and also to prevent any form of damage.
Step 3: Measurements
The next part is the thickness of the wood needed. Each job may need wood of different thickness. So before cutting, be sure of what thickness each slice should be. They start from 1″ slices and then can go up to any slice according to the need. The 2″ and 5″ are very famous and standard for many jobs. Measure the thickness and mark the points in the log. Make sure the mark is visible for better accuracy in the cuts. Try to mark the line around the whole log for better results. This can make us cut steadily.
Step 4: Cutting The Slice
Get the chainsaw and start it. Let it run for a few seconds before starting the work. Hold it tight with both the hands and take it towards the first mark. Lower the blade down on the mark and make sure the throttle gets squeezed. Please do not put your full energy on the chainsaw, as it may lead to mistakes. A little pressure is enough as the chainsaw can handle the job. Try not to deviate from the markings.
Step 5: Finishing
Once done, the slice will drop onto the ground. The user may proceed to the next slice. Do the same steps and repeat it until the log is over. This is an effortless way of cutting the wood slice with the chainsaw. This may not give the user the best precise slices. But it can do the job very fast.
Things Needed
Here are the items required for cutting the wood slices through the simple cutting method
A chainsaw
Measuring tape
Chalk or something to mark the points
Method 2: Using A Jig
Making a jig will give us some precise and uniform wood slices. They are a few pieces of the 2 x 4’s that get nailed together and act as a guide for us to make the cuts. So let us see the steps needed to cut wood slices with a chainsaw using a jig in detail.
Step 1: Positioning And Checking The Log
Position the log in the right place for better cuts. Placing it in the ground can result in the blade getting damaged as it may hit the ground. Keep the log on an area above your knees for neater cuts. The user can use a sawbuck or chainsaw horse also to place the log. After placing the log, check the logs for any irregularities like the tree knot. The tree knot can damage our chainsaw blade and also cause injuries due to kickbacks. They will look circular and condensed. So before starting the work, check the log for three knots.
Step 2: Making The Jig
The jig is not very complex to make. Measure the log and convert the measurement to 2 x 4. Cut two pieces of that measurement. And then cut another two pieces, which are about 4 inches longer than other measurements. This is for getting some extra space for forming the box. Nail the pieces in such a way it forms a box.
This box will slide over the tree trunk. Nail the 2 x 4 pieces at right angles to each other. Slide it to the tree trunk to identify where the second shorter piece should get nailed. Mark the point and nail the shorter piece to the longer 2 x 4 piece. Now the user will have a U-shaped box with one piece left to complete. Take the remaining piece and finish nailing the box. This will give us a 2 x 4 box that will act as the jig.
Step 3: The Chainsaw Chain
Get two equal pieces of a 1-inch thickness wood scrap. We need to glue this near the chainsaw blade to raise the chainsaw chain to allow us to use the jig. First, we glue one piece to the right base of the chainsaw blade. The next piece will go near the tip of the blade on the same side. Now, this allows the blade to cut across the 2 x 4’s without giving any problems to the jig.
Step 4: Using The Jig
Place the jig on the tree log and slide it down until we reach the needed thickness. Now, as we have raised the chainsaw blade, slide the jig for at least one more inch. Use screws to attach the jig to the tree log. Attach it at opposite sides so that the jig is very stable.
Step 5: Cutting The Wood Slice
Now, as the jig gets placed and turns on the chainsaw, leave it on for a few seconds and then take it near the measurements. Squeeze the throttle and slide the blade across the jig. The strips will keep the wood level, and the user need not put too much energy on the chainsaw.
Step 6: Finishing
Once the cut is complete, the slice drops down. Now continue the steps 1-5 again for the next slice. This gives us some accurate slices of wood.
Using a jig may sound tough, but it is an easy step to get good wood slices. These are the two easy methods to cut wood slices with a chainsaw.
Things Needed
Things needed to cut wood slices with a chainsaw.
A chainsaw
Measuring tape
Chalk or something to mark the points on the log
Few pieces of wood scrap which has a thickness of 1-inch
A few pieces of board to cut the 2 x 4’s for making the jigs
Screws
Some tool for tightening the screw
FAQs
1. Which is better- the electric chainsaw or the gas chainsaw?
The gas chainsaw is a better choice for heavy-duty jobs and can work with commanding power. But they have few disadvantages like they release fumes and are very loud. The electric chainsaw is portable and lighter. But they need a power source or battery to work. This may not be available everywhere, and they can’t handle heavy-duty jobs. But they are cheaper than the gas chainsaw.
2. Why are chainsaws said to be a hazardous tool?
A chainsaw is a dangerous tool because it has some sharp blades. They get used to outdoor jobs more, and many outdoor jobs can cause injuries like kickbacks. The chainsaw can also be very loud, which may cause hearing problems. There are even many other hazards caused by the chainsaw while working.
3. Why are chainsaws said to be a hazardous tool?
A chainsaw is a dangerous tool because it has some sharp blades. They get used to outdoor jobs more, and many outdoor jobs can cause injuries like kickbacks. The chainsaw can also be very loud, which may cause hearing problems. There are even many other hazards caused by the chainsaw while working.
4. What is a wood stabilizer, and why is it used?
Wood gets stabilized to increase the durability and hardness of the wood. Resins get injected, and they replace the air pockets inside the structure. These days many other materials get injected other than resins. They may differ based on the need of the user.
Conclusion
We hope we have given an idea of how to cut wood slices with a chainsaw. The chainsaw is a potent tool and can handle many different jobs. Cutting wood slices needs some precision and patience to finish it perfectly. If we follow all the steps above, we can end up with some beautiful wood slices with our chainsaw.
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