Do you want to utilize your chainsaw for artistic uses, such as cutting log slices? Learning to cut log slices with a chainsaw is a vital talent to master if you want to add a rustic touch to your home design, make unusual crafts, or even build wonderful furniture. Chainsaws are strong instruments for cutting through difficult materials such as wood. Correct methods and safety precautions allow you to turn raw logs into elegant slices suitable for your DIY projects.
This article will walk you through security and successfully cutting log slices with chainsaws, from selecting the correct equipment to learning important cutting methods. So put on your safety equipment, grab your chainsaw, and prepare to enter the world of log slicing. Continue reading for more information!
Safety Tips When Using A Chainsaw
To safeguard your safety when using a chainsaw, please take this necessary measures. Here are some helpful reminders:
Read the Manual
Introduce yourself to the manufacturer’s chainsaw operating instructions and protection rules. To avoid mishaps, pay close attention to them.
Personal Protection Equipment
Always wear protective apparel that protects your arms and legs, a hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses or gloves, goggles, steel-toed boots, & protective clothes. PPE can protect you from flying wood chips, debris, and potential injuries.
Maintenance and Inspection
Before using the chainsaw, examine it for any faults or flaws. Check the blade sharpness and chain tension and that all safety measures are operational. Maintain the chainsaw following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Working Area Preparation
Remove any possible risks from the work area, such as barriers, debris, or tripping hazards. Ensure enough space to move around comfortably while keeping a safe distance from others.
Secure Footing
While using the chainsaw, keep a strong and steady foothold. Select a level surface and avoid slippery and uneven terrain that might cause you to lose equilibrium.
Grip with Two Hands
Always hold the chainsaw with one hand on the back handle and the other on the front handle. This grip improves control and lowers the likelihood of losing chainsaw control.
Procedures for Starting and Stopping
Use the proper methods for starting and stopping the chainsaw. This usually entails activating the chain brake, adjusting the throttle, pulling the starting cord, & allowing the engine that warms up before usage. Before putting the chainsaw down, be sure the engine is turned off, and the chain is not moving.
Cutting Methods
Proper cutting skills should be learned and practiced, such as keeping a firm posture, cutting at height or lower, and utilizing the right cutting techniques for various kinds of wood or materials. Avoid cutting over your shoulders or extending too far.
Be Aware of Kickback
Kickback occurs when the upper half of the running chain makes contact with an item or pinches in the wood, allowing the chainsaw to kick up & back toward the operator swiftly. To reduce the danger of harm from backfire, be cautious, keep a solid hold, and position yourselves to the side of the chainsaw.
Don’t Work Alone
When using a chainsaw, having a companion or someone nearby is safer. They can support you, watch your job, and aid in an emergency. Remember that chainsaws are dangerous instruments that must be used with care. If you need clarification about any part of chainsaw operation, get expert advice or consider enrolling in a chainsaw safety training program.
How to Cut Log Slices With Chainsaw
Many handcrafted DIY projects utilize log slices for different household items to give the home a “rustic” appearance. Log slices make excellent decor, tabletops, coasters, & centerpieces! And the best part is that they’re extremely simple to build once you get to grips with it.
One option for creating your log slices is to use a chainsaw. Using such strong equipment for such a small endeavor may appear intimidating, but chainsaws make cutting off wood slices so much easier, especially if you’re making your wood slices from a bigger piece of wood, such as a log or a stump. The secret is to cut them all to the same size. This article will demonstrate various ways to cut log slices with chainsaws and provide safety advice. You’ll learn how to use a chainsaw properly and construct your homemade décor for your house by the end.
Material Needed
Before you start the project, ensure you have all of the necessary tools nearby to make things go more smoothly.
Chainsaw
You can only begin this endeavor with a chainsaw of the appropriate size. Ensure the chainsaw you’re using is between sixteen and eighteen inches long. This allows you to execute the appropriate cuts without fear of backlash.
Wood
Depending on what you already have, the wood you’ll utilize for this project might come in various shapes and sizes. This might be raw wood, including a tree stump, or processed wood, such as a tree log.
Safety Gear
You must always utilize safety gear when cutting with a chainsaw, whatever how modest you believe the endeavor is.
Strong Gloves
These gloves should give you a stronger grip on the chainsaw and protect your hands from scorching if you’re wielding a chainsaw for an extended amount of time.
Ear Protection
Even with all of the technological advancement that has masked the sounds of a chainsaw, prolonged exposure can harm your ears—not to mention the dust & dirt that may become lodged in your ear canal.
When cutting log slices with a chainsaw, you have a few options. Select the one that is most convenient for you. Now let’s start the methods to help your DIY wood cutting easy.
Freehand
This is the easiest technique to cut out log slices but only ensures perfect, consistent proportions. However, this may be your approach if you want to go for an “every piece of wood is unique” motif in your rustic décor.
Place the Tree Trunk into Something Sturdy.
When the tree log is on the ground, never cut wood slices. If your chainsaw falls on the ground, the blades will quickly dull, and you will be at risk of kickback. Place the tree log somewhat higher than knee height.
This means raising it at least fifteen centimeters (6 inches) from the ground so you can cut through without risking backlash and dulling your blades. You can use a sawbuck, chainsaw horse, or even an additional piece of wood to support the tree log.
Locate the Tree Knots.
A tree knot is a flaw in a tree formed by the continuous growth of wood over a dead limb. It is critical to locate these tree knots beforehand, beginning to saw, since cutting through them might harm your chainsaw’s chain. They are substantially tougher than the rest of the log and may expose you to kickback.
Once you’ve identified the tree knots, you could devise a strategy to avoid cutting directly into them. You may utilize a chainsaw to cut it off for some of them so you can continue your task without continually hunting for them.
After measuring, make a mark on the log.
In this stage, you will mark your log with the required thickness. The majority of the slices range in size from one to five inches. You’ll need a measuring tape to acquire an exact thickness to achieve this.
If the wood you are utilizing is too dark, you can use other materials to mark the log, that includes chalk and masking tape. A marker may suffice for milder barks. Mark the complete circle of the tree so that you can chop it as precisely as possible.
Start sawing with your chainsaw.
Take a firm hold on your chainsaw & start it up. Keep it four to five inches (10-13 cm) above the marks you drew, and gradually lower it to begin cutting. There’s no reason to push down hard while cutting. The chainsaw will perform the majority of the job. If it’s not cutting properly, you may require re-sharpen the chainsaw blades before proceeding.
Finish Sawing the Log Slice and Restart.
After cutting the first slice, mark the next section of the trunk & continue. You may let the initial slice fall to the ground or stop the chainsaw & place it aside before restarting the operation.
Utilizing a Jig
This is one of the best methods for cutting wood slices of the same size & thickness. A wooden jig can be purchased or made from scratch. It is made of a few pieces of 2-by-four wood that are nailed together. Before going with this approach, ensure you have completed steps one to two from the prior one.
Setting up the jig
You’ll need to determine the diameter of the tree log. Once you have it, split a 2×4 into two pieces so each has the same diameter as the tree log. We’ll refer to those two parts as A. Repeat the process with two additional pieces, but increase the dimensions from your tree log by 4 inches this time. The following two parts are referred to as B.
Then, you’ll attach these four 2×4 pieces to form a box. Start by connecting the ends of two A and two B pieces. To determine where to nail the 2nd A, nail them together and move them along the log. Nail the 2nd A piece to the first B piece once you have determined where to place it. Finally, fasten the last B piece to the wall to complete the 2×4 box.
Prepare the chainsaw blade.
Find two thin wood scraps which are the same size & thickness as one another for this phase. One must be adhered to by the blade’s right side, and the other must be on the same side close to the nose. With the help of these strips, the chainsaw may be moved without damaging the jig.
Put the jig on the log.
Place the jig on over the log & slide it around until the other end has the proper thickness. Then, add an inch to make room for the wood pieces you attached to the chainsaw.
Start sawing with your chainsaw once it is on
Firmly grasp the chainsaw, then turn it on. Refrain from too much pressure; the chainsaw will do most of the job.
Finish cutting that piece of wood and begin again.
As you keep making additional wood slices, keep lowering the jig. Keep going through these processes until you achieve your objective.
Leveling After Cutting
This simple technique requires you to eyeball the measurements & cut the log without first marking the wood. Once you’ve finished cutting, utilize a sander to sand the wooden slices down to an acceptable thickness.
To ensure that you continue to take the necessary safety precautions, it is advised that you continue to implement Steps 1 & 2 from the first way. Before starting your chainsaw, hold it firmly in your hands, and remember that you shouldn’t cut with excessive pressure. Make sure the chainsaw’s blades are kept sharp. If they become dull, sharpen them so you can complete them more quickly.
Tips When Cutting Log Slices with a Chainsaw
First, keep your hands on the saw at all times. Amateur woodworkers typically stabilize the thing they are cutting wood discs with their other hand.
Before using a chainsaw to cut the wood into slices, make sure the tree log is securely fastened and positioned. Keep both feet firmly planted on the ground while holding your cutter in both hands. Additionally, it’s crucial to utilize the right instrument. For cutting through heavy logs, a chainsaw larger than the wood’s overall thickness is optimal.
It would help if you didn’t use a clunky tool to remove chunks of wood the size of coasters from a felled tree. Chopping boards, Tabletops, & coasters are all made from wood slices. It would help if you also got the reward of clearing your yard with a chainsaw. Use loose bark or fallen tree branches to create home objects.
Dry the wood once you’ve cut it. A sturdy brush and sandpaper can remove broken wood and bark chips. Place the wooden discs in an oven or kiln set at a low temperature. Below 250 degrees, wood cures and dries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pick the ideal chainsaw for slicing logs?
The size of the logs you’ll be dealing with should be considered when choosing a chainsaw for cutting log slices. A chainsaw with a bar length that can handle the diameter of the logs you intend to cut is the one you should pick. For effective and pleasant use, it’s also crucial to consider the chainsaw’s weight and power.
What is the name of the first log cut?
The first log removed above the stump is a butt log or a butt cut. Cutting a log section because of a flaw is called butting off. The butt log of a tree contains most of its value.
What is a log slice?
A circular cross-section taken from a log is called a “log slice.” These slices are frequently employed in various woodworking tasks, including constructing tabletops, serving platters, and ornamental objects.
What should I do with them after I cut the log into slices?
The log slices may be used for various woodworking tasks once you’ve sliced them. You may use the slices as tabletops, ornamental elements, or any other imaginative use once you sand and smoothen them to the necessary smoothness.
How does a chainsaw cut?
Instead of a spinning chain, they feature a motorized, reciprocating (back-and-forth) blade positioned on top of a fixed blade. When the electric motor starts, a crank drags the moving blade over the stationary one, and the cutter cuts through the hedge.
Final Words
You may learn to cut log slices with a chainsaw with the right power tools and supplies. Using a chainsaw is simple as soon as you get the hang of it. You should be better if you take the proper safety procedures and have the necessary tools. Soon enough, you’ll have a properly sliced log suited for various uses and DIY projects. Learning how to use a chainsaw to cut log slices enables you to begin your DIY projects and provides you with a feeling of accomplishment for the work put into creating your rustic wood slices décor. I hope you have learned a lot from this article. Good luck! Do you want to learn how to use a chop saw to cut metal? Click Here!
