best method to cut down logs

Discussion in 'Carpenters' Talk' started by Mkol, Oct 12, 2019.

  1. Mkol

    Mkol Member

    Hi guys, my father in law has found himself with 2 tonne of 12" logs that since having a new (smaller) woodstove fitted will no longer fit!
    he needs to cut them down to around 8-10" and im just wondering the best way to do this, the main problem i see is supporting the log safely and securly while cutting. 12" might be a bit short for a saw horse with a chainsaw attachment?
    also wondering the best tool, chainsaw? reciprocating saw with a long large tooth blade?

    any ideas?
     
  2. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    A reciprocating saw would be safer than a chain saw.
    I use Makita 300mm coarse blades in saw here for cutting a leylandi, made short work of cutting it up.
     
  3. Wayners

    Wayners Screwfix Select

    Buy a log splitter. They Start at £30 but second hand ones about. Not sure what size is best but you can research or hire one for the day
     
  4. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Put advert on Freegle/Freecycle might turn up one, had a couple pop up on local Freegle here.
     
  5. longboat

    longboat Screwfix Select

    Whats the girth of these logs? If its only slim, under 70-80mm or so, a cheap chop saw would be the quickest and safest way to cut them in half.
     
  6. Mkol

    Mkol Member

    Yeah I thought chop saw too as this would be stable but some of them are pretty chunky and probably up to 150mm
    Looks like recip saw is probably the way to go, but how to secure them while cutting?
    As they are rough logs they aren’t easy to keep still
     
  7. Mkol

    Mkol Member

    Log splitter sounds good but surely this would only split the width along the grain and not length? length is the issue here
     
  8. Jord86

    Jord86 Screwfix Select


    A chainsaw would be your best bet, or use a handheld circular saw and go all the way around the log with the cut. Make yourself a jig out of 2x2 cut diagonally and fixed to a piece of ply so its shaped like an ‘M’, then rest your log in the centre section between the two fillets, crack on and watch your fingers.
     
  9. DIYDave. likes this.
  10. Mkol

    Mkol Member

  11. longboat

    longboat Screwfix Select

    Use a splitting maul to reduce the diameter of the bigger logs so they'll fit in the saw.
     
  12. chillimonster

    chillimonster Screwfix Select

    S.F. do a log saw horse which grips the log at one end only whilst you saw
    off at desired length.
    Had one for couple of years now, does the job.
     
  13. sospan

    sospan Screwfix Select

    If you have a chainsaw then it is quite easy. All you need as well is a standard saw horse or trestle and a ratchet strap. Use the strap to fix the log to the trestle along its length with the excess hanging over the end. Then just cut the excess off.
     

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