Boards are actively used for various construction and repair activities. This material can be made independently from any suitable log using a regular chainsaw.

Chainsaw - a universal summer resident tool

A chainsaw, often also called a chainsaw, is a chain-operated hand tool equipped with a two-stroke (in most cases) internal combustion engine. This popular mechanism is indispensable in any homestead. The chainsaw is compact and yet powerful. It works without breakdowns for a long time in autonomous mode, due to which it can be used in any location and in a position convenient for the user. The chainsaw has other advantages:

• Equipped with mechanisms for selecting operating speed and smooth starting. This reduces the risk of chain breakage to a minimum.
• Can be used in high humidity conditions.
• Does not require electrical energy.
• It is characterized by high power indicators (noticeably greater than those of a power tool).
• Has a quick-acting inertia brake.

The main advantage of a gasoline saw is the ability to equip it with various attachments. It is they who make it a universal tool, indispensable for the home craftsman. Using a chainsaw, you can saw logs, cut stone, metal, brick, tiled building materials, remove bark from wood, cut out mounting grooves and various recesses in bars.

The functionality of the tool can be expanded even further, the main thing is to choose the right attachment or equip it with a special device.

We will not describe all the capabilities of the chainsaw. In this article, we are only interested in the issue of sawing logs using a chainsaw. More on the features of doing such work with your own hands.

Attachments and accessories for sawing – the home craftsman will appreciate them!

Cutting a log with a gasoline saw can be done after it has been equipped with various types of devices and special attachments. It is not difficult to obtain relatively smooth boards from the trunk of an old, dried tree in your summer cottage if you install a standard attachment for longitudinal cutting of wood on your chainsaw. Important point. You won't get perfect boards when using this attachment. But the cut products can be used to build a fence around the site or a simple shed.

It will be easier to cut a log more efficiently if you add to the nozzle a device for holding the wooden workpiece and a guide. You need to mount a metal frame on the saw bar. It is sold in construction stores. If you wish, you can actually make it yourself, using legs from an old school desk or ordinary metal corners. The distance between the tire and the frame is adjustable. Due to this, it becomes possible to saw logs into boards of different thicknesses.

If the tool will be used permanently, the chainsaw guide is made of a flat wooden block or a metal profile. It should be as tough as possible. The ends of the homemade guide are mounted on sawhorses. And then a log is placed under this structure for sawing. The process of processing it will occur quickly and without unnecessary labor costs.

It is worth noting that the described technique is used exclusively for cutting trunks of small length. If you take a longer log, the guide will begin to sag. As a result, the trunk cannot be cut efficiently and evenly.

We take a log and get boards from it!

Impeccably even cutting is obtained by using a leading ruler (a special guide is often used instead), which is usually called a straight template. It is, in fact, a small machine recommended for cases where woodworking is done more or less regularly. Such a miniature sawmill for longitudinal sawing costs from 10 thousand rubles. If you use it “once every hundred years”, it is better to do as described above.

Both the factory device and the DIY design cut logs according to the same pattern. Longitudinal cutting is carried out using a special chain. Finding her can be difficult. But there is a way out. Sawing trunks lengthwise can be done with a regular chain. You just need to carefully sharpen it at a 10-degree angle. Important point! The tool quickly loses its original sharpness during use. Therefore, it must be constantly sharpened so that cutting logs into boards does not cause difficulties, and the geometry of the resulting products meets the stated requirements.

Sawing logs into flat boards with a chainsaw equipped with a device is performed as follows:

1. 1. Take two straight and strong boards. Connect them at right angles to each other. The result is a reliable straight template.
2. 2. Make simple supports from wooden blocks. Use them to support the template you made.
3. 3. Place the barrel on the device.
4. 4. Fasten the frame to the tire, attach the supporting elements supporting the leading ruler to the ends of the log. The last operation requires horizontal installation. Use a building level for control.
5. 5. Secure all existing elements with self-tapping screws. Some craftsmen use nails for these purposes, which is undesirable. After cutting the logs into boards, you will have to remove the used fasteners. It will be difficult to do this without significant damage to the structure.
6. 6. Fix the template to the supports and adjust its height. Nuance. The cut will go somewhere 10 mm above the level of the ruler, and not strictly along it. Take this into account when adjusting the height.
7. 7. Rotate the log. Turn on the chainsaw. You make the first cut.

Then you need to free the log from the stops and boards, fix the template on the cut surface so that it faces in the direction of the second cut. The ruler can be attached with supports to the ends or directly to the surface of the barrel. Make a second cut. In relation to the first, it will be perpendicular.

Next, turn the log and fix it. The ruler can be removed. We will carry out further sawing without it - one of the cut sides of the trunk will serve as a guide. You need to adjust the thickness of the cut on the frame, saw off the log to get a beam with bark on only one side. Now turn the barrel again. Set up the frame. You carry out the final sawing and get the boards at your disposal. If their width is not important to you, there is no need to cut the trunk to fit the timber. Simply saw the workpiece to the middle, turn it 180°, then continue the operation you started.

We cut the trunk across - there will be no difficulties!

As you can see, longitudinal sawing with a chainsaw is a rather labor-intensive process. If you want to get logs by sawing the trunk crosswise and then make boards from them, the operation will be impractical due to the large expenditure of effort. Most often, cross-cutting is used when it is necessary to make country street furniture from wood - tables, benches, small benches. It is also recommended for preparing firewood and for decoration using sawn logs. In such situations, logs are cut into disks of small thickness (up to 15 cm).

The cross cutting process is as follows:

1. 1. Place the trunk on trestles 70–80 cm in height (they should be as stable as possible).
2. 2. Remove the bark from the wood, if any.
3. 3. Make a small cut. It will play the role of a guide groove.
4. 4. Rotate the barrel being processed 90°. The tire of a power tool must run strictly along the intended groove.
5. 5. If you need logs, make notches on the tree with an ax.
6. 6. Sawing the trunk.

Transverse and longitudinal cutting of logs must be carried out in compliance with safety standards. It is advisable to carry out work in thick clothing, gloves, glasses, and headphones. Prepare a first aid kit in advance - a chainsaw is a potentially unsafe tool that can cause serious injury to a person. Always move the saw forward along the guide and do not try to push it harder. The tool should move freely.

The chainsaw must not be raised above the shoulders. The tool must only be run on the ground. In this case, the chain brake must be in the engaged state. Its release is carried out just before the start of cutting logs. Do not fill the gasoline container if the saw has recently been used. You should wait until the tool and fuel tank cool down. Take care to carry out work safely. And then sawing up tree trunks on your own will not lead to dire consequences. Good luck.

It is not difficult to find a device for a chainsaw for longitudinal sawing on the modern market; you can do it yourself. Which type you will need in your work depends on the location of the cut (can be horizontal or vertical), the diameter of the wood material that you will process, the level of ease of use and the accuracy of the cut.

Device for longitudinal cutting of logs

Longitudinal sawing of logs is carried out using a special device. It consists of the following components:

• an adapter that is fixed on the tire in the base area;
• guide, the main task of which is to transmit linear motion to the main component.

The last component was attached to the board on the log that the operator was going to saw.

This kind of device, as we have already found out, having examined its design features, guarantees straight-line movement of the guide bar, which ensures the accuracy of the longitudinal cut.

This device allows you to:

• sawing a log into two parts;
• sawing material into quarters;
• cut a beam from a log that will be used for construction work (it will look neat, so the masonry slopes look good);
• split the logs into several beams or boards.

Please note that if you have set yourself the task of cutting into logs and beams, you will have to change the position of the board many times. In addition, good dexterity is useful for precise cutting. At first, the loose end of the guide bar will move sideways. This will not allow achieving consistency of performance and exact parallelism of each side of the board or beams.

A device similar in design can be used to cut material in a horizontal position if necessary. If we carry out a comparative characteristic, then the device for cutting vertically allows us to obtain wooden elements of equal thickness at the output, which makes it possible to characterize this attachment as accurate and functional.

Second adaptation option

The main design features of this device:

• fixed on the guide of the saw set not in one place, but in two, at the tip, as well as at the beginning (the structural type is frame, which ensures maximum strength);
• the fastening area can shift, it all depends on your needs along the guide, which makes it possible to set the desired width relative to the size of the log;
• the component (guide) of the device can be located at any distance in relation to the tire, which also allows you to focus your work on the required dimensions of boards and beams (primarily thickness).

How to work with such a device? Simply and easily:

• We make the first cut in a horizontal plane using a guide, a structural part of the frame installed on the log;
• the second and further cuts are made, focusing on another main surface, which usually serves as the flat surface of the previous move.

Important! To prevent the saw from becoming jammed during operation of the power unit and the device for longitudinal cutting, spacers are inserted into the cut to prevent the sawed area from narrowing.

What to do if the operator needs to cut a log whose diameter is larger than the saw guide installed on the tool? Then you need a complex chainsaw attachment for longitudinal cutting. Please note that in this case, even the rated engine speed will not allow the lubrication system to release enough oil to ensure that the entire chain is lubricated evenly.

To improve the quality of lubrication and avoid rapid wear of the bar, sprocket and saw element, more consumables are supplied to the end of the guide from an additional system (can be made from a hose and a reservoir). To ensure that the oil is supplied by gravity, the reservoir is mounted at an elevation relative to the guide.

Universal device for longitudinal spreading

The universal device Big Mill allows you to accurately cut logs, even those whose diameter reaches 500 millimeters. In this case, the exact thickness of the boards can be set based on a special ruler, which the operator will find on the device stand (applied directly to it). Many craftsmen create their own devices, focusing on the model of this type of universal attachment.

How to unravel a log lengthwise using a universal device? Follow this algorithm of actions.

1. We take a couple of even boards, connect them, forming a T-shaped structure with an angle of 90 degrees. This design will act as a ruler, allowing the tool to move smoothly. In this case, the docks need to be twisted in such a way (taking into account the dimensions of the device for longitudinal release) that the power unit does not touch the ruler (it should be placed at a distance of 10 millimeters above).
2. Creates a pair of stops, which are ready-made from two parts (L-shaped). These components will prevent the log from rotating when it is cut. For reliability, the boards are secured with metal corners.
3. Rolls the log onto the stops (it is easier to roll those whose diameter is relatively small). If you need to install a large log on supports, you will need to ask someone for help.
4. We connect the ends of the log and the stops using self-tapping screws (take those that are longer than the rest). You should not use nails, since the second longitudinal cut will require you to rebuild the entire structure.
5. The T-shaped structure, which acts as a ruler, is attached to the stops with clamps.
6. The ruler is connected to a chainsaw, on which a universal device has already been installed.
7. Now we adjust the thickness of the boards that you want to get in the end. When setting this parameter, do not forget about the thickness of the saw and the gap between the T-shaped structure and the blade (10 millimeters).
8. We turn the material for cutting away from ourselves by 30 (this will make cutting longitudinally much easier).
9. We make a cut lengthwise.
10. He removes the ruler, unscrews the clamps, and removes the stops at the ends.
11. We place the T-shaped structure on the plane that we got after the first cut, secure the guide element with self-tapping screws.
12. We fix the log as securely as possible in order to make an accurate second cut in the horizontal plane. It will run perpendicular to the first cut.

This method can be used for the third and fourth cuts (each time, re-setting the ruler) to obtain a square loaf at the end.

If your task is to saw a log into boards, then after the second horizontal cut we no longer use a ruler, performing all manipulations only with the help of a universal device. We will use one plane as a guide. As a result, the operator will receive a semi-edged board.

Craftsmen know that any profile that has such characteristics as:

• high structural rigidity;
• light weight.

Available materials that meet such requirements are aluminum and duralumin. The best option is devices made from levels (aluminum) and plaster rules (this element served as a guide). The plaster rules are aluminum parts, although you can safely use another lightweight profile down to the boards and stairs (it’s good if it’s also aluminum). An alternative, of course, can be an iron element, but then the nozzle will be heavy and inconvenient to use (it will cause a lot of inconvenience during prolonged use).

Taking into account the friction force during operation of the power unit, care must be taken to increase the productivity of the tool. To do this, it is recommended to use aluminum rollers to serve as your base. Another good option is to use plastic (the main thing is that it is elastic), which must be fixed to the base of the nozzle with bolts.

So how can you cut a log into boards? And is it possible to cut logs into boards using a regular circular saw? Below we will try to answer these questions and describe in detail the process of sawing logs into boards using a regular circular saw.

For longitudinal sawing of logs, a machine called a saw frame is usually used, in which the cutting tool is strip saws tensioned in a frame that makes a reciprocating motion. With such a machine, the log is cut into boards in one pass. In this case, the log is fixed on carts moving on rails. The log moves strictly progressively, without turning around its axis. The rails along which the cart moves act as guides, so they are positioned quite accurately.

Similar longitudinal sawing of logs into boards can be done using a circular saw, if the longitudinal movement of the log is ensured. It is clear that it is difficult to hold a round log in the desired position on a horizontal circular table. When sawing into boards, it will definitely roll and also “scour” left and right. This situation must be excluded. Let’s say right away that you can’t count on a circular saw as a guide. On the contrary, the saw should be completely freed from playing such a role. Therefore, to fix the log in the desired position, we came up with a fairly simple additional device - a fin. That’s what we called this device when we adapted a circular saw for sawing small aspen logs during the construction of a Russian bathhouse (Fig. 1). Together with a ruler (side guide) mounted on the table, the fin really helped us.

The thickness of the fin corresponds to the width of the cut, and the fin is installed with the ability to adjust its position. The two of them spread the log onto the boards. They begin to saw the log lengthwise, simply pressing it against the ruler, that is, in the same way as boards are usually sawed. After the fin is completely in the cut, a spacer with a thickness slightly greater than the width of the cut is inserted into the last cut (from the end of the log). A piece of flat file was used as a spacer. Next, a special clamp-handle was installed at the end of the log, which, firstly, held the board against the log until the end of the cut, and secondly, by which it was convenient to pull the log. The spacer file, which had a notch on both sides, kept the board “in place” well, that is, the board being cut did not move relative to the log due to vibration. The peculiarity of the design of the clamp was that it had an additional jumper, which, when installing the clamp in the center plane of the log and applying pressure to it by hand, does not allow the clamp to rotate upward around the axis of the clamping screw. To ensure that the cuts when sawing a log are parallel, a flat is formed on the bottom of the log (first with an ax and then with a plane), which will determine the correct orientation of the cut at the beginning of sawing. The position of the ruler - its distance from the saw - determines the thickness of the board. So, having a ruler on the table, a flat on the log, as well as a “fin” and a clamp will ensure the success of sawing. During work, one of the “sawmills” pulls the logs using a clamp, the other presses the log against the ruler.

If you have to work alone, you will have to build some more. First, in front of the machine (from where you are going to push the log), you should install a stand under the log (goats) with a height equal to the height of the machine table. Secondly, in front of the saw on the machine table, you will need a clamping device that can ensure contact of the log with the ruler from the beginning of sawing to the end. The clamping device must securely hold the log against the ruler, without creating much resistance to pulling the log during sawing. Such a device, assembled from a small wheel with a pneumatic tire, for example, from a children's bicycle, and a rotary lever is shown in Fig. 2.

The easiest way to make a lever is from parts of an old bicycle frame. The seat and down tubes are sawed off from the bottom bracket assembly, leaving only the “chain” fork, from which, in turn, the rear fork is separated. The front fork, having previously removed the tips from the feathers, is welded to the “chain” fork. A handle from a bicycle handlebar is placed on the rod of the front fork. In the middle of the “chain” fork (opposite the front fork), plates with slots for installing the wheel axle are attached (welded) to its stays (see Fig. 2). In addition to this part, you will need to make a rotary nut - a support for the pressure screw, the screw itself, a traverse and the lever axis. You will also need some fasteners (nuts, washers, pins), shown in Fig. 2.

Before sawing the log into boards, flats are formed on it (bottom and sides). The side flats of the log ensure the strict direction of its forward movement when sawing and the constancy of the force of the pressure wheel, which makes the work calm and confident. Before starting sawing, the wheel is pressed against the log manually, while simultaneously turning the screw using the handwheel. The screw in this device serves only to fix the position of the lever with the wheel, therefore it is equipped with a small handwheel, for example, from a water tap. This makes it possible to dose the force of the wheel on the log “by touch”.

Now the market offers a wide range of woodworking equipment. Many varieties of motor and electric saws have appeared. If you are going to cut logs into boards for a long time and seriously, and you don’t have a machine yet, consider using a saw from a chainsaw as a saw unit. Its drive will have to be located under the machine table, like a circular saw, and the saw itself will have to be installed vertically above the table. Using such a machine, you can cut much larger logs into boards and prepare lumber for doors, windows and other large products.

G. Oletin.

All materials from the “Repair and Construction” section

Previous publications:

A manual sawmill made from a chain saw, or in technical language - a thicknesser for longitudinal cutting of logs and beams. The process of making a device for sawing logs into boards using a chainsaw and an electric chain saw with a 45cm long bar (18) is shown. Based on ALASKAN MKIII. Chainsaw Milling Attachment.

How to cut a log into boards with a chainsaw?

The device can be used for sawing logs with a diameter of up to 35 cm. The larger the diameter of the log, the more saw power is required for this job. The video shows a Makita 2000W saw. Chain with a sharpening angle of 35 degrees. The load on the saw is very large, the sawing process occurs slowly. The next video will show the Champion 254-18 saw (power 2500W, chain with a sharpening angle of 10 degrees) using a 26-27cm log as an example. for making a device for longitudinal cutting of logs and beams Information will be in the caption to the video. Summary: A useful toy, but not suitable for large-scale work. The sawing process is quite labor-intensive (long) and quite expensive in terms of consumables (oil, fuel). Video from the Home video category. All comments containing insults and profanity will be deleted. Thanks for understanding!)

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How to cut a log into boards with a chainsaw - a mini-sawmill at your home

Whatever you can do with a chainsaw - with the help of all kinds of attachments, this tool becomes very multifunctional. Don't know how to cut a log into boards with a chainsaw? Now we won’t talk about that!

1. Chainsaw - a tool for all occasions
2. DIY multi-tool
3. How to cut a log into planks with a chainsaw - vertical attachment
4. How to cut a log lengthwise - cut horizontally!

1 Chainsaw – a tool for all occasions

Most chainsaw owners have no idea what capabilities are hidden in this seemingly single-function tool. We are talking about what functions, besides cutting logs into firewood, a chainsaw can perform in skillful hands. But just think - the tool is absolutely autonomous, fill the tank with fuel, and work where it’s convenient for you!

A wide range of work is determined by a powerful, compact and safe gasoline engine, which has a very unpretentious “character” and the ability to work in the most difficult conditions. Another good thing about a chainsaw is its sealed fuel supply system, which, in combination with a diaphragm type carburetor, allows it to work in a variety of positions, perhaps not upside down. In addition, the designers have provided reliable protection of components from overloads and breakdowns in the form of a centrifugal clutch.

Look at the chainsaw from a different point of view - you are holding in your hands a tool that is amazing in its capabilities! This is a universal drive for a wide variety of devices, capable of not only sawing wood, but also cutting metal and stone, pumping water, drilling wells, and even serving as a low-power engine!

2 DIY multi-tool

The most popular attachment, which is even produced by chainsaw manufacturers themselves, is the petrol cutter attachment, which turns the chainsaw into an autonomous version of an angle grinder. The nozzle device is a bearing assembly with a shaft, with a pulley installed at one end, which is driven into rotation by a V-belt. At the other end there is a mandrel for fastening abrasive wheels. By changing circles, such a grinder chainsaw will be able to cut stone, tile, brick and even metal. Of course, the circle is hidden in a protective casing, without which working with such a tool would be pure playing roulette - lucky or not!

Of course, there are a lot of people who will call this method crazy, because you can buy a normal grinder and not have to worry about changing any attachments! However, in practice, the idea is completely justified - high-speed saws equipped with such attachments work no worse than conventional grinders. Of course, they can’t compete with professional powerful tools, but in the household they justify themselves. This device has two undeniable advantages - autonomy and saving money.

Another professional attachment that can be bought in specialized stores is the so-called debarkers. Their functions exactly correspond to the purpose of the chainsaw and, in fact, increase its capabilities - in addition to cutting wood with the help of debarkers, it can be processed, namely, cleared of bark, growths and branches, and also cut grooves in logs, which is useful in the construction of wooden log houses, and give the rounded surface a flat shape.

Debarkers are divided into disk and drum. The first ones are used for cutting out recesses and mounting grooves, and the drum ones are used for removing bark from logs; they are also called debarkers. The device is a drum or cutter mounted in a bearing unit. The device is driven by a V-belt drive; for this purpose, there is a special pulley on the axis. Taking into account changes in the diameter of the pulley and the engine speed, you can also change the speed of operation of such a tool for optimal processing of wood.

With the help of a chainsaw and the appropriate attachment, you don't have to worry about emergency water supply at home if necessary - you can make a pump from this woodworking tool in a few minutes!

Essentially, the attachment is a regular centrifugal pump that is attached to the saw and driven by the same pulley and belt. The principle of operation is the same as that of all centrifugal pumps - one hose is lowered into the water, the second serves as a pressure hose.

How to make a grinder, pump, drill and sawmill from a chainsaw (review)

Before starting work, liquid is poured into the engine through the plug, which is necessary for the pump to “grab” the pumped water. When the turbine rotates, it creates a reduced pressure inside, due to which water is pumped out. The device is, in fact, the simplest, but imagine what use it can be when a country house is without power, and the water supply issue needs to be resolved urgently!

With the help of special attachments, a chainsaw can be turned into a drill or a winch, and even into a boat motor, capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 km/h with a fuel consumption of 1 l/h. However, these are already rarer cases, while devices for longitudinal sawing of logs, or, as they are called, mini-sawmills, are found quite often.

3 How to cut a log into boards with a chainsaw - vertical attachment

First of all, it should be noted that no one sets themselves the task of professionally cutting logs with a minimum amount of waste. For professional work, you also need the appropriate tool, but the attachment for longitudinal sawing of logs will allow you to solve many small problems on the farm. Let's imagine, for example, that an old pear tree has dried up in your garden, and you just need a few boards to fill a hole in the shed. Instead of using a tree trunk for firewood, you can use an attachment to get the material you need.

Devices for longitudinal sawing of logs are divided into vertical and horizontal. The simplest device is the first option: the adapter is attached to the tire at its base, and with the help of a guide bar the straightness of the adapter's movement is ensured.

This entire structure is attached to a board, which serves as a stop for cutting and at the same time as a guide. The accuracy of such a device is not high - it can be used to cut rough boards or give a log a simple square shape, however, such a device is assigned corresponding tasks.

4 How to cut a log lengthwise - we cut it horizontally!

Much greater cutting accuracy is ensured by the horizontal structure, which is a rigid frame attached to the chainsaw bar in two places - at the base and at its end. The attachment points can be shifted to provide the required cutting width. Of course, such a device is intended for small logs, the diameter of which will not be greater than the length of the tire.

Using the guide element, you can set the required thickness of the boards. The most difficult thing will be to make the first horizontal cut - in order to get an even cut of the wood, you need to attach an additional guide frame to the log, which will serve as a base surface for the stop. At subsequent stages of dissolving the log into boards, the flat surface of the previous cut serves as a surface for support and a guide.

This design is quite easy to work with. Before sawing a log lengthwise, it must be well secured along its entire length - the less it vibrates, the smoother the cut will be.. To avoid jamming of the chainsaw bar, small wedges are constantly inserted into the cut to prevent clamping. It should be noted that no matter how hard we try, there will be quite a lot of waste compared to a conventional sawmill. First, give the log a square shape by sawing off the top layer on all sides, and only then proceed directly to dissolving the log into boards.

It will not be difficult for craftsmen to make attachments of this kind with their own hands when working with welding and metal - the corresponding diagrams on the Internet are not uncommon, and from the material you will need several square hollow pipes, nuts and screws.

http://remoskop.ru

Sawing logs into boards using a chainsaw

Sawing logs into boards with a chainsaw: what is needed for this

Some people have the opportunity to take a certain area in the forest for logging in order to split the trunks, but how can you cut a log into planks with a chainsaw if you have never had to deal with this? Those who have been logging for a long time can do this without any equipment - they just need to cut a longitudinal line on the trunk and use it to cut a beam or board.

But if you have never done this, then you will need certain devices, which we will now talk about and also show thematic ones in this article.

Cutting logs into boards with a chainsaw at a logging site

We spread the trunk onto the boards

Note. To cut a trunk into logs, you may need a sawmill or an electric or chainsaw with machine tools.

What will you need for this?

A chainsaw is the most affordable tool, and there are a number of reasons:

• sawing of trunks can be done directly for logging. This does not require any stationary or autonomous power sources, only one tool;
• Compared to an electric saw, a gasoline saw has much more power. which is the key point when dissolving logs longitudinally;
• it has a soft start and soft speed control. this means that the risk of breaking the chain during operation is reduced to almost zero (it is, of course, possible, but for this you need to try very hard);
• compared to a sawmill, the price of a gasoline-powered tool is several orders of magnitude lower;
• Compared to an electric unit, inertial braking works much faster here;
• The operating instructions allow you to extend the time of intensive use up to 1 hour;
• It is possible to carry out work at high air humidity (rain, fog)

Device for dissolving trunks

As we have already said, experienced sawers can cut a log without any equipment, but for beginners they will definitely have to purchase or make their own machine for fixing the log, an attachment frame for the saw and a guide for an even cut.

It should not be forgotten that during such work the tool experiences very heavy loads. Therefore, if you want to do this professionally, then you will naturally need an appropriate model, that is, as powerful as possible.

Professionals call the most popular and best options: Stihl MS-660 or Stihl MS-880. Such units produce more than 7 horsepower, which ensures uninterrupted operation under heavy loads.

Frame parts

To adjust the thickness of the sawn board, a special steel frame is put on the bar, which is capable of adjusting the distance from itself to the bar.

The frame is ready - views from different angles

In order to make such a corner, you can buy a square tubular steel profile 20x20 mm, but you can also use the material at hand. For example, duralumin legs from an old school desk fit perfectly here.

A thick board was used as a guide.

As a guide, to make something like a stationary machine, you will need some kind of rigid metal, most likely steel, profile, or a thick, flat board under a log, as shown in the top photo.

In reality, it looks the same as in the picture - two sawhorses are installed and a guide (board or profile) is placed on them.

But it should be taken into account that such a device can only be used for short logs, since if it is increased (the distance depends on the thickness of the guide), there will be a deflection, which will lead to an unequal thickness of the material being produced.

Big Mill Timberjet

The thickness of the board or the cut will be even only if some kind of template is used to guide the chainsaw - a leading ruler or guide. It is very convenient to use the Swedish Big Mill Timberjit machine for this purpose, which you see above - it costs about 9-10 thousand rubles.

Here it’s up to you to decide whether you need such a device, but after spending once, you get a compact device that, together with the saw, can be delivered to the site on a motorcycle.

To get started, you will need a push-pull saw and a guide bar with two nuts. With this device you will be able to unravel logs up to 60 cm in diameter. Please note that in this situation you will have to acquire a chain for longitudinal cutting of the trunk, but if for some reason it is not possible to purchase it, then resharpen a regular chain at an angle of 10⁰.

The Big Mill Timberjet kit comes with a variety of parts that will help you install and secure the wooden guide. It turns out that when driving the chainsaw, the frame slides along this guide, and the tire does not move to the side.

Note. No matter what type of wood you process, in any case the chain becomes dull, and in order for your sawing process to occur without problems, it should be periodically sharpened.

The frame is installed on the guide

Sawing with a chainsaw - process

Now let's see how to cut a log into boards with a chainsaw:

• first we make a guide - we take two even edged wooden boards and fasten them together in the form of a half-Tee;
• from pieces of the same boards we make stops for the half-Tee guide - fasteners are included in the kit;
• roll up the log using a tilter and place it on a convenient base prepared in advance;
• secure the frame to the tire with nuts;
• after that we attach the supports. who hold a ruler to the ends of the log, checking its horizontal level;
• We fix all the fasteners with self-tapping screws. since it will be extremely difficult to remove the nails at the end of the work;
• we check that the cutting line does not run along the ruler, but 10 mm higher;
• start the saw and make the first cut;
• we free the log from the stops and rearrange the structure to the next cutting line so that it turns out perpendicular (90⁰) to the finished cut;
• Now we turn the log again and fix it with boards to the stop on the ground - you will no longer need the ruler, it will be replaced by the cut made earlier.

Conclusion

Of course, cutting logs into boards at home is not limited to just these two devices. If you do this yourself, then you will need to make a right angle on the trunk, and then using a frame you can prepare boards of any thickness.

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Boards and timber are one of the main building materials. But not everyone has the financial means to purchase ready-made boards. In such situations, one of the solutions is to independently harvest wood on a plot taken from the forestry.

The advantage of a chainsaw as a tool for sawing logs

You can saw a log using a sawmill, gas or electric saw and additional accessories. When choosing one of these tools, you should consider the amount of work ahead. The cost of the cheapest stationary sawmill along with all components is 150 thousand rubles. A chainsaw is much cheaper. It is more convenient than an electric saw for the following reasons:

• Electricity is not required to operate the tool - this makes it possible to use a chainsaw on plots.
• It is more powerful compared to an electric saw.
• It starts smoothly and allows you to conveniently adjust the speed, which reduces the likelihood of a chain break.
• The inertial brake operates faster than that of an electric saw.
• Long working time without interruption – up to one hour.
• Can be used in conditions of high humidity.

Types of working attachments

When sawing logs with a chainsaw, various attachments are used.

• Attachment for longitudinal sawing. It is used for sawing logs lengthwise, the process takes place in a horizontal position. After work, the master receives the same thickness of the product.

  Cutting logs with a chainsaw

  The finished materials undergo a drying process, after which the boards are used in construction. In appearance, the device is a small frame; it is attached to the tire on each side.

• Drum debarker (debarker). With the help of such an attachment it is easy to dissolve the log; it works due to a V-belt drive. Attached to belts on both sides, special pulleys are used for this. The speed of rotation of the shaft depends on the size of the pulleys, so the performance of the attachment is easy to change. This technology forces the master to carefully monitor each stage of the process; some specialists use an assistant during this cutting. But this option requires increased security measures.
• Sawing with a lightweight nozzle. The method is not very productive, but is used quite often. The element is fastened on one side, but the workpieces are slightly uneven. Such materials are necessary for the construction of sheds or fences.

Features of sawing using a homemade tool

You can easily saw a log into boards using a self-made tool. It's easy to make. To do this you need to do the following:

• As a support, you need to use a frame from a school desk or a pipe with a cross-section in the form of a square, its optimal size is 20x20, more is allowed.
• It is necessary to build two clamps, mount a cross member with two holes for coupling bolts at one end, and make a protrusion for the tire in the middle.
• To cut logs longitudinally into boards, you need to make a support frame; its width should be seven to eight centimeters less than the length.
• Then two parts ten centimeters long are welded to both sides, holes are made for the bolts, and a handle is attached in the middle for ease of operation.
• Then you need to insert the clamps into the grooves, install the tire, and secure everything carefully.

Working with a homemade tool is not difficult; for this you will need goats, they will serve as a support.

In addition, you need to prepare a metal strip or board to use as a guide. A log is placed underneath and the required height for work is set.

The procedure for performing preparatory work

To cut a log lengthwise, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:

• Take two straight boards and attach one to the other at right angles. The result is a strong guide line.
• To support the manufactured ruler, you need to make stops from boards.
• Moving the trunks must be done using a tilter.
• The log should be placed on a comfortable base.
• You need to secure the frame to the chainsaw bar using nuts.
• The supports of the leading ruler must be attached to the ends of the log, checking the horizontal position with a level.
• Self-tapping screws must be used to secure all brackets and structural elements. Nails are not suitable for these purposes, since they are difficult to remove in the future without causing damage to the structural parts.
• The leading ruler needs to be attached to the supports using brackets and its height adjusted taking into account that the cut will not go along it, but approximately one centimeter higher.
• The log needs to be rotated and the second board secured so that it rests on the ground and supports the log.

Procedure for performing basic work

• Now you need to start the chainsaw and make the first cut.
• Next, you need to free the log from the stops and boards and attach a guide ruler to the cut surface of the log in the direction of the next cut. The ruler is attached directly to the surface or to the ends of the log using supports. The second cut is made perpendicular to the first cut.
• The log needs to be turned and secured with a board against the ground.
• A ruler is not required to perform the following steps. One of the cut sides serves as a guide.
• It is necessary to adjust the thickness of the cut on the frame and saw off the log from the other side so that you get a beam with bark remaining on only one side.
• This beam must be turned over and secured so that the attachment point of the fixing board is as low as possible.
• Then you need to adjust the frame to the required thickness of the board and saw the timber into boards.

Safety rules when performing work

• The circular saw should not be used without a protective guard.
• It is necessary to wear headphones, gloves, glasses, thick clothing and a respirator.
• You should not pour fuel into a hot tool tank; you need to wait until it cools down.
• Children should not be allowed to be present at the work site.
• It is necessary to start the tool on the ground with the chain brake engaged, which must be released only before starting to cut.
• You should always have a first aid kit on hand.
• When working, you need to hold the chainsaw by the arc handle, moving it forward along the guide. You should not put too much pressure on the chainsaw - it should move freely.
• Right-handed people should place the log on their right side, left-handed people should place it on their left.

All photos from the article

The construction market is replete with a huge number of modern materials, which, unfortunately, are not natural. That is why wood is still the most popular - due to its versatility and availability, it is used in various construction industries. Any lumber, be it timber or boards, is made from logs, so our task today is to understand how to make the necessary building material from it.

Instead of a preface

1. Logs can be sawed using hand tools or using various professional equipment used on an industrial scale.
2. The cost of finished lumber is directly influenced by its characteristics, namely the thickness of the materials and the amount of waste remaining as a result of the production process.

At enterprises engaged in the production of lumber, wood sawing lines are used. This equipment is highly productive and allows you to obtain a high-quality product.

Sawmill - a machine for cutting logs into boards

One type of sawmill equipment includes a sawmill - a woodworking machine on which frame saws are installed. After processing, the final product is timber and edged boards.

Only logs of a certain size can be used as raw materials:

• length should not exceed 7 m;
• The diameter size range is much wider and ranges from 150 to 800 mm.

Round timber is also cut using circular saws called circular saws or circular saws. Such machines are divided into:

Most often, logs are processed on band sawmills, which allow sawing round timber both horizontally and vertically. Thanks to the high quality of sawing logs, very little waste remains after obtaining the final material.

But this is not the entire list of equipment used for large-scale production of lumber. There are also highly specialized machines that are used only in certain branches of woodworking.

Main types and methods of cutting wood

The method of sawing logs is chosen depending on the type of wood and what kind of workpiece should be obtained in the end.

Take into account:

• parameters that determine the size;
• shape;
• surface quality;
• requirements.

Logs can be sawn relative to the location of the growth rings.

There are three types of sawing in total:

1. Radial - along the radius of the growth rings, and the work is carried out with particular precision.
2. Tangential - the log is sawn tangentially to the growth rings, parallel to one of the radii.
3. Parallel-forming - cutting occurs parallel to the direction of the fibers.

Depending on the direction in which the logs are sawn, the methods of sawing them are also divided:

1. In the collapse - involves sawing the log in several places along its entire plane. They must be located parallel to each other. This is the simplest processing method, allowing you to ultimately get a pair of slabs and an unedged board.
2. With lumber, you can first obtain side boards and beams, which, if necessary, are sawn into identical edged boards. This method allows you to cut a little more than half of all raw materials. Disadvantage: processing round timber requires the use of two sawmills.
3. Segmental - a beam will be cut from the center of the log. This name is due to the fact that two segments remain on the sides of the log, which are subsequently cut into tangential boards.
4. Sector - in this case, the round timber is cut into sectors. Moreover, their number depends on the diameter of the log and varies from 4 to 8. Next, the resulting fragments are sawn into radial or tangential boards.
5. Circular - designed for individual cutting of logs. This involves separating healthy wood from damaged wood.

Tip: when sawing off another board, the barrel must be rotated 90˚ around the longitudinal axis.

It should be noted that the last three methods, in contrast to the previous two main ones, are used quite rarely.

Sawing at home

Purchasing sawmills for use at home is unprofitable both from an economic point of view, the price is quite high, and from a practical point of view. For these purposes, a regular chainsaw is quite suitable.

However, you can also use an electric one, but a gasoline one is much more powerful and does not require electricity, which is very useful when carrying out work far from civilization. Despite the labor-intensive nature of this process, if you have certain skills, the labor costs can be justified.

All work related to cutting requires special equipment:

• a device that secures the log in a stationary state;
• a frame-attachment designed for a chainsaw - if it is necessary to obtain boards of different thicknesses, they are fixed to the tool bar, but in such a way as to be able to adjust the distance remaining between the attachment and the chain;
• ruler-guide. It can be successfully replaced with a metal profile or a regular board of the required length, the main thing is that it is smooth and rigid.

Tip: for a chainsaw you need to purchase a special chain that allows you to make longitudinal cuts. Its distinctive feature is the special sharpening angle of the teeth.

Process

The operating instructions will be as follows:

1. Free the logs from bark and branches. The less waste there is, the more finished material there will be.
2. Determine the cutting pattern that will be most optimal. Why inspect the log for possible defects.

1. Carry out cutting in the direction from east to west or vice versa. This is due to the fact that obtaining high-quality material is only possible if the density of the boards is the same across the entire width. Please note that the density of a tree trunk on the north side is much higher than on the south.
2. Remove the slabs located opposite each other.
3. Saw the double-edged timber formed as a result of this operation into lumber.
4. Remove the edges from the resulting one.

Advice: if any defects are detected in the log, for example, a false core, it can be rotated by 90 and 180˚ as with circular sawing.

Conclusion

If you decide to cut the log at home, you will have to use a sawmill, chainsaw or regular saw. The first two options will show the best results, and the process will happen much faster and with better quality.

Before starting work, it is advisable to draw a diagram of sawing round timber. The video in this article will give you the opportunity to find additional information on the above topic.

The most commonly used materials for private construction are logs and boards. Knowing how to cut a log into planks with a chainsaw can significantly reduce construction costs, since the cost of the finished plank is much higher. Let's find out all the details of this process.

Benefits of a chainsaw

Why is it better to cut logs with a chainsaw into boards rather than using a power tool? There are several reasons:

Tool selection

Not every chainsaw is suitable for these purposes. In order to cut logs with a chainsaw into boards, it is better to use a professional tool with a power of more than seven horsepower. An ordinary household chainsaw will not have enough power for such work.

In addition, you should know that thicker logs will require more power, so it is better to choose specimens up to 35 centimeters in diameter.

Regular cut

If you do not have any available tools, sawing a log with a chainsaw into boards proceeds as follows:

Please note that with this method you need to draw each next board separately, since quite a lot of wood is lost during sawing - up to one centimeter.

Additional accessories

Most often, additional devices are used to cut logs with a chainsaw into boards.

You can either buy such devices or attachments for chainsaws in a store or make them yourself. First, let's look at industrially produced nozzles:

• Debarker. An attachment for a chainsaw, with which you can sand a log, clear it of knots and growths, or cut grooves in a log.
• Nozzles for cross and longitudinal cutting. It is this device for sawing logs with a chainsaw that is used to make boards.
• Petrol cutter attachment. An attachment that allows you to turn your chainsaw into almost a full-fledged grinder. At least for home purposes it is perfect.

In fact, there are a great variety of such attachments, but we will not go into them deeply, since we have already listed those we need for our work above.

Vertical nozzle

The simplest attachment used to obtain a rough board. A bar with an adapter attached to its base is attached to the board, which serves as a guide during the sawing process. It is clear that such a simple device for sawing logs with a chainsaw into boards will not be particularly accurate, but you can still get a board, for example, for a fence with its help.

Horizontal nozzle

This attachment gives higher accuracy. The device is a rigid frame that is attached to the chainsaw bar on both sides - at the end of the tool and at its base. The device is suitable for logs of small diameter, not exceeding the length of the tire.

Longitudinal sawing of logs with a chainsaw with such a device should only occur after the log is well secured, since if it vibrates during operation, it will not be possible to obtain a flat surface of the board.

Before you start dissolving the log, you need to give it a square shape, cutting off all the excess. It is clear that there will be much more waste compared to industrial production. When cutting a log longitudinally with a chainsaw, the most difficult thing to do is saw off the first board. To do this smoothly, you can use a special frame, which will serve as a guide and serve as a base for the stop. The quality of subsequent boards depends on how smoothly you make the first cut, since the guide will rest on this surface in subsequent cuts.

DIY device for sawing logs with a chainsaw

If desired, any such device can be made independently.

The first thing you will need is sawhorses to secure the log. Then the attachment frame and guide.

Making sawhorses for logs is not difficult. The main requirement is their height. Measure in advance the height that is comfortable for you so that you do not have to bend too low to the log or, conversely, work with your arms extended upward.

Making a frame attachment will require more knowledge and skills.

First you need to draw a drawing of the future frame, respecting the scale. Then, from a square pipe with a cross-section of 20×20 millimeters, weld the frame of the future device and weld the clamping elements onto it. It is necessary to make several holes in the cross member for bolt ties.

As strange as it may sound, the most common difficulty in making a do-it-yourself device for a rip saw chainsaw and other similar devices is the lack of welding. Therefore, before you begin, consider whether you have everything you need.

Safety regulations

Important to remember:

Sawing process

It includes the following steps:

1. Place the log on the sawhorse.
2. Attach the frame to the tire.
3. Attach the supports that are designed to hold the ruler, making sure that they are installed exactly level.
4. Secure the fasteners with self-tapping screws (they will be easier to remove after finishing the work).
5. Make sure that the cut line will be 1 centimeter above the ruler, and not along it.
6. Make the first cut.
7. Release the log from the stops and move the fixture to the next cutting line.
8. Next, you can remove the ruler and continue to focus on the cut you made earlier.

Conclusion

Sawing logs with a chainsaw into boards is still not as simple as it might seem at first glance. Yes, to some extent, this method of procuring building materials can significantly save your budget, but, on the other hand, it requires not only sufficient knowledge, but also additional equipment. Making such devices is not always justified, especially if you need a small number of boards. But at the same time, having made them once, you can use them for a long time.

Another disadvantage is that at home it is not always possible to get a perfectly even cut. This will come with time, but it will take practice before it will work out perfectly. During the training process, you will most likely waste more than one log, but, on the other hand, you can train on substandard ones. Experienced craftsmen can unravel a log without additional equipment.

As you can see, there is no clear answer to whether it is worth cutting logs with a chainsaw into boards at home or purchasing ready-made building materials. Or maybe in some cases it would be more advisable to purchase a home compact sawmill? Only you know the answers to these questions, and they will depend on your future goals. You may want to put the production of boards on stream, then a sawmill will be the most rational approach to harvesting lumber. Perhaps you will focus on preparing the board right at the cutting site, then mastery of a chainsaw will help you. We invent all difficulties for ourselves, and until we try ourselves in any task, we will not understand whether it is as difficult as it seems at first glance.