What method of holding do you use for cutting logs

[William Rogers]

Robo has a very nice holding method to cut bowl blanks, but a few $$ to make. What other stands/methods do you use?

 

[Gary Beasley]

I have a curved section of a hollow oak log next to the basement door that holds pieces quite well as I section them up.

 

[robo hippy]

I think I cover this in other videos, but can't remember. Generally I like to get the round up off the ground, say onto about a 12 inch end grain round. Next put some wedges in on both sides to keep it from rolling, then use plywood strips front and back and a marker to make the straight lines. In pondering my next chainsaw chopsaw (I have moved, new house and shop...) I am thinking that it would be easier to cut a flat first for the log to sit on so it doesn't rock, which would eliminate the need for the wedges. You always cut off that part anyway.... This does require to do lay out first. There are all sorts of X brace type set ups, but I had to lift the logs up too high.

robo hippy

 

[Dennis Weiner]

Constructed from scrap pressure treated lumber. It’s been outside for about 10 years now.

Usually I’ll cut two flats on both sides of the long. I will proceed to cut about an inch or so to the left and right of the pith creating a slab for boxes and misc and I will not cut all the way through damaging my stand. I rotate the log and finish off cutting the remaining material. Some guys in my club made the cross members lower so they can cut all the way through. I opted for stability.

 

[Dave DeJong]

I made one similar to this with a few changes and it works really pretty good.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPQfJAd7wQ4

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

The darn logs are heavy, even more so now than before it seems , I usually start cutting right where the log sits, cut nearly all the way through, and then rotate/roll the log if I can and finish the cut, a peavy or other lumber tool like a cant hook is handy to have doing this.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I do like Leo. I will usually roll logs to prop or wedge the one that I am cutting and make sure that there is support on the bottom side of the cut so that the log will open up rather than pinching the blade.

 

[hockenbery]

I’m Low tech too.
My log processing center has no metal to avoid and it gets dinged a lot.
Low to the ground bigger logs roll off the hand truck right in place for cross cutting or ripping.
Instructions available on request


Vesitile too - Holds crotches as well as log sections

 

[Bill Boehme]

Instructions available on request

Make sure that your instructions mention wearing safety glasses and a maintenance schedule for the LPC (log processing center).

 

[hockenbery]

Make sure that your instructions mention wearing safety glasses and a maintenance schedule for the LPC (log processing center).

The LPC is maintenance free and has no user replaceable parts.
In outdoor use it lasts about 5 years. Then make a new one.

The LPC itself requires no PPE. However when used with a chain saw the safety equipments for the chainsaw should be used.

 

[Mike Johnson]

The LPC can also be adjusted for the proper height to make the work more ergonomic, and every new load of wood comes with a free LPC.

 

[Richard Coers]

I’m Low tech too.
My log processing center has no metal to avoid and it gets dinged a lot.
Low to the ground bigger logs roll off the hand truck right in place for cross cutting or ripping.
Instructions available on request

View attachment 28632
Vesitile too - Holds crotches as well as log sections
View attachment 28633

Is there some poison ivy around that device? Sure looks like some.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Well of course when the whole log has been cut into short pieces as to be made into bowl blanks, then these can be held up at a more ergonomic and safer cutting height.

I have used the half log piece shown here for at least 15 years, till it finally just split up and fell apart, it had a lower center where logs would sit safely to be cut in two or more pieces.

I have a couple sharpened bars (very large screw drivers) that I sometimes would use to hold a difficult piece, though normally I would just cut a short into 2 halves taking the pith out.

If as here in this picture where I would want a couple of platter slabs besides the bowl blanks, I would cut down leaving the last 2 or so inches till all cuts where made, then a wedge or hammer one of the sharp bar into the cutting block to keep the log from rolling off, then proceed to finish the cuts all the way through.

Oh BTW this picture was made 10 years ago, and I finished the rough turned platter blanks just a couple of days ago, nice dry and stable

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Once I have the log almost ready to convert it into a blank, this is what I use. I built it myself with free scrap metal. Metal shops let you go thru their rubbish bin, that have to pay by the ton to dispose of it, so I always find good small pieces. Good friend Wayne Omura showed me this design.

 

[Dennis Weiner]

I love the stylish chaps!

 

[John Roberts]

I found this very helpful article by Doc Green Woodturner. I built a modified version (for my height) of the buck he has plans for on there out of scrap lumber and maybe 20 bucks of wood at home depot? Didn't have any 2 x 6's on hand. So far so good and the additional height has been terrific on my back for those long lasting rips.

http://www.docgreenwoodturner.com/sawbucks.html

 

[Mike Johnson]

If you use an LPC for a year or so it will usually spalt and provide some nice spalted turning blanks. If you don't want the LPC laying around you can always take several cut bowl blanks and lay them on the flat cut sides to create a cradle and place your LPC on it to process into turning blanks. It only takes a couple of minutes of work with a chainsaw on a section of log to make your custom ergonomic LPC each time you process logs.

 

[hockenbery]

Is there some poison ivy around that device? Sure looks like some.

I think it is all Spanish needle, Bidens alba.

Can’t totally rule out poison ivy in the photo but my botany expert did not se any.
We occasionally pull out poison ivy that pops up along the fence line, so we have it in the vicinity.

 

[William Rogers]

There are all sorts of X brace type set ups, but I had to lift the logs up too high.

Thanks for the replies. I made a make shift cradle and cut 15 logs (30 blanks) yesterday and sealed the ends until I can rough turn them next week. I did find a similar guide that Reed uses and I think I will try and make a "econo" version of his sled. I like the lazy susan where you can line up the pith. I have a few off, but will fix when roughing.

I think I'll turn a few to size and let them warp. I'm guessing you still true up the foot. What would be a good thickness for a 12-14" bowl? Also can you put a rim on it?

 

[hockenbery]

I'll turn a few to size and let them warp. I'm guessing you still true up the foot. What would be a good thickness for a 12-14" bowl? Also can you put a rim on it?

Thinner the wall the faster it dries also more fragile.
1/4” wall thickness is thin enough to dry in a week or so. A fairly study in use.
If the foot is recessed so narrow circular ring rests on the supporting surface, it is easily trues by carefully sliding it over sandpaper clamped to a flat surface( I use my table saw).
Alteranatively a footless round bottom needs no attention.

Not sure what you have in mind for a rim

Also for once turned cut rim bowls I prefer the rim to the bark edge as it warps to a sort of wavy rim while the rim to the center of the tree warps to a rimmwith two peaks which I like less. If you have a log with a flat side this is good for turning bowls with the rim tombarkmas it wastes less wood.

 

[Richard Coers]

This one would have taken one hell of a cradle!

 

[hockenbery]

View attachment 28656 View attachment 28657

This one would have taken one hell of a cradle!

Richard you have just the right LPC material next to your tractor
And the saw to make it happen.

 

[Bill Boehme]

View attachment 28656 View attachment 28657

This one would have taken one hell of a cradle!

I remember seeing that one at the Mariposa Grove.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

I love the stylish chaps!

I once had the chain caught in my jeans. I was afraid to look, I honestly thought I was badly hurt, had only a minor scratch but a huge lesson learned. The chaps are chainsaw proof... Visibility is a must in the Koa forest, lol.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Safety should always come first that is why I have my wife hold the logs while I use my chainsaw to process them into blanks.
The above joke was cleared by USC.
https://clhc.usc.edu/why/students/orgs/ilj/assets/docs/21-1 Little.pdf

 

[hockenbery]

Safety should always come first that is why I have my wife hold the logs while I use my chainsaw to process them into blanks.
The above joke was cleared by USC.
https://clhc.usc.edu/why/students/orgs/ilj/assets/docs/21-1 Little.pdf

Group safety is a big issue

The scariest experiences for me with the chain saw have been helpful idiots running up and grabbing a log to steady it while I’m cutting. Second is another kind of idiot who starts sawing in the same tree section i’m Working.

Whenever I work with a group that has people I haven’t worked with before I get them all together and set two rules.
1 don’t get closer than 10 feet of anyone using a saw
2 only one person cuts on the same piece of wood

 

[Bill Boehme]

Group safety is a big issue

The scariest experiences for me with the chain saw have been helpful idiots running up and grabbing a log to steady it while I’m cutting. Second is another kind of idiot who starts sawing in the same tree section i’m Working.

Whenever I work with a group that has people I haven’t worked with before I get them all together and set two rules.
1 don’t get closer than 10 feet of anyone using a saw
2 only one person cuts on the same piece of wood

They're probably not all idiots. Maybe some of them are just poorly informed about chainsaw safety ... just speculating.

I'm still looking for an appropriate label for the person who "borrowed" my saw during a group harvesting of mesquite last year. His saw wouldn't start and when apprehended he "figured" that I wasn't using my saw which made it OK to borrow. Technically, it's true that I wasn't using my saw because I turned it off and sat it on the ground while going back to my truck to move it closer ... it was parked about fifty yards away.

 

[Dave Landers]

I volunteered with the Boy Scouts for a long time, and helped with conservation work on our camp properties. We had a lot of beetle-kill come thru the camps, which meant a lot of work in rugged terrain: felling, limbing, bucking, and piling slash. It got a bit scary seeing a bunch of well meaning volunteers eager to help, but ignorant of the dangers (not only with the saws, but terrain and falling debris and etc).

So I wrote and taught a training class (evening classroom plus full day of field practice), and an Operations Guide and made those required. We certified two levels - sawyer and "saw boss". The main requirement for saw boss (besides competency and safety knowledge) was "situational awareness" (i.e. "head on a swivel") - which can't be taught - you either have it or you don't.

We required at least one saw boss on scene for any cutting operations, and often that person wouldn't pick up a saw - there was enough to do just watching out for everyone else and coordinating the work so nobody got hurt. It worked - we were able to get lots of work done in a safe and controlled manner.

 

[Stan Semeniuk]

This is what I use, nothing special. One thing I will be doing for sure when I make a new one will be to lower by 18". I always keep a few wooden wedges handy when I'm ripping.

 

[Breck Whitworth]

I made this log cutting stand and used it for many years. Made it from treated 4x4's all cuts are 45 degrees it is great for splitting a large round with a straight cut and also for cutting the back side of a half round flat for the tenon. I laid the half round down on the lower deck for cutting the corners off.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I like your idea for holding half logs.

 

[mfoster]

Well, I think I get the honors for the laziest and cheapest method. I have an ongoing pile of shavings that is about 3’ deep or more which I just nestle the log into the shavings till secure. Matters not you over cut a bit as the bar just hits shavings, not the ground. Works like a charm.

 

[John Torchick]

Lots of info here. I thought I would let my wife hold the log so I don't get hurt.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I thought I would let my wife hold the log so I don't get hurt.

That sounds like an injury waiting to happen ... no log or chainsaw required.

 

[John Torchick]

Yes, she is skilled in right crosses and left hooks with a 12 inch cast iron skillet. Has a mean uppercut, too.

 

[John King]

See attached. - John

 

[Mike Johnson]

The one thing I see missing on some of these "Log Processing Centers" is a long set of handles so you can tip it 90 degrees and strap a large log onto the LPC and then tip it back 90 degrees to pick the log off of the ground. Anyone that has cut wet logs for any amount of time knows how much the bigger diameter logs weigh and how much fun it is to get them off the ground onto the LPC. You could strap an LPC to an appliance dolly and use the handles on the dolly to leverage large diameter logs off the ground if you strapped the log to the LPC prior to lifting.

Option #2 dig an ergonomic hole next to your log and stand in it while cutting your logs.

 

[hockenbery]

dig an ergonomic hole next to your log and stand in it while cutting your logs.

Mike thats the colonial method of sawing boards from logs with a two man saw.
Saw it done in Williamsburg.
The guy in the hole was called the pitman and he wore a wide brimmed hat to shed the sawdust.

 

[Bill Boehme]

The guy in the hole was called the pitman and he wore a wide brimmed hat to shed the sawdust.

Maybe that's the etymology of something undesirable or distasteful being referred to as "the pits".

 

[hockenbery]

Maybe that's the etymology of something undesirable or distasteful being referred to as "the pits".

It is reputed to be the origin of the name pitman