Chainsaw cradle

[Eric Friedman]

While hardly original, I thought I'd share a pic of my new chainsaw cradle. it can be used to crosscut the anchor sealed ends of logs. (bigger crosscutting I do on some low horses, also seen in the pic.

But the main point of the cradle is to allow safe ripping of a log. The bevels on the center pieces provide plenty of surface area to hold the round log. Those pieces -- Doug fir makes the color very distinct from the "permanent" redwood base -- are designed to be sacrificial. SO while there is a gap between the two for the blade to exit, it's expected that these sacrificial cheeks will be cut. For this reason there's no metal involved -- they are doweled to the base.

It's sturdy, with its splayed legs -- 4 on each side - but compact and light enough to take along to a remote location where a tree awaits...

I hope this will inspire someone.

 

[Jonathan Silwones]

Just what I’ve been looking for. Thank you for sharing Eric.

 

[hockenbery]

hope this will inspire someone.

Thats a nice design. I like the height.

Mine is more low tech

 

[Jim Knoerr]

Personally I would like something taller, so I'm not bending over so much with the chainsaw.

 

[Eric Friedman]

Personally I would like something taller, so I'm not bending over so much with the chainsaw.

Fair, but considerations include:

• portability, especially by car;
• storage needed when not in use;
• the ergonomics of safely lifting a big log up higher;
• ability to reach safely over the length of the log when ripping;
• potentially greater damage to surface (grass, deck, etc) by drops (cutoffs) from higher up.

I find that kneeling on one knee is a pretty good tradeoff for comfort. But I'm sure there are many equally valid reasons to go taller!

 

[hockenbery]

Personally I would like something taller, so I'm not bending over so much with the chainsaw.

I like the low lift or even roll onto the holder.
I usually kneel on one knee. This keeps the back straight, gives good control of the saw, and a nice sight line on the cut.

 

[John K Jordan]

I have this right outside my shop door.
Osage orange, about 19x32x24' high, weighs maybe 400 lbs. Stout!
Good height for my arms and back.



I use it as an outdoor workbench for pounding, drilling, sawing, as a low table. For chainsawing log sections a couple of parallel 2x4s on the top is sufficient.
(I didn't make those big crosscut gashes in the top - friends with not much chainsaw experience kindly provided those!)

This is a crotch from what used to be the recorded largest Osage in TN, before it died. Someone called me so I came with a trailer and took this and a couple of long. straight 18" diameter vertical "branches".
I cut up the logs into blanks but dumped this chunk in the weeds by the sawmill. I "found" it years later and set it outside the shop door. It's a perfect size for me.

Might have some nice crotch flame inside. Maybe I'll cut it up some day for turning wood. Maybe not.

JKJ