How to cut logs

luckydave

Hi,
I was just wondering how to cut a basic log laying on the groung to prevent the saw bar from jamming. I have seen some guys use other log to lay it on, or chocs placed in the cut after the bar is in the wood.
Just keen to learn some new or better ways to do it.
I'm not very expirienced at cutting firewood.
Luckydave.

Eric Frei

If it's laying on the ground then you'll sooner or later be cutting the ground and blunten the saw.

You need to read the forces carefully when cutting, is the log opening up as the cut progresses or squeezing in?

Often I bore cut from about the centre and go down, then finish going up and reading the log movement, if it starts compressing on the up as I am approaching the end I pull the saw out and nip it from the top down.

Handy to have a wedge on you to, gets you out of a jam.

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Alderman

If the log isn't too large, a log lift comes in handy to get them off the ground.

Could also using a peavey to roll the log after cutting part way through keeps the chain out of the dirt.

Got put in a second vote for using a plastic wedge to keep from pinching the bar. Took many years before I got smart to this and now I never cut without a wedge in my pouch or pocket.

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Treebeard

Given the terrain when cutting firewood, I cut about 2/3 threw the log and go ahead and do that along the log as far as you feel comfortable or up to a point where the log is above the ground then you can undercut from the bottom and free the area of log that has the initial cuts then use a peavy to roll the log over and complete the initial cuts. I prefer a smaller peavy for this, the big ones are often to heavy to lug around and don't grip the smaller firewood pieces as well.

If you do make any bore cuts be aware of the bar kicking up or back on you when you plunge the tip of the bar into the log.

treeshaveneeds

I agree with Treebeard. There is little advantage to rolling a log onto another unless there are a lot of stones about. Personally I prefer a canthook to a peavey.

Thdaoub

Good sharing, thank you!