Replies

1. 
   PeteBradley | Jul 28, 2006 08:13pm | #1

   I generally do sequential. It's straightforward and you keep the flat bottom for as long as possible. I've considered halvings ome of the "stupid huge" pieces to make them more manageable but generally I just tough it out.

   I haven't had an opportunity to do quartersawing yet, but I'd like to try it.

   Pete

   
   

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   Edited 7/28/2006 5:21 pm ET by PeteBradley

2. 
   KeithNewton | Jul 29, 2006 01:27am | #2

   Jamie, it is hard to start to one side without having a flat to run on the bed, because of the tendency to flip or roll from the sawing force.

   I think the first cut should be a rip cut with your chain-saw. once you have done that, you might even want to make a second and third cut with it also.

   Now if that works out for you, you can think in terms of much larger logs than you were originally thinking.

   I do this all of the time with logs too big for my woodmizer. I don't have any fancy gear for the chain-saw, or special sharpening. I just screw a straight board onto the top of the log, and climb up on top, and saw alongside the guide board trying to keep the bar plumb from side to side as I work my way down the log.

   I think it helps to lead with the motor by about 15º rather than trying to have the teeth cutting at 90º to the grain. If you feel the chain snagging from too aggressive a cut, try to use a little less of an angle. That has got to be hard on the clutch, chain, bar, and motor.

   Give it a try, and let me know how it turns out. K

3. 
   mike4244 | Jul 29, 2006 02:40am | #3

   I square the log, then saw planks for grade.

   mike

4. 
   yieldmap | Jul 29, 2006 08:11am | #4

   Square up the cant first, so it's manageable.  Then you can either saw for grade, flipping the cant for the best face, or slab it straight through for bookmatched pieces that may have knots throughout the board.  If you're looking for full length pieces of good grade, then saw for grade.

    

5. 
   frenchy | Jul 30, 2006 08:12pm | #5

   forestgirl,

    depends on your goal..

             Square the log first is most commonly used but if you want boards as wide as possible you can plainsaw which provides you with some quartersawn and some plainsawn.   The widest boards naturally become quartersawn  while the boards near the edge are plainsawn.  The hard part of doing that is the need to regrip after everycut once past center of the log.. What I have seen is plainsawn to the middle and then lay the log flat and plain saw the rest.

    

    Sawing for grade yields the fewest quartersawn boards..

1. 
   Ron01960 | Jul 30, 2006 10:40pm | #6

   Search the archives. There are many discussions on 1/4 sawing. Best of luck.http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/sawdry.plRon