Cutting Logs into Planks - How to?

[goolash]

Hello everyone

This is my first post on the site, looking forward to getting some useful advice about how to cut some logs into planks.

I have three large logs which i gathered in the aftermath of the October storms that hit the south. They are all approx 35cm diamater and between 60-80cm length.

Here are the questions.
1. I would like to cut them into planks. How can I go about doing this?
2. Can anyone recommend if i should buy/hire a Bench Saw to do this?
3. Does anyone know if there are any "timber yards" or merchants near North West London that would do this for me?

Cheers
Ade

 

[marcros]

Welcome to the forum.

I would probably suggest splitting them with a traditional splitting wedge and something to hit it with. It sounds like you do not have a bandsaw, and it would need to be a pretty large one to cope with the diameter.

A bench saw will not do it. You will be limited to about 3" depth of cut. A handsaw might do it, but it will be hard going.

A saw mill probably wont want to do it- too small scale to interest them.

What are you planning to make with the planks- this may have a bearing on the options, particularly what sized pieces you are hoping to get from it. Do yo know the timber species?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You can't do it with a bench saw (at least not a domestic one). Unless you enjoy being laughed at, don't approach a timber yard or merchant - your large logs are so small as to be dangerous. You could do it roughly with a chain saw, or if you are extremely, incredibly lucky you might find someone close to you with a sled on a bandsaw. What is the wood? Realistically, it's probably not worth it unless it has sentimental value.

 

[goolash]

Hi - Re Species, no I'm not sure what it is or how to find out really. It was a deciduous urban tree...

The plan was to turn one log into a bench table, so two straight cuts required to leave a wide flat surface top and a narrower flat surface bottom to attach the legs.

The Planks i will want for building some shelves, frames and maybe a smaller table top.

Great advice, thanks, ill look into a splitting wedge. A Band Saw is what i meant, thanks for mentioning that. I don't understand how I would cut straight if i were to try using a handsaw.

I also have a thousand other questions about treating and finishing the wood but i guess that will wait until ive made the cuts...

 

[mind_the_goat]

Some info of different cuts here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_sawing
You would want to cut them oversize and allow them to dry properly (how long depends on the wood, the thickness and how/where you dry them), before flattening. If they are not dry before you start working with them then you will have a very wonky, possibly split table.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I think you're being over optimistic - but try posting a photo. You'll need another post first, though.

 

[CHJ]

This is the normal way to tackle the job, mounting the logs on a sledge on a Bandsaw.

but as has been said you are going to have to have access to an upper end home or even trade workshop Bandsaw to cope with your 35cm diameter logs. (cost in thousands not hundreds)

Also as has been mentioned you need a considerable amount of patience to store and dry the timber out, think in terms of 1 year for every 25mm of thickness, other than tackling with a decent chainsaw as mentioned splitting is an option dependant upon species and whether it will split in convenient and regular slabs but will entail a great deal of hand preparation once dried if you don't have machine tools which again would need to be at the expensive end of the budget to cope with that width, alternate would be a portable powered planner.

 

[goolash]

Thanks for your responses all. I'm dismayed by how long it takes to dry out - its been since November onwards under cover with plenty of air to it. I guess I'm going to have to build without it drying fully but i really dont want to wait years, i'd rather get stuck in.

I am going to improvise and use an all purpose saw to chop the underside at least, just to see if i can cut acceptably straight to do the same for the surface side.

As for how i'm going to cut the other two logs for planks i will start to research places that have the necessary equipment and ask nicely for their help.

Thanks, ill post some pictures on this thread of the finished articles for you to jeer at / admire / envy.

Cheers.

 

[JustBen]

Don't forget the 1" per year drying is when is 1" thick. A 12"/13" log takes a hell of a lot longer than 13" years to dry fully.

As others have said, unless it's a rare/expensive species, it would be quicker and cheaper to buy pre cut and dried timber for your project.

How about making the logs into a log bench.
If you have the skill, this could be done quite easily with a borrowed chainsaw.

I feel your pain though. I too wish that I had the time and space to make my own planks.
I do on a small (8" wide, a couple of foot long 1/2" thick) scale for box making but it's not the same.

 

[Woodcrafts]

"As for how i'm going to cut the other two logs for planks i will start to research places that have the necessary equipment and ask nicely for their help."

Apart from your logs being too small/short to interest a commercial sawmill, as they are from a "deciduous urban tree..." any sawmill would likely require you to indemnify them for the cost of replacement blades should they hit a foreign object (nail, stone, etc) hidden beneath the bark.

 

[Benchwayze]

Reading this post, gives one pause for thought; and the greatest respect for our forefathers who had to use the saw-pit; especially for the 'under-dog'. 8)

If you were to split the log down the middle, each way, you could then 'quarter-saw' . This would give you boards that are about 6" wide; and a lot more stable too. The task could be accomplished on an 8" bandsaw, using a sled as shown earlier. My saw would have done the job, but it's a good 20 years old now, and such a task might be the last straw. Still, if I lived closer, I'd have given that a go.

Best of luck with your conversion; but it's going to be a long time before you can use the timber. Hope it works out okay.

Regards
John