Choosing a saw to cut wood for burning

twiglet98

I have a lot of different types of wood in the barn to cut up for the fire this winter. Some are tree branches, a few thick slices of tree trunk, and from a kind freecycler I now have some broken-up bookcases, pallets and off-cuts of plywood.

I have an axe with a flat head to whack with a sledgehammer to split logs, plus an old, blunt bow saw, an older and blunter tenon saw, and a panel saw that was £4.99 from a DIY shed last winter.

I - the mum - am usually the one to chop the wood, gather kindling etc, though I have grown up boys who would [possibly do it with bribery. I wonder if a power saw would be a sensible investment. T3sco have a double value offer ending today and I could order one from their website, but I don't know whether a small petrol chainsaw or some type of electric saw would be best just to cut logs and branches to a manageable size for the fire. Needs to be under £100 if possible.

I know from experience that wood warms you twice, when you cut it and when you burn it, but I'm working 50+ hours a week, I'm too old and too tired, and I'd really like to make the job easier. Any recommendations appreciated please!

PennyForThem_2

Hi

I too am a 50 +++ and am a bit scared of electric saws etc. OH has health problems and sons are good with IT but not with DIY.

I was recommended by a friend that for pallet panels and small logs a mitre saw would be good. A cheap one.

My experience is - yes, wow, fits the bill perfectly - except that the cheap (£40) seem to go wrong at drop of hat. B&Q and Argos cheapo saw are manufactured by same firm - same design, but the guard stuck in both after 60 mins of use.

HomeBase - the power seemed to be spasmodic after 20 mins of use - the engine either fired up or, mostly, it didn't.

I was cutting pallet planks of dismantled pallets and checking thoroughly that no nails and small logs.

So I too am interested in responses to this - not vast amounts of wood but need something better than hand sawing so that I can bring back small logs and cut pallet planks quickly and cleanly with minimum of effort.

(Because only had them for a day or so absolutely no probs getting refund tho' B&Q brought a man down to 'check' and he couldn't fathom why the guard mechanism had stuck!)

samtheman1k

The problem with cheap saws, is that they are just that, cheap. They are designed for occasional use. If you want to regularly cut lots of wood, then you need to invest in a good quality saw. Personally, I use a chainsaw, it cost me about £90 from B&Q (electric), though you can get petrol ones for similar prices (look at screwfix also). I mitre saw just isn't going to cut those thick logs, so I'd get a chainsaw and bribe your sons!

Alternative, most places will do a 'coarse cut' saw for about a fiver, will be sharp and cut roughly, but that is all you need for firewood!

Cardew

Small chainsaw is the answer.

However please read the safety instructions carefully as they can be dangerous if misused or shortcuts are taken.

molerat

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_15512.htm
This week at Aldi;)

John_3:16

Small Bosch electric Chainsaw. I use one all the time £50 off ebay new blades about £6. Remeber to wear protective cloths etc.

Alot quiter than a petrol one. If I go out I have a small Generator that can power it. Also on standby if i need it for anything else.

I have also invested in a log splitter about £100 off ebay its great and splits trunks if cut small enough. Possibly the lads would split them if you had that?

PennyForThem_2

okkkkk

But - I buy semi/seasoned logs and my sawing = pallet panels and very small logs (less than 3 inches diameter) which i pick up or get from the tree surgeon tip that a local gardening centre operates.

Trouble with an electric saw is you need something to hold/clamp the log properly. So what would you recommend?

John_3:16

Make you own log bench out of 3x2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-127998-150-Kilogram-Horse/dp/B001C7QOQO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=diy&qid=1283878055&sr=8-1

Pincher

This site has cheap and cheerful to heavy duty log splitters:

http://www.clifford-james.co.uk/online.cfm/log-splitters/foot-operated-logsplitter/68/yes/49836

All very messy and I don't think my suburban neighbours would appreciate the smoke. Gas boiler for me until I get a country manor: as soon as I win Euromillions.