Cutting logs for wood burner

Poppycat

We managed to get some very large segments of a tree (very large logs) and want to cut them to size to fit in our log burner when the time is right, probably Winter 08 due to them not being seasoned.

We tried cutting with a large saw but its too much like very hard work, whats the ebst way to split them, we tried a bolster and chisel but it aint going anywhere, the wood is tough as old boot, lol

Thanks

John_3:16

Hi Poppy

I have a pair of metal wedges but if your chisel won't go in you will be struggling. If all else fails I take mine to work and put them through the band saw. You may have to wait till some cracks come and split through them.(I also have an electric chain saw cost about £50 it save alot of work)

What wood is it.

Poppycat

Hi thanks. I am unsure what wood it is, the tree was growing just down the road from us near the road, I asked the guy a few weeks back who chopped it down if we they wanted it and he said we could have it, I should have asked at the time but the wood was so heavy we needed help, I now wishing perhaps I shouldnt have taken it, I was trying to save some money in long run

DKLS

Let it dry out a bit, it will be a lot easier to split, I bought a log splitter, which is just like an axe but with a fatter head, great exercise and great for getting shut of the weeks frustrations.

Debt_Free_Chick

Agree - log-splitter, unless you know someone with a chainsaw who will do you a favour or cut it up for the cost of a couple of pints down the local.

Don't be tempted to have a go with a chainsaw yourself - there's a skill involved, plenty of safety precautions and no substitute for experience

adouglasmhor

If you have access to an Alligator saw they are safer than chainsaws but take a little longer.

OddjobKIA

Try this

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=50879&ts=00926

and invest in a chainsaw

OddjobKIA

You can get a chainsaw log bench combo Where the chain saw is attached permantly to the bench and you just lift it up an down as the wood is moved along.

as with any tool from hammer to cut saw's and nail guns BE CAREFULL

Poppycat

Thanks for the help, it wouldn't be worth getting any expensive equipment as this probably be a one off, we do get the occasional wood from a carpentry shop but its off cuts so doesn't need cutting down

Debt_Free_Chick

Poppycat wrote: »

Thanks for the help, it wouldn't be worth getting any expensive equipment as this probably be a one off, we do get the occasional wood from a carpentry shop but its off cuts so doesn't need cutting down

Hire something?

Or do a swap - swap some of the wood in turn for someone chopping it up for you. Sorry to harp on about this, but this is the way things get done in our village - money rarely changes hands!

Poppycat

Thanks but hiring would be too expesnive its only a few large logs about 4-5 which would make about 20-25 medium logs, I can get a whole pickup load for £50