Pr3ssure Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 So today I walked down the railroad tracks with my wagon and chainsaw and cut out a nice section of a tree that fell a while back. It was a big tree. I think it’s oak but I’m not sure. Maybe someone ca say if it’s otherwise. I only got two smaller pieces but plan to go back for more tomorrow. As long as I can make it sit flat I think it will be a good stand. I thought about trying to square it up but I don’t have a chain for ripping wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 You built a rather strong box to have to think your way out of. Once outside the box you could use a sledge and wedge or even a froe. A draw knife, hewing ax and other wood working tools will work. Why will the chainsaw not work for that small a piece of wood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Good Morning, Cut the block the length you want, squirt some silicone on the face of the block, sit your Anvil on the silicone. Perfect Fit!! Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 It's been a couple few decades since you needed a ripping chain. Just don't hog the cut. Modern ripping chains are regular chains that have had some teeth removed say every 3rd. the really aggressive ones have every other one removed. The harder t he wood the more teeth. Just go slow it'll be fine. You're stuck in a box alright, one common to almost everybody just getting started. You're making the false assumption you need the "right" tool for the job. The RIGHT tool isn't one specially made for the job it's one that will do it effectively. The ONLY must have tool is the one between your ears but you do have to get it fed up with knowledge and experience. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Skip tooth chains and ripping chains can kickback. Use in your application with upmost caution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 They can all kick back no matter how long you've been using one. PPE and know what you're doing!!! Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pr3ssure Posted October 23, 2018 Author Share Posted October 23, 2018 I’m not super keen on chainsaws, my dad cut trees for a living for several years. So I’ve used the plenty but never to rip. Never really looked into ripping but remembered him saying they made chains just for that. The chain on the saw is already needing replaced and didn’t want to risk messing it up. Was probably going to ask his opinion on it when he calls me tomorrow. So if I need/want to take a little width off it, could probably do so with the regular chain? I guess just never trying cutting with the grain I didn’t want to mess it up. Cut plenty of trees down to be confident in cross cuts though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 If you are simply cross cutting to square up the ends, no ripping chain needed. Just use a regular cross cut chain. For short lengthwise cuts to trim the sides, the same chain will work fine. Ripping chains just make longitudinal cutting easier than using a cross cut chain. I knew a guy who ripped 12" x 12" timber beams that were 16 feet long with a standard cross cut chain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pr3ssure Posted October 23, 2018 Author Share Posted October 23, 2018 Alright, I might just leave it the width it is but my anvil is only 11x10.5 at the base. So I might want to trim some off to be able to get in closer. Probably won’t square it up if anything I’ll just do 2 sides close to the base size. I’ve still gotta get some flat cuts so it will stand right first though. Never tried to make parallel cuts for something like that with the saw before. One reason I went about 10 inches too big so I can make a practice cut first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 The only thing to trim off is the bark. The largest is only 13 inches at the narrow side. Just fit the anvil centered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 There was a discussion on the site as to whether it made a difference if the stump was oriented roots down or roots up. You may want to look it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pr3ssure Posted October 23, 2018 Author Share Posted October 23, 2018 Alright. I’ll have to figure out which side is which then. I took a picture after I cut it though so I can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branding Iron Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 As I recall you mentioned purchasing a drawknife not long ago. Put it to use and shape your stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pr3ssure Posted October 23, 2018 Author Share Posted October 23, 2018 Yeah, I was thinking about that. I got it pretty sharp. Ive got a lot to do tomorrow. Gonna try and get some more of that Oak, my dad also said something about a dead walnut still standing by my yard. Along with a cherry tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 If you want to shape that log and do so safely without using the chainsaw, get yourself an electric plane. You can shave up to 1/8" in one pass and do so safely even though with a bit of noise. Get rid of the bark before you either rip or plane. You can use a hatchet for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn II Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Here's a YouTube vid that does a pretty good job of explaining how to prepare a wood stump for an anvil. Explains pretty well how to get a level face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pr3ssure Posted October 25, 2018 Author Share Posted October 25, 2018 Awesome, I’ll watch it now. I saw one guy make a jig to cut the top and screwed it to the box once it was level. Probably gonna try and do that today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yt12 Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Be safe,but dont over-think it----I rough milled ALOT of big sticks over the years---ripped ALOT always with standard chain-----ya gotta love making those french fries !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 French fries or noodles? Day them out and save them to start fires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusb Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 Any portable band sawmill's in your area? They could square that up for you in a few seconds time on the mill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawk18 Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 If we're talking about the wood pictured, and if you use it with the larger end down for stability, your anvil base will hang over at the corners. If you can go back and get a piece with a larger diameter, it might work even better. Hawk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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