Eggasperated Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 We have a shed full of all different sizes of wood (our house used to belong to a joiner) plus access to fallen trees of varying sizes, one of the reasons we got our wood burners was so we could use all this however we've yet to find the best tool that will deal with all the different types of wood we've got. My OH is too scared of a chainsaw (and also pretty accident prone) but cutting everything by hand is a nightmare. Has anyone used something like this Electric Log Saw ? Or can anyone one recommend any better type of saw? At the moment we are buying logs and all this wood is going to waste. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Chainsaw training is really expensive and not tailored to people who just want to cut a few logs but we were in a similar situation as you. We got a friend who used a chainsaw all the time to come and give us a few tips and then it wasn't scary. We cut ours into 10" lengths and then use a log splitter or the axe. We have a log splitter like this http://www.smartlogsplitter.com/smart-splitter-product-details.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I use an electric reciprocating saw, which was purchased from either Aldi or Lidl years ago, and was not expensive. The blade is only 5 or 6 inches long so feasibly you could cut logs 10 to 12 inches in diameter? I have been lucky to have only 'wombled' old joists and other such wood so far, which is dry and not too thick. I have one of those log splitter things on my wants list now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I have an electric chainsaw like this - I was very scared of it, but if you treat it with respect it's ok. I never, ever cut wood unless it is firmly secured in my Workmate, and I always wear eye protection. They have safety cut-outs, and provided you don't do anything stupid they are relatively safe. I invested in a log-splitter in January. I have been splitting logs with a sledge-hammer and a grenade, well I say I've been splitting them ... the reality is that my technique isn't great, and a hammer that I can lift, is too small to do the job properly. I decided the cost of physio to sort out my back/shoulder if I went on was probably greater than the cost of the log-splitter. If you've got the wood, and you expect to be using your woodburner for years to come, it's worth investing in some cutting/splitting equipment. I get most of my wood for free, so it doesn't come ready cut to size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I have to admit that chainsaws are scary and so they should be. But once shown correctly they're not as scary just treat it with respect. My OH uses the small stihl arborists saw for most of our logs and I use a log splitting maul to split them (that way I get warm twice ). A miter saw or jigsaw would be ok for the "joiners" wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 We also have this problem. OH uses an alligator saw with a workmate or saw horse and we manage to cut quite a lot. For bigger logs he starts on one side and turns the log over and hopes the cuts meet! For the biggest logs at the back of the shed we have the option to pay a neighbour with a wood and a chainsaw for his labour (not sure how much this would be), but usually I just buy a load in from him which is already chopped to the size I ask for. The rest of our wood is scrumped and that tends to be smallish diameter branches or cut wood from house projects which is easy to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 We use an electric chainsaw I bought from Aldi last year for £50. It is really good. We also use a logsplitter once the bitst are in 10in lengths. We hired a chainsaw first and were shown how to use it by the hire company. I can use this chainsaw myself and did back in November when a tree came down and OH had his broken leg. The have a safety cutout but it is good to be shown how ot use one first of all. We also use other 'normal' saws on smaller bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 Thanks for the advice everyone, guess no-one has used one of those electric log saws, so I will have to think seriously about a chainsaw. I would be happier to use it myself as my OH is incredibly accident prone but as I currently have a prolapsed disc in my back I'm not sure whether I could manage it although apparently you can also get those mounted on a saw horse like this Saw Horse with Chainsaw Fitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 We have got one of those b ut haven't used it yet - they're supposed to be very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 My wood is either pallets, joists or s"Ooops, word censored!" wood with lots of logs as well. I use either a chainsaw (with workmate), bow saw, axe or a log grenade with a huge 7lb hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I should have said in my previous post- that actually I was terrified of using it to start with, but when you know how/are shown, it is straightforward. I also use the workmate bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Think I'll be braving the electric chainsaw then, and hopefully getting the saw horse as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Have a look at the electric reciprocating saw. They are much safer and easier for all except really quite thick logs. My OH got one after his chain saw chain got damaged when it got stuck cutting up a log and he much prefers it to the chainsaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Have a look at the electric reciprocating saw. I love mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 Decided the reciprocating saw wasn't big enough, bought the saw horse and OH off to get a Bosch electric chainsaw in Focus - apparently on special offer. Told him to make sure he gets Kevlar gloves as well, hopefully minimise number of trips to the hospital (well I did say he was accident prone ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 One of the benefits of the electric saw is that you have to have both hands on it to operate it, so the chances of some fingers going missing is low - at least, not the operator's fingers! The biggest risk is bits of wood flying off as you cut, I always wear eye protection and I've sustained a few bruises on the legs from logs hitting the floor and bouncing up. Always think about where the saw is going to go when the cut is finished ... don't stand directly in front of it and bring it down towards your legs, because when it goes through the final bit of wood that's where it will be heading. I'm off out to the garage in a moment or two to use mine, treat it with respect and you'll find it really useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 We bought the special trousers as well - we had to get them big enough to fit my son - 6'2" - so Carl - 5'7" - has to wear them Simon Cowell style - have to protect the Crown Jewels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 I have one of these its very good http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=Alligator+lopper&hl=en&cid=5416386721166385915&ei=Xt1vTa32IYuC2ATis8yqAg&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
