Anyway to cut down already split wood?

[rudysmallfry]

I had some wood delivered while I was at work. (mistake, won't do it again) I had asked for no splits longer than 20", but a good 1/4 of the pile is in the 24" category. I tried hand sawing some of the pieces down, but it's extremely difficult with the already split stuff. Also it's very knotty, curvy pieces, not sure what species of trees I'm dealing with. I don't have a chainsaw, not that it would help anyway. Maybe I can bisect the pieces with an axe? I'd hate to just put this stuff on the curb and give it away. Anyone in CT with a big fireplace wanna trade me longs for shorts?

 

[BrotherBart]

I had some wood delivered while I was at work. (mistake, won't do it again) I had asked for no splits longer than 20", but a good 1/4 of the pile is in the 24" category. I tried hand sawing some of the pieces down, but it's extremely difficult with the already split stuff. Also it's very knotty, curvy pieces, not sure what species of trees I'm dealing with. I don't have a chainsaw, not that it would help anyway. Maybe I can bisect the pieces with an axe? I'd hate to just put this stuff on the curb and give it away. Anyone in CT with a big fireplace wanna trade me longs for shorts?

Just make you a sawbuck http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sawbuck and either buy a cheap electric chainsaw or rent a saw for a few hours and whack the ends off of the stuff. Gotta be cheaper than giving away purchased wood.

If you burn wood you will always have some pieces that need adjustment so having the saw around is pretty much a necessity.

 

[zzr7ky]

Hi -

I've got a lot of wood longer than my stove can handle (16"). On fairly straight splits a larger chop saw works decently. I'm seriously considering an electric chainsaw like the Makita.

ATB,
Mike P

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

I would call the supplier and have him pick the long stuff up and drop of a equal amount of short stuff. I would think a honest wood dealer would do that.

 

[wg_bent]

If your planning on burning wood for heat you really need a chain saw. Electric, Gas...what ever, you really can't do with out. The only other way to do this is to use sawdust logs. Not the ones you buy in the grocery, but the pure compressed logs...Basically giant pellets.

If your not willing to do the processed logs, then get a saw.

Then the question is cut to 16" plus 10" or 2x12" lengths...I haven't figured that one out yet either.

 

[ecfinn]

I basically did the same thing already suggested. Built a quick sawbuck out of scrap 2x4s and used my dads old Remington electric chainsaw and cut them down to size. I cut about half as 12x12 and the other half as 16x8 ish... I couldn't figure out whether to cut them in half or just cut down to the size I need...

Any suggestions?

Eric

 

[begreen]

If you were told that the wood would be no longer than 20" than MSG is right, have them take it back and replace it with 20" wood. I ran into this a few years ago. Unfortunately the guy never showed up. So I showed up at his doorstep with a load of too long wood and had him give me correctly sized wood on the spot. Now, I always specify wood that is 2" shorter than the stove can take, just to be on the safe side.

 

[Nokoni]

I got some longer lengths than I can use and I cut them in half with the electric chainsaw. My dad created this beautiful monster thing that holds the already split pieces pretty well so they don't jumble around when the saw hits it. I think I'm going to use your idea be green and ask for 2" shorter in the future. I don't mind cutting a few down because I realize that nobody is out there with a ruler when they are splitting wood. My stove holds 18" and depending on the size of the splits it can be hard to get them in the stove. It's really just easier the smaller the stuff is.

 

[elkimmeg]

When I scrounge one can not always cut logs to perfect lenghts So I have a pile of cutoffs fron 2" to 8" I strap around a pallet and throw the cutoff there. When I only need to take the chill off, early fall burning,I burn up the log scraps first.
I try not to waste too much The 8" pieces make for great kindling when split thin or starters. even 6" will do
Rudy MSG suggestion would be by first option. If un responsive the second option is getting an electric saw and build an x
type bucking setup I will provide simple plans aor ther are alweady in print or here in the gear room. I can help you withthe choice of an inexpensive electric saw selection

 

[rudysmallfry]

Call me a chicken, but I don't have a chain saw cuz I'm afraid of them. I have no idea of how to use them, and am worried that I will take my hand off or something. Is there a "chainsaw 101 for timid chicks" book?

 

[paulgp602]

What kind of wood is it that you had delivered is longer than you can use? I live in Milford and can trade you. I have a chainsaw too.

 

[Roospike]

I have a friend that had a LOT of wood already stacked and he changed wood stoves from the old smoker to a new EPA stove , well the fire box was smaller so the wood also need to be smaller . He went out and bought a cheaper $70. miter saw and cut all the wood down to the new size. He said it ended up being a " lot easier " than using a chainsaw to cut off ends .

 

[rudysmallfry]

Paulgp, What kind of wood is it? Good question. I'm told assorted hardwoods, but every piece is crooked in one way or another, and every piece is a different color. I'm guessing some fruit trees, some cedar, ash, etc. It's pretty light stuff, and so well seasoned that I'm guessing it will make better starter wood than burning wood. If you wanna trade me, I'll give you a big fat seasoned Poplar round to sweeten the deal if you'd like.

I didn't think about using a miter saw. That's not a bad idea. Some of these are pretty fat though. They might dull my blade.

 

[carpniels]

Hi Rudy,

Listen to Roos. I use a chop saw for cutting the too long pieces to a little smaller. It is perfect. Steady, fast and reasonable safe because it has a guard. I have a Delta for $99 on sale. All hardwareplaces sell them.

Good luck

Carpniels

 

[the_guad]

I'm in the market for an electric chainsaw too. Carpniels, you like your Delta huh? I saw a Remington on Homedepot.com that was only $65. Is there some type of spec that I need to look for to ensure I'm getting what I need? Something like CFM for air compressors or GHz for computers???

Remington
16 In. 3.0 Peak HP Electric Chainsaw
Model M30016AW
Price: $64.98

 

[Corie]

guad,

it seems that carpniels is not referring to a chain saw, but a miter saw. Chop saw is a name used interchangeable with miter saw.

 

[Mo Heat]

This is probably going to sound naive or even stupid, but I have found that I can usually fit lengths 4 to 6 inches longer than my max stove width by leaning them. This is good solution unless you have an outrageous number of them, or your firebox is really tiny or a non-cooperative configuration. My firebox is relatively tall (cat stove), so leaning a split from the lower front right corner to the upper back left corner can really allow a massive chunk of wood in there. I've even wrangled stumps in there.

You'll know quick enough by bringing one in and jamming it in there.