How to cut planks off a log?

Flashpoint

Flashpoint

Smile, wait for flash
Charter Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Messages
3,947
Location
Alamance County
Rating - 100%
21   0   0
My girlfriend has a woodworking project in mind. This is a girl who made her own cedar kayak paddle and an entire skin on frame kayak. This one is more cooking related (wooden spoons). She has a couple of hardwood logs (Ash, I think) she wants to cut planks from. We don't have any wood power tools beyond a table saw and skill saw. She was trying to do it with a chain saw but I nixed that. The main problem is holding the damn things immobile for cutting. They are about 6" diameter and 16-17" long.

Any suggestions as to how to do cut 1" thick planks from a round log? What is the proper tool, a band saw?
 
Last edited:
Band saw would be perfect for that. She just needs rough dimensions in her bandsaw cutting. If you want them exactly 1” rip them with a bandsaw then run them through a planer
 
Burt Gummer said:
Band saw would be perfect for that. She just needs rough dimensions in her bandsaw cutting. If you want them exactly 1” rip them with a bandsaw then run them through a planer
Click to expand...
Definitely doesn't need to be exact, most of the work will be done with hand tools. I just used 1" as a ballpark.
 
J R Green said:
Not too hard with a froe.
Click to expand...

This!

For a spoon, or a wooden ladder rung, you want the grain to run the length of the piece. Sawing ignores the strength of the wood, splitting makes it available to the woodworker.

For your little pieces you could split with an axe, a wedge, or maybe best a heavy machete.
 
You’re welcome to bring them to me for milling. If she wants to do them herself, my advice would be to use a froe. Split the logs down the middle and then use the froe to make boards where the face is perpendicular to the growth rings.
 
Last edited:
JimB said:
This!
For a spoon, or a wooden ladder rung, you want the grain to run the length of the piece. Sawing ignores the strength of the wood, splitting makes it available to the woodworker.
For your little pieces you could split with an axe, a wedge, or maybe best a heavy machete.
Click to expand...

That is how Roy would do it. :)
Screenshot 2020-09-29 093927.jpg
 
Button Pusher said:
That is how Roy would do it. :)
View attachment 251774
Click to expand...
Years ago, before they were available on DVD, I worked on a project to locate and digitize the early seasons of The Woodwright’s Shop. I actually think their DVD’s include some of my work. It was interesting chasing down VHS tapes from libraries all over the country.
 
If her interest is just in making spoons, and not particularly an interest in the wood from this specific log, I would recommend finding smaller (6-10 inch are my favorite) limbs that would be easier to work. Of the couple hundred spoons/spatulas i've carved, i dont' think i've ever used a straight plank. Get a short mora knife, and a woodcarving hook, and go to town. letting the shape of the limb or grain of the wood dictate the final shape gives some really interesting spoons. If the log in question is a must, a froe is the way to go. Another option would be to cut the log into a piece about 6 inches longer than you want, and then split with a maul down to a chunk that is closer to your needs. Be sure to take some pictures and let us know how they turn out!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom