Creating Chunks from Split Logs

breyfb · Joined: 24 Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Location: MA

Greetings,

After tiring of buying wood chunks online, I decided to embark on a bit of an adventure by creating my own.

I contacted a local tree trimmer who sells firewood on the side and ordered some split logs of oak and maple. The guy told me that they have been seasoned for at least 6 months.

Since I have a WSM, I need to find a way to cut these split logs in to manageable, fist sized chunks. I thought I could get away with using a 3.5lb axe to hack them but the wood is much tougher than I thought! Very Happy

Any thoughts on the easiest way to make this happen?

Some pictures are attached of the split logs and closeups of some oak and some maple I hacked at.

Thanks

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PaulOinMA · Posted: Jul 25 2011 Post subject:

A maul makes east work of turning logs into splits which can be cut into chunks. Much better than using an ax.

http://www.doitbest.com/Axes+and+hatchets-Truper+Herramientas-model-373648-doitbest-sku-373648.dib
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Jarhead · Posted: Jul 25 2011 Post subject:

Welcome aboard breyfb

Do you have access to a miter saw or a band saw?

I'm sure I will catch flack for saying miter saw, because it is dangerous. I cut the splits to 2-3" lengths, if you need to split them further use a hatchet or straight claw hammer.

The band saw would be a whole lot safer.

By all means be careful. You started with 10 fingers and you want to finish with 10.

Good Luck and be safe.
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breyfb · Joined: 24 Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Location: MA

breyfb · Joined: 24 Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Location: MA

Frosty · Posted: Jul 25 2011 Post subject:

I will say the miter saw is dangerous Rolling Eyes

I KNOW...

The blade 'grabbed/bound up" in the wood & slammed my fingers against the back fence...I lost TWO fingernails & it took 7 months for them to grow back.
...............
I would think you must know somebody experienced, & has a chainsaw...10 minutes would lop those into 3 pieces...
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This stuff ain't rocket science,,,Great Gramma cooked on a horizontal-partitioned wood smoker every day!

Jarhead · Posted: Jul 25 2011 Post subject:

Something like a Pruning Saw or a Bow Saw would work.
I foresee a whole lotta work there.
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PaulOinMA · Posted: Jul 25 2011 Post subject:

I just use a hand-held tool after I split my firewood logs into thinner splits with a maul: a bow saw.
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PaulOinMA · Posted: Jul 25 2011 Post subject:

larry1301 · Joined: 26 Jun 2011 Posts: 3

What do you use to get all the bark off, especially the thin bark on the left?

I have read some threads here that leave the bark on. Others say it gives a bitter taste.

All the books I have read (Low & Slow, etc) say to remove it but don't give any easy ways to do this.

Jarhead · Posted: Jul 25 2011 Post subject:

SoEzzy · Posted: Jul 25 2011 Post subject:

Any good saw would work.

I use a power Miter saw, and I have used a circular saw and a sawzall and a bow saw and a carpentry saw, and I have even used a Japanese hole cutting saw.

But you really need a wood cutting style saw with bigger teeth to cut the wood more efficiently IMO. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosscut_saw
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breyfb · Joined: 24 Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Location: MA

Q-in · Posted: Jul 25 2011 Post subject:

craigs list -chainsaw in va $30
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/grd/2480966814.html

breyfb · Joined: 24 Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Location: MA

GF · Posted: Jul 25 2011 Post subject:

breyfb, FWIW I use a bow saw to cut chunks from split wood. I'll admit it is labor intensive, but cheap. I usually make it a winter chore, a few hours and you'll have plenty.
I cut for a while and pile into a milk crate, after not long you'll be all set. Good luck.

SoEzzy · Posted: Jul 25 2011 Post subject:

tommy69z · Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 25

I would just see how much more to buy unsplit wood cut in 3" chunks, quick work with a good chainsaw that most wood cutters have, may cost a little more, but then you just have to split the chunks into quarters....

Inner10 · Posted: Jul 26 2011 Post subject:

Just go buy a cheap miter saw from Harbor Freight.

Or use your axe to make your spilts a little smaller and bury 2 small splits in your charcoal basket instead of a few chunks.