My son is constructing his Eagle Scout project starting tomorrow, and I may need to cut 4x4 pressure treated wood in a location without electric power. Is there any reason not to use the chainsaw?
OK to Cut Pressure treated timbers with Chainsaw?
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firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
As long as you're not cutting to burn the wood or eating off the chain I can't see any reason why you couldn't do a little bit of chainsaw carpentry . . . heck up this way a lot of folks use their chainsaws in place of a reciprocating saw and circular saw. 
Got Wood
Minister of Fire
Use a old chain. I used a chain saw to help demolish an old swing set made of pressure treated wood. It worked but dulled the chain quickly.
Cutting treated wood will not hurt your saw at all. You might want to be careful not to get a ton of chips in your mouth or eyes, as that might burn a bit.
Wood that has been creosote treated (like railroad ties and some telephone poles) however, I hear is hard on saws, so avoid those.
Wood that has been creosote treated (like railroad ties and some telephone poles) however, I hear is hard on saws, so avoid those.
I have cut plenty of RR ties and telephone posts and it isn't "great" for it, but not that bad. About the only thing that kills the chain is if the RR tie has metal S bracing in it and you hit that. Some do and some don't.
I don't worry about burning PT wood, though cutting up the above was to burn it as well.... so I guess it's all relative.
I don't worry about burning PT wood, though cutting up the above was to burn it as well.... so I guess it's all relative.
Backwoods Savage
Minister of Fire
Bigg_Redd
Minister of Fire
Thanks. These are all new lumber, so there should be no metal. I'll put the uglier end down, so if the cuts aren't perfect, that is OK.
mayhem
Minister of Fire
This is how I built the border around my patio, a couple raised garden beds and a set of stairs out of PT 6x6 lumber. Cut everything with a chainsaw...took seconds to cut through the lumber, took about 10 minutes per cut with the sawzall. Blade didn't get dull, but the sawzall blade filled with pulp real quick...chansaw had the same problem, but it flung it all out.
Whats he building anyway?
Whats he building anyway?
Thanks. These are all new lumber, so there should be no metal. I’ll put the uglier end down, so if the cuts aren’t perfect, that is OK.
If your "SON" is building an Eagle Scout project why are you doing the work? Is it like the the pinewood derby where the dads build the car and the kids get to watch it run down the incline?
This is said as a joke
If your "SON" is building an Eagle Scout project why are you doing the work? Is it like the the pinewood derby where the dads build the car and the kids get to watch it run down the incline?
This is said as a joke
wood spliter
New Member
Don't be afraid to use a new chain. It's the dirt and gravel in Railroad ties and power poles that dull chains.
The preservative, whatever it is these days, accellerates corrosion, so don't take your new bar and chain to green treated, and then stick them back in the shed for a month.
If it was me, I'd hose off the bar and chain and then cut some live wood to scrub it, let it dry and run it enough so everything is scrubbed of the "salt" and oiled.
The preservative, whatever it is these days, accellerates corrosion, so don't take your new bar and chain to green treated, and then stick them back in the shed for a month.
If it was me, I'd hose off the bar and chain and then cut some live wood to scrub it, let it dry and run it enough so everything is scrubbed of the "salt" and oiled.
ecocavalier02
Minister of Fire
firefighterjake said:As long as you're not cutting to burn the wood or eating off the chain I can't see any reason why you couldn't do a little bit of chainsaw carpentry . . . heck up this way a lot of folks use their chainsaws in place of a reciprocating saw and circular saw.
Around here at work we call that the frenchmans recipicating saw.
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
ecocavalier02 said:firefighterjake said:As long as you're not cutting to burn the wood or eating off the chain I can't see any reason why you couldn't do a little bit of chainsaw carpentry . . . heck up this way a lot of folks use their chainsaws in place of a reciprocating saw and circular saw.
Around here at work we call that the frenchmans recipicating saw.
Around here I call it Dad doing finish carpentry.
And less you think I am joking . . . Mom told me last night in a phone conversation that dear old Dad managed to staple his thumb and index finger together while using a nailer . . . I'm still wondering how he managed to do that . . .
mayhem said:
He is building an 'outdoor classroom' at the elementary school he attended. It wil consist of nine benches and a platform in front of them. He managed to set 26 of the 31 posts yesterday, so things are moving along pretty well.
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