Cutting Large rounds along the grain

[touchthewindrider]

I've been working on this huge oak for several months. I have to cut the rounds in half just to be able to
move them in place to split. Now I'm getting close to the bottom...very very large rounds. Now I'll cut them
in half and then probably half again. I'll be cutting along the grain...ripping them. I do not have a ripping
chain for my saw so I am filing the chain on a 10 degree angle (ripping) vs. 30 degrees (cross cutting).

Of course, this is only because I've got several old chains around and really don't want to have to buy a ripping chain. So, whose done this same thing and how successful has it been? Cutting along the grain?

Thanks,
Cliff
NC

 

[bobdog2o02]

I believe the guys around here call this "Noodling" as it produces long noodly looking chips. It works super easy, just be sure that the noodles dont get jammed up in the saw.............

 

[TreePointer]

A ripping chain is desirable if you are ripping. Ripping would be standing the log on its round end and cutting from one round end to the other. In terms of orientation to the wood grain, this is similar to what's done when milling boards with a chainsaw.

Noodling would be setting the round on its side with the bark touching the ground. Then you would cut through the bark on one side to the bark on the other side. No special chain is needed for this. No, this is not harder on the saw's engine, either. It is easier to do this with a larger displacement saw that has more room under the clutch cover to clear noodles. Also, a little angle into the cut helps to shorten the noodles, which helps to prevent clogs under the clutch cover.

Be aware of your bar tip to prevent kickback.

Noodling examples: https://www.google.com/#q=chainsaw noodling&tbm=vid

 

[jebatty]

Really big rounds I have always hand split into halves or even quarters before going to the gas splitter. Works well on the big stuff around here: pines, red oaks and an occasional aspen.

 

[touchthewindrider]

Really big rounds I have always hand split into halves or even quarters before going to the gas splitter. Works well on the big stuff around here: pines, red oaks and an occasional aspen.

What are you using to split by hand jabatty? A wedge? Several Wedges?

 

[jebatty]

I use one of those big wedge-shaped chopping mauls. I think the head is in the 12-16 lb range.

 

[touchthewindrider]

I use one of those big wedge-shaped chopping mauls. I think the head is in the 12-16 lb range.

Excellent. These rounds are a good 36 to 50 inches across. I'd love to bust them up without have to chainsaw them.
Thanks!

 

[tsquini]

I've been working with big rounds too. I had about 15 rounds the smallest one being 28" in diameter. My tools of choice have been 3 wedges and 8lbs sledge hammer. Cut them into quarters. I can do about 3 a day this way.

 

[zzr7ky]

Hi -

At the suggestion of my adult supervisor some years ago I have been trying to half or quarter large rounds instead of loading them straight away. No back related Doc or Chiropractor visits since

I have some trees of up to 60" diameter. Fortunately they have been mostly Oak or Ash which I can slpit with a couple wedges and a sledge. Poplar I noodle cut if I have to. I avoid polpar and willow when possible.

I have a very large Ash trunk to buck this month. I plan to use the splitter in vertical mode using pinch bars to position the wood.

Good luck and be careful
Mike

 

[Fifelaker]

Lay some 1" pipe on the ground and roll them up to the splitter. I have 5 pieces about 4' long I use and hop scotch them for longer distances.

 

[Thistle]

White Oak 30" to 36" diameter December 2013 - January 2014

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Excellent. These rounds are a good 36 to 50 inches across. I'd love to bust them up without have to chainsaw them.
Thanks!

2 wedges started with making a 1" indent on each side of the round using the chain saw, and then an 8 pound maul works really well for me....

 

[Thistle]

2 wedges started with making a 1" indent on each side of the round using the chain saw, and then an 8 pound maul works really well for me....

Like this?

 

[paul bunion]

Lay some 1" pipe on the ground and roll them up to the splitter. I have 5 pieces about 4' long I use and hop scotch them for longer distances.

Exactly.

If you are splitting vertical the big rounds are about 10x easier to handle if you get a piece of pipe under them that they can roll on. (pipe needs to be on hard ground/plywood or 2x6s and not in soft dirt) At 36" and balanced on a pipe you can still move them with ease. No need to rip/noodle. Roll the rounds over to your splitter and plop them over onto a piece of pipe.

 

[TreePointer]

I rarely noodle, but sometimes it's the best option for moving a massive round out of a difficult spot. I'll also noodle when making the occasional Swedish candle.

 

[SawdustSA]

I sometimes scrounge bluegum rounds with a twisty grain. This becomes near impossible to split by hand. I have a big load like this again now. I have made myself a noodling frame from some wood and gum poles. You can cut the round in half without having to roll it over or without getting the chain into the ground. I have tried to make a basic sketch of what it looks like. I don't have a photo of the actual frame with me. Some advice, don't nail or screw the wood together, rather use wood dowls. Sometimes you loose concentration and can cut a nail with the chain.