Cutting Beams From Logs

However if you are only looking to do the odd log cutting job around the home and the diameter of the log isn t greater than 16 then you might do just as well with an electric chainsaw.

Cutting beams from logs.

Our heavy timber beams are cut to standard dimensions. A 8x12 beam will net an overall 7 x 11. Once rotated 90 degrees to saw the third side and rotated another 180 degrees to saw the last side the log is squared into a center piece called a cant. If i cannot make a 12x12 from it and cut my other timbers off the sides of that then it is just one timber per log.

Timbers sawn parallel to the center are better. 2 6 roof loft decking 5 4 cedar decking and more. Most people will go with a gas chainsaw if they intend to cut logs greater than 16 diameter for long hours or work away from the mains power source. Flat sawn boards are cut from the log where the growth rings run parallel to the wide faces of the board.

Stack your lumber with 1 2 thick strips of scrap lumber between each piece then direct air flow over the pile. You need to take the most extreme care if you cut lumber from logs. Flat sawn lumber is the most commonly produced as it is very quick to cut and creates less waste. Posts are best if the heart of the log is centered in them.

With cant sawing the first cuts are made across the top of the log and flipped 180 degrees to saw the second cuts across the opposite face. Per wwpa guidelines for standard dimension timbers a nominal 4 x6 timber nets to 3 x5 actual dimensions after it has been sawn all beams larger than 8 inch will mill to the inch. The flat sawing method of cutting boards is great when dealing with high tensioned logs. As a rule i will not cut one unless it is six inches away from the center.

Run a metal detector over the log give it a really good scanning for metal embedded in the log. You do not know what is inside the log.