How To Hold Logs While Cutting With Chainsaw

Using a chainsaw to cut logs is quick and efficient but the correct procedure determines the proper and safe cuts. One of the main challenging tasks is how to hold logs while cutting with a chainsaw for sure. There is a set of guidelines and equipment you should follow and prepare for cutting logs with chainsaws.  Holding the chainsaw and the logs play a crucial role in delivering more efficiency and improving safety that help you get the cutting jobs done more quickly without wounds.

Holding process when cutting a chainsaw

Chainsaw is best for cutting dirty wood and tree logs. There are two major methods to hold a chainsaw when cutting wood logs on the job site:

1. Cutting from the ground

When the bigger logs lay on the ground that’s solid and sturdy, you can use this position to cut them.  Secure the position by using a wedge to hold the logs from rolling. The main challenge is to cleanly cut without grinding the surface because it would damage the blade.

First of all, you must mark the area/line you want to cut on the logs.  Always start the chainsaw at a low speed.  As for how to hold logs while cutting with a chainsaw in the job site, don’t go further than 75% of the thickness. Complete cutting on the marks you’ve made before rotating the logs 180 degrees with the uncut side on the surface. Finish the rest 25% of the thickness and it’s done.

2. Cutting the log is on a Hill

When the log is on a hill, cutting jobs of how to hold logs while cutting with a chainsaw could be tricky and dangerous. Always clear up the falling and rolling area of the logs. Seek for the solid ground as much as possible for cutting and stand up on a higher elevation than the logs when using your chainsaw. Keep your chainsaw at optimum conditions, sharpen and tension your blade properly, and fasten the saw guard to get your jobs on the hill done effectively.

How many ways do we can use to support cutting a log?

There are two common ways we can use support for how to hold logs while cutting with chainsaws for lumber. First, you can support the log on one end and start with cutting 30% of the thickness from below before cutting the major part of the log from above inline with the first cut. Second, you can support the logs on both ends and start with cutting 30% from above first then complete it from the underside to meet the point of the first cut.

Required Equipment: It’s very important to have the right gear and equipment for how to hold logs while cutting with chainsaws to get better results and safety reasons. Also, you can use different types of hand saw for cutting logs.

Follow the proper procedure of how to hold logs while cutting with the chainsaw below for the best operation.

1. Choose Your Tool

Select proper chainsaw and tools for how to hold logs while cutting with chainsaw effectively. If you’re dealing with logs with larger diameters, use a 16” or larger heavy-duty chainsaw. Get an adequate fuel supply, a sledgehammer, and a handy claw bar.  

2. Get Protected

Ensure to keep protected from how to hold logs while cutting with a chainsaw in the job site. Complete your safety gear including helmet, chainsaw gloves, and chaws that protects you from possible hazards of chainsaw operation. Always install anti-kickback, claw bar, or other safety features of the chainsaw.

3. Size things up

All logs come in different sizes and so are your cutting requirements for lumbers. That’s why you’d need to measure the logs before cutting. Draw the lines of how to hold logs while cutting with a chainsaw and put marks wherever necessary to keep following the measurements.

4. Decide on Your Cutting Surface

When cutting logs, different methods can be used that enable you to cut different sides of the workpiece.   You must decide how to hold logs while cutting with a chainsaw on your cutting surface before turning on your chainsaw. It’s okay if you take some time to decide but never ignore this step. Keep on track the cutting line following your method.

5. Split the Wood

Once you’ve cut logs into smaller pieces, you can then split them for firewood. You can use an ax but it’s more effective to penetrate a wedge into the wood logs with a sledgehammer. Use actual chainsaw chain for Cutting Firewood.

6. Maintenance

After using your chainsaw, you need to regularly maintain it to ensure its best performance and avoid costly repairs or unnecessary part replacements.

When it comes to how to hold logs while cutting with a chainsaw in the lumber shop or job site, use these tips:

Some possible solutions include:

How do you hold firewood while cutting?

As for how to hold logs while cutting with a chainsaw in the field, use a log jack or a log lifter to turn and hold heavy wooden logs off the ground. Not only does it make the workpieces more accessible, but it’s also safer and prevents the chain bar from bending and the blade from hitting the ground.  You can buy or build your own log jack.

How do you hold a sawing log?

You can use a two-legged log holder or log clamps and insert the log in its hole and work as the third leg. As for how to hold logs while cutting with a chainsaw machine, press the uncut part of the log with your foot to keep it steady and you can start cutting on the other part.

How do you short log a chainsaw?

If you want to apply how to hold logs while cutting with chainsaw properly, you must hold the pit(short log) with your foot on the ground and start cutting it for 30% of the thickness. Roll the log and repeat the procedure until all sides are cut evenly and you can finish anything left in the center without hitting the ground.

Can you cut wet logs with a chainsaw?

Yes, of course, you can cut wet logs with your chainsaw but ensure it’s properly oiled during the operation.

Should you run a chainsaw at full throttle?

It’s better to run a chainsaw at full throttle before cutting the logs to prevent possible kickback with how to hold logs while cutting with chainsaw properly. Once you’ve penetrated the logs, you can adjust the throttle to keep up with the performance required.

Why does my chainsaw stall when I give it gas?

Most fuel chainsaws use the carburetor to supply the gas into the engine. If your chainsaw stalls when you give it gas, the fuel in the carburetor is either over-supplied or inadequate. You can try adjusting the idle screw to maintain the propellant fuel supply in the carburetor so it can work again.

Why does my 2 cycle engine stall when I give it gas?

Some possible reasons why a 2-cycle engine keeps stalling when gassed are the clogged filter issues that prevent the proper airflow to the combustion chamber that make the carburetor work inefficiently. When you give it a full-throttle, the 2-cycle engine would be stalling.

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Final Words

When it comes to how to hold logs while cutting with a chainsaw in the job site, there are three major aspects you should be aware of: the techniques, equipment, and safety.  Logs can be cut in different ways and you can choose the right method for efficient cuts with proper equipment. Get the right support for the logs you want to cut and apply the cuts evenly through different sides of the logs.

You need to keep protected from possible hazards when cutting logs by applying safety procedures and wearing complete safety gear. Last, maintaining your chainsaw regularly is very important to keep its best performance.