Cutting splits down to chunks/mini-splits

Wood split in a mounted/bolted down vice and small chainsaw. Chop saws/miter saws the wood can kick out......

miter box. push (or clamp) the split firmly against the fence. It isn't going anywhere. A miter box is inherently safer than a chainsaw.

I generally use a chop saw. Then a nice sharp 3/4 axe to pop them into quick kindling

I use a 10" miter saw, have never had an issue the blade turns toward the fence... Just use common sense, don't try to cut too big/diameter a piece, don't force the blade and take your time.

I use my chain saw

I use a cheap vise and a chainsaw and then use a axe if I need the chunks smaller .

Besides the saw I'd get a good splitter if you don't have one. I'd like a fancier one but the HF one I have works real good.

I've used a power miter saw, but they can be unpredictable as far as kickback. I've cut them slowly until only a little bit is left uncut, then I bend to break the last little bit holding the log together. Most of the time, the kickback comes at the last moment when the two pieces are liberated from each other, because the unsupported piece will usually shift a bit.

On my last cook, I used a regular old-school hand carpentry saw (loaned out the miter saw). Wasn't that bad, no kickback, and you get to practice your hand sawing technique. You know, just in case the zombies apocalypse comes, then you can still be sharp on your hand sawing skills. Every time I threw two splits in, I hand cut a log in half, and split them further. That way I stayed ahead of the game and didn't have to do a bunch at a time. They are pretty easy to split with a maul when the logs are cut down in half.

I'll take a smaller split, that is not too big around, and cut it into chunks with my table top band saw.



It works well.

BBQ Freak said:

I use a cheap vise and a chainsaw and then use a axe if I need the chunks smaller .

Click to expand...

Same boat as BBQ Freak. Hard to beat a Stihl chainsaw! :clap2:

I haven't bought a new chainsaw in years, but anything around 50cc's would be a good entry level saw. pair it with a 18" bar and a comp chain and you would be good to go.

Brand wise go with what feels best in your hand. My Sthils are narrower and seem more agile than Husky, My Husky's have better anti-vibe, power wise I'll grab either....but find myself using my Dolmar more often than not lol.

Give Echo a look, a friend picked one up and it felt pretty nice and ran really well.

-D

I've used a 14" bandsaw with a wide blade and it worked well and it was a pretty safe way to cut lengths

Way to technical how bout a plain ole ax just watch your toes helmet optional

I learned my lesson with the chop saw - OUCH! I use a vise and the old fashion bow saw to make my cuts. Takes just a little longer but I go back inside with as many parts as I woke up with and a lot less bar oil on the split.

To shorten firewood for my KBQ I use one of the Worx electric JawSaws. Very pleased with how well and easily it works - much better than using my recip saw. It is able to handle 95% of the wood I get from my firewood guy - do have to split a few lengthwise so they'll fit in the jaw. If they had made it lust a bit bigger - able to handle 5" logs it would be perfect.

JawSaw wow!.. Electric, too. Hmmmm....

I use a cheap electric from Home Depot.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Homelite-14-in-9-Amp-Electric-Chainsaw-UT43103A/202723256