Next sawing project - locust

[NCDiesel]

Now that I got my teeth cut on that virginia pine, I am ready for the next stack of wood - several 12-14" black locust logs that were too big for my post driver and could not use them for my fence.   I know people saw this stuff into lumber, but the wood seems awful hard and would require a switch to a different lubricant (used diesel for the pine).  Also, my logs are very dry - they have been down for a couple of years.

What lubricant would you recommend for locust that has dried a bit?

PS:   Going to make a couple of nice entrance gates for our pastures out of it.

[Chuck White]

I've sawn quite a bit of Black Locust and all I've ever used was water and a little bit of soap!

[Banjo picker]

I see you are running a cooks mp 32...if it has the same drip system as my ac 36...you may have trouble with some of the soap mixes...they stopped up my filters...I went back to straight diesel....why do you think diesel wouldn't work on the locust?  Banjo

[SAnVA]

Why not just plain water, it's way cheaper!

[Banjo picker]

water by itself won't do the job, and it causes your blades to rust.  Banjo

[dgdrls]

throw some Pinesol and water at it if you choose not to use diesel.
Spray band with WD 40 when done sawing

DGD

[drobertson]

This is why I believe that we need blades with all the different hook angles, as coolant goes, pinesole, winshield fluid and trial and error, gotta luv tough stuff, otherwise it's easy peasy, what fun would this be? david

[duke]

Find something called teapol not sure about the spelling, but very little goes a long long way. It is used in soaps and is a wetting agent. It breaks the surface tension of the water making the water work better and mix with the soap better. :P 8) 8) 8) 8) ;D

[jdtuttle]

I add dawn dish soap to the water. Keep a sharp blade in & go slow.

[Dan_Shade]

for locust, I use a 4 degree woodmizer band.  I also use water with pinesol (12 oz pinesol/5 gal water).

locust is hard.

[NCDiesel]

I see you are running a cooks mp 32...if it has the same drip system as my ac 36...you may have trouble with some of the soap mixes...they stopped up my filters...I went back to straight diesel....why do you think diesel wouldn't work on the locust?  Banjo

Now that you mention it, I guess I was just under the impression diesel was for very pitchy woods like southern pine.  I just assumed everyone used something else for hardwoods.  I've got no problem paying a few extra bucks and just keep using diesel if folks don't think it will stain the wood.

Like you I have the filter set-up.  I think the Pinesol and water idea might be good but I could see where liquid soap(ie Dawn)  and water, with the remnant diesel, might emulsify and clog a filter.

[mesquite buckeye]

water by itself won't do the job, and it causes your blades to rust.  Banjo

What's rust? Everything dries here in 4.8 seconds. ;D

[mesquite buckeye]

I've only cut it with a chainsaw so far, but I'm betting it is similar to mesquite, as both are related. When I cut dry mesquite, I find that if I keep it really wet when I saw, the blades last a lot longer and it goes faster. I've tried 4, 7, 9 and 10° blades, and I like the 7's best for overall speed and durability in mesquite. Good luck. Let's see the results.... ;D 8)

[LeeB]

Which one is related, black or honey? I'm thinking honey.

[Magicman]

I use water/Cascade with everything.  It has good wetting capabilities and does not foam.   ;D

[Larry]

I sawed a couple dump truck loads of black locust like these last year.



My instructions were to make rectangular posts...any size.  A band with 7 degree hook or less works well.  Sometimes you get chatter if a higher degree hook angle is used.  Use your lube of choice.  I used water/soap.  The only problem is dust when they are this dry.  It irritates me a bit and I use a mask.  Green logs I like the smell...makes me hungry.

[NCDiesel]

...snip...

A band with 7 degree hook or less works well.  Sometimes you get chatter if a higher degree hook angle is used.  Use your lube of choice.  I used water/soap.  The only problem is dust when they are this dry.  It irritates me a bit and I use a mask.  Green logs I like the smell...makes me hungry.

Thanks for the heads up on the dust.  I'll wear a mask as these are dry.  I only have an 8 degree blade, which is higher than you recommend but at least it is not a 10 degree or something like that so I will give it a try.   Weather did not cooperate for sawing this weekend.   It did not rain Saturday, but could not bale hay on Friday because we did not have enough sun during the week.  So I had to bale and stack hay Saturday.  Today it is raining.   Out of town next weekend.

Oh well.   May get to saw again someday......

[mesquite buckeye]

Which one is related, black or honey? I'm thinking honey.

Both. Honey locust is a closer relative, but the wood of black locust is harder, as is mesquite.