what is the easiest way to cut square ends on odd shaped limbs? now with pics

[limbrat]

I have pocket screwed a couple of square edged boards together to make a 90. Then mount the limb in the 90 and with a miter gauge, cut square ends on smaller limbs on a table saw. With larger limbs i can make the first cut on the table saw then finish up with a hand saw.
With forks its harder i have mounted them to scraps of plywood and paralled the ends on a table saw you can angle the ends like that too.
I had one the other day that is a 5" limb with three limbs on the other end i added a fourth limb to make a pedestal base. i squared the big end on the table saw with a 90% jig then measured over from the miter slot and marked each limb with a square off the table and edge of the jig and a level to mark around the limb. after much scribbing and sanding i have a good base. 
There has got to be a better way to make square ends with out a square edge.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

L Rat.....I'm trying to get into my head what you're doing. Do you have any pics to show us?

Thanks.

[Tree Feller]

There has got to be a better way to make square ends with out a square edge.

If you are cutting roundish ends, use a welder's wrap-a-round to scribe a line around the limb and then cut along the line freehand at the bandsaw.

[Magicman]

Or use a reciprocating saw.


 
These Aspen "candles" were not badly out of whack, but were too irregular to satisfactorily use the table or miter saw.

[beenthere]

Not knowing the length of the 'limbs', if they were short enought to chuck into a lathe, you could use a parting tool to cut square ends easily.

[limbrat]

 

 
I can cut parallel ends on limbs like this by using a jig shaped like a piece of angle iron on the table saw.

  
cutting parallel ends on limbs like this.

  so that i can make stuff like this is so much harder. making the cut is not a problem i can clamp it up and cut it with a handsaw. marking the cut so that the ends are parallel is tough. any ideals?

[Jemclimber]

Once one end is cut you can flip it upside down and take a drywall square to mark the height of the cut on each of the legs.  That's how I've done bench legs that are too wide to flip and cut on the sawmill.

[Jim_Rogers]

If you get a laser level you could "shoot" a line onto each leg. Then move the level around the leg so you can trace the line all the way around the leg so you can then saw it off.

I think the laser levels I have are offset from the bottom of the level like 1" or so. Then you could saw back the ends to that line, or offset the level line again.

One way to get a straight line around something round is to use a piece of banding. Wrap it around the round thing and trace the line.
But it would have to be nearly perpendicular to the round thing. Not on a slope like those legs are.
So I guess the laser level is the best answer I can think of.

Jim Rogers

[pineywoods]

That's a piece of cake if you have access to a bandmill or a swingmill. Clamp the table/stool upside down on the mill with the legs sticking up. One slow pass and all the legs are square and the same length. You might need to get a little creative with the clamping...See my post on a cherry chest build for more ideas...

[limbrat]

Thank you gentlemen, all excellent ideals.

I have a band mill but have had alot of trouble clamping tall stuff with a narrow base. i guess i could screw it to a scrap of plywood and them clamp that to the bed.

I really like the laser level, one of my son in laws does dry wall i will borrow one from him and give it a try before buying one.

Marking the length in a couple of places with a square then pulling the line around with a level works. But im not very good at it.

Thank you sirs

[jueston]

laser level was my first thought too, i purchased mine for one specific task that just seemed a lot easier with a laser level, but since then i have found hundreds of uses for it.

[Rooster]

Build a large hand saw mitre box?

[Al_Smith]

Interesting items .