Split a beam on diagonal!??

[doc henderson]

I would put a 2 x on the deck building the jig up from there.  I would make the back that goes against the log stops at 90° to the bottom so it is held at that angle.  If you may use this jig in the future and or you are buying dedicated (expensive) lumber to build it, I would put some time into it, and consider using a glue and screw.  titebond 3 as example or tube construction adhesive like f26.  I might add a hand drawing of this if it would help.

[doc henderson]

so I mocked this up in the shop with an old chunk of 2 x 12.  this is an end view and assumed you are using nominal dimension i.e. 7.25 inch is a 8 x 8.



 

[Larry]

On the log stop side put maybe 4 deck screws through the "V" form but only let the points come through 1/8 to 1/4".  On the clamp side use 2 or 3 deck screws and go into the cant about a 1/2".

When I was sawing the triangles I felt like I could probably get away without using any screws and just let the weight of the cant hold it in the "V" form.  I was too chicken to try it and find out if it would work without screws.  If I did it often I would come up with something faster/better.