Saw something new

[OneWithWood]

While attending a tree and log grading class I witnessed two 'experienced' foresters bucking logs.  Both worked their saws (a Stihl and a husky for the record) like a bread knife as they were bucking the logs.  I had never seen anyone do this before.  Is there some advantage to doing this?

[etat]

I used to kinda do the same thing with the old homelite sometimes on bigger stuff.  Helps  keep the chips clear of the saw and blade?

[beenthere]

Were the saws running at the time they were doing this.  ??? ;D ;D
Sounds like the joke I heard, where the punch line was something about "what's that noise?" when the saw was started.   ;D

Joking aside, I don't see any advantage in moving the running saw back and forth like a bread knife. I have seen people rock the saw as it cuts, which I interpreted to mean there was less wood being cut with the chain at any one time, and maybe a result of an underpowered saw so it did not bog down in the cut.

If the chain is sharp, I like to just let it fall straight down through the log. If the chain gets a bit dull, sometimes I will 'force' it a bit using the 'dogs' to grab hold and crank on it a bit (time to touch the chain up then).

But back and forth like a bread knife, not to my knowledge (experienced foresters are not necessarily experienced chain saw users  )

[jjmk98k]

Hum,  I am a ROOKIE at all this, I just can't see any advantage to slicing the logs like that.... Seems against logic to me, let the saw do the cutting, it was designed for that!

But Like I said, i am a rookie...

maybe LOGGERS can gives us more advice?

[tnlogger]

 Wal now i've seen it done before. But it was one of dem city folks trying to cut fire wood  :D :D :D

[OneWithWood]

 :D :D :D :D :D :D
I love it!
I just did not want to say that to my teachers  ;D

[rahtreelimbs]

Sounds like more work than is needed!!!

[jjmk98k]

I can see where some folks think "working the saw" makes them look more "Professional" and "more manly" you know, those who overexagerate motions......... grunts as he tightens something...

My co-worker is one of those type, would use a impact wrench to remove a tire valve stem cap if he could.

good grief!  :

[Kevin]

Maybe they don't know what the dogs are for?
Probably expecting top bind.

[rebocardo]

Only time I "saw" with a powered saw is using a sawzall with a wood pruning blade to help clear out the shavings on something 6-8 inches wide that is green. Seems to cut better and faster and not sit in the cut.

I can see stopping/holding for a fraction in a cut to let wood chips or curls clear in big wood, especially when using full comp or when ripping. But, I cant see "sawing" doing anything even if the chain is dull, pressure would be better.

Then again, maybe they just wanted to see if you could say

"I see you saw with a saw" 10x fast  ;) 

What would be scary is that the saw was kicking back and they were forcing it back into the kerf ...

[Ironwood]

  Perhaps they were doing it to get a smoother cut for end sealing??????????? I dunno but perhaps if'in they were veneer logs they wanted a smoother cut. I have tried to be very consistant when cutting high dollar logs as to get the endd very consistant.


                                         Reid

[maple flats]

sounds crazy to me!!

[twostroke_blood]

Maybe they were bored  :D

[sawguy21]

What Jim said :D :D :D

[Timburr]

No advantage at all. I think we all know where they are going....posers. :D ;D :D Could they saw like that all day and every day ??? The chainsaw is designed not to get tired.

Tim

[D._Frederick]

I would agree with Kevin, if the ground was uneven there blade could bind. By moving the saw in and out of the cut, the tip keeps enlarging the kurf so that the saw does not pinch. You don't see a guy here in the west that makes his living with a chain saw packing wedges and a sledge bucking large soft wood logs.

[Woodhog]

I use that method to cut my logs now that gas has gone over 1.07 per litre..

I just keep the switch in the off position and move the bar back and forth..

[sawguy21]

Woodhog, is that with the brake on or off? :D :D

[wiam]

Only reason I can think of would be to agree with Kevin.

Will

[etat]

I'm gonna say I ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY agree with Kevin. Especially since I've already admitted to moving the saw in and out of the cut in the past!  ;D

[J_T]

I vote with Kevin50% and D Fredrick 100% on a fast running saw with lots of power it won't bind 8) Try it when no one is looking and see what you think ???

[Timburr]

Do you folks cut the compression wood first and finish with the tension ??? I'm asking 'cos i'm curious.
Professional loggers read the log first. If the log sits across a hollow the compression timber is on the top, if astride a ridge tension is on the top. As a logger, I try not to put the saw in a position where it will bind...a lot of unnecessary time wasted, but invariably we all get caught on the hop. In this situation, when the kerf is closing, the saw is pulled out and back in again to relieve the kerf. Once, maybe twice is all that is required, not a continual 'sawing' action.
You guys may think you are sawing quicker by 'sawing' the saw...stopwatch time yourselves...you may or not gain a couple of secs. And a flushed face. A guide to how quick the wood is being cut is the amount of chips exhausted. I know this is obvious, but sometimes overlooked.

Were THE guys racing for a wager? smiley_goofy_face

Tim

[beenthere]

I usually cut the wood under compression first, and look for the slightest indication it is closing (or if in deep enough slip a wedge in behind the 'stopped' saw blade in the kerf). Then try to read if there is any fore or aft motion that may pop the log at me or preferrably away from me. Read it wrong and one may get the log in their lap. I follow up with the wood under tension being careful in all cases that the chain stays out of the dirt.

[stumpy]

I always viewed "swaing" with a chainsaw was an indication of inexperience. I agree with Kevin, and Timburr makes a good point that there maybe rare ocasions that call for it to open the kerf.
What I've always taught my son and nephews is "there are two things that cut a log, RPM's and sharpness of the chain". If yoy keep it sharp, and apply just enough pressure to achieve high RPM's, you'll do just fine. If ya have to force the saw, somethings wrong.

[tony_marks]

ep ive used a saw like that. but it was after the chain was dull ,and i was just finishinbg the day or something,so i was [usually futily] trying to get thru and wait til my back quit hurtin to sharpen it rite that nite.