If you have a chainsaw, you can always use it to set up a mini-sawmill. This option is quite affordable for home craftsmen involved in wood processing. However, a conventional chainsaw has to be constantly held in a canopy, which affects both the cutting accuracy and the safety of the operator. Isn't it better to equip the equipment with a special carriage designed for both longitudinal sawing and group cutting of semi-finished products?

Advantages

The presence of a carriage for a chainsaw allows you to:

1. Minimize the time required to set up and dismantle the portable sawmill.
2. Make it easier to control the saw, since special guides will be used to move it.
3. Have a work surface that does not rust and is not contaminated by waste.
4. Over time, modernize production by increasing the size of the carriage.
5. Increase the mass and cross-sectional dimensions of the processed log, since the carriage provides a drive for moving the workpiece.
6. Increase the accuracy of processing, since fixing stops are provided for longitudinal sawing with a given accuracy.
7. Increases operator safety when loading logs (increases stability when cutting).

A number of advantages are purely consumer in nature: for example, a mini-sawmill can be disassembled into fragments no more than a meter long, which can be easily transported in the trunk of a car. The design of industrial models also includes convenient transport handles and lower supports that are stable during chainsaw operation.

Components

A typical chainsaw carriage design consists of the following parts:

1. Support frame with guides, which are assembled directly at the site of use using standard sections.
2. Systems for automatic control of woodworking parameters, which include a limit switch, cutting depth control sensors, temperature detectors, units for measuring current tool vibrations, etc. The set of such units is different for each carriage manufacturer.
3. Measuring scales installed on guides.
4. Carriage movement motor.

The equipment does not require additional maintenance.

As an example, let's look at the design and capabilities of the Logosol F2 Farmer portable sawmill with a carriage for a chainsaw. It is intended for longitudinal sawing of logs with a diameter of up to 60 cm and is assembled from standard sections 1 m long, which are made of anodized aluminum.

There are two drive options:

• For chainsaws with manual feed, a design with a 4-meter guide is used, along which vertical and horizontal movement of the carriage is carried out. The most suitable type of chainsaw for such a chain sawmill is the Stihl MS391. Engine power is 3.3 kW and weighs 6.4 kg. If you use a higher-power saw, for example, Stihl MS661, the cutting will go even faster.
• For chainsaws that are equipped with an automatic feed function, Logosol Log Moulder is more suitable. This is a complex that includes a drive carriage that has the ability to change the performance and speed of movement of the saw blade depending on the resistance force of the material being processed. The installation is used primarily for electric saws, but can also be adapted for gasoline ones.

Application

Using the chain carriage included in the mini sawmill, you can cut all types of wood - from hard oak to knotty pine. The accuracy of setting the sawing parameters is set by the operator, and almost all models of chain saws provide a smooth surface that is easy to process in the future. The removal of sawdust, which is formed during the sawing process of wood, is carried out by a saw chain, and at the end of the process, the boards can be finally cleared of waste. The carriage is adjusted to a distance of 2 meters between logs (for longer logs) or 1 meter for shorter pieces of wood, which is suitable for cutting fruit trees.

The mini chain sawmill with carriages model F2 is made of durable aluminum alloy, which has a protective coating. The maximum weight of timber that can be processed using these carriages is 1000 kg, with the longest processed log being 3800 mm. If it is necessary to work with long logs, the frame can be extended with fragments of the same type, which are available upon additional order. Also, several log lifts can be installed on or next to the frame, which allows you to process long logs with high productivity, while maintaining all the accuracy parameters.

DIY chainsaw carriage. Blueprints

Since the price of professionally produced equipment (similar to that described in the previous section) ranges from 2500 to 3000 US dollars, it is not difficult to come to the conclusion that you can make your own carriage design for longitudinal sawing of timber.

Depending on the size of the chainsaws used, the dimensions of the carriage assembly, as well as its appearance, are shown in the figure.

The manufacture and assembly of a carriage for a chainsaw is carried out in the following sequence. First, the drive motor is prepared for installation. To do this, remove the drive pulley and install the engagement clutch, resulting in a finished cutting head. A support bracket must be made for the motor mounting plate. By changing the diameter of the pulley, you can control the cutting speed of timber - up to 2.5 times faster than allowed by the base engine speed. To reduce the temperature and eliminate the possibility of engine jamming, its output shaft is ground so that the chain drive sprocket, without taking into account the dimensions of the central bearing, fits tightly to the bracket.

The presence of a belt drive on the shaft that drives the chain protects the engine from vibration and shock generated by the chain. All that remains is to adjust the gearing to get the correct chain speed. Then it is necessary to install bearings on the drive shaft for more intense operating conditions, with increased load-bearing capacity.

Is your band sawmill installed and all the necessary settings made? So it’s time to proceed directly to the sawing process itself. In order to obtain truly high-quality material, it is necessary to correctly install the log and secure it with special clamps.

The quality also depends on the correct calculation of the quantity and type of material you want to get from this log.

Having gained further experience, one glance at a log will be enough, and you will already know how much and what kind of material can be obtained from it. Learn to accurately determine where the top is and where the butt part of the log is. The butt part is usually larger in diameter than the apex. And this largely affects the thickness of the slab.

How to calculate a log

So, you have measured the diameter of the log, and it is measured from the top. We calculate the approximate amount of material according to the diameter and proceed to further actions.

Firstly.

We pay attention to all the bends and bulges of the log - a perfectly straight trunk is rare. Therefore, we try to turn it so as to get as little waste as possible from it, such as croaker. When the log is laid and fixed, you should make sure that it passes freely between the guide rollers.

Set the diameter size on the ruler of the sawmill, and to this size add the greatest height of the convexity of the log. This is the bulge that is higher than the diameter of the top or narrowest part of the log.

Using a regular tape measure, measure the height of the highest part, and from this size you begin counting the dimensions of the required material, taking into account the size of the cut, which ranges from 2 to 5 mm.

Secondly.

As soon as the width of the cut reaches the required size, and the remaining height of the log has reached the desired size, it is turned over. That is, if you cut a beam, for example, at 150, then both the width of the cut and the height of the remaining log should correspond to this value, even be greater, taking into account the removal of the slab.

To do this, after turning the log over, start calculating from the final size until the full height of the log is used, but do not forget to take into account the size of the cut, which, as we already know, ranges from 2 to 5 mm.

For example, you have a log on your overpass that you have cut to a size of 260 mm. Let's turn the log over and continue.

The final result we want to achieve is a carriage with a thickness of 150 mm. Next, in a simple way, calculate that 260 mm-150 mm = 110 mm. We get as much as 110mm of extra material thickness. And it is precisely this that needs to be calculated correctly.

We take this additional size and calculate it to get the block, which has a size of 50 mm, 110-50 = 60, don’t forget the cut, and for us it is 2 mm, 60-2 = 58 mm, then the plank, equal to 25 mm, 58 -25-2=31 mm, hump 20 mm, 31-20-2=9 mm.

As you can see, from our calculations, we get 9 mm slab, 20 mm slab, 25 mm gorge and 50 mm block. And the final size will be 150 mm.

Possible mistakes

As you can see, there is nothing complicated here. Often, inexperienced sawmills make mistakes in calculations when they start counting from zero. For example, if the final size of the material is 150 mm, then there is no need to add 2 mm to it for the cut, otherwise it will be 150 + 2 = 152. There should not be such an error, the cut is calculated only between the material, for example, 50 mm board and 150 mm carriage, we get it as described above, 150 + 50 + 2 = 202 mm.

If it is necessary to obtain edged material, we turn the log 90 degrees and perform the same manipulations as described above.

So you have cut your first log, look at the quality of the material and the accuracy of the dimensions. Make sure your calculations are correct. The main mistake when making calculations is that they forget to take into account the size of the cut. Try to take this fact into account. And don't make such mistakes.

In the future, when you gain experience, the calculation will happen automatically in your head; it will be enough to look at the log.

We are sure that everything will work out for you, we wish you success in your work.

Boards and timber are one of the main building materials. But not everyone has the financial means to purchase ready-made boards. In such situations, one of the solutions is to independently harvest wood on a plot taken from the forestry.

The advantage of a chainsaw as a tool for sawing logs

You can saw a log using a sawmill, gas or electric saw and additional accessories. When choosing one of these tools, you should consider the amount of work ahead. The cost of the cheapest stationary sawmill along with all components is 150 thousand rubles. A chainsaw is much cheaper. It is more convenient than an electric saw for the following reasons:

• Electricity is not required to operate the tool - this makes it possible to use a chainsaw on plots.
• It is more powerful compared to an electric saw.
• It starts smoothly and allows you to conveniently adjust the speed, which reduces the likelihood of a chain break.
• The inertial brake operates faster than that of an electric saw.
• Long working time without interruption – up to one hour.
• Can be used in conditions of high humidity.

Types of working attachments

When sawing logs with a chainsaw, various attachments are used.

• Attachment for longitudinal sawing. It is used for sawing logs lengthwise, the process takes place in a horizontal position. After work, the master receives the same thickness of the product. The finished materials undergo a drying process, after which the boards are used in construction. In appearance, the device is a small frame; it is attached to the tire on each side.

• Drum debarker (debarker). With the help of such an attachment it is easy to dissolve the log; it works due to a V-belt drive. Attached to belts on both sides, special pulleys are used for this. The speed of rotation of the shaft depends on the size of the pulleys, so the performance of the attachment is easy to change. This technology forces the master to carefully monitor each stage of the process; some specialists use an assistant during this cutting. But this option requires increased security measures.
• Sawing with a lightweight nozzle. The method is not very productive, but is used quite often. The element is fastened on one side, but the workpieces are slightly uneven. Such materials are necessary for the construction of sheds or fences.

Features of sawing using a homemade tool

You can easily saw a log into boards using a self-made tool. It's easy to make. To do this you need to do the following:

• As a support, you need to use a frame from a school desk or a pipe with a cross-section in the form of a square, its optimal size is 20x20, more is allowed.
• It is necessary to build two clamps, mount a cross member with two holes for coupling bolts at one end, and make a protrusion for the tire in the middle.
• To cut logs longitudinally into boards, you need to make a support frame; its width should be seven to eight centimeters less than the length.
• Then two parts ten centimeters long are welded to both sides, holes are made for the bolts, and a handle is attached in the middle for ease of operation.
• Then you need to insert the clamps into the grooves, install the tire, and secure everything carefully.

Working with a homemade tool is not difficult; for this you will need goats, they will serve as a support. In addition, you need to prepare a metal strip or board to use as a guide. A log is placed underneath and the required height for work is set.

The procedure for performing preparatory work

To cut a log lengthwise, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:

• Take two straight boards and attach one to the other at right angles. The result is a strong guide line.
• To support the manufactured ruler, you need to make stops from boards.
• Moving the trunks must be done using a tilter.
• The log should be placed on a comfortable base.
• You need to secure the frame to the chainsaw bar using nuts.
• The supports of the leading ruler must be attached to the ends of the log, checking the horizontal position with a level.
• Self-tapping screws must be used to secure all brackets and structural elements. Nails are not suitable for these purposes, since they are difficult to remove in the future without causing damage to the structural parts.
• The leading ruler needs to be attached to the supports using brackets and its height adjusted taking into account that the cut will not go along it, but approximately one centimeter higher.
• The log needs to be rotated and the second board secured so that it rests on the ground and supports the log.

Procedure for performing basic work

• Now you need to start the chainsaw and make the first cut.
• Next, you need to free the log from the stops and boards and attach a guide ruler to the cut surface of the log in the direction of the next cut. The ruler is attached directly to the surface or to the ends of the log using supports. The second cut is made perpendicular to the first cut.
• The log needs to be turned and secured with a board against the ground.
• A ruler is not required to perform the following steps. One of the cut sides serves as a guide.
• It is necessary to adjust the thickness of the cut on the frame and saw off the log from the other side so that you get a beam with bark remaining on only one side.
• This beam must be turned over and secured so that the attachment point of the fixing board is as low as possible.
• Then you need to adjust the frame to the required thickness of the board and saw the timber into boards.

Safety rules when performing work

• The circular saw should not be used without a protective guard.
• It is necessary to wear headphones, gloves, glasses, thick clothing and a respirator.
• You should not pour fuel into a hot tool tank; you need to wait until it cools down.
• Children should not be allowed to be present at the work site.
• It is necessary to start the tool on the ground with the chain brake engaged, which must be released only before starting to cut.
• You should always have a first aid kit on hand.
• When working, you need to hold the chainsaw by the arc handle, moving it forward along the guide. You should not put too much pressure on the chainsaw - it should move freely.
• Right-handed people should place the log on their right side, left-handed people should place it on their left.

Sawing logs into boards with a chainsaw is the most convenient and fastest way. With the help of special attachments and devices, independent production of almost smooth boards is ensured, the quality of which is in no way inferior to those produced industrially.

Attachments for sawing logs

A chainsaw is a convenient universal tool for homestead farming. First of all, you should take into account that it has great power and compactness. Thanks to the centrifugal clutch, all systems and components of the mini-engine operate without overload for a long time; Power makes it possible to install any attachments. The chainsaw can be used in any position and in any terrain, since it is autonomous and has a diaphragm carburetor.

How to adapt a mechanism for cutting logs into boards? To do this, just install the appropriate attachments on the chainsaw.

To cut a log along its entire length, a nozzle for longitudinal sawing of logs in a horizontal plane is suitable. Thanks to it, the boards are of the same thickness. After the necessary proper drying, they are suitable for construction. The attachment is a small frame that is attached to the tire on both sides.

In addition, there is a lightweight nozzle that is fixed on only one side. As a result, the boards are not as smooth as in the first case. Fences and sheds are built from such boards.

An auxiliary tool is a drum debarker-finer.

With its help, logs can be easily cleared of bark.

The nozzle is a drum, works thanks to a V-belt drive. It is attached to the moving belts using special pulleys on both sides of the axis. By selecting the diameter of the pulley, you can select the optimal shaft rotation speed.

Sawing logs lengthwise

To get an even cut, you need to install a guide. It can serve as an industrial mini-sawmill. But such devices are expensive and not everyone can afford them. Therefore, logs are usually fixed with homemade holders made from boards with the same guide.

Sawing of logs into boards is carried out with a chain for longitudinal cutting. If there is none, a regular chain, sharpened at an angle of ten degrees, will do. Only in the process of work will you have to sharpen it from time to time. An attachment is installed on the chainsaw - a guide frame for an even cut.

To cut a log lengthwise, you must perform the following steps:

1. Make a leading line. To do this, you need to fasten two straight long boards at an angle of 90 degrees.
2. Place the log on the stops, thus fixing its position.
3. Attach the nozzle.
4. Using self-tapping screws, attach the supports to the ends of the log on both sides. Check horizontality with a level.
5. Attach the leading ruler to the supports with self-tapping screws.
6. Install another support board horizontally, which should rest against the ground and slightly lift the log.
7. Using a chainsaw with a horizontal cutting attachment, cut off the first piece of log.
8. Move the guide ruler and fix it.
9. Make a second cut of the log perpendicular to the first.
10. There is no need to use the leading ruler any further. The resulting board will serve as a guide.
11. Determine the thickness of the cut using the frame.
12. Make the next cut perpendicular to the second. The result should be a piece of wood, the underside of which is covered with bark.
13. Make a fourth cut to separate the remaining part of the wood that contains the bark. You will get an almost perfectly even block of wood.
14. Next, cut the block to the middle.
15. Turn it over to the opposite side and continue cutting until the end.

If the thickness of the boards does not matter, cutting off the edges with bark is not necessary. In this case, you can use an edger and cut into boards from the very beginning.

Making cross cuts

Cross-cutting is used to cut logs into firewood, as well as to create cross-cut wooden disks for building garden benches, decorating garden paths, etc.

Cutting a log crosswise is done as follows:

1. Place the log horizontally on wooden supports 0.5 m high.
2. If necessary, you can clear it of bark.
3. Using an ax or saw, make marking cuts at equal distances from each other.
4. According to the marks, cut the log.

Special attachments and chains are not needed for this work. A regular chain will do.

Maintaining safety during work

To avoid operational failures and accidents, safety precautions should be observed when working with materials and tools:

1. When working, do not allow strangers, especially children, onto the work site.
2. During work, you should use protective equipment against noise and sawdust that fly away during cutting.
3. You should carry a first aid kit with everything you need to use in case of cuts.
4. When using a circular saw, it is necessary to put on a protective guard.
5. Do not pour gasoline into a heated tank of a chainsaw.
6. Use the chainsaw only for its intended purpose, do not turn it on at full power if it is not in operation.
7. There is no need to press hard on the saw while working.
8. The log for cutting should be installed on the right side.

A chainsaw serves as a convenient tool that can be used to make boards yourself. It is suitable for use in household plots where it is necessary to repair or build new outbuildings. In such cases, a large number of boards is not required. Therefore, they can be easily cut from any logs in the required quantity. Once you acquire the skill, the work is done quickly, and the quality of the boards is excellent.

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All photos from the article

Some people have the opportunity to take a certain area in the forest for logging in order to split the trunks, but how can you cut a log into planks with a chainsaw if you have never had to deal with this? Those who have been logging for a long time can do this without any equipment - they just need to cut a longitudinal line on the trunk and use it to cut a beam or board.

But if you have never done this, then you will need certain devices, which we will now talk about and also show a thematic video in this article.

We spread the trunk onto the boards

Note. To cut a trunk into logs, you may need a sawmill or an electric or chainsaw with machine tools.

What will you need for this?

A chainsaw is the most affordable tool, and there are a number of reasons:

• sawing of trunks can be done directly for logging. This does not require any stationary or autonomous power sources, only one tool;
• Compared to an electric saw, a gasoline saw has much more power, which is a key point in the longitudinal dissolution of logs;
• it has a soft start and soft speed control, which means that the risk of breaking the chain during operation is reduced to almost zero (it is, of course, possible, but for this you need to try very hard);
• Compared to a sawmill, the price of a gasoline-powered tool is several orders of magnitude lower;
• Compared to an electric unit, inertial braking works much faster here;
• intensive use time, the instruction manual allows you to extend it up to 1 hour;
• It is possible to carry out work at high air humidity(rain, fog)