On the plus side, you're working with cedar, not maple. If we're talking
about the same kind of cedar that we use up here (western Canada) to make
decks and fences, it's the softest, most easily hand-worked wood I've used.
But I know there's other kinds of cedar, so who can tell?

But I still think I wouldn't want to be doing that by hand. You may not end
up looking up at the sky in your yard, but you may end up having to have
your arm surgically re-attached after it falls off. If it does fall off,
make sure you have a cooler full of ice to put it in, and don't get blood on
the wood. Spoils the finish, doncha know? Or make sure you bleed
consistently over all the wood.



Clint

"nautilus" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi!

I have a very few years on wood working, doing this as hobby, which I
really enjoy. I read the groups from time to time, and now that I've
some doubts/thinkings, I would like to post it!

A few days ago I bought some cedar from a lumber yard, to finish a
project in which I'm working ok. The stock measures 3 inch of
thickness, 9 inch width, and about 2 meters long. I've two pieces of
this size.. and I need to get some 3x3x2meters "sticks"..

I've the chance to take this piece to a school near home, that has a
big wood working workshop, and they let me use the scroll saw, and
other machines.. but I love hand tools, and also I would like to be
self-sufficient, so I'm thinking in using a good hand saw (which I
would need to buy).

I've never dimensioned roguh stock using hand tools yet... how long can
it take to make a single straing cut over the 2 meters long? It's
something reasonable, or I'm going to end all sweat looking at the sky
laying on my yard?

I'm asking about the estimated time you think it would take, to have a
parameter for checking if everything goes well, if the saw is well
sharpened, the technique is good, etc..

Thanks a lot!!!
Mariano