Cutting Old Oak
 

I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into 6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut up the trunk but it's too late now.

I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick.

The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the core. Any other ideas?

Paul

Cutting Old Oak
 

"Pavel314" wrote in message
news:29509492.3.1321891246926.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqmj32...
I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into
6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting
into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut up
the trunk but it's too late now.

I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around to
the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the bottom and
end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a few segments
and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard in the center,
didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I hit the heart
wood, it dulls my chain real quick.

The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but the
parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water into
the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the core. Any
other ideas?

Paul

Good chain saw, sharp chain. It's what they are made for and do. If you
are having a problem, there's something wrong with your equipment.

Steve

Cutting Old Oak
 

wrote in message
...
On Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:00:46 -0800 (PST), Pavel314
wrote:

I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into
6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting
into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut
up the trunk but it's too late now.

I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around
to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the
bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a
few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard
in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I
hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick.

The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but
the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water
into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the
core. Any other ideas?

Paul

If this was not a long straight trunk with no real limbs, splitting it
is going to be tough. That grain is probably twisted so it is like
trying to split plywood.

I ended up having some big chunks like that hauled away. Let a guy
with a hydraulic splitter fool with them.

I have a 27 ton hydraulic splitter. I have come across some really
difficult pieces just in the local pines and junipers. Oak would be a whole
nuther thing. Getting it cut into manageable sizes to fit in the splitter,
then in the fireplace would be one stage. And I have seen some very
interesting twisting grains that were really tough to split even with 27
tons of force. Aging and drying may make it a little better. Still, a
handful.

Steve

Cutting Old Oak
 

On 11/21/2011 6:21 PM, Steve B wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:00:46 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into
6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting
into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut
up the trunk but it's too late now.

I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around
to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the
bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a
few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard
in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I
hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick.

The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but
the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water
into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the
core. Any other ideas?

Paul

If this was not a long straight trunk with no real limbs, splitting it
is going to be tough. That grain is probably twisted so it is like
trying to split plywood.

I ended up having some big chunks like that hauled away. Let a guy
with a hydraulic splitter fool with them.

I have a 27 ton hydraulic splitter. I have come across some really
difficult pieces just in the local pines and junipers. Oak would be a whole
nuther thing. Getting it cut into manageable sizes to fit in the splitter,
then in the fireplace would be one stage. And I have seen some very
interesting twisting grains that were really tough to split even with 27
tons of force. Aging and drying may make it a little better. Still, a
handful.

Steve


Good grief, folks. Chain saws go through knarly old stumps like butter!
Done it with pine, juniper, maple, fir and hemlock. Slice and dice and
into the fireplace they go.

Paul

Cutting Old Oak
 

Paul Drahn wrote:

-snip-

Good grief, folks. Chain saws go through knarly old stumps like butter!
Done it with pine, juniper, maple, fir and hemlock. Slice and dice and
into the fireplace they go.


Except for the maple- [and some of that is soft] you haven't come
close to the hardness of seasoned oak.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janka_hardness_test

You want to see sparks fly try some nicely seasoned Black locust.

OTOH-- A sharp chain, lots of oil, patience, and a bucket-o-sweat
will get the job done.

Jim

Cutting Old Oak
 

Call lumber yards near you, see if anyone wants to buy some
oak for turning into boards. Use the money to buy natural
gas or fuel oil.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Pavel314" wrote in message
news:29509492.3.1321891246926.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqmj32...
I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the
trunk into 6-foot sections, planning to cut each into
18-inch quarters for splitting into firewood. In retrospect,
it would have been better to have them cut up the trunk but
it's too late now.

I've whittled away at the branches over the years and
finally got around to the trunk segments. These are about
three feet in diameter at the bottom and end up about two
feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a few segments
and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed
hard in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the
thickness, and when I hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain
real quick.

The largest segment has three partial cuts around the
circumference, but the parts are still joined in the center.
I was thinking of pouring water into the groove that I've
already cut in hopes that it might soften the core. Any
other ideas?

Paul

Cutting Old Oak
 

I should have thought of selling the lumber when it was first cut as it was a good straight trunk with few branches.

Cutting Old Oak
 

"Paul Drahn" wrote in message
...
On 11/21/2011 6:21 PM, Steve B wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:00:46 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into
6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for
splitting
into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them
cut
up the trunk but it's too late now.

I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got
around
to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the
bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut
a
few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed
hard
in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and
when I
hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick.

The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference,
but
the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring
water
into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the
core. Any other ideas?

Paul

If this was not a long straight trunk with no real limbs, splitting it
is going to be tough. That grain is probably twisted so it is like
trying to split plywood.

I ended up having some big chunks like that hauled away. Let a guy
with a hydraulic splitter fool with them.

I have a 27 ton hydraulic splitter. I have come across some really
difficult pieces just in the local pines and junipers. Oak would be a
whole
nuther thing. Getting it cut into manageable sizes to fit in the
splitter,
then in the fireplace would be one stage. And I have seen some very
interesting twisting grains that were really tough to split even with 27
tons of force. Aging and drying may make it a little better. Still, a
handful.

Steve


Good grief, folks. Chain saws go through knarly old stumps like butter!
Done it with pine, juniper, maple, fir and hemlock. Slice and dice and
into the fireplace they go.

Paul

My thoughts exactly. The loggers cut much larger trees with ease.
Splitting can be another matter, but even then, there is a breaking point.

Steve

Cutting Old Oak
 

Ah, well. We have our different experiences. Make some
calls, might still be worth a buck or two.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Pavel314" wrote in message
news:26333150.36.1321977796293.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqom2...
I should have thought of selling the lumber when it was
first cut as it was a good straight trunk with few branches.

Cutting Old Oak
 

Stumps tend to have sand and small rocks, which dull the
chain. This, from experience.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Steve B" wrote in message
.. .

Good grief, folks. Chain saws go through knarly old stumps
like butter!
Done it with pine, juniper, maple, fir and hemlock. Slice
and dice and
into the fireplace they go.

Paul

My thoughts exactly. The loggers cut much larger trees with
ease.
Splitting can be another matter, but even then, there is a
breaking point.

Steve

Cutting Old Oak
 

rent one of those bandsaw board cutters
Cut into 2" boards
Sell boards to your local woodworking shop

Buy a couple of cords of firewood with the proceeds.

Cutting Old Oak
 

Pavel314 wrote:
I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into 6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut up the trunk but it's too late now.

I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick.

The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the core. Any other ideas?

Paul


Got any blackpowder? :-)

-Bob

Cutting Old Oak
 

You were right. I checked the saw and it seems that I forgot to change the air filter this season. After a lot of cutting, it had become clogged and was suffocating the saw. I blew it out and everything worked perfectly again. Thanks for the clue.

Cutting Old Oak
 

A blew clue? Wonder who it's from?

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Blue%27s_Clues

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Pavel314" wrote in message
news:15385333.873.1322490392621.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqdk17...
You were right. I checked the saw and it seems that I forgot
to change the air filter this season. After a lot of
cutting, it had become clogged and was suffocating the saw.
I blew it out and everything worked perfectly again. Thanks
for the clue.

Cutting Old Oak
 

"Pavel314" wrote in message
news:15385333.873.1322490392621.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqdk17...
You were right. I checked the saw and it seems that I forgot to change the
air filter this season. After a lot of cutting, it had become clogged and
was suffocating the saw. I blew it out and everything worked perfectly
again. Thanks for the clue.

Just how does one do that? After each use, which amounts to 8 hours, or 8
hours of accumulated time, I pull off the chain and bar. I then take an air
sprayer and go through the clutch and housing where all that stuff clogs in
and around the drive sprocket. Parts washer for whatever needs it. Yep,
you guessed it. Next thing is the air cleaner. If you let it accumulate
until it was choking the engine, you are either not mechanically inclined in
the slightest, or just the ride it hard and put it away wet mentality.

Steve