Way off track but the beginning

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
wolf creek knives

wolf creek knives

Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
3,282
Location
Wolf Creek Montana
The beginning only because it's where all wood starts...as a tree. So here goes. My second granddaughter is getting married in August. Originally she wanted to get married at our cabin/home way up in the Rockies but realizes the logistics of doing it weren't that good plus there is a Grizzly wondering around and some people aren't comfortable around guns (I'd be packing my .44 during the wedding, as wood others, just in case). To bring some of the mystique of the cabin to her wedding she asked if I could make table rounds that were made from rounds off of trees we harvested from the property. Here's the problem. I don't have a way to cut equal thicknesses with my chain saw without a guide and I'm pretty sure they'll be too small for my 13" planer. And believe it or not, the internet didn't have any solutions that I could find. So I'm asking all here if they know of any guide that will fit a Stihl chainsaw that can cut 1" rounds off a tree trunk? I need to make 20 of these rounds for the tables. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Could you use an Alaska Mill (I think that's the name) for your chainsaw and cut rounds instead of boards? If not, do you know anyone with a portable mill who might do you a favor?
 
I think your best bet would be to find a small mill around you that would cut them for you. Otherwise you most likely would need a very large bandsaw. Lol
 
Great suggestions above and I have some suggestions that might or might not work:

1. 2 inch thick would be heavier and less likely to crack or break. The extra weight would make it less likely to tip over also. 1 inch thick on 24 inch diameters in a tree cross section will not have much integrity - i.e. ability to hold together under even a little stress, nails or screws.

2. A 9 inch angle grinder with 36 grit sanding disks will make quick work with getting the chain saw teeth marks out and a bit more smooth.

3. After the first one or two, you will get the hang of it. But as suggested a rail guide will help.
 
I would also recommend 2" thick.
To flatten and equalize, build a router sled out of plywood. Since it's for a specific project, you would need a complicated adjustable sled.

Router leveling jig

1741526668145.jpeg
 
Too late to edit my post above, so I will add another thought.

1" rounds might do if they are just the tops of an existing table, or if there is a 1/2" base of plywood under the round.

If the tree is a recent harvest, it probably will be prone to cracking or splitting. IF the tree was dead when harvested, it should be OK. Late fall and mid Winter harvested are less likely to split than late winter, spring and summer harvested trees. Trees harvested more than 5 years earlier will also be less likely to split or crack.
 
Last edited:
This one takes me back. My youngest wanted to do the same thing (they wanted place setting rounds, not the mountain wedding). I got the rounds at a local sawmill but they were kind of rough (guy did it with a chainsaw). anyhow, I started and got one done with my drum sander but it took a loooong time - all that end grain. Brought my future son-in-law over and said "have fun". Wound up having one at each table. They were nice.
 
Tom

provided they will fit under the planer why not hot melt glue them to a backing board then pass them under assuming it's a planer thicknesser ?
Unless they are right next to each other the thickness plus or minus 1/4 is not going to be noticeable is it?
 
You're making the table tops out of them?

Thinking out loud - What about MacGuivering a laser-line overhead setup somehow to guide the chainsaw cut, and use a brand new chain...then router sled to level them out. That being said, I've never done it, so it's all theoretical!

Or just cut them as best you can, flatten them with a belt sander, and then raise them off of the base with screws or bolts that you can dial-in to level it off. Again, just thinking out loud.

Better yet - just make bottle stoppers as wedding favours from that wood...still get the story and cabin-connection, but way easier to make!
 
I've cut cookies for two different weddings within the last 6 months on my sawmill. I wish you were closer as I would be happy to help you out. Around here if you go on Facebook Marketplace and search for wood cookies you get many, many results, starting at about $4 per slice. Once the set-up is done, it goes really quickly and takes a surprisingly short log to generate 20 or 30 slices.

The link is to myself and a grandson cutting for a wedding in December 2024.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom