We have 2 large basswood tree length logs at our disposal. How can we cut them up to use for mostly cacariature, santa, small animal type carving? We have checked into having them sawed, but it is expensive. I just know there must be one of you industrious carvers that have managed to cut thier own logs into carving sized pieces. Any help you give will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and help. Joan

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

well if you are going to carve it all....you could get a splitting maul and a splitting wedge and a couple Â*good oak wedges and split the blocks! Â*First cut in the lengths you want with a chainsaw, and then split....you can half them, then quarter the halves and go down in size and far as you want..even if you want some cut wood....if you have a bandsaw you can resaw some pretty large pieces into square stock...all this in my opinion of course! Â*:P : I should have asked the diameter of the log?? You might only need a hammer and a froe to split into usuable chunks!

Thanks Hi Ho, I will bring this message home to DH. I would say the logs are about 16-18' in diameter.

[Colin_Partridge]

Joan,
What I do is cut the logs into lengths and then put them on a larger block, stand them on end and put a couple of 3inch screws at a angle into both sides. Then take your chain saw and cut them square but be careful you dont hit the screws :'( dulls the chain awful fast). then you can mill them on a table saw or even cut them smaller with the chain saw. Of course the best way is to take them and get them done on a mill it shouldnt be that expensive.
Colin

Thanks for the help, Colin. We got price of a minumum of $65. to have them milled. We thought there must be a way to do it ourselves. Thanks again, Joan

I usually run the chainsaw down the lenght of the log, usually cut to less than 4 feet. Once I have a fairly flat side, I mount it on a sled (flat side down) on my bandsaw and start ripping it to the size I want. Second cut gives two flat sides, one a little more precise from the bandsaw vs. the chainsaw cut side. With a log that size, you will have to make at least two chainsaw rips to get the thing of a managable size for the bandsaw.

Check around for a small mill operator. They will usually mill one log down for you for a small fee or maybe even a piece of the log, if they have a market for that particular wood. (at least in our area)

Al