Using a chainsaw may seem intimidating, but they make quick work of cutting thin pieces of wood that you can use to create rustic decor. If it’s your first time, you need to be mindful of the important safety tips and cutting techniques.
Here, our pro woodworkers will show how to cut wood slices with a chainsaw and additional ways you can use your own wood slices.
What is the Best Chainsaw Size for Chopping Wood Slices?
Chainsaws ranging in size of 16 to 18 inches are the most practical options for cutting wood into discs.
It takes a longer blade of up to 24 inches to cut wood slices through logs much larger than 18 inches. But standard chainsaw lengths for slicing through tree logs are 16 and 18 inches.
You can also use chainsaws of various lengths to do the task. If you want things to run more smoothly, it’s best to have everything you’ll need for this project on hand before you start. Check out the best 16-inch chainsaws here!
3 Ways to Chop Wood Slices Using a Chainsaw
Tools and Materials
- Chainsaw
- Wood
- Level
- Orbital Sander or power sander
- Measuring tape
- Masking tape or markers
- Wood slicing jog
Safety Gear and Equipment
- Gloves
- Protective goggles
- Thick gloves
- Steel-toed boots
- Reliable chainsaw chaps
- Dust mask for fine sawdust
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Ear protection
Safety Reminders on Handling a Chainsaw
If handled properly, chainsaws are one of the most effective and adaptable woodworking equipment.
To avoid injury while cutting wood slices with chainsaw, remember these important guidelines:
- Never use the back handle as a shoulder strap.
- It's only natural to cut with the top of the bar.
- Never enter the "kickback zone."
- The bar's underside serves as an alternative cutting edge.
- Wrap your fingers around the saw's handle.
- Don’t let the wood slice drop near your feet.
Also, you should also try making practice cuts on scrap wood to acquire a sense of the machine.
When using a chainsaw, it is just as crucial to wear the appropriate protective gear, including chainsaw apron chaps and shirts with long sleeves, as it is to use the tool properly.
Method #1: Freehand
Step #1: Elevate the Log
You cannot safely cut wood slices using the freehand and fast method if the log is lying on the ground. You risk kickback or quickly dulling the chainsaw blade if you drop them. Therefore, you should first put the tree log just above knee level.
Keeping it at a height of at least 15 cm or 6 in. above the ground will allow you to cut without fear of backlash and keep your blades from becoming dull. You can prop up the wood on a sawbuck, chainsaw horse, or some other suitable piece of wood.
Step #2: Find the Knots
Tree knots form when new wood grows near a dead branch. When sawing through a tree, it’s vital to look for knots first. They’re much tougher than the remainder of the wood, which increases the likelihood of kickback.
Knowing where the tree knots or the circle shapes are, you may devise a strategy to prevent accidentally sawing through them.
Some of these might be amenable to being lopped off with a chainsaw so you can get back to work without having to stop and check for them every few minutes.
Step #3: Measure Then Mark the Cutting Line
At this stage, label the log with the thickness you prefer. Most large wood slices come in 1- to 5-inch slices. You will need a tape measure to get an accurate thickness reading.
If the wood you’re working with is too dark, you can use something like masking tape to identify it. Perhaps a permanent marker is all that’s needed for lighter barks. To make a precise cut, you should measure and mark the tree’s whole circumference.
Step #4: Cut Away
Securely hold the chainsaw and activate it. Keep it approximately 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 centimeters) above where you intend to cut wood slices, then work carefully. Only apply light pressure while slicing wood.
It is best to surround the front handle with your left thumb for a firm grip. Slowly lower it, and most of the cutting job can be left to the chainsaw.
You might also want to resharpen the chainsaw chain or blade if your chainsaw isn’t making clean and precise cuts.
You Might Want to Check This Out: Top Chainsaw Sharpeners
Step #5: Complete the Cut and Repeat
Mark the next section of its trunk and cut it out once you finish the first. Alternatively, allow the initial slice to fall to the ground or shut the chainsaw off, then leave the first slice aside before continuing.
Method #2: With a Chainsaw Jig
Step #1: Prepare the Jig
Measure the diameter of the tree trunk by using a tape measure. Once you have a tree log in hand, divide a 24 in half, so each piece is the same length as the log’s diameter. Let’s name those two parts A.
Repeat with multiple slices, but this time increase your log’s measurements by four inches. B refers to the following two parts.
The next step is to create a u-shaped piece out of four 2x4s. Assemble the A and B pieces beginning with their ends. Join them, have the angle nailed and move them along the wooden log to determine the location of the second A.
Nail the second A section to the first B once you’ve determined where to place it. Finish the 2×4 u-shaped box by nailing the remaining B piece.
Building and using a wood-slicing jig is the most accurate method for cutting wood slices with a consistent thickness throughout.
Step #2: Test the Chainsaw Blade
Step one requires tracking down a couple of thin wood fragments of identical dimensions and thickness (approximately an inch). Glue both on the same side; one near the snout, the other at the right edge of the blade.
Use the strips to move the chainsaw without damaging the jig.
Step #3: Attach the Jig on the Log
First, place the jig over the log and adjust it until the finished product is the desired thickness. Then, add an inch to accommodate the glued-on wood extensions to your chainsaw.
Put screws through the jig’s two opposite sides to secure it to the tree log. By doing so, it will remain still while you make your cuts.
Step #4: Cut Away
Start the chainsaw while holding it firmly between your feet.
Press the gas pedal and cautiously move the blade to the right across the jig. Those wooden strips will ensure a straight cut.
Gently push through the opening. Don’t do too much yourself; the chainsaw can do most of the cutting. If the chain cannot cut wood properly through the cutting process, you have to get it sharpened.
Step #5: Complete the Cut and Repeat
Reduce the height of the jig as you cut more wood into slices. The key is to keep going through this process until you reach your objective.
Method #3: Cut Then Level
The next chainsaw method is to just cut the log to size without marking it first. It may not cut the wood cleanly, but you can remedy it with a sander.
When you’re done chopping wood slices with a chainsaw, you’ll need to use an orbital sander to smooth off the rough edges of the wood pieces.
However, we strongly suggest that you stick to the first two methods above to ensure that all necessary safety measures are taken.
Hold the chainsaw firmly before switching it on, bring it down a few inches, then cut the wood slowly, and remember that you shouldn’t put too much force into the cuts themselves.
Keep your chainsaw blades in good condition because this will make the chainsaw act smoothly. If they’re dull, sharpen them so you can work more efficiently in making more wood slices.
Additional Tips When Cutting Wood Slices
First, never take your hands off the saw. Amateur woodworkers frequently use their off-hand to steady the object they are cutting wood discs.
Ensure the tree log is properly positioned and secured before you start cutting wood slices with a chainsaw. Hold your cutter with both hands and keep both feet planted on the ground.
In addition, it’s important to use the appropriate instrument. A chainsaw just a bit bigger than the thickness of the wood is ideal for cutting through thick logs.
However, you don’t want to use a clumsy implement to remove coaster-sized wood chunks from a downed tree.
Creative Ways to Use Wood Slices
Wooden slices make table tops, chopping boards, and coasters. You might as well benefit from using a chainsaw to clear your yard. Make household items from fallen tree branches and trunks or loose bark.
After slicing the wood, dry it. A strong brush and sandpaper remove broken bark and wood chips. Put the wooden discs in a low-temperature kiln or oven [1]. Wood dries and cures below 250 degrees.
Be careful—too much heat can ignite the wood. Cure huge wooden discs outside.
Conclusion
If you have the appropriate power tools and materials, you can learn how to cut wood slices with a chainsaw easily. You’ll soon have perfectly sliced wood suitable for various purposes and DIY endeavors.
Remember that a chainsaw with a 16- or 18-inch bar will work best for chopping through heavier tree trunks.
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