On many specialized forums there are serious debates about which valve is better to make a knife from. Should I use inlet or outlet? There was no exact answer. But from reliable sources it becomes clear that it is better to make a valve knife from the outlet version. Since it is designed for higher temperatures and the blade made from it does not require hardening.
Homemade valve knife.
Benefits of sawing logs
How to cut a log into boards with a chainsaw? People who have this question are usually guided by the fact that it should be quite convenient and nothing more. However, in fact, this process has several significant advantages, which is why it is used.
What is very important is the ability to cut logs during wet weather or even rain. The equipment will not deteriorate because of this, and the ability to work in almost any weather significantly expands its functionality.
The ability to cut a log into boards with a chainsaw, as convenient for the owner, is also distinguished by the fact that a fairly powerful device can work all day. The only requirement is more than 7 horsepower.
In addition, if gasoline-powered equipment was purchased, then it becomes quite versatile in terms of its use in any place where it would be convenient to set up a work site, since there is no dependence on electricity.
There is another very valuable property - the presence of a soft start, as well as the ability to regulate the speed of the chainsaw. This quality is perfect for those who are just starting to master working with this unit.
Last on the list, but a very important advantage is cost. Even a good chainsaw costs much less than a small sawmill. In addition, repairs will cost much less and take less time when they are needed.
Benefits of the DIY Process
If the household has a chainsaw, then with its help you can cut the logs with the highest quality. Moreover, working with this tool has a number of worthy qualities, which I discuss below:
- Maximum performance. That is, in a short period of time you can make several cubes of lumber.
- You can always use different attachments for fragmenting logs, depending on the required dimensions of the source material.
- Ease of use and no need for regular maintenance, such as in electric models.
- Safe operation in damp conditions, even with precipitation (however, this will not be very good for the log).
- Mobility. The device is not connected to an electrical outlet, so you can easily take it with you on the road and transport it in your hands.
It is also possible to use specialized attachments for chainsaws, which I will discuss below.
Source vosadu-li-vogorode.ru
Nozzles for work
How to cut a log into boards with a chainsaw? Everything became clear with the advantages of this method, and then it is worth noting that the work is carried out using certain attachments that are suitable for various types of work.
There is an attachment that is used for sawing logs lengthwise, and it is called quite simply - an attachment for longitudinal sawing. Naturally, in this case the entire work process will take place in a horizontal position. The process of working with such a nozzle guarantees the production of boards of the same thickness. The finished materials will have to be dried, after which they can be used for the desired purpose.
Advantages of blades made of valve steel X40
Knife valve steel has many advantages over other alloys. Among them, the following points can be noted:
- Turning is not too difficult; you can use a regular sharpening stone for this.
- Even when using the product to cut difficult-to-cut material, nicks and other defects do not form on the surface of the cutting edge.
- The device lasts quite a long time. This is due to the fact that the surface is characterized by increased resistance to high humidity.
- Easy to care for. In order for the product to serve for a long period, there is no need to carry out any maintenance work.
Valve fishing knife
A minor drawback is that such steel has a fairly high rate of fracture brittleness. However, it is quite difficult to break the blade; it requires a lot of force.
Lightweight nozzle and debarker
The use of longitudinal sawing of logs has been sorted out, and you can move on to the lightweight method. It is really very easy to use, since the element is attached on one side. However, this method has lower productivity when compared to the first. In addition, the boards will turn out somewhat uneven, and therefore they are usually used for secondary buildings.
Another attachment is a drum debarker, or debarker. The technology for sawing logs into boards with a chainsaw involves the use of this attachment as one of the most suitable for dissolving the material. It works through a V-belt drive. The attachment is attached to both belts, and the kit includes special pulleys to secure it. As for the rotation speed, and therefore productivity, it directly depends on the size of these same pulleys. Thanks to this, changing the speed of work in the desired direction will not be difficult.
How to properly cut a log into boards with a chainsaw? In relation to working with this nozzle, the question is most relevant, since during its operation it is very important to monitor the progress of work, for which experienced craftsmen can even attract assistants.
Safety rules to follow
It is better not to approach the process of sawing firewood without preparation. Before work, I studied a number of safety requirements, which I am happy to share with you:
- First of all, I made sure that the gasoline saw was ready for use and assessed whether the attachment was installed correctly. To determine the presence of an error, you can initially make a drawing, which can then be used to construct a guide.
- I prepared the place and checked the reliability of fastening of all the parts, because if something gets unscrewed during the cutting process, it will not only have an incorrect effect on the lumber, but can also be dangerous to health.
- He put on overalls and a protective transparent mask. At this stage, I also advise you to use assembly gloves to protect your hands from splinters and accidental cuts from wood knots.
- I prepared a first aid kit in case I needed to give myself first aid. I put peroxide, a bandage, a cotton swab, and brilliant green into it.
Source arbeiterkammer.at
I recommend not to neglect any of the listed rules, because the result of preparing lumber depends on their compliance.
Long sawing technique
Longitudinal sawing is used quite often, and therefore it is better to say a few words about the correct working technique. Since this method is used to obtain boards used in the construction of important buildings, they need to be almost perfect. In order to achieve the same dimensions, it is necessary to use a guide during operation. The role of this auxiliary element can be performed by an iron lath or another board, but it is very strong and perfectly flat.
Materials
For the production of chopping parts it is appropriate to use:
- old ax (cracks are not allowed);
- spring element.
Hard wood is suitable for the handle.
The materials are prepared in advance. It is best to wait until the tree's sap flow stops. This will prevent tearing when drying.
The following tools are used in the work:
- grinder;
- sandpaper or file;
- hacksaw;
- hammer;
- knife;
- sometimes the inverter is welding.
Features of a chainsaw sawmill
There are many types of sawmills on the market, but they are all based on a chainsaw. The chain for a chainsaw in this case can be of the band or chain type, depending on the tasks that need to be performed.
- The first is chain equipment. It is excellent for working with round workpieces, and a saw chain is used as a working element. After the operation of such an element, a large amount of sawdust always remains. This is precisely the most significant disadvantage of this design.
- The second option is a sawmill based on a band saw, which is excellent for working with fairly large logs. The chainsaw chain here is of the appropriate type. Among the shortcomings, sawdust is also noted, but the fact is that there are not too many of them, but they scatter over a fairly large distance. For this reason, this type of unit is usually used together with a chip deflector, to which it is additionally recommended to connect a flexible air duct.
Main characteristics of X40 steel
When choosing a workpiece for making a knife, you should pay attention to the basic properties of the alloy. The valves are manufactured using X40 steel, which has high performance characteristics. Among the features, the following points can be noted:
- The metal in question is characterized by high heat resistance, which is due to the inclusion of a large number of alloying elements in its composition. The valves operate under difficult operating conditions.
- High mechanical properties are not lost even when exposed to temperatures up to 600 degrees Celsius. That is why valve steel knives have become widespread.
- Prolonged exposure to heat may reduce the toughness rating.
- A high carbon concentration determines that the cutting part of the valve knife wears out slowly.
- The inclusion of chromium in the composition results in the material being characterized by excellent corrosion resistance. This is why dark or yellow spots will not appear on the knife blade from the valve. Surface lubrication is not required during long-term storage of the product.
Characteristics of X40 steel
The above information determines a fairly large distribution of knives from the valve.
However, the basic properties significantly complicate the processing procedure.
The first version of a homemade sawmill
In order to assemble a homemade sawmill from a chainsaw with your own hands, you need to stock up on the following tools and materials:
- Two channels for the base, which will be 8 meters long and 140-180 mm high, as well as two rails.
- To fasten the structure you will need different corners: 50x100 mm and 40x40 mm.
- The screed will also require several 25 cm water pipes.
- A steel plate as a base, which will be 4 cm thick and up to 60 cm long.
- Movable hoses and several pipes with a diameter of 35-40 mm.
Naturally, all work must begin with preparing the foundation. A homemade sawmill from a chainsaw is assembled as follows:
- First you need to connect the rails, which are laid with the soles up. For fixing, corners of 50x100 mm are used. It is important here that they lie as level as possible, and therefore it is recommended to use a building level.
- After this, you need to drill several holes in the finished base. Their diameter is from 14 to 16 mm, and the pitch is 1-1.5 meters.
- After this, you need to take the number of ties equal to the number of holes and connect them with bolts.
- After this, you need to make legs from metal squares on which the base, that is, the plate, will be attached. The distance between the outermost post and the main one should be approximately 1 meter.
- To create the most rigid structure possible, it is recommended to weld braces between the posts.
After this, all that remains is to figure out the installation of the movable trolley for the log dismantling machine. To install it, you need to weld 40x40 mm corners from below to the plate and place the product on rollers or bearings on top of them. On top of the plate you need to weld two more corners, which will act as a mount for the chainsaw itself.
Recommendations for making your own cleaver
The design and type of device are influenced by:
- working conditions;
- availability of materials;
- financial resources.
Some tips for economical manufacturing:
- they prefer a simple budget model with a manual drive (relevant in case of power outages);
- for the option with an electric drive, a motor with a power of up to 3 kW is suitable;
- For people without physical training, a hydraulic tool is suitable (the only drawback is the expensive components).
Brief operating instructions
In addition to the fact that you need to make a sawmill, you should also work on it correctly, and for this it is important to know the brief instructions.
It is best to install a vice on the base, with which you can clamp the log. Next, markings should be made on the runners and sawmill. The unit starts up smoothly and slowly begins to move towards the log. In this case, the chainsaw bar should be located exactly in the center of the cut marking.
It is very important not to make any jerking movements during operation, as this may lead to the tire stopping.
