Chainsaw for carpentry?

[vavet]

I’m not a carpenter, but I can’t imagine a situation where this chain saw attachment is really the best solution.
Any pros on here use or own one of these??


http://bigfootsaws.com/bigfootproduct/head-cutter-xl/

 

[neophyte]

Chainsaw attachments, as well as Chainsaws that are basically built like circular saws with the typical base etc. and an electric motor, are common tools from companies that make tools for timber framers, and other carpenters that have to cut and joint larger thick wood and timber.
The circular saw type chainsaws are also used for cutting large amounts of certain types of insulation, such as large stacks that need to be the same size.
If CLT(Cross Laminated Timber construction) becomes more common in North America, chainsaws and circular saw chainsaws will become more common for precision carpentry, to deal with the thick lumber.
There’s only so large you can make a circular saw befor safety and weight issues come up.

Festool and Mafell already manufacture chainsaw type circular saws.

 

[Aaron_W]

The attached video shows such a use. If you are going for that rustic full dimension hand cut timber look, precision chainsaw makes sense. Making pencil boxes, probably not.

It is kind of a niche tool market that seems to be growing in popularity.

 

[neophyte]

I forgot to nention.
Chainsaws and chainsaw circular saws with specialty chains, are also used for dimensioning foam inslutated metal panels, which can be very thick, and have layers or metal on both sides.
Trumpf actually makes a cool specialty saw just for the panels.

 

[lakeroadster]

Timber Framers and folks building log homes (lots of those up here) use a lot of various chain saw type attachments such as those.

 

[greg13]

About the biggest circular hand saw that I know of is 16" dia., that would give you about 6 1/2" of usable blade for a single cut. Cutting 4 sides on a post can be a major PITA.

https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/5402NA

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I've seen many guys and gals use electric chainsaws for carving. I have an older Milwaukee in my garage for sizing timbers or beams when a circular saw is almost big enough. I work with thick wood often and often it's just the right tool for the job. The chainsaw attachment has it's place but having a properly ground chain is imperative to avoid a nasty surface finish.

The largest production circular saw currently made is from Mafell: https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-mks185ec-beam-saw

Working on a thick table top.

 

[bob15]

I had full dimension 8"x8"x10' hemlock beams that needed to be cut in half and be straight. An attachment like that would have made my life easier when trying to make 4"x8"x10' beams.

 

[signcrafter]

For gang cutting a whole bunk of 2x6 lumber for a wall or cutting all the tji joists to length at the same time. Stuff like that. Kind of a specialty tool that wouldn't be used much.

 

[Dieselhammer]

Sure chainsaws can be used in carpentry, I have a chainsaw mill setup that I can run anything from a 20" to 72" bar in, I've used to cut massive live edge slabs, lumber, and beams.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I believe the Amish use them around here as they frown on the electric power tools

 

[rlitman]

I believe the Amish use them around here as they frown on the electric power tools

I've seen pneumatic chainsaws for their purposes as well.

 

[whyNick?]

I have a Prazi beam cutter attachment for my Skilsaw. It replaces the circular saw blade with a short chainsaw bar. I wouldn't use it for fine carpentry but it works great for cutting beams, cabin logs, etc.

 

[2oolhound]

Keep in mind those are designed to run on a flat surface so logs are out until you flatten one surface first. The kerf of a chain is wide and makes lots of sawdust (think waste). The other issue is as you are cutting bits of sawdust gets under the plate making it un-level. In fact keeping it level and true on anything other than a planed surface will be a chore. It would have to be considered for rough cutting only.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Chainsaws are used all the time to to cut the excess off of beams on pole barns.

 

[Two Door]

Our living room ceiling had decorative redwood beams running across it, roughly 5-6" tall. An old electric chainsaw figured prominently in my cutting them down to a smaller dimension so I could clad over them with something nicer.

 

[mike93lx]

I’m not a carpenter, but I can’t imagine a situation where this chain saw attachment is really the best solution.
Any pros on here use or own one of these??


http://bigfootsaws.com/bigfootproduct/head-cutter-xl/

not sure if trolling... don't know how you could actually look through that website and videos and not understand the application.

 

[rsanter]

A friend built his own house.
Spanish style with a rustic flair.
Used lots of big beams.
He used a chain saw attachment to cut most of them, was very needed for the build

 

[MarvinBerry]

Can totally see using something like that for right application. Keep in mind precision with chainsaw is totally different then sawzall or even table/jig. Accuracy is a diff scale.

Have bud who does chain carvings, he'll cut bears wolves or whatever ya want out of logs & stumps with a saw. Can absolutely be a precision tool...to a point. He finishes pieces, all detail work with a dremel.

 

[Irish Mike]

That attachment was conceived by So. Cal. framer/roof cutter Will Holiday. That is one of many clever adaptations he made for chain/Skil saws. With that on a gas chain saw, you can gang (racked upside down) cut the plumb cut on common rafters and many other uses. He made a living cutting complicated roofs all over the West coast. He has some great books available on Amazon.

 

[CR888]

Certainly chainsaws can and are used in carpentry but just bare in mind there limitations (pro's/con's). When crosscutting say a square beam or whatever they won't leave a clean square cut like a circular saw will. The edges of the cut will be rough with bit of wood torn off at the outside edges. This can be minimise by using the smallest size chain possible. I will use 1/4" chain as it very smooth & leaves the least damaged finish. It just depends what your trying to achieve, cut finish for a fence post is not the same as other jobs. The 'torn edges' can be tidied up too with another tool ie router or sander etc. Cutting parralel to the grain gives a smother finish on edges compared to crosscut but for beams and stuff crosscut is what's needed.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

I have in the past used a chainsaw when we were roughing houses for hvac duct work.
Came in handy a few times where we needed to cut that double top plate out to get ductwork up to the second floor..........makes short work of it.