Wire saw

[Badattitude]

Looking for a wire saw, ideally 48"- 60" length if available. I ordered a 28" from Amazon but expected delivery isn't until first week of June...which sux because I really need to get one before next weekend.

Any suggestions as to where I can find this...locally here in CT or online? I tried google but all I found was the 28" which I'll just lengthen to suit my needs. I NEED to find one this week!!

thanks...

 

[A_Pmech]

For PVC pipe I assume?

1/16" wire rope is available by the foot at any hardware store and works just as well as a store-bought saw. Wrap the ends up in some 3/8" vinyl tubing, secure with wire rope clips and go to work!

 

[Badattitude]

Thanks! No not for PVC...I'm transplanting a few evergreens and hoping it'll work to undercut the root ball.

There are a couple local old school hardware stores not far from here, so I'll check to see if the have it.

 

[A_Pmech]

In the case of PVC, the saw cuts by friction. Cutting roots is more problematic but wire rope might work. I'd be inclined to get the smallest pitch electric chainsaw chain you can find and add some handles onto it.

I have a homebrew limb saw for reaching very tall limbs. It's nothing more than a length of close pitch chainsaw chain with wire rope attached to both ends. I shoot the rope over the limb with a cheap compound bow and work the chain back and forth with the wire rope.

 

[Badattitude]

The 2 stores I mentioned are closed today. Found another one open and all they had was a 28" with a chain....no way was the chain 28" and if I opened it I'd own it. For $25 I'll pass. The one I ordered online was only $6 but it looks like wire instead of a chain.

Tell me more about wire rope...does it have cutting teeth?

 

[Badattitude]

Fwiw... the roots are 1/2" or less so I can't imagine cutting them would be much of a challenge

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

1/2"? Sawzall quick easy and don't worry about the blade in the dirt, they are cheep

 

[smiffy]

Im guessing the trees arnt that big if your transplanting them so get a digging spade with a very long shaft with a proper t handle on the end a shovel is no use
the end of the blade should be square but the profile needs to be as half mooned as you can find sharpen the edge of the blade slightly
stand with your back to the tree and walk backwards until ur as close to the tree as possible preferably bending the tree over slightly which applies tension to the roots the drive spade into the ground as quickly as possible you will go through a 1 inch root inn 1 or two attempts and will be a hell of a lot quicker than anything other than a treespade

 

[smiffy]

Like this http://bulldoghandtools.co.uk/bulldog-spades/grafting-tools/premier-grafting-tool.html
Would laugh at tree roots if used correctly

 

[Badattitude]

Thanks smiffy but have a couple already. I even extended the blade 6" on one. Just need some type of cutting wire to get the last few roots that I can't hit with the shovel. The evergreens have about a 3' football and are about 10-12' tall.

I'll post a couple pics later as I don't know how to post any from my phone

 

[Badattitude]

Here's what I did to my shovel since they only make these up to 16". The one on the left is 22" now. The one in the link for the 'bulldoghandtools' list it at 28" but no way is the blade on that 28", at least from what I see.

Second pic is the root ball and as you can see, it's fully cut around. I want the wire saw or rope saw to use to slice under the ball from the trench side. My thoughts are the wire saw will be easier to cut any remaining roots underneath instead of rocking the tree and using a shovel like I've been doing.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can find a wire saw this week.