Hey everyone! I have some logs that are about 20 cm in diameter, and I'm looking to convert them into planks that are around 1-3 cm thick. I'm wondering if it's really possible to do this without using a chainsaw or bandsaw, only relying on an axe and wedges. Have any of you tried this before? I'd appreciate any advice or tips, since I haven't found much discussion on how to achieve this. Thanks!
4 Answers
You might want to check out some YouTube videos on hand-splitting shakes; it's actually a technique called froe work. Just keep in mind, it tends to work better with specific types of wood.
Using just an axe and wedge can work, but be careful! If the wood is really dry, scoring along the grain before splitting will help. Just remember, the pieces might turn out rough and will take a lot of effort to make them usable as lumber. Make sure it’s worth it if it's a special log! Good luck!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Yeah, you can do it with an axe and wedge. I did this with a cherry log I let dry for two years; I split it up and even made some salad spoons after planing! Just be prepared for some extra work to smooth things out afterwards.
That sounds awesome, thanks!
Absolutely, it can be done! Green wood is much easier to split than dry. Make sure to split along the grain, and if the log's long, it can be tricky to get even planks. A good method is splitting the log into quarters, then hewing out the heartwood. You'll definitely need to plane it to get it into a state for use. It's a tough job, but really rewarding! Just think it through as you're planning the cuts.
Thanks for the tip!