Splitting Wood

[Eric Krewson]

I split these hickory staves out after kirfing the quarters with a skill saw. I popped a chalk line on them first to have guide to follow with my saw, very straight grained stuff.

[George Tsoukalas]

LOL, Pappy. I with you on that one. I try to use a tool for its intended purpose.

No one asked but here goes anyway. Guess I'm a glutton for punishment.

I grew up the oldest son of a carpenter. I've been on the wrong end of many a fearsome kick back while using a circular saw. I only use circular saws on dimensional lumber.

I've had some kickbacks using chain saws, too, so I won't use one for kerfing either.

I used to kerf  using a hatchet but don't do that anymore either. When I layout a bow I follow that lateral grain up the stave and that's where the wood split anyway.

Jawge

[JoJoDapyro]

I wouldn't use a circular saw to cut a log unless I had a way of holding the log. I have worked with lots of types of power tools over the years, and have yet to have an accident with one. But I chalk that up to not using tools for things other than what they are intended for (for the most part). I need a good work surface to split staves and to work on things. So far I have a chair and a c clamp. Or in the case of the Russian olive log, the ground.