Cut a slab freehand

Just wondering if anyone has tried citing a slab out of a log before without a jig.

 

I made a couple real rough campfire benches free-handing a log in half. It worked but it looked like I did it free-hand.

 

I have. Before I had a CSM I helped on a real large walnut removal. Arborist let me cut two real big “slabs” from the base. Ended up taking those to a band mill and got a bunch of boards out of them.

 

I saw a guy on youtube do it.

 

I’ve done it for making walking planks for wet spots in the woods, worked ok, it was cedar so pretty easy cutting.

 

I will try and let you guys know how it went. Thanks!

 

Why not?
Worst case it becomes firewood

Tickle with the tip of the bar and more or less scribe a line. Then just keep running that same line a little at a time.
I have watched a couple you tube videos of that method.
So obviously I am an expert, and I am sleeping at a holiday inn express tonight.
At least that's what she thinks???

 

I tried it last weekend and it turned out pretty rough. I tried scribing a line and then a backs and forth cutting method but the but line was about 1/2” wide. I wonder if my chain is not evenly sharpened.

 

Takes a bit of experience to get the slab flat. More practice is probably the solution. On your first try I wouldn't start looking at equipment issues. Just my .02.

 

Guys in jungles ect do freehand boards with 070 and 090’s. Mine looks like crap when I tried but there’s some impressive videos on YouTube

 

Here are the results. Not as nice but I will probably get better as I go.

One YouTube video showed a guy using a level mounted on his saw. I might try this.

 

I don’t think that looks half bad for a first try… Ever look at rough hewn beams in a 100+ year old barn? Yours looks nicer. Of course those guys were making beams on site with hand tools But let’s be honest a chainsaw isn’t generally thought of as a precision cutting tool.

 

^^^^
I agree with Brad 100%. That’s not bad at all for a first try, or even a 5th try and beyond.

 

this guy has his technique down.

 

I love how at the end he's casually walking the log backward ripping it while wearing flip-flops. Meanwhile, I put on chaps to buck a log laying on a mowed lawn.

 

Well, I rode my bicycle and skateboard as a child without a helmet, knee pads or elbow pads…. So maybe he is on to something.

 

I read this and I can't stop laughing

 

I learned some technique watching this. Thanks for sharing!

 

Many years ago i cut a cedar logs free hand. It was less than 6". I imagine shorter logs it can be done like noodling. Never have seen or used a chain saw mill only a band saw mill.

 

I cut two telephone poles in half free hand. I put a chaulk line down first. I used them for stacking firewood on. Works very well for stacking and will last a long long time.
I used an old homelite. I have a picture somewhere.