Any tips for making a clean bucking cut through a big log?

Been working through some 40" logs using my 28" bar. I cut bar-deep as far as I can from one side, drive a wedge in top, then come down through the remaining wood on the opposite side. Trouble is, in many cases the lower part of the cuts twist a bit in opposite directions and don't line up any more. I hate ugly bucking cuts. Extra work and waste of wood. Chain is brand new.

Is this just me twisting on the bar and causing it to run crooked, or is there another technique to fix my mistake?

 

I wonder if a set of double dogs would help keep it straight?

 

Nothing useful to offer but I'll be interested in the responses cause I have the same question/problem.

 

Following

 

I have a set on the way actually. The standard dog on my 365 is short and when you get below the center of the log it's no good since the chain brake handle bumps the log first.

 

I try to buck everything from one side if possible. Reach over the top as far as possible and then bring the saw back to you. If you're pushing on it it will go to one side a little more than the other. When you go to the opposite side the push is going the other way and they overlap or go away from each other.

 

twin dogs definitely will help.really keeps cuts straighter when you power through the big ones

 

On large logs I'll put my saw on top or the log or a little beyond the top and dog in. I start bucking the back side until I'm 1/3 to 1/2 way through. Then I pull the saw back over the top and cut through the rest. The kerf pretty much keeps everything lined up unless I torque the saw in the cut and the saw wanders.

 

is it cutting straight to begin with ?
maybe guide bar needs truing up?

 

The bar is basically new with about 6 tanks of use on it.

It cuts nice and straight through the top and middle sections of the log. I'm leaning toward the idea I'm just twisting it.

 

maybe let the boys have a look at the cutters on the chain next time yer out makin rounds.
post up some cutterporn....

or is it chainporn ?

 

This right here is some crazy southeast Alaska bucking. Courtesy of Cody in MT.

 

Sweet mother of God

 

Splane ta me what I sees that...

 

He was bucking this tree

 

It was the best picture I could think of for reaching over the top to buck the far side first.

 

I agree with what mdavlee said!!Try to do all the cutting from one side.

Here is a visual, 28" bar, 40" maple, reach over the top of the log as far as you can, cut like the red line I drew on the pic or so, when you think you went far enough, pull the saw back towards you and cut straight down, stop before your in the dirt, roll log over and finish cut, you should end up with a clean cut, like my 2nd pic.

That is the round off of the log in the 1st pic, nice clean straight cut,

 

I would have guessed he was simply staying on the uphill side for safety

 

That too.