Have been toying with the idea of making some Swedish torches and rocket stoves out of logwood. I've seen videos of guys cutting down the log and then piecing them together. Not what I had in mind. Anyone ever do plunge cuts into the butt of a log? Is it relatively easy, difficult or sure death? Chain recommendation?
Just make three cuts from top/end of log down 2/3 of the way thru. If you go through the whole way then you need to piece it back together Any will work
While that would work I think the open slits would drastically speed up the burn rate. Admittedly a plunge cut would already decrease burn time. By cutting a tic tac toe pattern the hole could remain small but the leftover cuts are just more surface area to speed the burn. Might be good, might be bad, haven't tried it. It's also too easy. Part of my idea is to sell some of these to the local campers constantly driving by the house. Make it too easy and they'll just go buy a bunch of "Wild Things" and make thier own. Might be good business for the local emergency room tho. A big hole hawg would be good but they seldom cut well in green wood. There's time to dry them enough where green would be acceptable. I like to keep standing dead for myself.
Plunge cut on end grain??? I don't know if I'd attempt it.... Maybe do a normal plunge on the outer diameter, then noodle the opposite side flat?
Excellent. When can you post the results?? Only kidding. Maybe my 250 in some tulip,,,,,,very carefully. Cutting down in end grain gives small chips. Noodling gives big strings. I see this end grain plunge cut as a mix between the two. I see that as pretty dangerous. Some quick unexpected noodle strings could bind up the chain and send the saw backwards in a blink of the eye. Probably better off with a hole hawg. My imagination has been known to get me into trouble.
I've actually plunge cut quite a few 12" & bigger to start a wedge. Never any problems as long as the log is stable. Start with the tip about 30 deg till you have a good kerf & just roll it in & down gently. Full throttle & a narrow tip bar on a smaller saw works well for me. Usually my 026.
No need to plunge if you're not comfortable with that , just cut the end like you were going to mill it but slice it up like a pizza , the intersection of all cuts will make the chimney in the center and the side slits will let the air in . I hope that made sense lol
