How to Split Firewood with a Chainsaw

Learn How to Split Firewood with a Chainsaw in 2023( & Be the Master of Log Splitting)

At this point, you realise……..

Splitting wood is not a piece of cake.

Am I right?

Well, you missed the most important part honey…….

For making the firewood, you should split the wood six months before. After that, to split firewood, a chainsaw is an ideal option as an axe can be time-consuming. But many people don’t know how to split firewood with a chainsaw.

Here is the golden rule of woodworking:

The firewood is mainly split for faster drying.

That means when you first cut a tree and process it into multiple trunks, it usually contains a lot of moisture.

Even it may exceed 100%.

So, you need to cut it correctly for the most efficient use. Let me help you throughout your journey of split firewood with a chainsaw!

Can You Split Wood with a Chainsaw?

You’ve heard the advice a million times………….”Don’t dare of chopping wood with a chainsaw”.

Some forestry experts advise not to do this because of risk if you’re a novice!

The truth is, a chainsaw is the best tool for milling lumber. Splitting firewood with a chainsaw is safe if you follow proper procedures.

Indeed, chopping wood is a laborious process that takes many hours to complete. This is especially true if you start with a raw plate. It would be helpful to cut open the trunk with an axe and then cut the smaller pieces into even smaller pieces for use as firewood.

As you can imagine, this job will make you exhausted and sweat completely.

In addition, splitting wood with an axe affects your back, and chainsaws are much more dangerous to use, and you are much more likely to get injured. This is why you need to learn how to chop wood safely.

Surprisingly, you will see a dramatic difference when you go from axe or other instruments to chainsaws. It will get the job done faster because you are using a power tool instead of the sharpened stone at the end of the stick.

You will have less pain because the chainsaw is easier to handle than the axe. And finally, wood sawing is even more fun!

How to Split Firewood with A Chainsaw(Fastest way to split firewood)

Chopping a tree with an axe is laborious……. and, most importantly damn painful.

Can’t even think of it!

But cutting wood with a chainsaw is quick and easy!

Is there a trick to splitting wood? If you’ve always wanted to learn how to split wood with a chainsaw, you’ve landed at the right spot coz I’m about to show you can do this without hurting your back or spending hours on the field.

Then let’s get started!

Initial Step: Cut into Pieces

When you have your chainsaw and all your safety tools, it’s time to throw them away. Let’s say you start with a tree trunk. First, you need to cut the trunk into equal pieces that you can easily control.

I suggest cutting the block into four legs. This measurement is straightforward to determine, so you don’t need a measuring tape.

Step 2:

Go for a quarter cut Assuming your log is on the ground, you should cut through the log 3/4 at intervals of four feet. Do this along the entire length of the barrel, then use a unique crowbar (or large crowbar) to turn the barrel upside down.

Okay, next up…

With the log on the other side, you can complete the last quarter cuts. Indeed, this is the best way to cut, as it prevents dangerous interrogations.

Step 3: Cut 16 “Long”

Now that you have large pieces of four-foot wood, you need to convert those pieces into smaller pieces of wood, about 16 inches each.

It’s easier than you think!

You can do this while the pieces of wood are still on the floor, and you can use the same method as in the first step. The only reason we turned them into square pieces was to make them easier to use. Now cut them in thirds.

Step 4:

Pruning So we went to the firewood. Take a 16-inch piece of wood and place it on the ground or a flat log, then place a block on each side to hold it in place. Any other piece of wood will do. Now you want to take a chainsaw and cut it in half right from the trunk.

But a word of cautions:

When pruning, leave about 2.5 cm at the bottom of the trunk. If you don’t, you can lower the chain by hitting the ground or a log.

Leaving a small piece of wood behind, place the chainsaw on the floor and cut it in half with your hands. It doesn’t take much effort.

Final step: Firewood

You are now left with the halves, and the last step is to repeat the process by cutting the halves into quarters. Finally, this will create beautiful thin pieces that you can easily throw into the fireplace.

Does Cutting Wet Wood Dull A Chainsaw?

There are different different types of wood, from wet to dry and new to old.

And the most puzzling part? Each has its level of resistance.

What about sawing wet wood? Is it better to split logs wet or dry?

Honestly, no!

Using a chainsaw to cut wet wood will not dull the chain faster than using it to clip other types of wood.

Hi…….Your chainsaw chain is already wet.

Indeed, the company has not wetted it with water. But it’s wet with mineral lubricating oil. Notably, the industry lubricated the chain with mineral oil to prevent overheating. It also helps the chain slide easily over the wood with minimal friction.

Using your chainsaw to cut wet wood will not affect the performance of your chainsaw. Simply put, there will be no difference.

However, because the wood is wet, the sawdust sticks to the chain and does not fall out of the air filter and exhaust fumes. Therefore, you may need to remove them from time to time to keep the cutting force of the chainsaw as strong as possible.

My secret other Alternatives hacks for Wood Splitting

Here are a few tools you can use to split wood by hand:

Ripping axe

Usually, experts recommend trying to split the wood with a ripping axe. It has a hammered blade and an axe’s weight, so it is easy to swing it.

Axe

The company designed its shafts with thin heads for cutting, not assembly. They are meant for felling trees or for making other woodcuts on wheat.

Sledge And Wedge

Another hammer-like tool is the hammer and wedge combination. The wedge has a sharp end that can push it into the trunk, hammer and drive the wedge downward, effectively splitting the wood. It’s as heavy as a hammer.

A Hammer

Industrial companies have developed Mauls for firewood separation. Their heads are heavy, about 8 kg, and have a large wedge that can pass and separate fibres.

Notably, whenever you cut wood, make sure you have the proper protective equipment. This includes earmuffs, safety glasses, work shoes, and gloves. Working safely in the long term will save you time by avoiding costly injuries that you can easily avoid with the proper protective equipment.

Is It Better To Split Wood Wet or Dry?

Splitting is an essential step in preparing quality firewood or firewood for cooking.

Whether you use an axe or a hydraulic log splitter creates smaller pieces of wood that are easier to burn. However, if you plan to split wood in preparation for decontamination, you may be wondering if it is easier to split wet or dry wood or how to cut firewood on the ground fast.

Dry wood is usually easy to cut with little effort, but keep in mind that some woods are easier to cut when wet. For example, oak is a popular hardwood that is easier to peel when wet.

The bottom line is…….

You can split both wet and dry wood. The latter is generally easier to separate, although many people prefer to separate the former to dry faster. But if you are using a log splitter, you should have no problem splitting wet and dry wood.

Final Verdict:

Sometimes, you may still have a fallen tree.

For efficiency and power, especially when working with plenty of wood, use a chainsaw instead of other elements. In fact, a chainsaw makes it effortless to cut trees into splits and gives you enough power to get the job done.

I hope our guide on “how to rip split firewood with a chainsaw” will help you split the firewood correctly.

Always go for the right-sized saw. That’s because splitting firewood with a chainsaw may look easy, but it’s pretty challenging. Also, don’t forget the safety tools and preventive measures to avoid risks.

Let me wrap up with the hottest tips……. “Be Patient & DON’T Give Up! 

Related Articles

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *