Work Holding for Hand Sawing a Split Log
The F clamp jig vise that was in a FWW tips and tricks is used with a web strap and a low bench at the end of my bench. The F clamp has a piece of scrap with a V notch cut in it to fit into one corner of the log. It can be set up with the log resting on the floor initially to start the rip saw cut. Later, the log can be set on a stool until it is fastened and the stool can then be removed. Once half way or more down the rip I take the log out of the set up, lay it on the bench and complete sawing a shallow kerf on each side of the log to the other end. Then I turn the log end for end, connect the kerfs across the end, and finish rip sawing until all the kerfs meet. The pictures show a red oak log that takes about 15 hours to rip one board about 48″ long and 5″ wide using hand saws, a frame saw, and a bow saw.
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Please tell us why?
Masochism.
Doing one would be interesting. It's fun to try something new, just to see if you can. Doing a second one would be madness.
I agree. I do it for exercise. It took a long time to build up the stamina to do it. Whenever I get access to a shop or a saw mill things will go much faster. This is only if you have no other options, if you want exercise, if you want to do it like our ancestors, or if you're a little crazy. Or in my case all of the above. I'm 65 years old, a cancer survivor, subject to skin cancer, and a weakened immune system. But when I'm fit physically, I feel better and am surviving.
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