Post cutting tips?

[trenyboy]

I'm just about to cut all of my new fences posts to height, but i need to make 2 cuts per post (one from either side) with my circular saw to get through it.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks in making a perfect cut???

Thanks in advance

[Paul H]

The best way that I've found is to make three cut's.

Set your circular saw to just over half the width. Cut along one of the faces, then cot along one of the perpendicular faces, followed by the face parallel to the first cut. This works well if your blade is square with your saw's foot. If it isn't, then it don't work so good!

Does that make sense??

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[trenyboy]

Yeah Paul, that makes sense, thanks. Will practise with a few cuts before making the real ones...

How about ensuring a straight cut, as my hands aren't exactly the steadiest?

[Auld Bassoon]

Can you rig a fence - just a length of scrap clamped across the post such that the saw blade is in your required position when the edge guide is against the fence. With a line transferred to the other side(s), the procedure can be repeated to give an nice square cut.

[mic-d]

when I've had to make pyramid tops on 100mm square posts I built a frame to slip snuggly over the post and screwed into place. Good for routing posts too.

cheers
Michael

[Harry II]

how many posts? I would hand cut them with a sharp saw.

[Charles Castle]

I have a similar problem. My 9 posts are 450 mm diameter, and need to be cut off 2 metres from the ground. This means I have to stand on a ladder. I have tried using hand saws, including a bow saw, and this is very hard work, particularly because of the height and that I have to cut horizontally. I am very worried about using my circular saw, as I doubt I can control it properly up a ladder and cutting horizontally. I am also very worried about using a chain saw, which I will have to hire. The guy at BUnnings suggested a pruner which has a long blade. Can any one give me suggestions or ideas?

[Sir Stinkalot]

Rig up some scaffolding so that when you are using the saw it is at a comfortable height, and NOT above your head.

[Coldamus]

450mm?? The natives in your area must be really bad!

That's too much for even a bow saw. The only suitable hand tool would be a crosscut saw. A sharp crosscut saw will make short work of it but good ones are hard to find and usually not cheap.

A ladder is not practical. A strong, stable work platform would be far better. Alternatively, if you have a ute and can back up to the posts, you may be able to stand on the tray.

regards
Coldamus