| Step 1: Select a Log
The first step in producing the best turning stock is to select a quality log for cutting. Although not always possible, the best pieces will come from a section of log that has no visible limbs and a well-centered pith. Trees that have an off-center pith, as shown in the second photo, will generally be more difficult to turn and sand.
Step 2: Cut to Length
The next step of processing will be in determining the length to cut your log. The length will determine the size of the blocks you can potentially cut later on. A good rule of thumb: the shortest you will want to cut the log is 1" longer than the diameter of the log and the longest you will want to cut it is 1" shorter than the length of your chainsaw bar.
Step 3: Begin Cutting the Log Into Slabs
For this step, it is highly recommended that you use two small logs as a base for your cutting. This will prevent the log from rocking from side to side, and give you clearance above the ground to keep from hitting dirt with the chainsaw.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE: DO NOT
attempt to cut a log as shown in the first photo. DO cut your log as shown in the second photo. Begin by making a single straight cut to one side of the pith about 3/4 of the way through the log. Repeat on the other side of the pith, cutting parallel to your first cut, again cutting only 3/4 of the way through the log (see Photo #3). The outer portions will be made into bowl blanks, and the inner piece is best used for making spindles, although small bowl blanks can be cut from this section.
Step 4: Finish Cutting the Log Into Slabs
Now we will finish making the cuts that were started in the last step. Simply flip the log section over, and insert the chains saw bar into one of the slots cut in the last step (Photo #1). Using an upward motion, finish cutting through the log. Repeat a second time in the other slot, and hopefully you should have something closely resembling the pieces shown in Photo #3!
Step 5: Processing the Log's Outer Slabs
Begin by cutting a straight line down one side of the slab, either by resting the natural bark edge against the bandsaw's fence, or by marking a straight line on the flat-cut surface. Afterwards, using the straight edge just sawn against the bandsaw's fence, remove an equal amount of the natural edge from the opposite side of the slab. Once finished, you will have two flat, squared edges (Photo #2) which can rest on the bandsaw's table as you make the next cut and remove the bark from the top of the slab (Photo #3)
Step 6: Final Processing of Outer Slabs
Once finished with the previous step, you should have a block resembling the piece shown below (if you've left more bark on, however, this is okay as well). Begin by squaring up the end of the block using the saw's miter gauge, as shown. At this point, measure the width of the slab you have cut, and set the bandsaw's fence to match that width. Rest the end of your block against the fence, and push the block through the cutting area with the miter gauge to cut each block. Optionally, a table saw, miter saw, or radial arm saw can be used to finish cutting these blocks.
Step 7: Processing the Log's Center Slab
Begin this step by cutting a straight edge on each side of the slab, removing the thin strip of bark. As in step 5, this can be accomplished by running the bark edge against the bandsaw's fence, or by marking a straight line on the cut surface as a guide. Once the bark edge is removed, set your bandsaw's fence to approximately the same thickness as the slab being cut. Cut as many spindles as possible from either side of the pith, being careful to give enough room to stay away from and cracks or irregularities. Once these spindles have been cut, you should have something similar to what is shown in Photo #3, and you're done with processing your log into turning stock!
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