Saw for cutting wood...

LeanGreenSmokingMachine · May 2009

Hello,

I have a question for you all. I just got my Medium Big Green Egg. I haven't used it yet. However, I know from past smokers that I want to use Oak. Unfortunatly I can't get oak chips or chunks locally.

The only thing I can get is aged oak firewood (think pieces the size like you get in the boxes of hotwood at the supermarket.)

So I am wondering what you would recommend as a saw to cut these pieces down to more manageable sizes?

I have thought about a band saw but the affordable ones at best only do 3.5". I thought about a table saw, but I would have to cut and then flip over to cut all the way through.

I don't want to go hand saw or axe, I don't have the arms and back for that.

I thought about a chainsaw (electric one), but can't imagine a safe way to hold the logs while cutting them up in to smaller chunks.

Right now I am leaning towards a cheap table saw. What do you think?

I don't want to spend a ton because it will only be used for this.

Thanks,

Robert

Unknown · May 2009

a table saw for cross cutting can be very dangerous.... i'd recommend an electric reciprocal saw with a blade length that suits your needs.... plus it's useful for butchering meat.... i use mine to cut up deer...

tach18k · May 2009

You can use a Sawzall, but most blades are painted. Most chain saws need the chain oiled. Keep looking around for chunks and chips. Also Home Depot and Lowe's have these woods, maybe a local hardware store also

Kokeman · May 2009

I get hickory branches from a guy at work. (he gets plenty of pulled pork sammies in return) they are about 2-5 inches in dia. and 2-3 feet long. I cut them with my 12" miter saw about 4-6 inches long. Then I split the bigger dia. pieces with a big chisel. I do enough for about six month at a time.

Kokeman · May 2009

You might want to check out some pawn shops. There alot of them around here with the housing market so slow.

Pepper Monkey BBQ · May 2009

I am a woodworker and for cutting logs up like that (I've done it as well) I think the miter saw may be your best bet. Get a used one and the price will be reasonable as well. If you don't really plan on using it for much else you can really get by with a cheap one.

Electric chainsaw works too ... you'd want a 'workmate' or 'benchmate' to hold the logs.

JM

SMITTYtheSMOKER · May 2009

I also like using Oak as a base. I always cook with Oak Lump Charcoal and never use Oak chunks. I doi add Hickory to the Oak Lump for additional flavor.

Wouldn't be easier to get get oak lump?

You really shouldn't burn wood only in the Egg.

Good luck with the new Egg.

Cactus Doug · May 2009

Please do not use a table saw for crosscutting logs into smaller pcs. The blade can bind resulting in the material being thrown back at you, or loss of fingers etc. A band saw or chop saw would be a much better choice.

LeanGreenSmokingMachine · May 2009

Hello,

Thanks for all of the information. I decided to go with a recipercating saw with a long enough blade and one designed for work. I will see how that goes.

I don't plan to burn wood only. Too much smoke. I have looked every where and the only oak I can find in small bags of chips. I can find everything else in large chunk, but no oak.

So I want to be able to do my own. Also my neighbor has a gravenstein apple tree and I can get apple wood from her.

My plan is to use lump with a bit of oak chunk.

Thanks again for all the info.

Robert

LeanGreenSmokingMachine · May 2009

Wow spell check sure messed up the spelling of the saw name. But, I think you got what I was saying.

Robert

Spring Chicken · May 2009

I suppose it depends on how much wood you want and how many trees you have available.

If "A Lot" is the answer, maybe you need one of these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfD8cRcijfU

You're welcome.

Spring "Knock 'em Down, Cut 'em up, and Spit 'em Out" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

Canugghead · May 2009

Kokeman, I have a dumb question, is it necessary to remove the bark?
-Gary

Kokeman · May 2009

I have never removed the bark. I never even given any thought to it.

Little Steven · May 2009

LeanGreenSmokingMachine,

I read some of the responses and I can reccommend all kinds of power tools if you want. You aren't thinking of loading the egg up with wood chunks are you? You bought the egg cause it's a low heat loss device. Same with smoke flavour. A little goes a long way. I have a plastic container with every kind of wood you could think of and it will last me the rest of my life.

Steve

otisdog · May 2009

you can get a cheap ryobi reciprcating saw at home depot for 50 bucks. I just cut down a 250 foot privacy fence with a rigid model. The things are amazing and will easily do what you want and trim big branches as well

LeanGreenSmokingMachine · June 2009

No. I will be using lump and a little bit of wood. I don't like a strong would taste. However, I have access to free wood like oak, apple and fig and would like to be able to use that.

Robert

Saw for cutting wood...

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