# What type of saw or guide used to slice a large log

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-saw-or-guide-used-to-slice-a-large-log/774829>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 16, 2016, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-saw-or-guide-used-to-slice-a-large-log/774829 "2016-12-16T01:41:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![ZurBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/71e660/32.png) [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-saw-or-guide-used-to-slice-a-large-log/774829/21 "2016-12-17T05:21:17Z")

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> [@Roxmar](#):
>
> I am looking for advice on buying the best type of saw or guide to slice large logs (12"-18" in diameter) into 1-2 " serving platters.
> 
> I was told a chain saw… but I would need some sort of guide so that the cross sections would come out even.
> 
> Any ideas on either a different saw or a guide of some sort or something to stabilize the log while cutting.
> 
> Thanks!

Anyone with a modicum of chainsaw expertise can accomplish what you want, no jigs necessary. If you require **absolute** dimensional perfection, a **cutoff** saw will be necessary to make the **cross** cuts you desire (be it a circular or band saw).

A typical saw mill, either commissioned or rented, isn’t capable of making the cross cuts that you need. They are intended to make longitudinal (rip) cuts along the length of the log, **not** across it, as you want.

Ignore the advice of utilizing professional or rented sawmills, unless they have the capability of making 18" deep **cross** cuts…less the notion of (easily)😕planing such rounds. Nearly impossible without special jigs and the expertise to use them.:smack:

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**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-saw-or-guide-used-to-slice-a-large-log/774829/22 "2016-12-17T06:48:47Z")

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I was at an antique shop today and outside they had a large trunk filled with freshly cut discs like you want. They were only about 8"-10" though. A buck apiece. So if you are near Medina, Ohio…

Dennis

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**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2016, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-saw-or-guide-used-to-slice-a-large-log/774829/23 "2016-12-18T06:05:49Z")

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> [@Mangetout](#):
>
> If you cut slices from green wood, cut them thin enough, and allow them to dry quicker on one side than the other, they will naturally form shallow dishes. I’ve only tried it on [small diameter logs](http://atomicshrimp.com/post/2016/04/17/Sliced-Tree-Bowl), but there’s no reason it shouldn’t scale up.
> 
> The problem is going to be controlling (or otherwise dealing with) radial cracks, I think

How does this relate to the OP?

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**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2016, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-saw-or-guide-used-to-slice-a-large-log/774829/24 "2016-12-18T14:50:29Z")

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> [@donkeyoatey](#):
>
> How does this relate to the OP?

Mangetout is saying he has done what the OP proposes on a smaller scale.

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