Help With Log-cutting Contest

[bob gresko]

Hi everyone. My name is Bob Gresko. I'm a builder and an instructor in Pennsylvania College of Technologie's Construction program. Our school also has a forestry program and this spring will hoste woodsmen competitions involving six other colleges. I have been charged with the task of building tresles (saw horses) for the crosscut saw, chainsaw, and bowsaw competitions. I want to make state of the art tresles for this competition and that is what prompted me to send this post. I know you guys are the pros of the pros and was wondering if you have a plan or could give me input on how to construct super tresles for these competitions. Thanks fellows. Bob

 

[chainsawworld]

wow. that's a job you are not going to like. the stanchion(as we call it here) or support is one of the most important parts of the cutting. it has to be the right height, very, very ridgid as to not move at all during cutting. cross-cutting throws them around a lot.
a cheap way to go for chainsaw is to build a "bridge" with the 8x8 cants and apply down pressure on the cant to be cut with a back-hoe or loader. i have seen many answers to this problem(and many poor excuses).
the shows are pretty much over this year but as i do shows i'll take pics and post them.
what size timber are you going to be cutting? square or round? what number of cuts? 30 or 60 seconds? lots to think about.
keep us posted... marty

 

[ccicora]

Bob,
You have taken on a good undertaking. I am getting in my custum saw stantion this week. This set up is to replace my 8x8 triple "X" set up. I am replacing this set up because even with 400 lbs on it, there is still some flex in the set up when you put high stress on the stand. I know that if FLCC, Paul Smiths and/or ESF shows up to compete they will be running high dollar equipment.
If you are up to the work I can explain how to construct the same stations used by the New York State Lumberjack Ass. These stantions would help prepare those college competitors for pro level competitions.
Let me know.
Good Luck!
Chris

 

[husky394]

Remaining contests in Pennsylvania this year are:

Connellsville, Labor Day weekend.

Everett, Oct 5

LaPorte, Oct 11(?)

Connellsville has Great stands, but they are made for round wood, short lengths, and required a good deal of work. The stands at the other shows will probably be simple but solid, although the solid part may come from a couple of big guys sitting on them. LaPorte would be a good show for the team to try out if they have a little experience. Some of the team from SUNY was there last year.

Let us know when the contest is, some of us may be able to come.

Chuck

 

[Weatherby]

What schools compete in your competition? Here in the South we have a conclave every year and about 11 schools show up i believe. It is mostly woodsmen events, minus some of the ax events. No springboard, etc. No chainsaws either. We usually come in 3 every year.

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi Bob, maybe you could consider breaking the mold and having the boys cut on at least a 16" log , 3 cuts with a live start. That 8x8 cant thing has gotta go. Where is the geographical boundry for the 8x8 vs round log cut? Like, if I am on the eastern Montana border in round wood country and step foot in N. Dakota, will I then be in 8x8 country? Who wants to cut on a glorified 2x4?
John

 

[tony marks]

now there u go again .. i would never have thot chainsaws and college would mix. learn something again.

 

[bob gresko]

Thanks for the replies fellows. Marty, they will cut 8x8 timbers. I would appreciate any pictures. Chris, thanks. You bet I would like to see how to construct the same stations used by the New York State Lumberjack Association. Please post or e-mail me info. My e-mail is [email protected]. Chuck, thanks for the info about LaPorte, Oct 11(?). I don't know the date for our events, but it will be sometime this comming spring. I.ll keep you posted.
Weatherby, I don't know who all is competing, but will let you know when I know. John, I understand what you mean about glorified 2x4. Unfortunately, I don't have any influence on the rules of the contest. They only want me to build the stanchions to hold the cants. Tony, you wouldn't believe what we have at Penn College: construction, forestry, diesel/heavy equipment, aviation, civil engineering, plastics, food service, auto, and a rash of business & finance & management programs. Thanks Bob

 

[ccicora]

Bob,
I have emailed you 2 pics and some instructions, Please feel free to call me before you get started.

Later,
Chris

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi Bob, here's an example of the horse they use at saw races.
John

 

[Gypo Logger]

Here's a better view.
John

 

[bob gresko]

Chris and John, thanks for the pics. I showed them to the person in charge of the contest. He thinks they are great but wants me to build them out of wood. I don't know why for sure, but it may be because of budget restraints and his ability to supply wood. You see we run a sawmill at the college. Anyway, do any of you guys have info, pictures, and/or plans for wooden stanchions? thanks everyone, Bob

 

[McC]

Here is what we use for our contest at Baraboo WI. We don't have any crosscut sawing, just chainsaws. I use axle shafts for stakes, right up against the bottom of the saw buck, then tighten a cable whinch over the log. It could hold a cant if you laid a triangle shaped piece in the bottom. I used green treated 2X6's and some 2X4's. If you have a mill on campus, maybe they could supply some larger dimension boards to build it. It does have some vibration and movement if the log is hanging out too far, but for our amateaur contest, it works fine. The larger lumber might help stiffen the whole rig for the cross cut saws.