Shopsmith Forums

I need to clean up the end of a log (several actually) after chainsawing the end square to the log's run. Any one have an easy way to get a nice finish on the end of a reasonably dry (tree was standing dead for awhile) log end? Some way that doesn't require some expensive tool I do not have, something I can afford to do?

Thanks guys!

fiatben wrote:I need to clean up the end of a log (several actually) after chainsawing the end square to the log's run. Any one have an easy way to get a nice finish on the end of a reasonably dry (tree was standing dead for awhile) log end? Some way that doesn't require some expensive tool I do not have, something I can afford to do?

Thanks guys!

Belt Sander (hand held).

guess I need to go buy one. Sad to think of a wannabe woodworker who doesn't own a decent hand-held belt sander, huh? I've got a nice little bench model but don't see me trying to hold it upside down and getting a good finish. haha

fiatben wrote:... Any one have an easy way to get a nice finish on the end of a reasonably dry (tree was standing dead for awhile) log end? Some way that doesn't require some expensive tool I do not have, something I can afford to do?

Thanks guys!

Perhaps you can use a bench vice to hold the log, or build a frame around it that will hold it. Then you could use a hand held belt sander.

I've never been a fan of hand held belt sanders myself, I always used to get belt edge gouges that ended up with the piece getting thinner and thinner. That was a long time ago however it was enough to send me down the disc sander road. I guess one reason is that you can smooth a wooden hull very quickly with an angle grinder. Once you get the hang of them they can do magic and if you follow up with a random orbital sander you never have to mess with belt sanders again.... so I never did. If it were me I would use an angle grinder with a fiber backing disc and I think the discs I use are called "Greenback". I could check if you were going that route.

Paul M

SDSSmith wrote:Curious, what are the diameters of the logs?

15 to 30+ inches in diameter, sycamore (soft), standing dead for about 2 years until I cut it down 2 weeks ago

fiatben wrote:15 to 30+ inches in diameter, sycamore (soft), standing dead for about 2 years until I cut it down 2 weeks ago

So what are you making fiatben?

mickyd wrote:So what are you making fiatben?

Sawdust!!!!!!!!!:D

shipwright wrote:I've never been a fan of hand held belt sanders myself, I always used to get belt edge gouges that ended up with the piece getting thinner and thinner. That was a long time ago however it was enough to send me down the disc sander road. I guess one reason is that you can smooth a wooden hull very quickly with an angle grinder. Once you get the hang of them they can do magic and if you follow up with a random orbital sander you never have to mess with belt sanders again.... so I never did. If it were me I would use an angle grinder with a fiber backing disc and I think the discs I use are called "Greenback". I could check if you were going that route.

Paul M

`

Since you were sanding convex surfaces(asymmetrical curvature) I can well understand your frustration with belt sanding(designed to create flat surfaces).