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Quarter Sawing
Quarter sawing is any method of milling a log
that produces primarily quartersawn lumber. In
general, this produces a mixture of quartersawn
and riftsawn lumber. Producing only quartersawn
lumber can be time-consuming and leaves a lot
of scrap.
The method below is relatively simple and pro-
duces quartersawn and riftsawn lumber. Many
other methods exist—all with unique benefits and
downsides. A sawyer should choose a method
based on the log used, lumber needed, and per-
sonal preference.
To quarter-saw a log:
1.
Inspect log and outline a sawing plan.
Consider orientation of log on track and
where to start cutting to produce the best
lumber. Mark planned cuts on end of log.
2.
Load log to track bed and secure with log
supports and clamps.
3.
Cut a thick slab and remove it from log (see
Figure 89). Set slab aside for now.
4.
Rotate log 180° and secure it. Cut a slab about
the same size as the first one (see Figure
89). To reduce waste, make sure the distance
between cuts—the height of the resulting
cant—is divisible by the thickness of lumber to
be produced. Set slab aside for now.
Thick
Slab
Cant
Log
Clamp
Figure 89. Thick slabs to be removed from log.
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5.
Rotate cant 90° and clamp to track bed, using
log supports to ensure cant is perpendicular
to track (see Figure 90). Take care that log
clamps hold cant tight against supports.
6.
Cut a thin slab and remove it from cant (see
Figure 90). Discard slab.
Cant
Figure 90. Thin slab to be removed from cant.
7.
Rotate cant 180° and secure it.
8.
Cut a thin slab and remove it from cant (see
Figure 91). Discard slab.
9.
Cut above pith, then remove top cant from
the cant secured to the track (see Figure 91).
Set top cant aside for now.
10. Cut below pith. To reduce waste, cut a board
that is a usable thickness when cutting below
pith. Remove board with pith from cant (see
Figure 91). Set board aside for now.
Log
Support
Cant
Cant
Thick
Slab
Figure 91. Two rectangular cants and pith to be
removed.
Model G0960 (Mfd. Since 09/22)
Thin
Slab
Thin
Slab
Pith
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