🔴 Extremely Accurate Chainsaw Carpentry - An Aid to Building Timber Houses

[@LucasRichardStephens]

WARNING: Cutting yourself, or an other, with a chain saw can result in death. The average number of stitches needed by someone cut by a chain saw is 160. (despite the tens of thousands of injuries to chainsaw workers each year, death by chainsaw is uncommon.) "Kick back" is by far the most common cause of these injuries. In this film several shots show cutting technique, where the chance of "kick back" is extremely high. This Film is NOT a "how to", DO NOT attempt any of the chainsaw work you see in this film without proper instruction. Plunge cutting and low chain-speed work is the most dangerous way of using a chainsaw and though it may look easy, bear in mind I do this for a living and have done, off and on, since 1994

[@JP-zp5ic]

Canadian here: My first experience with a chainsaw-like tool was being handed a large Stihl cut-off saw and being sent to slice out the rear quarter panel on a car in the wrecking yard where I was working. I was left to do this task unsupervised, and let to wear whatever PPE I guessed was suitable... Fortunately nothing bad happened! Today I have a Stihl 362, and I live in an area with an overwhelming abundance of softwood trees. I started by cutting firewood, but I soon began to build things. I love how powerful and versatile a the chainsaw is a woodworking tool, and how natural it feels using it. Give time I would like to eventually do some architectural work, though I'm sure I will never come close to your level of skill. I definitely find plunge cuts into end grain to be the most challenging, and I usually just avoid doing that entirely. I certainly agree with your safety warning; the chainsaw is a singularly unforgiving tool.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

thanks for dropping by, great anecdote! all the best, Lucas

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I've done a lot of timber framing and I can tell you that you are a master with that saw, great job.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks very much!

[@MrCOUNTYCORK]

@@LucasRichardStephens yes very handy with a saw, always in control which is not the easiest thing with a chainsaw, hats off to you

[@LucasRichardStephens]

@@MrCOUNTYCORK Thanks Brick wall!

[@samuelluria4744]

Oh, come on!!! It's all in the perfect quality wood!!!😉

[@MrCOUNTYCORK]

@@samuelluria4744 I don't know about that one, I said I'll. Save myself some trouble and cut an old solid door to fit in the frame of a shed with a chainsaw , lol it just wasn't a great job after, 😂😂, he is handy with that saw alright, he makes it look easy, I'll just stick to falling tree's with the husky.

[@ravenhhca]

That Samson boat project started out as a sort of fixer-upper and has morphed into a total rebuild. You have to admire the guy.....wish I still had that youthful energy.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

He is getting a great following, it will make him rich!

[@ravenhhca]

Great chainsaw skills, how about a tutorial on sharpening for those precision cuts?

[@LucasRichardStephens]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKTVfnWQopdlf9k try this one Carl, I am not really scientific enough to make a great tutorial, another way of saying I have a lot to learn.....

[@Iocun]

Speaking as someone who uses a chainsaw as his main tool every day... that's some impressive skill!

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks very much! The more you do it the deeper the subject gets.

[@SkillCult]

Beautiful work and skill friend. Thanks for sharing.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks very much!

[@thomasbroking7943]

I had to use a chainsaw for firewood. I was scared to death of it.. I read all the directions, learned how to sharpen the blades, got 3. Then away i went. Keep it running and watch for pressure. After about 16 to 20 hrs I was fine. Got to where i could cut nice and straight. Always kept sharp blades plenty of oil and well tuned machine. Great cuts. I don't know how you got the ideas

[@LucasRichardStephens]

The way I use the saw is how many builders of timber houses use them here in Scandinavia and elsewhere, I didn't have to think up any of the cuts, I just copied my teachers.

[@2jonathandane]

Hi Lucas thanks for the great video. I'm planning to build a timber frame place this summer using mostly hand tools, and think a chainsaw will be my go-to tool for much of it since I don't have electricity on the site. I’m getting my chainsaw outfitted now, and wonder if you have any bar/chain recommendations for doing finer carpentry cutting like this? I watched your sharpening video, so saw that you are using a full chisel sharpened at a slightly lower angle (28 degrees). that makes sense since there is a lot of with-the-grain cutting. Since you are not going for cutting speed is there any reason not to use semi-chisel or safety chain? Less clean? More tear-out? Less accurate control? Thoughts/experience on other bar/chain aspects • Narrow gauge? • Low profile? • Full Chisel vs Semi or safety chain? • Bar length recommendation. 12” for more control? • Worth getting a lighter bar? Safety bar? Sorry that’s a lot, but any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Also, I assume you use a smaller saw for weight, control, and back health, but do you think an MS250 would be fine, or is it worth getting something smaller? Are kickback and/or cutting control also improved by a smaller saw? BTW, I love your scarf joint technique. I will definitely be using that!

[@LucasRichardStephens]

I use the saw with a normal forestry chain,13" bar. It is the technique that is important, far more so than which set up you have. It is probably easier with different equipment, but if you don't know how to aproach the cut then I am not sure it helps. It takes some practice to get clean cuts, if you look very carfully at this and other proffessional log builders using the saw you'll see there is a very diffinate technique.

[@2jonathandane]

@@LucasRichardStephens Thanks Lucas, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge

[@SteifWood]

great video again Lucas,,, you're becoming a grand master teacher :) maybe you should explain the shallow rip/groove you made at around 1:40,,, i've seen many US "lofters" on TV and YT who leave wide gaps btw the logs and then fill with mud, while we have a tradition for air tight gaps (no gaps at all) and moss (Spaghnum) filling in Scandinavia, as u demonstrated here another minor comment, you said something about horizontal plunge cuts that you have to be careful,,, well after a day in the forest felling timber i would say the horizontal felling cut is the least dangerous,,, it's all the damn hidden branches that can cause kick backs

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Stiff Wood the dado cut at 1:40 is to house standing 25mm boards, it is for a stavlaft sleppveg. Minor answer; Just trying to discourage inept woodworkers from cutting themselves. I find all the woods and felling work less predictable too. There is a very good reason that pro woodsmen use the full PPE and the pro carpenter -chainsawers don't wear the chaps. There are some very nice light weight chainsaw work-trousers made by stihl, if you can afford them....I would wear those if I had them, I do have chainsaw safe boots. Being a Norwegian I think you are thoroughly out of touch with how incompetent people can be with chainsaws, and are not qualified to comment, you badly need to educate yourself in the subject of chainsaw ineptitude. Same goes for all those Canadians and Alaskans. Being born with silver chainsaws in your mouths makes you think just anybody can do it.....

[@legendofthephasor9648]

When I bought my electric I assumed foolishly that, just like most 40v drills, it would have some kind of speed adjustment like a throttle. No. Still good for most jobs and fun, but take it into account when shopping.

[@classicford4118]

I've been using chainsaws for over 30 years I wish I was that good nice work

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks very much! Knowing the technique is half the battle. This is normal skill level among the timber-house builders, after some years experience. The five or six guys I work with quite regularly could match or better this.

[@frodehau]

Judging the depth inside cuts like that is hard. Do you have any suggestions besides practice? Shallow riders probably helps, I might file a chain just for that. The plan is to buy a chain grinding tool at one point. Is the dremel based stuff usable for someone who mostly cuts firewood and the odd timber log, or is a professional tool the only way to go? There's quite a bit of old fence grown in to some of my trees, and it's not always easy to spot. Also it's easy to foul the chain on rocks when I clear out brush like juniper. I don't want stumps to trip over in the heater and moss, so I go low. Filing is boring!

[@LucasRichardStephens]

I have guide lines drawn on the saw blade to get the depth right. The riders are filed as for hardwood. I don't use a grinding machine and never have, so I can't say how good they are, but they certainly look good. Bucking Billy Ray has one, watch his films maybe. You have to have a well balanced sharpening to achieve this level of accuracy, I have spare chains to use if I think I might hit nails or stones.

[@scottiee1758]

Serious skill with the stihl.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks!

[@lgflanang]

A master at work. Kudos.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks!

[@waynebrown1609]

Awesome. Lucas i wonder if a sewing machine foot pedal would work on the electric chainsaw ?

[@LucasRichardStephens]

A variac... Suppose it would. Be better to build it into the handle somehow. They may have changed, it is ages since I used one last.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

@Semper verum Good point, I wonder if the makers could be persuaded to design a variable speed saw for carvers/builders, or is there some technical limitation? Washing machines manage variable speed, and cars.....

[@warrenhaney6038]

Wow..... seriously just wow....mad skills !!!

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks for watching, all the best!

[@waynebrown1609]

AWESOME TALENT LUCAS :)

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Simply fantastic!

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks very much!

[@lawrencenlberg]

Is this compared to the traditional way more exhausting?

[@LucasRichardStephens]

It is tiring using a chain saw all day, but using just an axe is also very tiring, and hand saws. I prefer the chainsaw to the circle saw for those heavy square beams. I do use many different tools to do the same type of work, it just depends on the situation.

[@robpotter1355]

You have a rare talent, very few can use a Stihl and a Husqvarna without medication! 🤪

[@LucasRichardStephens]

It is because am blind in one eye, the middle one....

[@samuelluria4744]

Rob Potter - I have to say, I see all the "fan-dom" of the two companies on KZbin, etc., and I can't relate to it. They both have placed some very good, and some very not-so-good, models into the product stream. Same thing with Ford and Chevy.😂

[@robpotter1355]

Samuel Luria Honestly, I find it really amusing, I’ve bought Husqvarna for years but I use Stihl at work, as you say they are both great manufacturers but I like to put the comments on to stir up the “ die hard” fans. Just my humour I guess?

[@samuelluria4744]

Rob Potter - Yeah, I got that. The British call it being "cheeky"....I do it on KZbin all the time.😉

[@samuelluria4744]

(timber framing pun...🙄...sorry)

[@timberdoodles4647]

Nice work! I have the raker thingys filed down on my one of my saws and that kind of stuff won't fly, my other saw is filed so much I have a bunch of broke teeth, new chain coming from amazon. Then there is my new chain morticer, oh that is going to be a super short cut in the joinery that is coming up. Being a unconventional shop I have used my chainsaw for many task, not to this level but close. Sometimes I'm tempted to try one of those chain saw discs for a small hand held grinder, an add for one popped up on your video too.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Yes you can have too aggressive a cut depth for this if the rakers are low, and you get curvy cuts if the chain is not equally sharp on both sides. A quick test cut tells all, whether the chain is damaged. Which morticer did you go for, I looked at the Makita one before starting that post and beam garage, but it was just a bit too great an investment since I do mostly log houses. I have a disk saw with the chainsaw teeth just cut out of the plate (a commercial product not home made), used it on the guitar making videos. They are not safe....I think the angle grinder is the tool I fear most (what with the start recoil and the cumbersome thick handle) and with that bad boy attached.. oh my. One great thing about them though, no chain oil soaking into your woodwork.

[@timberdoodles4647]

@@LucasRichardStephens Big splurge, Mafel. It knocks out a 2" wide by 8" long x 5" deep mortice in under half a minute. I will miss the old way though, I plan on doing demonstrations still by hand.

[@frodehau]

@@LucasRichardStephens you should try cutting aluminum with an airpowered grinder. I believe my experience with the chainsaw helped. Great demo btw. I couldn't do that.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

​@@frodehau Takk Frode, ha du prøvd en vinkelsliper med to blader som virke i motretninger? Vi bruker en for å kappe takplater i Alu. De sprute spon i alle retninger, men ikke kjøre seg fast som vanlige.

[@frodehau]

@@LucasRichardStephens nei, eg ante ikkje at det fantest ei sånn sag. Dette var for 20 år sidan. Fant saga, artig!

[@hotdog160]

did you try to use the narrow stihl guide bar ? i'm a husky fanboy but these guides looks perfect for precision work compared to the classic rollo guide

[@LucasRichardStephens]

I do have a carving chain on a little Sach Dlomar saw, works very well. The Roller tip makes a very durable saw, it is a case of diminished returns....

[@dmcc8620]

Crazy mad skill

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks!

[@adamt5867]

Beautiful work

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thank you very much!

[@Teo888N]

Nice vid. You have nice skils with chainsaw

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Tusen takk

[@cameronmurray5688]

I'm sure you know already, but for anybody who's not tried one yet, the DeWalt 60v Flexvolt (I don't know about their other saws) actually has by far the best variable trigger I've ever seen. And no jumping around the power band and fluctuations in power problems or running it upside down or anyth...I sound like a f***ing commercial 🤣 Honestly I can only vouch for the 60 with the 16" bar though it's a little monster it's out cut everybody's climbing saw that's going up against it, but it doesn't FEEL like it though, which shouldn't matter but of course it does! Sometimes, I just want my saw TO BE LOUD AF!!! J WANNA SEE FEEL AND HEAR THIN- (oops still yelling! Sorry🤣) I want to see, and feel, and smell, and yeah hear I want to hear the wood getting shredded through sometimes. Is that weird? So there's definitely drawbacks, but the benefits are pretty obvious, especially if you do jobs in residential neighborhoods where people appreciate quiet and you appreciate a surprisingly very powerful, responsive saw that's also quiet. As long as it's dry out.And you're only cutting stuff y ok u can do with a 16" bar, but then again I went through a ≈28" stump with a plunge cut and I was through it faster and pushing off the first eound before Boss even got his 30" Stihl started and just ....it was kind of embarrassing for the Stihl at first but once we were both going and actually cutting even he started pulling ahead when we ran out of eucalyptus. his badass Stihl. I mean he had barely managed to get the damn anyway was a really big skeptic the only electric saw I've even ever used but I got all the other Flexvolt stuff and I love it. I take the 60v battery out of my chainsaw, drop it in my little 20v impact driver and then over to the full size, 7¼ inch circular saw, blah blah blah Anyway, for what you're doing I think it'd be perfect, especially if you're doing stuff for crowds, etc

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Hi, I haven't tried that saw, I had a look at some youtube reviews, but found it hard to judge that way, certainly I would like to try one, maybe Dewalt would send me one to demonstrate?

[@cameronmurray5688]

@@LucasRichardStephens I would think it's in DeWalt's best interest to send you one. If I were them I'd send you all their saws . Apparently it's actually the 40v that they market as the "Pro" model, but I'm skeptical it's got enough power to work the same way.... Like the variable speed trigger. You can focus one tooth on a splinter and slice it off and stop the chain or aim at a different one before the next tooth gets there, which is the biggest reason I thought to mention it to you, but I've not tried the 20 or 40v so I don't know, but there's no gas saw that can run quite the same way without having a big transmission, and that ain't happening

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks very much for making such complete, well written and well informed comment and reply. I think you too deserve the fullest generosity of DeWalt, your endorsement is worth gold to them, you have my curiosity peaked.

[@SpellsOfTruth]

I wonder how good chainsaw artists would be at this. I bet they'd be damn fast at it. They gotta be used to dealing with the weird angled cuts.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

A great many chainsaw carvers started out using chainsaws in their day job. If you look in on my website you can see some of the chainsaw carvings I have made over the years. www.stephens.no/lrs/Picture_archieve/Pages/Sculpture_and_Exhibitions.html

[@SpellsOfTruth]

@@LucasRichardStephens Yea I guess it makes more sense that the carvers were using their chainsaws at there day jobs, you don't see any art schools teachin chainsaw maintenance haha. I like your art. Dang, you're really good. Thats some next level skills.

[@officialmultie]

Sick wit the chainsaw

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks!

[@marcusgault9909]

Excellent series of comments, an you are certainly wile handy with a chainsaw, but I was kinda disappointed you did not execute the proper Japanese scarf joint for jointing the beams end-to-end.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks for your comment. I would like to know more about this Japanese scarf joint you mention. I think I can set you mind as ease though, because is not a beam being joined in the last section, it is a timber for a solid timber wall, the structural stresses the timber is subjected to are very different than if it were a beam. For beams we usually use what we call a "french lock" (translated from Norwegian directly), if it has to withstand forces in all directions. Which joint is "proper" to use in any given situation is very complex and individual to the situation and it's requirements and constraints. The method demonstrated was more than adequate for the use the timber was put to. One of the valuable lessons from the traditional skills used to make these wooden houses is that they always strive for an economy of means, so what at first may seem too complicated or too simple turns out to function in its correct employment. One of the major factors leading to the seldom complexity of Japanese joinery is the requirement for their buildings to withstand earthquakes. In comparison, for Norway, it is the demands of a long subarctic winter in a coastal region, ie very good wind and warmth insulation, traditionally, not things of any importance to the Japanese. So we each do what is needed, not more or less.

[@marcusgault9909]

@@LucasRichardStephens , First, genuine thanks for you detailed reply, and this after being staggered by your mastery of the chainsaw as a carpenters tool, I was attempting some humour with my scarf joint comment, & see link; kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqHCm3aNarqWf5I, regards Marcus

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Marcus you are very welcome! Yes that joint is very like the one I was refuring to above, so we have all bases covered, never a bad thing!

[@smileywarrior1870]

Why’d I watch this. Now I need a chainsaw.

[@dodgygoose3054]

That's a killer way to do a lap joint

[@LucasRichardStephens]

thanks, do you power-saw?

[@dodgygoose3054]

@@LucasRichardStephens Yeah a bit, this year building a traditional Korean Hanok inspired , two room cabin with Hebal blocks. Getting the logs prepped at the moment, you should check Hanoks out amazing use of material and joint work.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks I will do a search, it is not a term I am familiar with. I am a believer in bioregionalism, so if a technique was developed in a similar bioregion to the one you live in then physical-cultural exchange is good, if however the bioregion is significantly different then exchange is more risky. The good example is that though I come from the UK I would not build a log house there, due to the high humidity and warm winters, despite log house construction being my specialisation. .

[@CtheG420]

I have a level mounted on my husky for this same project, my eye obviously isn't as good as yours..

[@LucasRichardStephens]

I bet your eye is good enough if you trust it. The problem is more often what you concentrate on, takes a lot of practice for it to become second nature.

[@yvind1465]

Is it a Stihl MS261? your main saw?

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Yes it replaces, an ms260 that needs a head repair, after 16 years good service. I hope this one is as reliable, though I can´t believe it will be....It is the maximum weight saw I am prepared to use for this work.

[@HowlinMad37]

Cool video and this guy is good but these cuts are very dangerous don't think your Poulan predator it's going to work like that I was a tree surgeon for Year's and one mistake using the tip of the bar like that and it kicked back and cut through the top of my left ankle and almost bled to death 15 minutes from the hospital ... THE SAW IS FAMILY!

[@LucasRichardStephens]

You are very correct Mr.Mad, these cuts are the result of years of training and learning from a branch of the industry which has refined the techniques for decades, a small miscalculation results in kickback and if the operator or anyone else is in the path of the momentum, injury will ensue. It is extremely valuable that the people with the long standing saw experience, highlight the very real dangers of unskilled use of chainsaws.

[@bowdenwoodcraft2492]

Awesome work bud . Have you tried the 1/4 1.1 chain and 12" bar stihl do? If you haven't you should it's awesomely fine cutting I bet you would love it. "Got it running on a stihl 180 but you might want to put it on something a bit faster than that. Subscribe 👍

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks for the recommendation, all the best, Lucas

[@jaredebert2008]

What kind of saw are you using here?

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Stihl MS 261 C

[@jaredebert2008]

@@LucasRichardStephens I really appreciate you taking the time to answer. I have that same saw. It seems so big for joinery. I always imagined someone would use a much smaller saw for the accuracy. Do you need the extra power for the joinery?

[@LucasRichardStephens]

@@jaredebert2008 It is very versatile, and familiar to me. Very long service life. I do have other saws even an 18volt saw. The cogged timber houses require quite a powerful saw, less than 40cc would not manage. The value for money is excellent on the 261, easy to get parts and because so many use this size saw in forestry it keeps the price down on spares.

[@ravenhhca]

`Lucas, is that you on drums?

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Yes but not a real kit, my live drumming is poor

[@ravenhhca]

@@LucasRichardStephens...Ah, well,...the key to drumming is the PARADIDDLE

[@LucasRichardStephens]

@@ravenhhca I once did the panel on a house wall using a paradiddle rhythm, the owner was a drummer and requested it, looked random , I made the odd mistake...

[@ravenhhca]

@@LucasRichardStephens ........There are no mistakes, only creative licence. The PD can be played 4 ways simply by shifting one to the left relative to the beat. Then you can fool around with the double, the triple, and the flam PD's. For a real mind twister try playing the PD pattern as a series of triplets.

[@karltraunmuller7048]

Chainsawing mastery!

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thankyou!

[@frankanddanasnyder3272]

Plung cutting..just asking to get cut up!

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Yes be warned! Not for novice cutters!

[@miladne1092]

What is this kind of wood?

[@LucasRichardStephens]

It is Spruce

[@sdcofer52]

Nice

[@cooper9287]

Music track is awesome

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Thanks very much! music often divides the audience, it has been characterised as 90's rpg market scene by a reddit user, what can I say, trying my best....

[@huguamigo5440]

Реально круто

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Спасибо большое

[@suit1337]

Wow, just wow

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Do you work with these saws? Thanks for commenting!

[@suit1337]

@@LucasRichardStephens nope, i use a circular saw or angle grinders for wood carving - I'm impressed of your accuracy

[@bman6065]

I'm a tree climber and I ain't got shit on that. I blame alcohol couldn't be my fault

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Too much coffee? All the best, Lucas.

[@erichayes5217]

Disappointed...I saw no Chian saws whatsoever !!

[@LucasRichardStephens]

They are very shy and only come out at dusk

[@samuelluria4744]

Lucas Richard Stephens - Way to handle a heckler!!!😂

[@erichayes5217]

😂

[@dovislu8096]

👍💪

[@gomertube]

Can’t watch.

[@LucasRichardStephens]

If you are a warm beverage fan I have a film on making coffee...kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5-9iqabg79nZpY

[@BradGrassforest]

Everyone who has been holding the saw more than twice is able to do that. No special skills sadly

[@LucasRichardStephens]

Born with a silver chainsaw in the mouth...

[@fraziboy]

There is always a Brad....