Notching Deck Posts With a Chainsaw
Use this quick tip to make long, deep cuts in your posts without the fuss of using multiple saws.
Notching Deck Posts With a Chainsaw
When deck builders notch deck posts, they have to make a long vertical cut to provide support and fastening for the beam. You can cut as deep as possible with a circular saw, and then finish with a handsaw… but there’s a better way.
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When deck builders notch 6×6 deck posts, they have to make a long vertical cut to provide support and fastening for the beam. You can cut as deep as possible with a circular saw, and then finish with a handsaw or reciprocating saw …but there’s a better way.
Remodeler and Fine Homebuilding editorial advisor Mike Guertin, doesn’t bother with a circular saw and recip saw. Instead, he fires up his chainsaw. It’s not fine-finish carpentry, but a sharp chain and a steady hand makes quick and pretty clean work of these notches.
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I loved watching the tape measure jump off the beam while the reciprocating saw was at work; that's just like my jobsite, LOL!
Less fumes & noise and more convenient with the corded or cordless Makita chainsaws; both great tools. The 15 amp corded saw is very powerful; the 36 volt chainsaw handles notches like these very easily.
ccocallas, I had to go back and view the video a second time to see the tape measure fly off the beam. Good one! LOL
nobody should be using a small gas chainsaw anymore unless you are in the woods and can't recharge if needed. The Ego saw took the nod at Wirecutter's shootout but any of them would be better than gas for this kind of work especially.
If you install a RIPPING CHAIN on that saw you will get a much finer & smoother cut. Normal saw chains are not meant for ripping. Ripping chains are also called Full House.
Walk across the hall to Fine Woodworking where a recent article talked about re-sawing boards by hand. (Can you imagine cutting 1/16 inch veneers from a board "Williamsburg style"?) The take away is never cut on a line that you can't see. So cut one side on the two lines that you can see; the top and the edge. Then move to the other side of the board and cut down that edge. Go back and forth between the sides until just a hidden triangular piece remains in the centre of the board, which is then easy to cut.
I'd suggest the same technique for this chain saw method so as to ensure that the cut actually follows the lines on both sides of the post.
Chainsaws are very underrated for carpentry. If your chain is in good shape and you take your time you can remove a lot of wood quickly and with pretty reasonable accuracy. Forcing the cut or using a dull chain can cause the cut to wander.
You can also make very deep cuts compared to other saws. You can line up a bunch of beams or joists, snap a line, and cut them all together in just a minute or two.
This ain't slabbing or fine carpentry, you don't need a ripping chain; plus this notch also involves a crosscut. Nor is it vital to follow the line precisely, though a line on the end of the post would be helpful. If you need the height of the joist to be really accurate, you can make the crosscut with a circular saw and the rip with a chainsaw.
And there's nothing wrong with a gas chainsaw. You don't use it that long for this kind of work, so pollution isn't such an issue. Most builders will probably spend hours with a gas blower for every minute they use the saw.
While that 36V battery chainsaw sounds ideal, most people won't have them and many people will have a gas chainsaw. Personally, I've worn out at least three gas chainsaws - after 100 cords or so of wood, each. And I've worn out two electric chainsaws - after a few dozen cuts each. Guess what I've got in my shed right now...
very well done.... brief and informative....