Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Chemistry4me on 09/01/2009 00:44:00

Title: Is it easier to cut wood against or with the grain?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 09/01/2009 00:44:00

Is it easier to cut unprocessed wood against or with the grain? Using:

a) an axe
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbosstoolsblog.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2008%2F05%2Faxe.jpg&hash=5f8378e111a4b9c836e817bab0c1e697)
b) a chainsaw
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cairnsmowercity.com%2Fimages%2Fcraftsman%2520chainsaw%252035020.jpg&hash=5e81455844b0bcd77a6fbd18608f5c1d)
c) a handsaw
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kwtool.com%2Fcatalog%2Fimages%2Fhandsaw.jpg&hash=0088e1cf979ff647b5bfb210c3dfb559)
d) a circular saw
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.germes-online.com%2Fdirect%2Fdbimage%2F50316086%2FElectric_Circular_Saw.jpg&hash=b1e2f38ad7e59187838aaf78664722e3)
e) a pocket knife
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.westsky.com%2Fknife3a.jpg&hash=85f14b74c910a260156a6c0529fb097b)

Why? [???]

Title: Is it easier to cut wood against or with the grain?
Post by: lyner on 09/01/2009 18:28:37

Having tried all of them I should say that the 'splitting' tools like axes and knives would work easiest along the grain. They get into the spaces between the fibres and separate the two sides of the gap like a wedge. There is not much actual cutting of fibres needed going along the grain.
Working along the grain with a saw can cause a lot of drag as the long fibres can stick to the sides of the blade and move with it and can be pulled in towards the blade. Going across the grain leaves shorter bits of fibre which don't move and which 'let go' sooner. You can overcome this to some extent by having a large 'set' on the teeth which produces a wide enough slot to reduce contact with the movong sides of the blade. Chain and 'rip saws are like this.

Title: Is it easier to cut wood against or with the grain?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 10/01/2009 04:57:20

So what?
Axe: with
Chainsaw: against
Handsaw: against
Circular saw: ???
Knife: with

Title: Is it easier to cut wood against or with the grain?
Post by: Karsten on 10/01/2009 19:24:36

Axe prefers to cut along the grain
Chainsaw, I assume across
Handsaw, across
Circular saw, across
Knife, along

As mentioned, the saws mentioned above can be equipped with blades that are specifically designed to cut with the grain (=ripping). Those blades will give you better surfaces and feed-rate. Boards are cut lengthwise right of the log with large band saws and circular saws after all. There are some portable saw mills that use chainsaws for cutting the logs into boards.

Karsten