hand sawing wood

[al78]

I've bought some decking timber which I need to cut in half. I have a hand saw that I bought a long time ago. Last week I did this and it was easy. Unfortunately Homebase had their decking outside, then it rained, and the timber is damp, and the saw keeps binding, even shortly after I start cutting. Does anyone have any technique tips to make this job easier? I have now put the timber out in the sun in the hope of drying it.

 

[Bald Rick]

I've bought some decking timber which I need to cut in half. I have a hand saw that I bought a long time ago. Last week I did this and it was easy. Unfortunately Homebase had their decking outside, then it rained, and the timber is damp, and the saw keeps binding, even shortly after I start cutting. Does anyone have any technique tips to make this job easier? I have now put the timber out in the sun in the hope of drying it.

From butter experience there’s only two ways round this: let it dry, or a power saw. When I did my decking I bought a circular saw for about £30 and it was worth every penny. I’ll bet you can find a cheap second hand one on eBay soemwhere.

 

[John Griffiths]

My universal panacea for problems of this kind: might WD40 help?

 

[Ashley Hill]

Try rubbing a candle either side of the saw.

 

[LMS 4F]

Try rubbing a candle either side of the saw.

That's the answer, be prepared to do it every so often.

 

[big all]

yes wet decking is a nightmare to cut as said candle or bar off soap
most people don't give enough support so when they grip the timber it drops and closes up and grips on the blade
you need at least three points off support two on the piece you are holding onto and one to support the offcut to stop it dropping and snapping the last few mm??

 

[Bevan Price]

And if you live in a rainy area, once your decking is in position, be prepared to remove moss and slippery "slime" every few months....

 

[al78]

And if you live in a rainy area, once your decking is in position, be prepared to remove moss and slippery "slime" every few months....

The decking isn't going to be used for its intended purpose. I am building a large planter for the community allotment, and 2.4 m decking planks happen to be the perfect size. I have been cutting four of them in half to make the short sides.

I have now managed to do all the sawing I need. Leaving the wood out in the sun for a few hours did mostly dry it, and a couple of the planks were easy to saw. There was one where the saw kept binding when I was half way through, but with persistence eventually got it cut.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Chopsaw.