Tools of the Trade and the many ways to peel a log

Home > Learning Center > Tools of the Trade and the many ways to peel a log

Tools of the Trade and the many ways to peel a log

Here are just a few of the many tools used in log home building.

Timber tote, used in moving smaller logs

If you're going to be doing any building with logs you will find out very quickly that some specialty tools can make the job much easier. In this issue we will focus on de-barking tools, log scribers and peaveys.

Scribers are used to transfer the shape of one log to another. This tool is indispensable when building a scribe-fit (chinkless) home. The double bubble or bulls-eye level attached to the scriber allows you to accurately transfer the irregularities of the lower log go the one above with a scriber pencil. By cutting your scribed lines you can ensure that the logs will fit together tightly. Also used by boat builders and trim carpenters to transfer unusual shapes to the board they're working with.

A peavey is used to roll and position logs. It allows you to grasp logs of a wide range of diameters and move them. Trying to maneuver logs without such a tool can be extremely strenuous.

The many ways to peel a log

Transforming a pile of raw logs covered with bark into material that is ready to scribe, cut, and stack can be approached several ways. Your choice will be based on how much time you have, how you want the end result to look, and when the wood was cut.
The most common method is to use a peeling spud and drawknife combination. A peeling spud is a tool that removes the bulk of the bark by prying it off. This works best on non-winter cut wood. In log building, a peeling spud is used to knock off the majority of a log's bark. Although many professional log peelers use only a drawknife and a chainsaw and/or grinder for knots, using this tool before you begin to use the drawknife will save you time and energy in the long run and save sharpening time on your drawknife

A drawknife is then used to finish the job before the log is ready to cut. Drawknives come in a wide range of sizes. Several different handle angles are also available because, to date, no one handle-to-blade angle has been satisfactory for all people. Overall weight of the drawknife can be a consideration for many people. Professional log peelers, (yes, there is such a profession and more physically fit group of folks would be hard to find), lean toward heavier drawknives. Some prefer the Montana Pro, (shown on right), which has a planer blade for the cutting edge and holds a sharp edge longer than other knives; while others prefer the hand forged Barr drawknife which is easier to sharpen and has a large following of devotees. Yet others lean toward a curved blade with the handles almost in-line with the blade, such as the Gransfors Bruks.
We carry very small carver’s drawknives with a 4” blade; 3 mid-weight drop forged drawknives for small poles, furniture or railing stock and smaller house logs; and 3 heavy weight sizes for peeling house logs. You'll find pictures and description for our many drawknives HERE.
By using a chainsaw and/or grinder to smooth the knots before you begin peeling, you can go over those areas with your drawknife for a more consistent look and you'll minimize the chance of "nicking" your blade on the hard knot wood or a piece of gravel or grit that often gets imbedded around the knot..
If you experience tearing or jagged edges while peeling, try peeling in the other direction. Often you have to peel toward knots. Additionally, keep your blade sharp.
Many people want to leave some of the inner bark on for a more “rustic” look. (This is often what is meant by "skip peeled"). Before you do, consider that the bark can harbor insects which can start chewing into your logs; bark can also act like a sponge, holding moisture in contact with your logs; and it can eventually curl up and fall off, taking with it any stain/finish you’ve applied and leaving your logs unprotected in those areas. You’ll probably be fine in a dry, non-buggy area but think twice about leaving bark on in a moist/humid area where wood boring insects abound.

If you prefer the look of Appalachian style square hand hewn log homes, try using an adze or broadaxe.
Adzes are available with both flat and curved blades as well as short and log handles. Short handled adzes are used with either one or two hands with the wood you're working on located between knee and waist height. Long handles are often used when "straddling" your work on the ground, or close to the ground. In effect, you swing the adze between your legs. Some builders consider an adze the finishing tool to the broad axe. Others use it on it's own.
Broad axes are similar in look to an axe with an extra wide blade. Handles are most often of mid to full length and grasped with both hands. You generally work standing to one side of the log with the flat side of the broad axe to the wood. The log or beam can either be on the ground, or raised depending on how you're gripping the handle. (A full over the head swing or more of a short chopping motion). Broad axe handles can be left, right or on center. Blades can also have a variety of profiles.
We carry hand-forged broadaxes from Sweden that can be either beveled on the left or right and that come with a straight or angled handle. This truly authentic method will give you a new appreciation of the log homes of yesteryear.

A mechanical method to remove bark employs the Log Wizard. This tool bolts to the end of your chainsaw bar and is powered by your saw chain. The two blades rotate on a drum and make quick work of peeling. The end result is similar to a drawknife effect. This tool can also rough shape logs (rough notch, sharpen the ends for fence posts, etc.). For added safety we suggest using cutterless chain and a fairly short bar on your saw for added control.

Water peeling is possible for wood that was cut in the spring and leaves your logs beautifully smooth. In this method you are removing the bark and a layer of wood down to the next in-tact winter growth ring using a pressure washing unit. The winter "ring" is incredibly hard compared to the growth area between the rings and some high-end builders prefer this method for that result. Conversely, it's more difficult to get a penetrating finish to "take" properly. The water pressure should be 500-1000 psi if you are using a regular nozzle and 2000-4000 + psi if you are using a RotoMax nozzle that sends out a rotating circular spray of water instead of a concentrated blast. This is easier on the wood and is faster by far compared to using low pressure and a standard nozzle..
Pressure washing is more difficult to use if the logs have been heavily damaged by the logger because several layers of growth rings may have been damaged and it's difficult to get one smooth layer as you keep "blasting" into a deeper layer where ever there is damage to the log.. If you peel your logs this way keep in mind that any damages incurred in the building process will be very hard to hide.

http://www.aloghomestore.com/nl-toolsotrade.html

Cabin

Log

Rustic decor

Custom rustic

Lighting

Custom

Garden

Rustic Furniture

Where to buy

Contact Us

Links & Resources

Site Map

Custom rustic furniture | Rustic decor | Learning Center | Site Map | Links | Contact | Home

Copyright © 2008

Here are just a few of the many tools used in log home building.

Timber tote, used in moving smaller logs

If you're going to be doing any building with logs you will find out very quickly that some specialty tools can make the job much easier. In this issue we will focus on de-barking tools, log scribers and peaveys.

Scribers are used to transfer the shape of one log to another. This tool is indispensable when building a scribe-fit (chinkless) home. The double bubble or bulls-eye level attached to the scriber allows you to accurately transfer the irregularities of the lower log go the one above with a scriber pencil. By cutting your scribed lines you can ensure that the logs will fit together tightly. Also used by boat builders and trim carpenters to transfer unusual shapes to the board they're working with.

A peavey is used to roll and position logs. It allows you to grasp logs of a wide range of diameters and move them. Trying to maneuver logs without such a tool can be extremely strenuous.

The many ways to peel a log

Transforming a pile of raw logs covered with bark into material that is ready to scribe, cut, and stack can be approached several ways. Your choice will be based on how much time you have, how you want the end result to look, and when the wood was cut.
The most common method is to use a peeling spud and drawknife combination. A peeling spud is a tool that removes the bulk of the bark by prying it off. This works best on non-winter cut wood. In log building, a peeling spud is used to knock off the majority of a log's bark. Although many professional log peelers use only a drawknife and a chainsaw and/or grinder for knots, using this tool before you begin to use the drawknife will save you time and energy in the long run and save sharpening time on your drawknife

A drawknife is then used to finish the job before the log is ready to cut. Drawknives come in a wide range of sizes. Several different handle angles are also available because, to date, no one handle-to-blade angle has been satisfactory for all people. Overall weight of the drawknife can be a consideration for many people. Professional log peelers, (yes, there is such a profession and more physically fit group of folks would be hard to find), lean toward heavier drawknives. Some prefer the Montana Pro, (shown on right), which has a planer blade for the cutting edge and holds a sharp edge longer than other knives; while others prefer the hand forged Barr drawknife which is easier to sharpen and has a large following of devotees. Yet others lean toward a curved blade with the handles almost in-line with the blade, such as the Gransfors Bruks.
We carry very small carver’s drawknives with a 4” blade; 3 mid-weight drop forged drawknives for small poles, furniture or railing stock and smaller house logs; and 3 heavy weight sizes for peeling house logs. You'll find pictures and description for our many drawknives HERE.
By using a chainsaw and/or grinder to smooth the knots before you begin peeling, you can go over those areas with your drawknife for a more consistent look and you'll minimize the chance of "nicking" your blade on the hard knot wood or a piece of gravel or grit that often gets imbedded around the knot..
If you experience tearing or jagged edges while peeling, try peeling in the other direction. Often you have to peel toward knots. Additionally, keep your blade sharp.
Many people want to leave some of the inner bark on for a more “rustic” look. (This is often what is meant by "skip peeled"). Before you do, consider that the bark can harbor insects which can start chewing into your logs; bark can also act like a sponge, holding moisture in contact with your logs; and it can eventually curl up and fall off, taking with it any stain/finish you’ve applied and leaving your logs unprotected in those areas. You’ll probably be fine in a dry, non-buggy area but think twice about leaving bark on in a moist/humid area where wood boring insects abound.

If you prefer the look of Appalachian style square hand hewn log homes, try using an adze or broadaxe.
Adzes are available with both flat and curved blades as well as short and log handles. Short handled adzes are used with either one or two hands with the wood you're working on located between knee and waist height. Long handles are often used when "straddling" your work on the ground, or close to the ground. In effect, you swing the adze between your legs. Some builders consider an adze the finishing tool to the broad axe. Others use it on it's own.
Broad axes are similar in look to an axe with an extra wide blade. Handles are most often of mid to full length and grasped with both hands. You generally work standing to one side of the log with the flat side of the broad axe to the wood. The log or beam can either be on the ground, or raised depending on how you're gripping the handle. (A full over the head swing or more of a short chopping motion). Broad axe handles can be left, right or on center. Blades can also have a variety of profiles.
We carry hand-forged broadaxes from Sweden that can be either beveled on the left or right and that come with a straight or angled handle. This truly authentic method will give you a new appreciation of the log homes of yesteryear.

A mechanical method to remove bark employs the Log Wizard. This tool bolts to the end of your chainsaw bar and is powered by your saw chain. The two blades rotate on a drum and make quick work of peeling. The end result is similar to a drawknife effect. This tool can also rough shape logs (rough notch, sharpen the ends for fence posts, etc.). For added safety we suggest using cutterless chain and a fairly short bar on your saw for added control.

Water peeling is possible for wood that was cut in the spring and leaves your logs beautifully smooth. In this method you are removing the bark and a layer of wood down to the next in-tact winter growth ring using a pressure washing unit. The winter "ring" is incredibly hard compared to the growth area between the rings and some high-end builders prefer this method for that result. Conversely, it's more difficult to get a penetrating finish to "take" properly. The water pressure should be 500-1000 psi if you are using a regular nozzle and 2000-4000 + psi if you are using a RotoMax nozzle that sends out a rotating circular spray of water instead of a concentrated blast. This is easier on the wood and is faster by far compared to using low pressure and a standard nozzle..
Pressure washing is more difficult to use if the logs have been heavily damaged by the logger because several layers of growth rings may have been damaged and it's difficult to get one smooth layer as you keep "blasting" into a deeper layer where ever there is damage to the log.. If you peel your logs this way keep in mind that any damages incurred in the building process will be very hard to hide.

http://www.aloghomestore.com/nl-toolsotrade.html

Links & Resources

Site Map