How to Quarter Saw
Select a type of wood that is suitable for quarter sawing., Determine what size log is needed to yield the right size of boards., Look at the characteristics of the log to tell if it is going to produce good quarter sawn lumber., Cut the log into...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Select a type of wood that is suitable for quarter sawing.
Oak is probably the most popular quarter sawn timber.
The ray flecks that oak reveals when it is quarter sawn are spectacular.
Maple is another wood that displays an attractive appearance when it is quarter sawn. -
Step 2: Determine what size log is needed to yield the right size of boards.
A 12-inch (30 cm) log will give you only a 4- to 5-inch (10 to
12.5 cm) sawn board at the widest. , The bark should be straight so the medullary rays are running straight to the middle of the tree from the outside.
These rays are the ribbons that extend vertically through the tree perpendicular to the growth rings and which appear shiny.
The rays at the end of the log should appear to be in a spoke-like pattern from the center.
The longer and thicker they are, the more chance you have of hitting them when you saw. ,, Split out the pith (the soft spongy part located in the center of the log).
If possible, remove the sapwood, which is the outer, lighter-colored wood.
This is the part of the tree where water and sap flows.
It contains moisture and will shrink when it dries.
It also is more susceptible to fungus. ,,, When you quarter saw, the saw actually splits the medullary ray.
A quarter sawn board shows the annual rings mostly at right angles to the surface of the board, whereas a plain sawn board has rings aligned to the surface. -
Step 3: Look at the characteristics of the log to tell if it is going to produce good quarter sawn lumber.
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Step 4: Cut the log into quarters.
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Step 5: Remove the portions of the log that are not good for woodworking.
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Step 6: Run one side of each quarter over a jointer to get it flat and smooth.
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Step 7: Place each quartered section on the saw carriage
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Step 8: which holds the log while it is being sawn
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Step 9: so that the annual rings of growth are between 75 and 90 degrees to the face of the resulting boards.
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Step 10: Saw the quarters so that the rays are perpendicular to the face of the board.
Detailed Guide
Oak is probably the most popular quarter sawn timber.
The ray flecks that oak reveals when it is quarter sawn are spectacular.
Maple is another wood that displays an attractive appearance when it is quarter sawn.
A 12-inch (30 cm) log will give you only a 4- to 5-inch (10 to
12.5 cm) sawn board at the widest. , The bark should be straight so the medullary rays are running straight to the middle of the tree from the outside.
These rays are the ribbons that extend vertically through the tree perpendicular to the growth rings and which appear shiny.
The rays at the end of the log should appear to be in a spoke-like pattern from the center.
The longer and thicker they are, the more chance you have of hitting them when you saw. ,, Split out the pith (the soft spongy part located in the center of the log).
If possible, remove the sapwood, which is the outer, lighter-colored wood.
This is the part of the tree where water and sap flows.
It contains moisture and will shrink when it dries.
It also is more susceptible to fungus. ,,, When you quarter saw, the saw actually splits the medullary ray.
A quarter sawn board shows the annual rings mostly at right angles to the surface of the board, whereas a plain sawn board has rings aligned to the surface.
About the Author
Andrea James
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow practical skills tutorials.
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