How to cut a Pine post set in the ground?

Question

I have a some 200mm-225mm diameter treated pine posts that have been set in the ground.  I now realise I need to reduce the height of them by cutting the tops off them.

Are there any saw Jigs or saw guides available to enable accurate cross cutting of a post like this to get a nice square cut ?

I have a reciprocating saw, 235mm Circular saw, Chain Saw and or course hand saw available .

I realise I will need to treat the cut top of the posts with Ecoseal Tanalised Timber preservative after cutting them.  Can you buy that preservative in brush on rather than the spray can ?

Thanks in advance.

MitchellMc · Answer

A jig for a round pole should work in a similar fashion @rob-4x4. Just create it slightly too small for the pole. When you tighten up the screws connecting the pieces of the jig, it will self-clamp onto the pole.

Regarding your question on the treatment, I'm only aware of it in a spray form. However, it goes quite far and you should be able to seal dozens of posts tops with one can.

Mitchell

rob-4x4 · Answer

Thanks for that .. Yes I should have made it clear it is a round pole.  A square post is easy to make up a jig and cut !

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @rob-4x4,

I'm assuming these are round poles as opposed to square posts.

Unfortunately, I can't say I am aware of any premade jigs that you could use for this purpose, however it wouldn't be too difficult to make a quick jig from some scrap timber or one of these

https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-70-x-35mm-0-9m-short-pine-run-of-mill_p0138142

.

Essentially, you'd just create a square, so that the inside measurement of the square is equal to the diameter of the post, ie 200-225mm. You can then slip the jig in place and either temporarily screw it in place or use some long clamps to solidly clamp it to the pole, checking for height and level.

Depending on what you feel most comfortable doing, you could then use your chainsaw and run it over the top of the jig, or grab a long reciprocating saw blade and use that, or just cut it with a hand saw.

As long as the jig is clamped or screwed in place solidly and you ensure the blade of your saw is sitting on both the front and back piece of the jig, then you should end up with a nice consistent, repeatable cut.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob