DIY Log press

[judo]

i just purchased a log and drew out the plans for the handles. how far into the log are the handles supposed to go? i'm assuming that the handles are supposed to be in the middle of the log right?

andy

[tim_mcf]

Andy - I keep thinking I need to make one of these too. I stole the following from ontariostrongman.ca :

WOODEN LOG

Materials required:


Log

Pay a visit to your local lumber yard. Ask for a peeled log, about 10" - 13" in diameter and 5' - 6' long. You will usually be charged $2 - $3 per linear foot. Be warned - the log might seem far too heavy when it is green - but it will lose 60 - 70% of its weight as it dries.

Saw

Acquire a chainsaw that can do "plunge cuts"; i.e. has a lubricated sprocket at the end of the cutting arm, enabling cuts with the tip of the saw.

1" Spade drill bit, 12" long

1" pipe, at least 5' long (and a means to cut the pipe - hacksaw, reciprocating saw, pipe cutter)

hammer




My log, after a few years of use and abuse.



Find and mark the log's center of gravity, using a pivot.

Measure and mark 12" out from each side of the center.

Draw a box measuring at least 8" x 8", centered around your two marks and even with each other.

Using a plunge cut, cut out the holes. If you do not want the holes all the way through the log, you will have to cross-hatch your cuts and chip out the remaining wood with a hammer and chisel or hatchet. I thought that the structural integrity of the log might be somewhat compromised if the cutouts were to be punched right through the log, so I only went to a depth of about 85%.

Rotate the log 90 degrees. Drill two holes for the handles - 24" apart. If you have the 12" long bit, you can drill straight through without having to worry about lining up your holes on each end.

Also drill holes at least 6" deep in each end of the log.

Cut your pipe - you will need 2 x 12" handles (depending on the width of your log) and two 16"-18" weight loading bars for the ends. Hammer them into the holes you have drilled.

Slap several coats of deck sealer or stain or paint onto your log. After the paint has dried, wrap about 15' of ¼" rope, or 8' of ½" rope around each end and soak/seal with glue or resin. This should prevent splitting when the log is dropped.

[judo]

"Rotate the log 90 degrees. Drill two holes for the handles - 24" apart. If you have the 12" long bit, you can drill straight through without having to worry about lining up your holes on each end.

Cut your pipe - you will need 2 x 12" handles (depending on the width of your log) and two 16"-18" weight loading bars for the ends. Hammer them into the holes you have drilled. "

yeah, i have the same instuctions but how does the handles stay in place w/o slipping out of the holes?:confused:

[tim_mcf]

I think the thing is, you're drilling a hole that's the exact same diameter as the circumference of your pipe. It doesn't just slide in; you have to pound it in there. It's just such a snug fit that it stays.

On the other hand, I did once see a picture of someone's homemade log that looked like they split the end of the pipe and butterflied it a little, flaring out the ends. That would certainly hold it in place, but it seems like it would be hard to do.

There are links to forums on the ontariostrongman page - maybe one of them would have an answer to your question. If you find something, post the answer here, too, please.

[judo]

thanks tim. i do some more research on it.

i had in mind that making the pipe a little longer and threading at home depot or lowe's and adding a lock nut or use flanges to sucure the handles it there. i don;t know if it would work or not?

[tim_mcf]

Yeah, maybe - but you'd better countersink the lock nut unless you like ripping gashes in your chest. I would also be afraid that countersinking like that would reduce the amount of log holding the pipe, thereby making it less solid and more prone to blowing out on you.

[judo]

good point tim. i'll keep researching.

[judo]

we'll i did it. i bulit my own wooden log press. i followed the guideline from the ontariostrongman page and it workout fine. right now it weighs 170 and that's with all of the water in it. when it dries i suspect it will weigh around 50# or so. due to the drying out process.

[tim_mcf]

Post pics! How did you handle the handles?

[judo]

hey tim,

i mesured down about 4 1/2 inches from the outside of the holes and drill my main hole and then i slide a piece of smaller pipe through to line up the holes. once i got that i hammered in my pipe and what a tight fit. i've had a couple of suggestions to drill in an anchour to keep the pipe from sliding and turning when the log dries. i would post pics if i knew how.