How to cut through a christmas tree with a hand tool?

[Yves]

Hi all,

I recently found a thrown out Christmas tree. I stripped off most of the branches and then cut off the top. I'd like to cut this trunk up into 1/2 inch slices and make coasters. However, my hacksaw is having a very difficult time going through the wood. The sap and the not-so-dry wood makes it difficult. What would you recommend in my case and how would you do it?

I'd get power tools, but I'm renting and can't turn my apartment into a work-shop.

[Jimmyq]

A decent pruning saw and a can of WD40. I worked at a Christmas tree lot for over 20 years, the last 4 or 5 I had a Silky Zubat 330 on my hip, the same saw I carry today when pruning trees etc. Not a cheap saw but IMHO worth every penny when you need a good saw.

Edit: Of course that saw is way overkill to make a handful of coasters, any decent japanese style blade (no kerf, cuts on the pull stroke not the push) will do fine for you. The WD40 will help it get through the sappy stuff better.

[hunter63]

Any good wood cross cut hand saw will work....Plus 1 on the wd-40
Hack saws are generally for metal/plastic.

A miter box/saw will help you keep it square.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...39&cagpspn=pla

How to use:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLbybZj928k

[crashdive123]

Yep - what they said. Your hacksaw is not designed for the task at hand. Right tool for the job and all that.

[randyt]

there may be a wood cutting blade available that fits a hacksaw frame.

[mwp]

Try to get a battery powered sawzall from pawn shop and get a blade for it used for pt wood. It has large teeth like a bow saw. Works great, fast too. You can sometimes get them from 30-50 bucks

[jsonlong]

How about letting it dry first?

[MiddleWolf]

How about letting it dry first?

I was thinking the same thing. I would let it dry for a while before cutting so the whole bulk of the tree can help to avoid splitting which it may do anyway.

[karatediver]

I've always used firearms to cut down Christmas trees. Probably not a good choice for making coasters.