A circular saw is the most widely used method for cutting sleepers at home. The most accurate method for cutting larger sleeper quantities, you will find in most instances that the blade is not deep enough to cut through the depth in one pass. Instead, the sleeper will need to be rotated and cut in sections.
Sleepers are best constructed on a firm and level surface such as soil, grass, decking or concrete you should still use a spirit level to ensure the surface is as level as possible. Depending on your project, you may wish to use sand, cement or offcuts to level things out. For retaining walls and steps, it’s also worth using a string line to check your levelling.
Due to their large scale, if you are cutting a lot of sleepers in one go, then using a hand saw is not the best option as you will tire quickly and there is a high risk of injury and inaccuracy. The best type of mitre saw for cutting sleepers is a sliding mitre saw. Best Circular Saw – Bosch Professional Hand Held Circular Saw 240 V, Saw Blade 190 mm, 1400 W. We talked earlier about the importance of having a large cutting depth when using a circular saw for cutting sleepers and that’s exactly what you get with this product.
In. How To Outdoors Sleepers 7 Mins Read. Sleepers are getting more and more common, particularly softwood sleepers for raised beds or steps in the garden. A circular saw will not cut all the way through so you will have to flip the sleeper onto each side, even then you will still probably have to finish it off with a handsaw. Below is the saw I use myself and indeed the saw I used when cutting this sleeper.
I’m concerned with the number of people recommending a chainsaw, circular saw or chop saw. The nature of a blade thats spinning upwards means that when a kickback occurs, the saw is going to come back towards you and turn so the blade is facing you(legs,arm,stomach). Yes thats a way of doing it, but oak is a hard timber, and the saw blade, especially at full depth will have difficulty.
I found this thread when I was searching the internet for a way to cut through reclaimed oak sleepers Now I have finished the job I can comment…. So the options are.1. Stihl saw with ripper blade – expensive! And also dangerous/noisy. It takes a few minutes to get through each one but they are by far the most economical way of doing the job and you can get a very accurate cut if you mark out right.
circular saw for cutting sleepers Related Question:
What is the best way to cut railway sleepers?
Cut your sleepers with a circular saw or a chainsaw by slowly making clean, straight cuts. Use a square angle ruler to make sure your sleepers will fit perfectly. Alternatively you can ask for sleepers to be precut which The Luxury Wood Company is happy to do.
Can you use a chop saw to cut sleepers?
There aren’t many chop saws that’ll cut 100mm safely (if that’s the depth). I think for 100mm depth, you’re stuck with a hand saw and elbow grease I’m afraid. I used an Alligator saw when I had to cut a number of railway sleepers. It provided the neatest cut and managed it just fine.
How do I fix sleepers to the ground?
Cut your sleepers to your required length, which could be random for a rustic look. Then mix up some lean mortar, such as 6:1, to be used as a concrete base and haunching. Place at least a 50mm bed of concrete in the bottom of the trench and start inserting the sleepers, haunching them up as you go.
Can a circular saw cut 100mm?
The MAKITA HS0600 240v Circular saw – 270mm blade has the following features: 2000 Watt. No load speed: 4300rpm. Depth of cut: 100mm.
What is an alligator saw used for?
An alligator saw works with the use of a two durable saw blades that move in opposite directions, giving you accurate straight cuts and great control when cutting through construction materials such as timber, aerated concrete, hollow clay blocks and insulation.
How do I join sleepers on top of each other?
If you are stacking the sleepers horizontally on their broadest side, e.g. on the 250mm width of a 250mm x 125mm sleeper, then all you need to do is to overlap the joints of the sleepers, from layer to layer, like building a brick wall, and fasten each layer to the layer below with timber lock screws or similar.
Can you lay sleepers on soil?
Can you lay railway sleepers on soil? Yes you can. If you’re only creating a structure that’s one or two sleepers in height you don’t necessarily need foundations, which means you can lay your railway sleepers onto the soil.
How do you prevent sleepers from rotting?
To preserve the sleepers further, we would recommend treating them with an exterior wood oil or decking oil, ideally twice a year in Spring and Autumn. This will help to repel water and prevent water ingress, the main cause of wood rot.
What saw to use to cut sleepers?
A circular saw is the most widely used method for cutting sleepers at home. The most accurate method for cutting larger sleeper quantities, you will find in most instances that the blade is not deep enough to cut through the depth in one pass. Instead, the sleeper will need to be rotated and cut in sections.
Do sleepers need foundations?
The most important thing is that the railway sleepers are laid on a surface that is level and firm. Perfectionists and Engineers will do this on a foundation of concrete, but more mortal people will often simply use gravel or hardcore or sand or even the soil itself if it is solid.
Can you use decking oil on sleepers?
Oils. Protect new and old wooden railway sleepers from mould and rot with decking oils. These allow the sleepers to naturally age to a beautiful colour, whilst keeping them protected from the elements.
What is a scorpion saw?
The versatile Scorpion® Saw combines a reciprocating saw, pruner and jigsaw in one. With Autoselect® technology, it automatically adjusts the settings at the push of a button, delivering hassle-free versatility and powerful cutting through timber, metals and plastics.
How deep can a 5.5 circular saw cut?
It turns out that it’s a simple question but very essential when you are going to do a project using this kind of saw. To sum up, a standard circular saw can offer a cutting depth of 2.5 inches as the maximum, but you can adjust the depth to match your requirements.
How shallow can a circular saw cut?
Circular saws turn corners about as well as a freight train, and standard models will cut only about 2 1/2 inches deep. There are ways around the shallow cut—for example, you can flip over a 4×4 and cut from two sides—but the curve limitation has no work-arounds.
Will a 4.5 inch circular saw cut a 2×4?
The new WORXSAW Compact Circular Saw is capable of cutting a 2×4 in a single pass. The compact circular saw features a 4-1/2 in. blade that is up to 50 percent lighter than a full-size 7-1/4 in.
