Log Building Tools: Log Wizard, Curved Base Planer, RotoMax

Reader Contribution by Tracy Johnston
Published on February 8, 2012
1 / 6
2 / 6
3 / 6
4 / 6
5 / 6
6 / 6

In the last couple of entries, we’ve covered a range of hand tools used to peel and prep logs to use in log cabin building. This time, we’ll look at some mechanical or power methods to do this job. Once you get your logs peeled and prepped, we can move on to the next step in building.

If you are comfortable using a chainsaw, then the attachment called a Log Wizard may become your best friend. This is a planer head type of attachment that fits on about any gas powered saw (m
id range is best). The idea is that the chain moving around the bar is not used for cutting wood but rather it is used to spin the planer head that is bolted to the end of your chainsaw bar. The two planer blades then chew through the bark and take the place of the peeling spud and drawknife . The end result is a cleanly peeled log that, depending on how you use the Log Wizard (i.e. the length of your strokes and the pressure applied), can look like it was peeled with a drawknife, adz, or a planer. 

You don’t have to stop at peeling logs with the Log Wizard. It can do rough notching and shaping of logs. If you want to make a pointy end on fence posts, this tool can do this rough shaping quickly. If your project requires notches that don’t need to be really precise, the Log Wizard can make them fast. If you have a portable lumber mill to make your own boards or beams for building, use the Log Wizard before you start milling to remove the dirty, gritty bark from your logs. This will prevent damaging your expensive milling blades. If you damage the blades on the Log Wizard, you can re-sharpen them or replace them at a low cost

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368