Electric poles ... ideas to split them?

[blueriver]

I gathered the used poles that the electric company left after they replaced them with new.

I want to cut them in half lengths ... that will give me about 18' long poles. The lower ends are huge and I am thinking about splitting them length ways.

Any thoughts? I'm thinking if I snap a line and then use the chainsaw... what ya'll think?

 

[sweettractors]

I gathered the used poles that the electric company left after they replaced them with new.

I want to cut them in half lengths ... that will give me about 18' long poles. The lower ends are huge and I am thinking about splitting them length ways.

Any thoughts? I'm thinking if I snap a line and then use the chainsaw... what ya'll think?

Be careful, they could very well be treated with creosote and you don't want that on you. I have cut them into with a chainsaw and the the cresote is hard on the chain. Ken Sweet

 

[mbohuntr]

I made a split rail fence by taking an axe to the end and starting a crack, then driving steel wedges in the crack every couple of feet. Drive in a block in the end as soon as it's wide enough to spread the halves.

 

[keegs]

I used cut down utility poles for the pilngs that support my front porch. They're sunk down about 6 feet below grade. I'm pretty sure they'll outlast me. :thumbsup:

 

[ayelvington]

We usually use drunk drivers to split telephone poles around here, but they tend to make sloppy cuts... (I know, bad taste...)

 

[Travelover]

We usually use drunk drivers to split telephone poles around here..........

We use lightning here........

 

[czechsonofagun]

We usually use drunk drivers to split telephone poles around here, but they tend to make sloppy cuts... (I know, bad taste...)

:thumbsup:

 

[marimus]

Chainsaw is no problem. Use no longer than an 18" bar, a skip tooth chain helps in clearing the sawdust. Start the cut with the bar angled so you cut about 1/2 way through as you work down the length, then roll it over and do the same from the other side.

You can't do it in 1 go, its miles too slow. That said, you will need a fairly decent chainsaw unless you're patient. :thumbsup:

 

[The Haymaker]

YouTube - Black Powder Log Splitting

 

[LD1]

What are you using them for?

I used them to build my pole barn and Just dug bigger holes to accomodate the larger poles.

 

[sweettractors]

My next door neighbor passed away about 5 years ago in his late fifties with a cancer in the private parts. He said the Dr told him it was caused by some sort of chemical contact and suggested creosote as a possibility. My neighbor told me that many years earlier they had constructed a barn from creosote poles and he would straddle them to saw and work with them to make them fit. He went to his grave thinking that is where his "chemical exposure" came from. Be careful. Ken Sweet

 

[LD1]

I also may point out that some of the newer poles aren't treated with creosote. The ones with the green tint are NOT creosote.

 

[sweettractors]

I also may point out that some of the newer poles aren't treated with creosote. The ones with the green tint are NOT creosote.

That is the case around here as well, however, The utility companies are replacing old poles that are creosote. Ken Sweet

 

[tallyho8]

A man in Mississippi who we knew bought many of the creosote pilings from the old bridge when they built a new train trestle across Lake Pontchartrain.

He had a small sawmill that he used to cut the pilings up into lumber to sell. He used to get covered in the sawdust as he cut the pilings. He was dead of cancer within 5 years.

 

[turnkey4099]

I made a split rail fence by taking an axe to the end and starting a crack, then driving steel wedges in the crack every couple of feet. Drive in a block in the end as soon as it's wide enough to spread the halves.

Yep. I have split posts/rails from black locust. Start a wedge in the end and 'chase the crack' down the pole. They should split easily but you need a minimum of 3 wedges.

Chainsaw? Will work but it is slow, hard work.

Harry K

 

[blueriver]

What are you using them for?

I used them to build my pole barn and Just dug bigger holes to accomodate the larger poles.

Pole barn ... I am wanting the one side to be flat to recieve the plates and the purlins better.

I ripped 3 yesterday with my Sthil Farm Boss ... a job no doubt. Am planning to try the wedge deal today.

I goggled creoste ... quote "Wood creosote has been used as a disinfectant, a laxative, and a cough treatment" Maybe that caused the cancer in some folks.

Either way ... I tryed to be careful, had on long pants, long sleeves, gloves, goggles and I wore a face filter mask ... non of this would have concerned me before ya'll talked about the cancer. Thanks for the tips.

 

[smstonypoint]

Pole barn ... I am wanting the one side to be flat to recieve the plates and the purlins better.

What about just notching for the plates/purlins? It seems to me that you could do that with a circular saw and a chisel.

Steve

 

[tglass]

Thought creosote poles were outlawed years ago, but looking outside at the power pole just put up it looks like creosote. Maybe it's made from something else. I'll have to smell it in the morning. If that is the case it seems like putting harm in harms way.

 

[blueriver]

I get to many projects going!!

Anyway I ended up taking them to the sawmill ... had 12 and came back with 24 !!!! Cost me 90 bucks and they are nice... now to get started on the barn!!