Are you about to start a building project? Perhaps a new fence or deck?
If so, there’s a good chance you’ll need to cut a 6×6 post. Because 6×6 posts are quite a large pieces of timber, they can be difficult to cut. That said, there are several tried and tested ways of getting the job done and that is exactly what we will be going over today.
How to Cut a 6×6 Post: 4 Best Ways
There are a lot of different ways you could cut your 6×6 post, and some are better than others. However, unless you are a professional, you probably have access to one or maybe two tools that could do the job. Below, we’ve listed some of the best tools and techniques to cut your timber.
#1: Miter Saw
A miter saw is a type of circular saw that could be used to cut a 6×6. The main components of a miter saw are the base, the arm, the fence, and the blade.
The miter saw’s base spins to different positions, meaning that pieces of wood can be cut at different angles. However, in this example, the miter saw should be locked at 90 degrees from the fence, which gives a straight cut.
To cut a 6×6 post on a miter saw, you need to mark the timber at the length you need. Then, using a square and a pencil, draw a line all around the 6×6. Place the timber onto the saw and align the pencil mark with the blade.
You want to make sure the kerf of the blade cuts to the waste side of the line. This will prevent the timber from getting cut too short.
For extra safety and ease, create a stand for the timber, so it’s completely supported along its length. Otherwise, you’ll have to keep the 6×6 pressed down whilst cutting, which is dangerous and less accurate.
With the timber in position, and with your PPE on, it’s time to cut.
Start the blade up when it’s not in contact with the wood, then slowly bring it down to cut. On larger pieces of timber, some people prefer to take the cut in stages, starting at the front, pushing the saw to the back, lifting away, then repeating at a deeper depth. If the miter saw is big enough, you can continue this process all the way through the timber.
However, if the miter saw is not large enough to cut the 6×6 in one pass, you will have to do another step. Once the saw has bottomed out and can’t cut any further, lift the blade away and wait for it to stop rotating. Spin the timber so the face that was pointing down is now up. Align the pencil to the blade and cut from this side.
If your miter saw is unable to cut through the timber from this second side, spin the 6×6 again so a third face is upwards and repeat.
In a separate article, I wrote about what size miter saw is the best for cutting 6×6 posts.
#2: Table Saw
A table saw, like the tool we covered previously, is another form of circular saw. The majority of the blade is mounted beneath a table, with a varying amount protruding through the upper face. The timber is cut by placing it onto the table bed and pushing it through the blade. This may sound simple, but there are a few important steps to follow to make sure you are accurate and safe.
To cut a 6×6 post on a table saw, mark the length you need on the wood with a pencil and then transfer this to all faces, using a square. On larger table saws that have a crosscut fence with measurements, now is the time to secure the stop at the length you want your timber.
Never put your fingers near the blade. If your piece is too small to cut without having fingers near the blade use a different tool or see if you can hold the piece onto the bed with clamps. You must also make sure that the piece is completely supported along its length. If the timber starts to drop whilst it’s getting passed through the blade, there is a serious danger of the wood kicking back. Kick-back can be a major safety hazard.
To cut the 6×6 on a table saw, make sure you are wearing the correct PPE. Next, whilst pressing the timber square against the cross-cut fence, align the timber to the blade, but give yourself 3-4mm extra. Now start the table saw, making sure the wood is not in contact with it. Now, make a pass of the timber, gradually making more and more cuts, shifting the 6×6 along until you hit the pencil mark.
If the table saw is big enough, it will cut the timber from one face. However, if the blade is not big enough on the table saw, rotate the timber so another face is pointing upward.
#3: Chainsaw
Chainsaws are extremely useful tools. In general, people think of chainsaws as rougher tools, often used in earlier stages of processing wood. However, in the right hands, a chainsaw can be extremely accurate and even delicate.
To cut a 6×6 post with a chainsaw, first, mark out the timber at the desired length, then square it all around.
Before you cut the 6×6 at the length you want, do a few practice cuts. See how square you can cut the timber if you angle the blade in a particular direction, and how much you stray from the line. On the next practice cut, counteract this until you get a straight, square cut.
#4: Hand Cut
Cutting a piece of 6×6 by hand is not the most time-efficient method for processing the timber and for most people, it’s not the most accurate either. However, if you can cut a piece of 6×6 straight and square by hand, any other method aided by machinery will be easier.
To hand-cut a 6×6 post, mark the length with a sharp pencil. Then, using a square and a marking knife, score the timber on all sides, making sure the lines meet up. Score the timber a few times, ensuring the cut goes deep through the grain.
The type of saw you cut the 6×6 with will depend on your personal preference. Some people prefer Japanese pull saws, others more Western designs. No matter what type of saw you use, for timber of this size, the saw must be spineless, otherwise, it won’t cut the entire depth.
Place your saw onto the knife line, so the kerf is on the waste side. Then, with the hand that isn’t holding the saw, use the nails on your index and pointer fingers as a guide. To explain this further, put the nails on the outer edge of the knife mark, so the saw runs alongside it. Be careful that the saw doesn’t cut into your finger. Gently push and pull the saw to create an incision. Repeat this on every side of the timber.
Before you cut the timber exactly to length, it’s a good idea to do a couple of practice cuts first. Let the saw do the work and don’t push too hard. Keep your wrist, hand, and elbow locked in position, and try to cut without rotating. Continue cutting until you cut through the entire 6×6. Take your time and if you stray from the line try to rotate the wrist slightly to bring it back into position.
What Is the Best Way to Cut a 6×6 Post?
There are a lot of different ways to cut a 6×6 post. The best way to cut a 6×6 post will depend on the tools you are most used to. Alongside the tools discussed above, you could also use these tools:
- Circular saw
- Reciprocating saw
- Band Saw
- Axe
However, for most people, a miter saw is the best way to cut a 6×6 post. It creates a straight cut that is easy to replicate safely.
Mistakes to Avoid, Tips & Tricks
In this section, we’ll outline some of the tips, tricks, and mistakes to be aware of to improve your cutting:
- Waste Side and Saw Kerf: A saw blade is usually between 2mm and 4mm thick. This means that if you cut on the wrong side of your pencil or knife line, the timber could be 2-4mm too short.
- Face Side and Face Edge: When marking the timber with a square, traditionally, a face side and face edge are marked. The remainder of the timber is marked with the square from the face side and edge.
Summary
Cutting a 6×6 post doesn’t have to be a difficult process. In fact, modern tools make the job very straightforward if you know how to use them. The most important part of cutting timber is safety, no matter what method you use. If you can use tools safely, you can keep practicing until you have a perfect cut every time.
In case you also need to cut larger timbers, check my post about how to cut 8x8s.