Which saw best for this job?

[theflyingpig]

I want to cut a deep rebate out of an old lump of oak.... It was originally part of a roof truss, but I want to reuse as a decorative lintel over an internal doorway (not one that will have a door hung in it)... The ceiling levels are different on either side of the opening - hence rebate.....

My first thought is to try with my chainsaw, but tbh I'm a bit scared! Any ideas as to best tool for the job? Should add that the surface of the oak is not level in either direction, so essentially I'm trying to cut into a log.....

 

[DAZB]

Create the shape of the rebate with a sharp bevel edge chisel and then use an auger or spade bit to drill out the majority of the waste and tidy it up again with a chisel and you won't go far wrong... and safer than a chainsaw if you are not confident with it.

 

[johnny2007]

Do you have any wood workshop around your area?
Or an horticultural company that could help.
Doing that with a chainsaw requires skills.

 

[Munroast]

what size is the lump of wood, (any pictures) and what size rebate?

 

[theflyingpig]

Here's a photo of the oak. It's approx 260 by 100. I'd need to rebate out approx 100 x 50

 

[Munroast]

as per

You could make the side you are working on level by fixing a plank to each side, then you could push it over a big table saw, cut a 2 inch slit 50mm deep 80 mm from each side then another dozen slits between those then chisel it out . Get someone who knows what they are doing as it could mean removing the rip fence which is a very dangerous thing to do (probably not quite as dangerous as the chain saw method)

Not sure which side I would cut the rebate out of. seems logical to cut the heartwood side out (the side facing upwards in your picture), but this may over time cause it to open up as the grain tries to straighten?

 

[theflyingpig]

That's a good idea as to how to get it level...
I'll update this post with progress, if any!

 

[^woody^]

The Azebiki Saw is a specialist type of japanese saws for cutting slots mid-board. But probably not worth buying for one job.

You're better off stitch drilling and finishing with a chisel.