The most common tool used for cutting railway sleepers is a chainsaw or a circular saw, although other saws such as reciprocating saws may also be suitable depending on the user's experience level.
There are many ways to cut sleepers, but we recommend using a circular saw for accuracy, precision and speed.
A good handsaw is probably going to be best for you. You could knock up a giant mitre box quite simply and quickly to help with your accuracy - you could even use the sawn ends of other sleepers as a guide assuming they're square of course.
You should not cut roots or anything that's embedded in the dirt with a chainsaw. Cutting in dirt dulls the chainsaw very fast, so you will need to learn to sharpen your saw, send it to a professional for sharpening, or replace it afterwards if you do so. You should also avoid cutting power lines.
Skillsaw works very well for cutting them, just cut from both sides. Can even cut old railway sleepers with it but that's a bit hard on the blade.
The most common tool used for cutting railway sleepers is a chainsaw or a circular saw, although other saws such as reciprocating saws may also be suitable depending on the user's experience level.
For the first 100 years railway sleepers were normally made from Wood. Most countries tended to use whatever timber they had lots of. So the UK used Pine, France used Oak, Germany often used Beech, Australia used Jarrah, Africa used Azobe & other tropical hardwoods, and Russia used Pine.
It may come as an eye-opener to some. But wet wood is actually much easier to cut than dry wood. With dry wood lacking moisture content, more friction is created as the chainsaw chain comes into contact with the wood fibers. This friction results in the chain slowing down.
Do not operate a chainsaw above shoulder height or above ground level, such as in a tree or off a ladder, unless qualified and experienced to do so. Always have someone within calling distance - never work alone while using a chainsaw. Never operate your chainsaw under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
To fix railway sleepers to the ground, use spikes or screws designed for outdoor use to ensure they remain stable over time. For raised beds or structures requiring multiple layers of sleepers, stack them securely and fasten each layer together with landscaping screws.
The most common LENGTH for railway sleepers in the world is about 2.6 metres or 8ft 6" long. The most common WIDTH for a railway sleeper is 250mm or 10". The most common THICKNESS of railway sleepers is 125mm & 150mm.
Wood Preserver
However, to help nourish and protect the timber from decay it is a good idea to apply a wood preservative. Wood preservative treatments provide garden sleepers with protective properties that help prevent rot, mould and fungal growth, as well as help to form a defence against the elements.
A circular saw is the best method for cutting railway sleepers, although a hand saw can be used for softwood sleepers. However a circular saw blade may not completely cut through the thickness of a sleeper in one pass - cut through one side, then turn the sleeper over and recut to finish the job.
When fixing railway sleepers together, use steel landscaping screws as they are strong, won't corrode if they come into contact with timber treatment, and are available up to 250mm in length. With a hexagonal head they can be put in place using a power drill.
What product(s) should I use to protect my railway sleepers? To allow railway sleepers to turn grey or silver over time, whilst protecting them from the elements, we recommend using a clear wood oil or decking oil which doesn't contain any UV filters.
This may be caused by one of the following issues: The chain is dull or damaged; make sure that the chain is correctly sharpened. If you need to replace the chainsaw chain, use the correct one. The filing is incorrect; make sure that you use the right file when sharpening the chainsaw chain.
This is most commonly a result of a dull chain and too much pressure on the bar and chain when trying to make the chainsaw cut. This could also be due to a lack of bar and chain oil (empty tank, restricted oil hole) or an inferior type of oil that is being slung off the chain and has no lubricating effect.
Contact with other objects
Any metal scraps or nails embedded in the tree you are felling could damage your chainsaw chain. Your chainsaw is not suitable for cutting metal objects, so if it comes into contact with any nails or scraps, your chainsaw chain could become dull.
Chamfer Chisel Chains
A Chamfer Chisel Chain is similar to the semi-chisel chain design but has a small 45 degree chamfer between the plates rather than a radius. The purpose of the chamfer chainsaw chain cutters is that specifically is designed for you to cut both hard dry wood and green timber.
Take regular breaks to allow the engine to cool down and prevent overheating. When not in use, store your chainsaw in a cool, shaded area to prevent the engine and fuel from overheating. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or in a hot vehicle.
When placed in the ground, sleepers are in constant contact with soil, which holds moisture. Without proper protection, this dampness can lead to the wood rotting, especially in areas with heavy rainfall. The UK's unpredictable weather doesn't help either!
The most common WIDTH for a railway sleeper is 250mm or 10". We have other railway sleeper sizes as well such as 200mm or 300mm, or 8" / 12". The most common THICKNESS of railway sleepers is 125mm & 150mm.
You will find many types of railway sleepers, which include hardwood/oak sleepers, softwood sleepers and reclaimed sleepers.