How to Cut Wood Slices

Co-authored by Amber Crain

Last Updated: February 1, 2020 References

Wood slices are great for crafting, but purchasing them from your local hobby store can get pricey. If you are comfortable using a bandsaw or miter saw and you have access to fallen tree branches, you can cut your own wood slices at home. Use a chainsaw if you're cutting very large slices from tree trunks. Smooth the edges of each slice with a sanding block, then dry the slices in your oven before using them to make coasters, ornaments, table tops, and other fun crafts.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cutting Small Slices with a Bandsaw

1
Decide how thick you want your slices to be. If you are making wooden coasters, you may want your slices as thick as 0.5 inches (1.3 cm). If you’re making ornaments or other crafts, you might want slices closer to 0.125 inches (0.32 cm). Think about what thickness you need.
- When using a bandsaw to make thin, small slices from a tree branch, it's best to use a branch that is 6 inches (15 cm) or less in diameter. Different band saws have different capacities, however, so you may want to check the product manual first.^{[1]
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Create a guide with a piece of scrap wood and clamps. Locate a piece of flat scrap wood (such as a 2 x 4). Use your tape measure to determine how far from the blade you need your branch to be. Clamp the piece of wood onto your bandsaw at that distance. The flat edge of the wood will act as a guide for your wood slices.^{[2]
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- If you want your slices to be 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) thick, your branch needs to be 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) from the blade.
- If you are right-handed, clamp the guide onto the left side of your saw. If you are left-handed, clamp the guide onto the right side of your saw.
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3
Put on a dusk mask/respirator and protective goggles. Operating a saw and working around fine sawdust can be dangerous. Wear a dust mask or respirator to prevent yourself from breathing in the dust. Goggles will shield your eyes from dust and wood chips.^{[3]
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4
Make sure you have a firm grip on the tree branch. A tree branch is not flat or smooth, which can make it more difficult to cut. Be sure you have a very firm grasp on the branch before you begin cutting. Stop and readjust your grip as needed.^{[4]
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Locate all of the knots in the wood so you can avoid them. Sawing through a knot in the wood can be dangerous. Before you begin, evaluate the branch for knots. Skip over any places where knots are located. Do not attempt to saw through a knot.^{[5]
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- A knot is a circular area where the wood is condensed. Look for a circle shape that protrudes slightly from the branch.
6
Turn on the bandsaw and glide the branch into the blade. Hold your branch perpendicular to the blade, so that the top of the branch rests against your guide. Maintain a solid grip on the branch as you carefully slide it into the blade. Repeat this until you have enough slices.^{[6]
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- You can also use a miter saw for this project, which may allow you to make more precise cuts. It really just depends on what you have available and what you're comfortable operating. A bandsaw is typically easier to use for a novice because the blade is stationary.^{[7]
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- Always keep your fingers at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) away from the blade.
- Don't use your thumb to feed the wood into the blade. Grip and stabilize with both hands and feed it through. Don't push your fingers toward the blade, just feed the wood into the blade.^{[8]
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Put the slice aside and repeat, if desired. If you only want 1 slice, you're all done! If you want multiple slices, turn off the bandsaw, unclamp the wood, and put your first slice off to the side. Line up the branch the same way you did the first time to make a new slice and repeat the same actions.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cutting Large Slices with a Chainsaw

1
Wear thick gloves, long sleeves, and protective goggles. Operating a chainsaw can be dangerous, so it's important to be safe. Thick work gloves and a long-sleeved shirt will protect your hands and arms from flying wood chips and splinters. Goggles will protect your eyes, but if you're planning to cut a lot of slices, consider buying a helmet with a face screen.^{[9]
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- A dust mask can help prevent you from breathing in fine sawdust.
- Steel-toed boots are a wise choice for footwear.
2
Prop the end of the tree up at least 6 inches (15 cm) off the ground. You need the end propped up so that your chainsaw can slice through the wood cleanly without hitting the ground below. A scrap piece of wood works well for this. Work the scrap wood underneath the end of the tree where you plan to start making cuts.^{[10]
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- Large tree slices are typically used to create rustic table tops and pedestals. A chainsaw can cut through very large branches and trunks. For this project, you probably don't want to exceed 12 inches (30 cm) to 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter because you won't be able to dry the slices in the oven.
- If you have a kiln, you can make bigger slices.^{[11]
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3
Take note of the knots in the trunk so you can avoid them. Sawing through a knot in the wood can be dangerous. Before you start measuring and marking your slices, evaluate the tree trunk for knots in the surface. Avoid cutting slices where knots are located.^{[12]
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- A knot is a circular area where the wood is condensed. Look for a circle shape that protrudes slightly from the branch.
4
Measure and mark the tree where you want to make the cut. The thickness is up to you, but 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 2 inches (5.1 cm) is pretty typical for table tops. Measure the thickness with a tape measure. Mark the trunk in multiple places with a permanent marker so that you can line the saw blade up at those points.
- You can also try wrapping a piece of masking tape around the tree trunk and use that as your cutting guide.
5
Hold the chainsaw firmly with both hands and turn it on. Hold the saw 4 inches (10 cm) to 5 inches (13 cm) above the tree and line it up with the marks you made. Wrap your left thumb around the front handle of the saw's grip. Turn the saw on and slowly lower it down to the tree trunk.^{[13]
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- Wrapping your left thumb around the grip will allow you to keep the saw under control if you experience any kickback.
6
Glide the chainsaw blade through the wood slowly. Apply a small amount of pressure as you push downward through the tree trunk with the saw. Go slow and hold the chainsaw as firmly as possible so that your cut is clean and straight.
- You don't need to press down with a lot of force; let the blade do most of the work while you guide it.
7
Move the slice out of the way and repeat, if desired. If you only want 1 slice, turn off the chainsaw and you're done! If you want multiple slices, turn off the chainsaw and move the first slice out of the way. Measure and mark your new slice and repeat the same actions.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Sanding and Drying Your Slices

1
Use a wire or nylon brush around the edges of each slice. Brush around the edges where the bark is still attached to remove loose bark. Take care to remove all loose or broken pieces of bark from the edges of each slice.^{[14]
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Sand both flat sides of the slice if you want a smooth finish. For table tops, a relatively smooth finish is desirable. Use a sanding block to smooth away any rough and uneven areas on both sides of the slice. Once you're happy with the smoothness, brush away any sawdust clinging to the surface.^{[15]
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- Use a 120 to 220 grit sanding block for the smoothest finish.
3
Wipe down the slice thoroughly with a damp cloth. Lightly dampen a soft cloth with tap water. Use it to wipe the flat surfaces of the slices first, then run the damp cloth around the edges of each slice to remove any lingering sawdust and loose bark.^{[16]
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- Let the wood air-dry completely before proceeding. You are only using a dampened cloth to wipe the wood down, so it shouldn't take longer than 30 minutes to dry. Touch the surface with your fingers to test it before proceeding.
4
Preheat your oven to 250 °F (121 °C). Make sure nothing is inside your oven. Set the dial to 250 °F (121 °C) and wait 10 minutes for it to heat up.^{[17]
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Line your slices up on a foil-lined baking sheet. Tear off a sheet of regular aluminum foil and spread it over a baking sheet. Position your wood slices on the lined baking sheet so that none of them are touching.^{[18]
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- Depending on how many slices you made, you may need to do this in batches.
- If you are working with large slices that don't fit into an oven, you'll need to use a kiln instead.^{[19]
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Bake the slices in the oven for about 60 minutes. Once the oven is fully preheated, slide the baking sheet into the oven at the center of the main rack. Close the oven door. Baking your slices will dry the wood as well as make sure there are no critters still living inside.^{[20]
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- Drying the wood is necessary if you plan to paint your slices and/or seal them with a clear coat.

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Question

How do you prepare wood slices for crafts?

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For just about any kind of craft, you’ll need to sand and dry the slices first. If you’re making something simple, like coasters, you may only need to add a little clear varnish to finish off the slice. If you plan to paint on your slices, add a primer, such as acrylic polymer, to the untreated wood surface to keep your paint from soaking in.
Question

How do you dry wood slices without cracking them?

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Drying your wood slices in alcohol or another drying chemical, like polyethylene glycol, can prevent them from shrinking too quickly. This may reduce the stress that often causes cracks to form. Putting salt paste on the slice may also keep it from shrinking as much as it dries. Alternatively, try cutting a hole in the center of the slice, which will allow it to shrink more without as much stress.
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How do you make wood slices food safe?

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Thoroughly sand down the wood slice so you don’t risk getting any splinters in your food. Treat the wood with a food-grade butcher block or cutting board oil (these are mineral oil-based products). Pour the oil onto the wood and rub it in with a clean rag. You may need to apply 3-4 coats, allowing each coat to dry for about half an hour between treatments. If you want, you can finish it off with a coating of butcher block or cutting board wax, which will help prevent staining and keep the board watertight.

Things You’ll Need

Cutting Small Slices with a Bandsaw

Tree branch
Bandsaw or miter saw
Piece of scrap wood
Tape measure
Clamps
Safety goggles and dust mask

Cutting Large Slices with a Chainsaw

Large tree trunk
Piece of scrap wood
Chainsaw
Tape measure
Permanent marker or masking tape
Protective goggles or helmet with a face screen
Long-sleeved shirt
Thick work gloves
Steel-toed boots

Drying Slices

Sanding block
Damp cloth
Wire or nylon brush
Baking sheet
Aluminum foil

Warnings

Instead of baking, let them dry naturally off the ground under a tarp or in a shed. If you don't, the wood discs can fill up your house with smoke and can ignite a fire. They can get charred.

Always wear protective eyewear and gloves when operating power tools.

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If you are new to using any of the saws mentioned here, ask someone experienced to help you.

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Maintain a balanced stance at the saw blade.

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Always keep your fingers 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the blade.

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