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Nobadays
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# Posted: 16 Aug 2023 09:35am
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As many of you might know our cabin is constructed using D-logs, butt and pass. There is a sealer between the logs and the logs have double, shallow mortise/tenons to help them lock together.
We have a large 4' double hung window on the west wall where our dining table sits. The plan is to remove that window and replace it with a 5' sliding door. Then, take the 4' window and move it down the wall and reinstall it. There are two logs above each opening so will be a great header,, but I will cut wide enough to put a timber support on each side anyway.... because I'd feel better doing that!
My big issue is Timberlok screws. I will be cutting horizontally through at least two screws as I'm just below a joint for the window opening. Maybe through one at the bottom of the window opening as well. The unknown is if there are any others within those 4' horizontal cuts for the window or the 1' cut for the door opening. I talked to the builder and was told there are Timberloks each side of a joint and.... "every so often" down the walls.
Has anyone had experience cutting through Timberlok screws? My plan is to mark the openings out on the inside, flat surface and use a circular saw with a carbide blade to cut through as far as that will go, then I suppose a reciprocating saw to finish the opening. (If I can locate a beam saw that will cut completely through, that would be ideal.)
Not worried about structural integrity as I believe I have that taken care of. My question is, again, can I cut multiple Timberlok screws with a carbide saw blade, or will they ruin the blade quickly?
Thanks guys!
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NorthRick
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# Posted: 16 Aug 2023 12:01pm
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I think a carbide circular saw blade will go through a few screws without a problem. I know they easily go through nails but those are softer. A bimetal blade in a sawzall will cut through the screws.
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Aklogcabin
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# Posted: 16 Aug 2023 12:31pm
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Been down this road before. Except for being a new install for a 2x3' window in front of the toilet. Our indoor/outdoor toilet. Tried a Sawzall n destroyed the blades. Had to cut around them and chisle out the wood around them. Then use a hacksaw to scar them a bit n bend and break them off.
I have never seen anything this hard.
Thanks North now I know
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Nobadays
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# Posted: 16 Aug 2023 06:30pm
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Ouch! Dang I thought I might get away with just cutting through them. I guess a bimetal blade in the Sawzall is the ticket.
Thanks guys!
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curious
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# Posted: 16 Aug 2023 09:17pm
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I have used the Milwaukee Sawsall TORCH Carbide Blades to cut an assortment of metals but never tried to cut a Timberlok. The tooth count is rather fine and they don't do well on wood though. I would not want to use any carbide-tipped circular blade on Timberlocks.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 16 Aug 2023 09:43pm
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Every circular saw blade I have ever seen is carbide tipped and none of them like the hardened metal of screws. Same goes for saws all blades. However something like a cut off saw will cut them like butter..but they dont cut wood.
You really need an abrasive style of blade to cut hardened steel of a screw. I'm not totally sure what type of tool to use to cut something like that in the middle of a log wall. I guess you could always just force a circular saw blade through it as a cheap blade is only about $8.
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Nobadays
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# Posted: 17 Aug 2023 09:08am - Edited by: Nobadays
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I was looking at Diablo Demo blades as maybe a solution. The reviews seem mixed about the circular saw blades but pretty positive toward the recip. saw blades. They make a 9.5 inch recip blade so that might go all the way through. I'm just not a fan of recip saws for trying to cut a nice hole...
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pabear89
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# Posted: 17 Aug 2023 10:56am
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Last time I did this, Marked the opening and drilled a hole in all corners of the opening all the way thru.
Used a circular saw and made several passes of increasing depths on both sides of the wall.
Finished the cut thru with sawzall metal blade to cut the nail/screws, the saw cut acted as a guide for a clean level cut.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 17 Aug 2023 02:45pm
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How about a blade made from diamond dust, something used to cut porcelain?
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 17 Aug 2023 04:51pm
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Quoting: pabear89 Used a circular saw and made several passes of increasing depths on both sides of the wall. Finished the cut thru with sawzall metal blade to cut the nail/screws, the saw cut acted as a guide for a clean level cut.
This... I have used this method, 4 holes/snap a line then cut on window openings that were sheeted over... I usually just drive a screw through each corner. My concern is on the outside where they are rounded. I'm thinking maybe try to screw a 1x horizontal, plumb with the wall (verticals no issue) as best we can to get a good clean/plumb cut. Going to be a challenge!
A diamond blade would maybe work to cut the screws? Not sure if diamond is only for concrete/ceramics.
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ICC
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2023 09:53am
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SOME diamond blades cut steel. SOME diamond blades can be used for steel, concrete, ceramic and asphalt. But most diamond blades are specialized for concrete, ceramic or asphalt or steel. My brother has a saw with a diamond blade that is used to cut rebar.
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Nobadays
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2023 07:35pm
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Thanks! I have an Amish guy coming to help me install the door and window. He is coming up next week to look it over and we can discuss what to do about the screws.
I did see at the lumberyard today that Diablo makes a carbide circular saw demo blade specifically for cutting through nails, screws, rebar and other metals. I guess I'm still not sure that it would cut Timberlok screws. A recip saw with a metal cutting blade.... after cutting part way through each side seems the safest bet. One Diablo demo circular saw blade is $40 but I can get 3 Diablo Demo recip bi-metal blades for the same price.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2023 08:51pm
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3 for $40 would be great IF they dont go to no good after a couple screws.
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ICC
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2023 10:27pm
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I don't think I have ever had a reason to cut a TimberLok screw.
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Nobadays
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2023 02:49pm
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Quoting: ICC I don't think I have ever had a reason to cut a TimberLok screw.
Well I update after we have managed to cut any off that are in the window opening!
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Nobadays
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# Posted: 24 Sep 2023 09:50am - Edited by: Nobadays
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I thought I would update this post with results.
I ended up buying a 12" Diablo steel cutting recip-saw blade $$. Then after reading reviews decided to get a couple Diablo Demo Demon circular saw blades $$ as well. That said a pair of them for the price of the 1 recip-saw blade. Bought online cheaper than the local lumberyard.
We ended up cutting through, I think it was 6 total Timberlok screws. The first two or three you could hear the blade hit and see a few sparks but cut like butter! By the last few my friend who was doing the sawing said he could feel the saw hit and cut but the blade still went right through them. The first ones he said there was very little evidence he was hitting a screw... he could tell but barley.
The verdict is in, Diablo Demo Demon saw blades will indeed cout through Timberloks! How many? I don't know but if I had to venture a guess I would say 10-12 without much trouble, maybe more.
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