PSA: I was wrong about the 'one cut' method for a heavy leaner

Had a big silver maple with a nasty lean over a fence in a tight backyard. Always did the standard face cut then back cut, but this one felt sketchy. On a whim, I tried boring in from the back first to set a hinge, then finished the face. The tree sat down on the hinge like it was on a pillow, zero barber chair. I've done maybe 200 removals and always thought that method was for show. Now I'm rethinking my whole approach for anything with real tension. Anyone have a go-to method for these situations that's saved your bacon?

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3 Comments

nancynguyen5mo ago

What about using a wedge too?

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chen.adam5mo ago

A wedge? For real? That's how you end up with a door that won't close right. The angle gets all messed up. Seen it happen to a friend's cabinet. Had to rehang the whole thing. Just use the right tool.

3

reese_nelson5mo ago

Yeah my buddy tried that on his bathroom door last year... ended up with a huge gap at the top hinge. He swore it was level but the whole frame was stressed. Took him a whole weekend to fix the jamb.

3