Making jump rails from 4x4's

[ToTheNines]

I got some 4x4 by 10 foot lumber at Home Depot. Now I want to trim the edges to make them octogonal. I set the circular saw at 45 degrees and everything went fine for the first edge. But now my saw is binding. I have tried fresh batteries and a different blade. Is this job too tough for a Ryobi 18V cordless? Should I go get a heavier corded circular saw? Any tips?

[Mali]

I usually buy mine at the local lumber yard, and they knock the sides off for $3 each pole. Well worth it! My dad used the table saw to knock the sides off of a few and had a good laugh at how uneven the sides were. Word of advice: if the lumber is "green", you'll want to rotate the poles every day for a few weeks so that they don't warp on you.

[Daydream Believer]

I got some 4x4 by 10 foot lumber at Home Depot. Now I want to trim the edges to make them octogonal. I set the circular saw at 45 degrees and everything went fine for the first edge. But now my saw is binding. I have tried fresh batteries and a different blade. Is this job too tough for a Ryobi 18V cordless? Should I go get a heavier corded circular saw? Any tips?

I made some that way before but had a regular electric saw...it might be too much for a battery powered saw.

[Seven-up]

I usually buy mine at the local lumber yard, and they knock the sides off for $3 each pole. Well worth it! My dad used the table saw to knock the sides off of a few and had a good laugh at how uneven the sides were. Word of advice: if the lumber is "green", you'll want to rotate the poles every day for a few weeks so that they don't warp on you.

If the lumber yard does it for you, does it come out more even than attempting to do it yourself? I have a table saw and a very handy dad, but 3 bucks sounds worth it if they come out better in the end.

[Fairview Horse Center]

We did this several times with a corded saw, and it was still a very tough workout for it. Had to give it breaks during each strip.

[Mali]

If the lumber yard does it for you, does it come out more even than attempting to do it yourself? I have a table saw and a very handy dad, but 3 bucks sounds worth it if they come out better in the end.

All of the ones that the lumber yard did came out perfect! They have the MAJOR tools to do the job properly. Very much worth the $3!

[ToTheNines]

I've asked, but can't find a supplier that will cut them. Stuck with doing it myself! I'll try a better circular saw.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

A local small town lumber yard did mine for free (bought them there of course).

You are only holding on to one side of the lumber (from the saw) and not supporting both sides, right--that causes binding (which I'm sure you totally know, but thought I would mention just in case).

[JackW]

As you have found out, a battery powered saw may not be strong enough. Try using a teflon coated blade and do your best to keep your line straight, a chalk line will help.