how do i cut a 6x6 post?

[astidham]

i want to cut all my 6x6 post a general size then set them in my post brackets level and cut the off level, whats a good method for soing this?
i tried to cut one with my circular saw and couldnt penetrate the entire post.

[John Raabe]

scribe a line at the same point on both sides and make two cuts. You won't be off by much.

[MountainDon]

I scribe around the post using a speed square, then using a 7 1/4" circular saw I go around the post cutting each side. That may leave a small uncut section which usually breaks off easily. If the center, broken off stubby is in the way a whack with a big hammer fixes it.

[astidham]

Thank you MountainDon

[ScottA]

...a whack with a big hammer fixes it.

Seems to work for lots of problems. 

[rocking23nf]

I cut all around, and then a small hand saw for the last piece, it cuts a nice cut in like 5-6 strokes of the saw.

[MountainDon]

...a whack with a big hammer fixes it.

Seems to work for lots of problems. 

I also use the speed square (6 inch size) as a saw guide. I use one for a lot of cuts to assist in keeping the saw cut straight. I find that easier than trying to eye ball the cuts. For those with only two hands, unlike my three, a C-clamp is sometimes handy for holding the speed square steady.   

[astidham]

Thats real good advice Thank You MountainDon

[firefox]

Just for reference: If you can't fix it with a big hammer, then it's an electrical problem.
Bruce

[MountainDon]

Oh, the other method is a chain saw, right Glenn?     

[glenn kangiser]

...but, of course...

[MushCreek]

Makita makes a 16" circular saw that is so scary I won't even look at a picture of it! There's also a mini-chainsaw attachment you can get from Prazi that goes on a circular saw. Of course, the way they keep cheating on lumber dimensions, in a few more years, your circular saw should handle a '6X6' with no problem! 

[Don_P]

My 16" makita has at least 50 log homes and some timberframing behind it, still kicking along. The motor is the same as their 7" with a gear reduction to correct the tip speed. It is pretty underwhelming in real use but still as much as I want to pick up and put down all day. They are a pretty spendy way to cut posts. It is funny that it draws the responses that it does. Then the homeowner picks up their chainsaw and heads into the tall weeds. Don't be fooled, that is the most dangerous saw and is used by the least skilled. I actually have a few 28" saws... handsaws  An 8" skillsaw will do it on a double pass, that's usually what I use when doing decks, or the 7" and a sawzall. Then there is the 46" but it only rips. Mafell made a 2 man 24" skillsaw, 3 phase and $12k last time I looked  .

[MountainDon]

Mafell made a 2 man 24" skillsaw, 3 phase and $12k last time I looked  .

I had to look that up...
http://www.mafelltoolstore.com/fsg240ktwcis.html

[new land owner]

I cut mine with my chain saw.  I marked all four sides first and it worked out well