Slotting trees

Steve B wrote:
> I want to slot some tree limbs. This would involve cutting a groove of one
> or two saw blade widths along a whole run of a fairly straight tree limb.
> Or putting in slots along an accurate plane along the length of the limb.
> The slot would have to be pretty accurate along the length of the limb.
>
> Is there a jig or machine to do this? Or would I have to make a saw holding
> jig that would travel in a straight line, and then make some sort of anti
> kickback system that would keep the thing from taking off like a rocket once
> it got a bite?
>
> I want to take some tree limbs, slot them, and then insert plasma cut plate
> steel in them for overhead signs and gates. So, the cuts would have to be
> true.
>
> Steve

You could use your table saw to do this. I use a piece of aluminum
I-beam to true one edge of old barn lumber. The same concept would work
for you in this situation. You would need a piece that rides your
tablesaw fence that you can clamp the tree limb into. Then push the
straigh-edge along the fence cutting your straight slot as you go. The
same could be done for a router table if the slot needed to be bigger
as you mentioned.

JD