How to DIY a Quick Chainsaw Log Bench

We’ve been clearing up some scraggly willow trees along the creek to open up a space for new fruit and nut trees here at One Hundred Acres Home. More on that later. But after I felled a larger willow, I realized the trunk could make an easy log bench. The bench would be a nice addition in our new fruit grove. This post will show you the steps and tools used to make your own easy chainsaw log bench.

Below is a picture of the red willow I took down. The main trunk will be used for a bench.

Step 1: Find a Suitable Log

You’ll need a good straight section of about 6 to 8 feet in length for the horizontal part of the log bench. Plus you’ll need two rounds of about 1.5 ft length for the log to rest on.

Below is a photo of the downed red willow. I cleaned up all the branches, and you can see a nice longer, straight section of the main trunk. That is what we’ll use to make our chainsaw log bench.

Step 2: Get Two Rounds & Notch the Main Log

The main bench log will rest on two rounds. So cut yourself two sections of rounds that the main log can rest on. Typically these are about 1.5 feet in length. Just size them in relation to your main log.

In the photo below, I have a round set up on bottom right aligned with the main log. Now, start notching the main log so it can rest on the round.

Make the notch about 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the main log. Place the notch towards the end of the log but allow for some un-notched log at the very end. Below you can see the first notch is almost complete

Then add a second notch near the other end of the log.

Here are my two notches in the main log. You can see the rounds nearby to help size the notches.

Step 3: Set the Log Over the Rounds

This is the hard part if you’re using a newly felled tree as it will be pretty heavy. Place the two round where you want your log bench. You can set them into the ground a bit to they don’t roll. Then roll or wrestle your main log into place.

Here I am just starting to roll my log over to the rounds.

If you’re doing this yourself, I’ve found its easiest to get the log basically lined up and slightly tilted so the notches are just touching the rounds per the photo below.

Then lift one end of the log in place over one round. It may partially roll onto the other round.

Then set the other end in place.

Step 4: Finish Log Bench

We could leave this looking VERY rustic. But I want to finish it up a bit.

Take your chainsaw horizontal (if you’re comfortable doing so!) and flatten out the top of the main log to make a relatively even sitting surface. This won’t be perfect. It has a certain rustic charm.

Here I am taking off the very top of the log bench. Use wedges to hold the cut section if it’s heavy so it won’t pinch your chainsaw bar.

Next I cleaned up the ends of the bench with the chainsaw. That’s it! Below is the finished bench.

That’s one quick chainsaw log bench!

Tools Used:

The main chainsaw I used is an Echo CS-490 with a 20 inch bar. It’s big enough to do what I need but not too heavy. Even though I’ve gained a lot of muscle since moving out on an acreage, my arms do still get tired after using the chainsaw a while. That’s normal. Take breaks when you’re tired and come back to it later.

Below are links to the safety gear I use every time I use the chainsaw. They are affiliate links at no extra cost to you, and they help keep me posting more cool projects.

Wedges are also a must if you’re going to be felling trees or cutting horizontal slabs.

Alternate Style Log Bench:

Another way to make an easy chainsaw log bench is shown in the photo below. Instead of notching the main log, you can notch each support round.

I made this bench while visiting my parents. They had a dead tree that needed to be taken down. My dad had a chainsaw on hand, so I made them a bench too!