I have a couple big logs. The mill can get around them but I am looking for 5 inch finished boards and the logs are at least 32nch diameter. What the best way to mill them with an alaskan mill to maximize board and minimize lose due to cupping and checking?
CSM techniques for large logs
- Thread starter pwoller
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5 inch x ???
3/4" finished means 1" thick cuts.
If you can roll the log and have access to machinery to move large pieces, start by turning the 32" diameter log into an approx square 25" wide cant.
Cut 5.5 " thick (flat sawn) slabs from the top and the bottom of the cant.
Now stand these two flat sawn slabs upright and clamp them together and cut 1" thick x 5.5" wide boards off - the boards from the middle part of these slabs will be close to quarter sawn.
Now cut the remaining 14" thick middle part of the 25" square cant into 1" thick x 25" boards and break them up into 5+" wide using a portable circular saw. Once again the boards nearest the middle will be close to quarter sawn.
If you don have access to machinery here is similar method.
Cut the top of the log as though you were making a 25" wide cant.
Now cut a 5.5" thick slab off the the top, Stand that slab up and cut 1" thick boards of it.
Then cut 1"boards all the way through the log leaving the last 10" or so of the log. Cut a 5.5: thick slab and stand that upright and cut that into 1" thick boards.
Stack/Sticker/weigh down etc.
There are other ways to get more quarter sawn woof out of logs but in involves a lot more turning of logs and cants.
Breaking them up like this during the missing stand will enable them to dry quicker.
I'm just glad I have access to a BSM but even that makes a lot of sawdust when doing this sort of thing.
If you can roll the log and have access to machinery to move large pieces, start by turning the 32" diameter log into an approx square 25" wide cant.
Cut 5.5 " thick (flat sawn) slabs from the top and the bottom of the cant.
Now stand these two flat sawn slabs upright and clamp them together and cut 1" thick x 5.5" wide boards off - the boards from the middle part of these slabs will be close to quarter sawn.
Now cut the remaining 14" thick middle part of the 25" square cant into 1" thick x 25" boards and break them up into 5+" wide using a portable circular saw. Once again the boards nearest the middle will be close to quarter sawn.
If you don have access to machinery here is similar method.
Cut the top of the log as though you were making a 25" wide cant.
Now cut a 5.5" thick slab off the the top, Stand that slab up and cut 1" thick boards of it.
Then cut 1"boards all the way through the log leaving the last 10" or so of the log. Cut a 5.5: thick slab and stand that upright and cut that into 1" thick boards.
Stack/Sticker/weigh down etc.
There are other ways to get more quarter sawn woof out of logs but in involves a lot more turning of logs and cants.
Breaking them up like this during the missing stand will enable them to dry quicker.
I'm just glad I have access to a BSM but even that makes a lot of sawdust when doing this sort of thing.
I have in the past just flat sawn logs and dryed them full width then worked them down to what I need afterwards. Is there any benefit to sawing them down tot 5 inches before drying? If so is there any way to cut them down to reduce cupping?
If you do it this way then only the widest flat sawn boards towards the middle of the will be quarter or partially quarter sawn and be the most stable the least prone to cupping.
Cutting them down to 5" wide will just help them dry a bit quicker.
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