First attempt at milling my pecan

[MrWho3006]

So here's the results of my first attempt at chainsaw milling. I milled one of the old rotten stumps first before I got to the bigger stuff just to get a feel for it. I still need to order a ripping chain and modify my Alaskan mill to do wider cuts. But I just couldn't wait to see what was inside. And I am hooked now!
This is with a ms660.
Comments or suggestions welcomed.

 

[chads]

Pretty stuff I was milling today too.
Yes it is addictive.
I always used the ladder method it makes more noise than necessary.
I had shorter logs today and just used a 2x6 much easier to screw it to the log it was harder to keep mill flat on to it.
I would prefer 2x10 or 12 but the 2x6 was straight.
Now I am thinking to laminate 3 pieces of 1/2" plywood in alternating direction to keep it straight and flat.
Maybe make a 6.5 ft and a 12 ft.
Chad

 

[MrWho3006]

Yeah after doing it for the first time there are some things I want to change. But I'm just happy to finally get started!

 

[Dave Boyt]

Nice start. A ripping chain will make a world of difference. Pecan rots pretty quickly, so get it stickered and air drying ASAP. Now that you've experienced it, there's no turning back. Bigger saws, longer bars, more sawdust. Welcome!

 

[MrWho3006]

I'm trying to find some ripping chain right now. I've got a ms660 with a 36" bar that came with the saw. Any recommendations? It's so humid down here on the gulf coast of SE Texas I don't think this wood will ever dry out. I've been looking for someone with a kiln that could dry it for me with no luck so far. Any suggestions? I'm still gonna get it stickered and air drying ASAP though.

 

[mdavlee]

I have found square filed leaves a smoother finish than ripping chain. I filed some semi chisel to 10° and it was still rough cutting. Semi skip square was very smooth.

 

[MrWho3006]

Here's one of the slabs.

 

[FISH BAIT]

Thats awsome, I love the pecan I milled last year. It good to see another miller here local, I'm just right up the road in Liverpool.
FB

 

[MrWho3006]

Thats awsome, I love the pecan I milled last year. It good to see another miller here local, I'm just right up the road in Liverpool.
FB

Oh good. I was starting to think I was the only one in my area. Lol. Seems like most are from up north. Hers a sample of what I did this evening. The lighting makes it look rougher than it really is. I was actually using a ripping chain tonight and it went waaaay faster! It was a tendency to grab a lot more and was a lot more "jerky" though.

 

[MrWho3006]

 

[FISH BAIT]

That is nice. How thick are you making the slabs? To your question earlier, they will dry it just takes forever. I have some white and red oak that are 2.5" thick that have been air drying for about 2 years, in the barn, that are ready to go. There is another miller in Alvin I have talked to that built a small solar kiln in his yard. He and I are going to GTG at some point and talk kilns and milling, I'll get his information for you if he doesn't mind.

 

[MrWho3006]

That is nice. How thick are you making the slabs? To your question earlier, they will dry it just takes forever. I have some white and red oak that are 2.5" thick that have been air drying for about 2 years, in the barn, that are ready to go. There is another miller in Alvin I have talked to that built a small solar kiln in his yard. He and I are going to GTG at some point and talk kilns and milling, I'll get his information for you if he doesn't mind.

I am cutting these at 2.5" thick. I'm going to send these to a guy close to San Antonio that has a kiln. I'm too impatient to wait 2 years, on my first ones anyway. I'm in Hitchcock so Alvin is even closer to me. I'd like to check out his solar kiln and get some tips from some more experienced woodworkers than me. Do you know of anyone closer to is that has the room to dry about 550 bf of pecan?

 

[FISH BAIT]

I hear ya, I'd love to have a kiln at the house, just dont have time to build one. I have some cedar that has been drying for about 4 years I plan on using to making hope chests for my daughters. I dont know of anyone else in the area with a kiln, unless you call one of the big production mills north of Houston. I think there is a smaller one around Willis that will take small private batches?

 

[agrams]

Fish, that is M&G sawmill near huntsville, I think they do batch drying for people.

 

[FISH BAIT]

Fish, that is M&G sawmill near huntsville, I think they do batch drying for people.

Thanks that sounds right. I'd like to try kiln drying on my next big batch of oak