First Milling Attempt

[YarraValleyDude]

Got a lovely day here today so i thought i'd try out the CSM i recently made, its nothing flash and pretty much looks like everyone elses homemade mill.

So off to the yard to find a suitable candidate...................
Heres one, its a Wattle about 14" at the butt and about 25' of suitable timber to try the mill out on.

A few minutes later its down and being cut into 7' lengths, only because the rails i have at the moment are 8' long.

Rails on and roughly squared up, rails weren't the best as there not perfectly true, but dosn't matter its only a trial run.

New Carlton 3/8 ripping chain on and ready to go.This chain is ground at 10Deg's.

 

[YarraValleyDude]

Starting the first cut here, I'm quite surprised as to how easy it goes, having the log on an angle definatly helps things along, three minutes later I'm done on the first cut.Time to check fuel and oil, yep theres still plenty in the tank so i start another cut with the mill set at 2", i managed to get four cuts done and still have fuel in the tank.

This is my site manager/security guard hard at work.

And the finished 2" thick boards.I've cut eight of these so far and should get another six from the remaining timber.

I noticed one thing, it didn't take long for a few of them to start splitting, mainly the ones cut from the center of the tree.Is this because i didn't paint the ends?

 

[huskyhank]

Good job!!

Yes, seal the ends as soon as you drop the tree.

Figure out a way to not bend over like you are doing now. Either lift the log higher or get some knee pads. You want a relaxed position with good posture. That means a natural curve in your lower back - not humped over.

 

[mtngun]

Welcome to the elite milling forum and thanks for the pictures. :yourock:

I'm not familiar with that species, but in general it is a good idea to seal the ends ASAP. In my world, slabs will start splitting after just a few days in warm, dry weather. Sealing the ends reduces, but does not eliminate, the splits.

How do you like that big Makita ?

 

[PineFever]

Great job and nice pics!
Your site security looks disinterested in your work.
I'm going across town this afternoon to pick up an Alaskan 36" standard
mill the guy bought new and made one cut with for $60.00
I am going out looking for the right log for my first milling experience this morning.

 

[Daninvan]

The ones cut from the center probably contain the pith. In most cases even painting the ends won't prevent splitting at the pith. I usually just plan to get narrower quartersawn boards from the middle.

Good work by the way for a first try!

 

[YarraValleyDude]

Good job!!

Yes, seal the ends as soon as you drop the tree.

Figure out a way to not bend over like you are doing now. Either lift the log higher or get some knee pads. You want a relaxed position with good posture. That means a natural curve in your lower back - not humped over.

Thanks Hank,
I thought i forgot something there, I got a bit more to go today so I'll paint the ends and see what happens then with the splitting.

I'm hearing you on the bending, i know its not good,I'm going to set up an area in the yard just for milling where any future logs will be at the right height.

Welcome to the elite milling forum and thanks for the pictures.

I'm not familiar with that species, but in general it is a good idea to seal the ends ASAP. In my world, slabs will start splitting after just a few days in warm, dry weather. Sealing the ends reduces, but does not eliminate, the splits.

How do you like that big Makita ?

Thanks for your input mtngun, glad your enjoying them.
The big Makita is ok, could do with a sprocket nose bar as the drag on the solid is robbing to much power.
Having said that it does get the job done with ease and has been very reliable and a pleasure to use.In comparision to my Jonsered 2065, the Jonny wins in most departments other than vibration.The Makita need a bigger oil tank in my book, 600ml/pint is just not enough.In future I'll be adding a remote oiler to the mill.

Great job and nice pics!
Your site security looks disinterested in your work.
I'm going across town this afternoon to pick up an Alaskan 36" standard
mill the guy bought new and made one cut with for $60.00
I am going out looking for the right log for my first milling experience this morning.

Thanks PineFever, Yes that dog is pretty lazy these days as he's getting on and at 10yrs old he pretty much sleeps all day but is very active at night.

Sounds like a bargin on the Alaskan and you can't go wrong for that price also have fun finding that first log to mill, I'm sure you'll love it.


Thanks Danivan,
Now thats a split, wow, mine just started and i hope they don't split as bad as yours, time will tell i guess. Cheers for posting the pics.

 

[discounthunter]

The ones cut from the center probably contain the pith. In most cases even painting the ends won't prevent splitting at the pith. I usually just plan to get narrower quartersawn boards from the middle.

Good work by the way for a first try!

yep ,the pith stikes again! lately on slabs cut with anywhere near 3" of the center in them ,i'll rip them .this helps get a more controled crack if any,because you elliminate the center.

 

[Old Hilly]

Well, bugga-me. What a load of bloody gibberish, rstu335.
What does it all mean, I asks meself.
Nothing to do with sawmilling or timber is me answer.

 

[YarraValleyDude]

Well, bugga-me. What a load of bloody gibberish, rstu335.
What does it all mean, I asks meself.
Nothing to do with sawmilling or timber is me answer.

:agree2:

 

[Old Hilly]

Mate, glad someone else is bloody confused, I thought I was missing something that I should have known all about.:help:
Now I feel better.
Dennis.

 

[YarraValleyDude]

Mate, glad someone else is bloody confused, I thought I was missing something that I should have known all about.:help:
Now I feel better.
Dennis.

NFI to what thats about mate, probably better off too.

 

[gemniii]

Starting the first cut here, I'm quite surprised as to how easy it goes, having the log on an angle definatly helps things along, three minutes later I'm done on the first cut.Time to check fuel and oil, yep theres still plenty in the tank so i start another cut with the mill set at 2", i managed to get four cuts done and still have fuel in the tank.

It's rarely the fuel in the tank that's a problem. But you did check oil. Order of priority is oil, chain sharpness, fuel.
If you run out of oil it's real bad.
If your chain gets dull it's bad.
If you run out of fuel the saw stops and you might have to start in mid-cut.

Plan on splitting and learning to read the wood. Almost all of my original 20" plus slabs have split some and I'm about to get into "resaw" with a table saw.

 

[gr8scott72]

NFI to what thats about mate, probably better off too.

It's just spam. He's just trying to sell something. If you ever see a post like that, just click on the small triangle under his name and report it as spam. The mods will delete it as soon as they get that report.

 

[Old Hilly]

Is that what that little triangle thing is for? Thank you Scott, I had noticed it and wondered what it was for but nevered thought to ask.
Dennis.