How to get the best figure out of this Maple?

[boatman]

we came across this tree while cutting fire wood. It had fallen in the last few days due to ice. After cutting away the bottom 5 feet or so, including some barb wire, We got to solid wood @23"-26" by 10' long. I also saved out the large crotch. It looks like it will be well figured curly maple.

What's the best way to mill this log to get the best figure out of it? We have access to an Lt40, A Lucas mill and a chainsaw mill.

I'll slab the crotch on the Lucas.

 

[betterbuilt]

I would think plain sawn would yield the most figure. The closer you get to the heart would have less figure.

 

[SDB777]

Sure looks like that Husky knows how to find the barbwire.....not fun. And what is that white crud all over everything? Trees are getting ready to sprout leaves down here!!!


I've tried CS milling with the grain, a little bias(3*) to the grain, and a lot bias(up to 15*) to the grain. And all the slabs looked good...with no one looking better then another.(Then again, all the slabs came from different trees, so it's a little like comparing apples to pumpkins?)






Scott

 

[qbilder]

Quarter sawing gets the best curly figure. Plain sawing gets the best birdseye. Your tree looks too big to be birdseye but it looks like some sunburst rays on the end grain. It's likely just saw lines but hey, i'm a dreamer