Milling A Big Cherry Log

[chowdozer]

Sawyer Rob, I'm impressed with those pics. Very nice.

Wish I were local so I could see that mill in action and buy you a beer.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Thanks chowdozer,

I'm glad you enjoyed the picts... It takes some time to "take them", and get them all on line in order, so it's great that folks enjoy viewing them too.

Rob

More sawmill pictures http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=4378744

 

[olyman]

sawyer rob--first post--will i be crucified?????--in about post 50--you said about knowing how to cut a log properly--to get the best grade cuts--no argue---but--wife and i went to south of marshalltown,ia last year to a oldtimers convention----guy running the buzz saw--could have shot him--had a 32" fir on the mill--was cutting merrily away--and said to wife to watch closely--that idiot--turned the log 1/4 turn when shouldnt have--was a 10" knot--and that bozo with the turning--had boards with the knot going the wrong way--the knot was halfway thru the 20 foot length!!!!!!!--and every board they took off till the end broke right in half!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on the knot--if hed left it--the knot would have only had a round portion in the center of that 24" wide board--he was cutting them for his bil--he was unhappy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and this guy supposidly had 50 yrs experence--bet in those years he ruined a lot of lumber for people!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Olyman,

Thanks for posting.... I'd also like to add to your post, that sadly there's still folks that don't believe you can "up the grade" of the lumber comeing out of a log "just by turning" at the right time....

I also see guys "wishing" for higher grade logs, and more than likely they can get excelent grade lumber right out of the logs they already have, "IF" they just took the time to learn how to open and saw a log....

Also another excelent way to get more lumber out of a log is to spend a little more than a decent CSM cost, and buy a low end band saw mill.... The pict. tells it all!!

Rob

 

[oldsaw]

Olyman,

Thanks for posting.... I'd also like to add to your post, that sadly there's still folks that don't believe you can "up the grade" of the lumber comeing out of a log "just by turning" at the right time....

I also see guys "wishing" for higher grade logs, and more than likely they can get excelent grade lumber right out of the logs they already have, "IF" they just took the time to learn how to open and saw a log....

Also another excelent way to get more lumber out of a log is to spend a little more than a decent CSM cost, and buy a low end band saw mill.... The pict. tells it all!!

Rob

Rob, makes sense, but...

I got into a chainsaw mill for about $700, don't know of a bandmill that can fit that budget. The first logs I cut were in a ravine and not accessible for a bandmill, had to cut on site. At less than $2 bd/ft investment in everything (plus gas and oil), I considered my first set-up "paid for".

Now, I don't have a place to store a bandmill, and would really still need to have one of my big saws anyway to fell and buck the logs I put on it. I can appreciate where you are coming from, but I can't justify the expense or the space needed. Everything has it's place.

Mark

 

[thompson1600]

I have to agree with Oldsaw on this one. Bandsaws are great for guys doing production and those who have some extra $$$$ laying around, but for most of us who mill up less than 10 trees per year; can't justify the extra expense. Also, it's so much easier to take the stuff right out in the woods and carry the lumber out. I don't need a tractor, skidder or any other large machine to move logs around. I just need my saw and my mill. It's not about making money, it's about building something out of a tree you cut into lumber. I also don't have a kiln, so any tree I cut up will be air drying at least a year. I'm not in a hurry. Yeah, I do lose a little yield, but still better than the tree being turned into firewood. I'm not saying I wouldn't love a band mill. In fact I'm still trying to figure a way to build a sawmill carriage where I could have one carriage that works with my CSM and can also have a band mill put on it.

Tom

 

[olyman]

sawyer--thats true--also note that one they used a blade that had a narrower kerf---want to know how to make your own bandmill--no joke--contact bill reeks 7104 B us hwy 231 south cromwell,ky 42333 ph 1-270/274-3361 and im not joking---lots have built their own--and there as accurate as you build it--tell em scooter sent ya---

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Most CSM'ers spend huge amounts of money before they are done..... Today there's really good quality starter mills that get you milling for $2,695.00, and they work very well. You also then have a 4 stroke motor that sips gas instead of gulping it. Also, NO more 2 stroke oil, NO more bar oil, and they are so much quieter and longer lasting.... I could go on and on, but you get the pict....

No, not everyone needs a bandmill, but in the end many if not most CSM'ers end up haveing a couple thou in all the things they buy, "especially" after they have to replace a worn out power head... Been there done that!

BTW, the extra speed on the band mill, easily lets you sell some lumber and pay the extra it cost to buy one...

And no you don't need a tractor and bla bla bla, we've already dispelled that myth here, long time ago....

Rob

 

[aggiewoodbutchr]

CONTEXT, CONTEXT, CONTEXT!!!!:bang: :deadhorse: :bang:



I love the ease, efficiency and productivity of a bandmill but try to find one that's portable and can cut a 5' wide slab. Each setup has it's own niche where it will smoke all the rest. I like them all!


P.S.

Ignore the :deadhorse: above... redundant arguments are better than none.