Milling question

[Mot Krig]

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone mills a log in half, then slabs each half. Im new to milling but it seems like i get more slabs out of the bottom half as I lose more on the first cut due to mounting the ladder. Side benefit would be automatically cutting out the pith instead of potentially having it in one of the slabs.

Thanks

 

[Cease232]

Most the logs I deal with are too big for my Alaskan mill to make the first cut in the center. Plus I find cutting on a flat of the log is more stable than the ladder.
I’ll usually make a flat top parallel with the pith and then make my second cut right through the pith splitting the log in halve. I’ll then Make my slabs referencing off those faces.


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[BobL]

I am wondering if anyone mills a log in half, then slabs each half. Im new to milling but it seems like i get more slabs out of the bottom half as I lose more on the first cut due to mounting the ladder. Side benefit would be automatically cutting out the pith instead of potentially having it in one of the slabs.

If you need to you can use a stand off to mount the ladder so you will not loose more on the top half of the log.
Here's is an extreme example that shows the use of the stand off.


The stand off consists of two lengths of C-channel and a cross piece that slides in the Channel. The Ladder sits on top of the cross piece. The C-channel is Tek screwed to the ends of the log and usually I clamp the ladder to the standoff.

 

[Brian72]

Here's another idea similar to Bob's for taking smaller first cuts. I do split them down the middle sometimes but that's mainly to break big logs down to a more manageable size for my buddy's circle mill.

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[Mot Krig]

Thanks for the feedback. I think your setup looks like a good way to minimize waste on the first cut, but looks more complicated than just using a regular ladder and cutting through the middle.

I'm more wondering if there is a reason not to do it, as opposed to better ways to make the first cut.

 

[Brian72]

Thanks for the feedback. I think your setup looks like a good way to minimize waste on the first cut, but looks more complicated than just using a regular ladder and cutting through the middle.

I'm more wondering if there is a reason not to do it, as opposed to better ways to make the first cut.

Got ya. I don't see any reason not to do it. You'd have 2 flat surfaces to work from then. I do use more wedges when splitting them down the middle.

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[Mot Krig]

Good call. I have only been using 4 on 8-10 ft pieces and it doesn't seem like enough. How many do you use? Set every 2 feet maybe?

I really like the sawhorse setup, nice and simple.

 

[Brian72]

Good call. I have only been using 4 on 8-10 ft pieces and it doesn't seem like enough. How many do you use? Set every 2 feet maybe?

I really like the sawhorse setup, nice and simple.

I usually have about 6 or 8 that I keep with me.

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[SeMoTony]

Thanks for the feedback. I think your setup looks like a good way to minimize waste on the first cut, but looks more complicated than just using a regular ladder and cutting through the middle.

I'm more wondering if there is a reason not to do it, as opposed to better ways to make the first cut.

@ 38" diameter my set up has only about nine inches of reach under my ladder guide, so first cut is shallow with a little math to place a cut thru the pith while I get thicknesses I'd like
Also the background is yard waste dump. By cutting manageable slabs from the beginning I can pry up an edge slide a UHMW rod between to roll each slab into the van. Makes it easier for my one man operation.