Pecan Log

[agrams]

I managed to get my hands on a large pecan log (~30-36" diameter and 8' long). Will make some great desktops. This is the second large (>30") log I've milled up and am getting the hang of it. The slow part is always setting up the jig for the first leveling cut, but once that is done, I can do about 2 cuts, touch up the chain and move on at a decent pace. My biggest challenge continues to be finding large logs I can get my hands on. this tree actually had another 4' of crotch section that was too heavy to get on the trailer, so that got cut off. The crotch section is probably 3'x4', so will make some really nice coffee table tops when I mill it up.

 

[IanB22]

Beautiful...the heartwood, looks like some lighter color Madagascar Rosewood on some guitars I have seen. Really great post, thanks for sharing!

 

[Dave Boyt]

Looks like a good day's work. Made for some beautiful slabs. Got any kind of end coating on them?

 

[agrams]

I anchor-sealed the end grain before I cut it up. I also sprayed with Timbor just in case any bugs get any ideas. I've got the crotch section that will make some nice coffee table tops that I am cutting up this weekend. I will post some pictures of that when I get it cut up.

 

[BigOakAdot]

Looks amazing man! Really nice find.

 

[agrams]

I got out this weekend to cut up the crotch from the big log and some mesquite logs that were taunting me:

This was a mesquite log that had been on the ground for 8 years. It is interesting (to me at least) to note that you can tell which way the log was laying, with the left side being sun up and drier, and the right side being face down and inviting bugs.

A long days work done. My sawing buddy got tired of seeing dove fly by, so he kept his shotgun on hand to shoot at any that flew by when we were taking a break...

 

[IanB22]

Sounds like a great day with some nice grain.

 

[SDB777]

Guess I missed it...what milling rig are you utilizing here? Bar length? Powerhead?

Really digging on those big crotch chunks...a LOT of character.


I hate not being able to get those big chunks home too, and trying to leave them where I cut them is a pain too(County doesn't let me leave them in the ditch until I can go mill on them)....so most of the stuff just gets chipped into mulch and given away(bummer). Had to watch a 65" upper crotch from a Pine go into the back of the grapple truck yesterday(yup, pine...but it was big pine), and would have been much better being 'something other then mulch'.

Scott (keep the woodp0rn coming) B

 

[agrams]

SDB, the rig is a 3120 or 395xp on an alaskan mill, with either my 36"/50"/72" bar depending on what I am cutting. That pecan cut great given it was only on the ground a few weeks before milling, but I swear I could go faster through 30" of pecan than I could 16" of mesquite.

I have a buddy who likes to mill, so we usually do it with one person on each end of the jig, but I want to set up a pullet/winch system so I can run the big bar from one side by myself. I did get it all dropped off a a DH kiln the other week, so hopefully in a few months it will be dry and ready to go.

I saw your website SDB, my story is pretty much the same as yours. I mainly do turning and woodworking, but the price and availability of slabs drove me to milling. Do you have any pics of your turning? I will post some bowl pics when I can. I just finished a large pecan (14"x5") salad bowl that is really sharp, and a mesquite burl bowl that has crazy grain.

 

[SDB777]

So you have some big powerheads available to you, very awesome!
Was thinking about letting go of my 064/G#777 mill, and putting the cha-ching towards something 'bigger' that I can put on my J2094. Maybe in the >50" size, as the older I get, the less I like trying to move 'stuff' that is heavy, awkwardly sized, or burdensome. But I still want to make 'quality' when I do go outside and play well with others....and my milling with the chainsaw is usually to reduce the size of really big stuff to put on the bandsaw mill.

Haven't really posted anything in the sub-forum for pens and stuff lately....been rough turning bowls and bagging them for drying. I'll have some stuff coming up soon that can be finished though....maybe a month of so, as these bowl are big-ish, 13-16 inch diameter. The new lathe can outboard turn, so I have been getting into bigger blanks too. Should still be a few pens in there though....maybe?



Scott (searching for big timber tomorrow) B

 

[agrams]

what do you mainly turn? For bowls, 90% of my wood is ash/pecan/elm, with some mesquite in there. I haven't been that lucky to get hold of any walnut. If you want to swap a few blanks/roughouts, shoot me a PM.