The great maple!

[flashhole]

Looks like you have a crack running down the center that will force you to mill it as two separate logs.

 

[cityslicker]

There is a crack but.... I don't care! There are actually many shakes likely from the fall. I am milling it whole regardless, there will be some imperfect pieces but those are the ones I keep and work myself. Some of the most troublesome wood yields the most amazing results.

 

[JasonMS660]

I wish I could yard it up top to be on more level ground, however I just don't see any way of doing it. According the wood webs log weight calculator this thing weighs 30,000 pounds. The breaking strength of my cable is 26,000 and my chain hoist is only 3 tons. I would have to move up to 5/8" or 3/4" cable to have a decent safety factor but then I would be worried about pulling over the maple the cable is tied to!

I will likley build a simple board walk down the length of the tree on either side to gain some height while milling especially since the far side is over my head.

could you break it down other a CSMS and then lift it to flatter ground for the Lucus mill?

 

[Nato]

It looks like the log is sitting at a pretty high angle. Watch out when your coming out of your cut into your notch, I'll bet those slabs are going to slide down. Get a helper to try to hold the slab as you come out the end. I use homemade wood wedges, not plastic, they seem to hold better. Looks like a cool project that you can talk about for a long time. I always remember the hard to get ones. Oh yeah, hire a sherpa
Good Luck n8

 

[rarefish383]

Nato had a good point about the slabs sliding. May not be a big deal, they can only go a few inches, but then getting your saw out may be a big deal. You'll have to slide the slab back to clear your notch. I'd get a 2X8 or 2X10 about a foot long, and after your saw is a foot or so into the log, use some heavy deck screw and screw the slab to the log. That will save you putting wedges in for a few more feet too. It looks like you have it under control. I did the same thing with a Pine log I milled on my farm. The tree went down in a storm, and after I cut the top off the log was just sticking out in the air. Wasn't nearly as big as your log and the slabs were still 2 man slabs, Joe.

 

[rmh3481]

Hopefully you will get the long slabs and they will have some good color. Good luck with the project.

 

[cityslicker]

My dad and I spent a few more hours out with the great maple yesterday. We were mostly there to work out the bugs and and go through the motions of using the zip line crane, testing out the slab dolly, and milling establishing the first cut on the first section of the log. Everything went quite well, the zip line is going to be a lifesaver throughout this job! Here are a couple pictures of the rail system setup on the log then a shot of the grain. For scale keep in mind that the rails are exactly ten feet long.

 

[IanB22]

oh boy....this one is going to be epic

I am VERY excited to see more of this tree. Crazy that it is solid through to the core. Hope it REALLY shows it's colors as you keep slicing.

 

[onegunsmith]

What's the latest on "The Great Maple"?


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

[cityslicker]

Sorry guys for the cliff hanging- I made a few posts during the time this site was having some issues and lost alot of stuff so I will post it again.

We have been out there many more times now, and have managed to mill about 75% of the first section of the log. I made the slabs just over nine feet long and 2.5"-3" thick depending on the width. My 088 that Mastermind toyed with once again sung it's way through upto 58" wide maple with out a care! The overhead hoist works perfectly and this tree would not be possible with out it. Here are a few pics.

 

[cityslicker]

Here are some more pictures. The level in the pictures is four foot.

 

[cityslicker]

I ended up buying a lucas dedicated extra wide slabber recently and we now have it setup around the last section of the log. The section to be milled next is 18' long and 48" wide and the slabs will be full length. It took some work to get the framework safely secured pointing down such a steep hill but we basically used some straps on all corners to stabilize it. I am running a small boat trailer winch mounted to the stump to control the feed rate of the mill, I also have a rope to extend my throttle control up to the winch in order to safely control the engine. I will have pictures of it all setup monday night after I get back from working on it. Here it is milling some "small" sequoia.

 

[cityslicker]

My Dad and I made some more progress today on the acer. We ended up shortening the small end of the log due to substantial decay. The log now is 16.5' long which will make it easier to get each slab off. We made the first cut taking off the very top of the log and the bar started to climb in the cut due to too high of cut speed I think. The next and last slab for the day was cut a bit slower and worked out well. The angle the mill is set on is quite steep so the boat winch is used to control the feed rate, I also have a fancy remote throttle rigged up (just the long blue rope) so that while I am manning the winch I can also control the throttle. Everything is ready to go for next weekend!

 

[Jim Timber]

Just wanted to chime in and thank you for posting this thread. As a future sawyer, these types of jobs are inspirational.

 

[Dave Boyt]

I believe this is the most work I've seen anyone go to for a log. Thanks for posting. Looking forward to seeing more!

 

[cityslicker]

Dave I agree with you! Everytime I stop to think about the amount of time and effort involved in this tree I can't ever justify it. However I am getting alot of nice wood from this tree and I think more than anything the challenge this tree poses is what I find the most rewarding. My dad and I have come up with many very creative solutions which is very enjoyable.

Thanks for the comments everyone!

I suppose I am a true glutten for punishment-

 

[Dave Boyt]

I compare hauling in a big one like that maple to reeling in a really big fish. The challenge is what makes it worthwhile. You and your dad are also getting some great experiences together, and will have something to look at on down the road to remember them by. Trust me, it will be worth it!

 

[cityslicker]

I finished the tree last weekend! (Mostly-) I milled and hoisted wood till I litterally could not operate the chain hoist anymore. Here are a few pics of the slabs and such. The big ones pencil out at 200 board feet a piece!

 

[kimosawboy]

Great work, nice to see people getting these larger slabs. Are you going to air dry or kiln??
G Vavra

 

[Yellowbeard]

I am so envious of that log. Hope it dries well for you!