thinking about milling some oak

[dave_376]

I've got a big white oak score to get for firewood. The guy giving me the wood said that he really wanted to get some boards out of it but the cost of bringing the log to the mill was too much. I was looking at the wood and started thinking that some of it would be perfect for a new mantel for me. Now I'm thinking I might want to mill up some of it as a thank you and a new mantel for me. I have a Dolmar 7900 but I don't have a mill.

I don't want to spend too much money just for a few boards. Anyone try to make a mill? Any one have plans to build one?

 

[woodchuck357]

Check out this thread

the method is eaiser than most think. http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/222332.htm

 

[tatesdad]

Panther Pro II chainsaw mill. Google it.

 

[Dave Boyt]

Might see about getting a portable band saw mill to come in. One thing for sure, once you get started, you'll be looking for more logs to mill... bigger chain saws... log moving equipment... and you'll be storing lumber anywhere there's room.

 

[terryknight]

Might see about getting a portable band saw mill to come in. One thing for sure, once you get started, you'll be looking for more logs to mill... bigger chain saws... log moving equipment... and you'll be storing lumber anywhere there's room.

so true. it's a side effect of CAD

 

[excess650]

I bought my Alaskan when I got tired of cutting good lumber logs into firewood. After cutting slabs and cants with the Alaskan, I bought the Mini-mill to go along with it, and then the bandmill. There are things an Alaskan can do that a bandmill cannot do, and I enjoy mine. Buy a 36" Alaskan and cut that mantel. Cut more mantels and slabs for sale, and the Alaskan will pay for itself.

 

[Mac88]

Bring it down here, Dave. We'll mill it out for you. We do mantles, usually 3" thick by up to 30" or so wide, up to 16' in length. :msp_biggrin:

 

[dave_376]

Bring it down here, Dave. We'll mill it out for you. We do mantles, usually 3" thick by up to 30" or so wide, up to 16' in length. :msp_biggrin:

I need an address or GPS coordinates and help getting the tree on the roof rack of a VW. Jettas are surprisingly tough.
I think Im going to try free handing it and clean it up with the planer. I no doubt will be wasting wood but it will be the cheap.

 

[Daninvan]

There are lots of home made mills on this site. I made mine with two pieces of threaded rod and some 1" square steel from Home Depot. I nail a 2x10 to the top of the log to guide the first cut. The whole mill cost next to nothing, and no welding was required. Hardest part was drilling and threading the bar to attach the threaded rod.

If you don't intend to do much milling and so don't want to buy a mill, building your own is an easy way to go. Don't be surprised though after you mill up your oak that you want to do more!

 

[excess650]

I need an address or GPS coordinates and help getting the tree on the roof rack of a VW. Jettas are surprisingly tough.
I think Im going to try free handing it and clean it up with the planer. I no doubt will be wasting wood but it will be the cheap.

The cheaper ways (cheaper than Alaskan) are to use a Granberg Mini-mill (I use it to edge) or one of the other attachments that clamp to the bar and follow a 2x4 or 2x6. If you have a long bar, you could "dig the dogs" into the face of the log and lever down with the handle to make noodles. That should make a fairly straight cut for the length of the bar.

 

[dave_376]

There are lots of home made mills on this site. I made mine with two pieces of threaded rod and some 1" square steel from Home Depot. I nail a 2x10 to the top of the log to guide the first cut. The whole mill cost next to nothing, and no welding was required. Hardest part was drilling and threading the bar to attach the threaded rod.

If you don't intend to do much milling and so don't want to buy a mill, building your own is an easy way to go. Don't be surprised though after you mill up your oak that you want to do more!

Can I make a mill out of a 2x10 and threaded rod? I really only want to mill this one time just a few pieces. If I like it I may build a better one in the future.

 

[Mac88]

Can I make a mill out of a 2x10 and threaded rod? I really only want to mill this one time just a few pieces. If I like it I may build a better one in the future.

However you do it, once you get started you'll be hooked. I wander down to the basement every few days to admire the stickered bunks of oak and cherry I've got stashed down there.