trimming the edges off the slabs

[outdoorsman0490]

Hey guys,

When I am milling, I am either milling thick slabs for coffee tables and mantles, or 1" slabs which I will trim for boards. When you guys are milling 1'X as wide as the log is, what are you using to trim your first edge off the slab. Currently, I am using a long piece of angle iron C clamped to the slab and a picnic table outside, with the slab overhanging the picnic table. I run the circular saw along the angle iron to trim the board. Once that side is done, I put it on the pile and start another. When all the boards are done, I flip them over and run them through the table saw to trim off the other side. I am new to this site, but have been hobby milling for a couple of years now w/o asking around for what other people are doing. Does anyone out there have a better system? I would like to hear about it.

 

[oldsaw]

Pretty much what I do, although many times I'll just run the Skilsaw over both sides. Depends on width mostly. Since my milling is done with a CSM, and the logs I get into either being too small to really do much more than flatsaw, or too big to move, so I flatsaw most of the log until it's light enough to move. In either case, the sawhorses come out, and I trim at home.

Looking forward to a couple of big ash trees this spring. I'll be able to fully cant out a log for the first time in a long time. I'll have a tractor and loader to turn the logs, rather than me and a big cant hook, and have full access to the boards without having to haul them out by hand. I'm going to be spoiled.

 

[Timberframed]

That's about the easiest way with a straightedge and a skilsaw. There are many other ways but as the board gets large and heavy you're better off running the saw along the stock. Radial arm outrip works eliminating setup with clamps and straightedge but you need a long fence incorporated with the stationary saw and this only works with stock no wider than 24" in a typical shop setup. Another way is to configure a very long fence on a table saw requiring ample length in the shop.

 

[willbarryrec]

Same method here..straight edge,worm drive circular saw and then table saw if the slab is small enough to horse around by myself.

A edger sure would be nice!
Some thing like this.:msp_thumbup:

 

[oldsaw]

Yeah, but I could spend that money in a lot better places. That, and I don't have a place to put it, and don't cut boards to uniform width very often.

 

[820wards]

Hey guys,

When I am milling, I am either milling thick slabs for coffee tables and mantles, or 1" slabs which I will trim for boards. When you guys are milling 1'X as wide as the log is, what are you using to trim your first edge off the slab. Currently, I am using a long piece of angle iron C clamped to the slab and a picnic table outside, with the slab overhanging the picnic table. I run the circular saw along the angle iron to trim the board. Once that side is done, I put it on the pile and start another. When all the boards are done, I flip them over and run them through the table saw to trim off the other side. I am new to this site, but have been hobby milling for a couple of years now w/o asking around for what other people are doing. Does anyone out there have a better system? I would like to hear about it.

What you are using to trim your slabs is how I trimmed when I first started. Since then I have built a mini mill that uses an angle iron guide rail that I just clamp or use drive screws to attach to the slab. It's quick and easy. Hope the picture help?

jerry-


This is a smaller log, but you can see how the rail system work with the mini mill.

The mini-mill with the rail board makes for nice even cut. I will be milling a maple tree soon and instead of side trimming each piece, I will cap the tree and then use the mini-mill to side cap the log on each side.

With the rail guide and mini mill it is very easy to make a square cant that can then be milled with your larger mill set to the thickness you want. Here you can see some pieces are trimmed on both sides and some I left with bark for benches.

Here is a square cant made from only using the mini mill. If you milled a log like this you would only need to set your mill for the thickness boards you want.

With the mini-mill and guide rail board the cuts come out quite straight.

 

[820wards]

Pretty much what I do, although many times I'll just run the Skilsaw over both sides. Depends on width mostly. Since my milling is done with a CSM, and the logs I get into either being too small to really do much more than flatsaw, or too big to move, so I flatsaw most of the log until it's light enough to move. In either case, the sawhorses come out, and I trim at home.

Looking forward to a couple of big ash trees this spring. I'll be able to fully cant out a log for the first time in a long time. I'll have a tractor and loader to turn the logs, rather than me and a big cant hook, and have full access to the boards without having to haul them out by hand. I'm going to be spoiled.

Oldsaw,

You are lucky to have the big tools to move your logs, I'm envious. Those ash trees will be really nice. I did one when I first got my mill together and the wood was really nice except it had some boring bees in about the first 1-1/2" into the tree. I used a Skillsaw with a guide board to remove the bark/bad area from each slab. Post some pictures when you mill those trees.

jerry-