want to make a board, first time

[redoakneck]

I have some black walnut trees a friend wants removed. The trees are healthy, 16" or so in diameter, and pretty straight for the first 40' with no branches. I already cut one down for firewood but left some 7' lengths of the bigger diameter. Can I just cut those into boards with an alaskan mill or should I seal and season them?? Not really sure what I will use them for but seemed a waste to use them for firewood.

The guy has a few more that I haven't cut yet. What is the procedure for cutting them down and turning them into good wooden boards??

Is the alaskan mk lll portable mill ez to use?

So far I have learned to rebuild an 026 PRO, fell ez trees, and sharpen chain, now I need to learn to make a board.

 

[qbilder]

Where you at in Ohio?

 

[Brmorgan]

General wisdom would say to mill them ASAP - green wood is much easier to mill, and the thinner boards won't split nearly as badly (if at all, ideally) as whole logs when they dry out because there is more surface area for the moisture to escape from and, if sawn right, the boards should have a more even stress in the wood. Sealing the ends will help, but a log WILL inevitably split as it dries and the wood shrinks. You can't control such splits and they can end up affecting just about every board you cut out of the log if they get bad enough, so IMO it's better to make the boards first whenever possible, and do what you can to mitigate any splitting and warping after that by stripping your stacks properly and controlling the speed the wood dries at.

 

[redoakneck]

gbilder, i'm near cincinnati.


Thanks brad, I'll cut those already cut logs asap.

I found a friend that has done some of this and I get some help from him, when he gets time???

Is black walnut worth taking to the mill??? I guess I should call the mill before I ruin good wood.

see one do one teach one -drink 3!!!!

 

[banshee67]

Is black walnut worth taking to the mill??? I guess I should call the mill before I ruin good wood.

ive seen this asked many times on here, the answer is always no, especially if you only have a couple 16-18" dbh trees. apparently if they come from someones yard no one wants anything to do with them becuase of the chance of metal inside

 

[qbilder]

I grew up east of there, around Chillicothe. If you still have the logs next time i'm through there, I could cut them up for you on my BSM. I'm up there about 3 times/year.

 

[redoakneck]

thanks gbuilder!!! I have a friend of a friend that hopefully will help me out but I will keep you in mind..

Chilicothe is growing like crazy, I have a few good friends there.