Sawmill

[RivennHewn]

Those two logs in the video look like some big boys! Good luck wrestling with those.

Jay

Jay,

Those two are for my neighbor. He cut a log into 3rds, but was only able to get one with his truck.

He built an outdoor table with it for a friends “Mountain Home”.

We went out and cleared a path to roll them to the water, then towed them home.

Going to cut them up tomorrow for some matching benches to complete the set.

Tonight I already had a 16-footer on the mill. It had a pretty good curve to it, so I cut it in half hoping to get a better yield.

Got to love cutting at night, in the rain

Had to bring one slab inside, just to get a picture

 

[Crabman]

Warn has a drill powered unit as well.

I have one of these, I don't use it all that often but it is sure convenient when I need it, and it works well. A close cousin to cordless tools.

 

[Jayman17]

I am liking this new hobby of yours, very interesting to see what the slabs look like.
Plus now I have a source for live edge slabs.

Jay

 

[RickP]

Nice sawmill -- looks like you're putting it through its paces!

How long do think the lumber will take to dry in your shed? I've got a couple small beams drying in my basement for now (with a dehumidifier right next to them). But your setup is motivating me to get some space in my shed cleaned out for drying lumber this summer. I'm just using a chainsaw mill for now, but I've got serious sawmill envy -- the fit and finish on your Woodlander are pretty impressive. Are you coating the ends of the lumber with paint or wax to help with checking?

 

[RivennHewn]

I am liking this new hobby of yours, very interesting to see what the slabs look like.
Plus now I have a source for live edge slabs.

Jay

Thanks Jay.

My slab pile is growing!

 

[RivennHewn]

Nice sawmill -- looks like you're putting it through its paces!

How long do think the lumber will take to dry in your shed? I've got a couple small beams drying in my basement for now (with a dehumidifier right next to them). But your setup is motivating me to get some space in my shed cleaned out for drying lumber this summer. I'm just using a chainsaw mill for now, but I've got serious sawmill envy -- the fit and finish on your Woodlander are pretty impressive. Are you coating the ends of the lumber with paint or wax to help with checking?

Rick,
They say a year per inch of thickness, but there are variables.
I’m in no hurry

I use Anchor Seal on the ends, and they still split. I usually cut logs about 6” - 12” longer than I want and expect waste.

Be careful drying them too fast, as that can cause problems as well.

 

[RivennHewn]

My neighbor and I got his logs cut up today.
He only wanted the widest planks out of each log, so I ended up with a nice stack.

It’s amazing how such ugly logs can yield such beautiful wood.

I did manage to F up my first blade hitting the log stop

 

[RivennHewn]

 

[Crabman]

It’s amazing how such ugly logs can yield such beautiful wood.

I knew that would be handy with the cedars that came up under my dock in the storm!

Beautiful!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Riven It looks like having a sawmill is like having a fishing boat, swimming pool, or summer cabin in the mountains - you find out you had friends you didn't even know!

I was wondering if that was cedar or redwood. Either would be awesome with me! Nice!!! Please post more videos if you have the storage space on your phone/PC.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I did manage to F up my first blade hitting the log stop

I have a very similar “feature” in the tailgate of my pickup, from a circular saw.

 

[RivennHewn]

Riven It looks like having a sawmill is like having a fishing boat, swimming pool, or summer cabin in the mountains - you find out you had friends you didn't even know!

I was wondering if that was cedar or redwood. Either would be awesome with me! Nice!!! Please post more videos if you have the storage space on your phone/PC.

Longhorn,
We don’t see any Redwood around here, but Cedar works for me!

It’s been kinda interesting, I’ve had a few neighbors stop by wanting to see it in action.

They all leave saying their going to go looking for logs to bring me.

 

[RivennHewn]

I have a very similar “feature” in the tailgate of my pickup, from a circular saw.

I cut through a new pair of plastic Stanley saw horses while back.
Apparently, I thought the were single use/disposable units

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Sawmill companies ought to give customers an extra log stop as I think everybody makes that mistake at least once.

 

[RivennHewn]

Sawmill companies ought to give customers an extra log stop as I think everybody makes that mistake at least once.

It’s a rite of passage.

Hopefully the blade is salvageable.

 

[RTM]

I did manage to F up my first blade hitting the log stop

Too bad it wasn't a chair. You could be famous soemday. We could say we knew you "way back when"

Ron Hickman - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[bulletpruf]

Man, that looks like fun! I have a few dozen chainsaws; at the very least, I need to get an Alaskan mill.

 

[RivennHewn]

Man, that looks like fun! I have a few dozen chainsaws; at the very least, I need to get an Alaskan mill.

You can’t go wrong with Alaskan Mill.

They are a capable system.

I’ve had very good results with every one I’ve worked with.

 

[RivennHewn]

I have absolutely love my Logrite peavey.

I put the log jack on it, and use it to lift 2,000 lbs logs off the ground for cutting, or getting a cable loop underneath it.

But, it’s too long and cumbersome to use on the mill.

I ordered the little brother. A 30” cant hook.

This will be perfect for turning/repositioning logs on the mill!

 

[RivennHewn]

Stacked and stickered everything into the drying shed this afternoon.

I then pre-loaded a log for tomorrow.
I would have cut it tonight, but there’s a cold, biting wind coming off the channel tonight.

Decided smoked oysters and herring with beer sounded better. Then parked my **** by the fireplace.

 

[RivennHewn]

Please post more videos if you have the storage space on your phone/PC.

Took most of my Saturday, but I removed a bunch of junk out of the shed and got some organization started.

It’s going to be a chore to sort out everything.
I have salvaged wood dating back to the 1880’s, and some that’s just to good to trash/burn that don’t have a project in mind yet. Got to store it all in my limited space

 

[RivennHewn]

Look who’s been accessorizing at HF‍

 

[RivennHewn]

For those of us mill owners who don’t have hydraulic lifters or an excavator., loading 2K lbs logs onto the mill can be a challenge. Especially if you’re a one man operation.

The winch/post I ordered with the mill has worked great. Almost effortless to load the heaviest of logs I’ll ever deal with.

The problem comes from trying to line up the winch centered to the log, so one side doesn’t go up the ramps faster than the other side, throwing the whole thing out of balance.
That can lead to losing control, and having it slide back down the ramps.

Another thing to think about is that the center of the log usually isn’t the center of gravity of the log. And that’s a little harder to figure.

 

[RivennHewn]

My solution is to add a tow strap to the set up.

I hook the strap to the bed, approximately 5’ either side of the winch.

As I crank the winch, the 2 points of contact spread. The higher up the ramps, the further apart they get. Giving a much more stable situation.

 

[LXCam]

/me makes a mental note not to arm wrestle Riv

Hey I've got a gear reduction hand winch that would easily work with a cordless drill you're welcome to bud.

 

[PCustoms]

Hey I've got a gear reduction hand winch that would easily work with a cordless drill you're welcome to bud.

He could also take the handle off that one, tack weld the nut in place and drive it with a drill.

 

[LXCam]

The ratio of those types would probably take much more torque then a cordless drill can supply. Been they’re done that and it was talked about already. The one I’ve got is a good one that I know will work fine with a ~18v drill. Besides not like it’ll cost him a dime to try it and see.

 

[RivennHewn]

Address sent.

Thank Cam!

Drill powered will work perfect for when I tow it out in the sticks!

 

[RivennHewn]

 

[RivennHewn]

Ha ha, made ya look

 

[Jayman17]

Good stuff!

Jay

 

[RivennHewn]

Good stuff!

Jay

Kind of annoying, really

It’s one wet, heavy log. 22” dia. And pushing 90% moisture content.
I couldn’t move it, even with the cart. Had to use the winch.

It will be interesting to see how the log loader winch handles the weight.

 

[RivennHewn]

I love mechanical advantages.

I was watching the camera, and not the winch.

Cable ended up all on one side of the spool and got stuck between the spool and the body.

You can hear it bind up towards the end of the vid.

I figure this one is almost 2K lbs. The log loader winch didn’t have any issue loading it onto the mill.

 

[RivennHewn]

Had to order a new rope for the winch.

These synthetic winch ropes are crazy strong.

They also coil up better on the spool.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KBLW2FM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[RivennHewn]

Pushing the limits of good taste tonight with the neighbors.

The heavy *** log I drug up is in fact Cottonwood

But, that’s okay, as I got a few projects planned that don’t need to last forever. And the price was right.

Got 3 slabs cut tonight. 3” x 15” x 8’, with more to go.

Needing a blade change before I carry on.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I can't say as I've ever heard anything good about cottonwood as lumber. You'll have to share your experience with it but I guess that may be years away.

 

[PCustoms]

I can't say as I've ever heard anything good about cottonwood as lumber.

It's really good at rotting.

Riv, in general how's your species identification with the wet logs? Not sure on the operating costs, but I feel like I'd be sick to put the time in and then find out I made stickers.

I keep expecting you to drag some driftwood pier up on the mill.

 

[RTM]

I can't say as I've ever heard anything good about cottonwood as lumber.

This site lists one good use I hadn’t thought of, secondary wood for furniture, so drawer sides, internal supports etc. you might want to slab it a bit thinner, like 3/4”, so you can get a usable quarter inch. Unfortunately, the poor workability may limit that too.

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-282-W.pdf

 

[RivennHewn]

I can't say as I've ever heard anything good about cottonwood as lumber. You'll have to share your experience with it but I guess that may be years away.

Cottonwood has a bad reputation in the wood burner crowd, and has limited uses in woodworking.
I’m going to see what comes of it. If nothing else, a Burning Man type structure might be

 

[RivennHewn]

It's really good at rotting.

Riv, in general how's your species identification with the wet logs? Not sure on the operating costs, but I feel like I'd be sick to put the time in and then find out I made stickers.

I keep expecting you to drag some driftwood pier up on the mill.

As mentioned prior, identifying wet, barkless, somewhat degraded logs isn’t easy. No bark, limbs, or foliage gives you little to work with.

But, the more I do, the better I’ll be at it.
Experience will pay off later, so it’s not a waste of time.

Piers, or anything that’s had a prior life usually contains metal, so care is needed to protect blades. I run a metal detector over ever log.