Sawmill

[PCustoms]

Years ago,I built a 2-step stool out of Pacific Madrone that a friend gave me. I thought the slab was was “dry enough”
A few month later the stool looked like it had been designed by Dr. Kevorkian.
It made really nice firewood.

Didn't know Kevorkian was a woodworker.

 

[Mr.zippy]

Didn't know Kevorkian was a woodworker.

Probably wasn’t a woodworker….but pretty familiar with the ”twist” of death!

 

[RivennHewn]

Went from woodworker to metalworker this afternoon. Made a little progress on the re-vamping of the log trailer.

The first cut is always the hardest.

 

[Mr.zippy]

That looks like someone reused an old light pole?

 

[RivennHewn]

That looks like someone reused an old light pole?

Correct.

It’s an old light pole from the early 70’s.

Even has a flag pole attachment.

Can’t wait for the trailer to take shape, but equally excited about the “Offcut”



How it started Vs. How it’s going

 

[PugetDude]

Riv, what’s the end game for the trailer? Just shorter?

 

[RivennHewn]

Riv, what’s the end game for the trailer? Just shorter?

Didn’t think I need to haul 30’ logs.

Mill maxes out at 17’, but I like 12’ lengths best.

Hoping to end up with some leftover lengths of 4x4x3/6” square tube from a work project.

Leaning towards a 4’ wide bed (just ribs) with 2’ high uprights spaced 4’ on center.

I want the logs to hang out the back about 3’.
Thinking this may take some weight off the Tongue.
I don’t care for the axle being at the very back of the trailer.

 

[RivennHewn]

The guy with the Madrone I planed stopped by yesterday.

Said he had something for me.

I hadn’t let him pay for the planing, but was more than happy to receive his thank-you gift.

White Oak coasters, with some Scrimshaw style artwork, reminiscent of tall ship sailors of old.

They fit right nicely in my house.

 

[LXCam]

Those are cuul Riv. Did he do the burning with a laser or ole school?

Well as old school as you might get in today’s time with an electric iron

 

[RivennHewn]

Those are cuul Riv. Did he do the burning with a laser or ole school?

Well as old school as you might get in today’s time with an electric iron

He carves the lines, then inks them in.

Kinda like a primitive tattoo

 

[harley jim]

Nice

 

[Jayman17]

I like the coasters!

 

[RivennHewn]

Step one on the trailer (after a week in Maui) is welding on a new jack.

Hate the slop in these pipe/weld on mounts.

 

[RivennHewn]

Finished product , except the paint.

Had to start raising on me.

 

[RivennHewn]

Not the best yield due to some rot and splitting, but not a bad afternoon’s work.

I took the time to quarter saw the smaller pieces. Should make for some nice Douglas Fir trim.

 

[RivennHewn]

Had enough daylight to roll another fatty onto the mill. A big, ugly one.

Kinda nice inside though.

 

[PugetDude]

Nice spalted specimen, Riv.
Got something special in mind for it?
Scott

 

[RivennHewn]

Nice spalted specimen, Riv.
Got something special in mind for it?
Scott

Not as of yet. Just opened it

 

[RivennHewn]

And some more trailer prep.

Cutting the rest of the welds off of the old V bars.

Started with a cutting wheel on the grinder, then tried the Diablo carbide blade in the sawzall.

Sawzall is the definite winner for the bulk work, then a flap wheel to bring it all flush.

Got 2 of 4 done before the wife reminded me that we have neighbors that she likes

 

[RivennHewn]

Emptied the kiln this afternoon.

Load #1 complete.

Wasn’t prime wood going in. Wasn’t prime wood coming out.

Still, I got enough siding to start finishing the kiln exterior, and a few really nice Cedar slabs.

Time to shuffle the next load in.

 

[RTM]

Emptied the kiln this afternoon.

Load #1 complete.

Wasn’t prime wood going in. Wasn’t prime wood coming out.

Still, I got enough siding to start finishing the kiln exterior, and a few really nice Cedar slabs.

Time to shuffle the next load in.

So some pieces are a little “rustic”. With good marketing to the right group of suckers customers, you could have a gold mine.

 

[RivennHewn]

Load-in time.

No need to hit the gym today

 

[RivennHewn]

I quickly grew tired of sorting/stacking lumber this morning.

Moved on to a little fab’n on the trailer. I just needed to cut a cap for the end, to attach the pintle hitch to. I cut the octagonal 1/4” plate flush, then decided to have it undercut a shy 1/8” all around for welding. To much grinding


I ordered a pintle hitch for the receiver, and a channel mount ring for the trailer.

I’m a bit confused by Amazon/UPS as how they think the provided “tracking” is the least bit helpful or informative.

Somebody please explain, like I’m 6.

 

[RTM]

Much more useful to go to the UPS website but it hasn't done any of that useful stuff, from the lack of color on your screen

 

[RivennHewn]

Much more useful to go to the UPS website but it hasn't done any of that useful stuff, from the lack of color on your screen

Again, I’m 6.

Just click’n the link Amazon provided.

 

[RivennHewn]

Going full gorilla-weld.

Ugly, but strong enough.


I’d kinda like to replace my Craftsman welder,
But it’s not showing any signs of quitting.

 

[RivennHewn]

A couple passes later…..

 

[PugetDude]

Riv, I see that, like me, you have highly developed grinding skills. Mine were honed out of necessity, yours are just an art form.

 

[RivennHewn]

Riv, I see that, like me, you have highly developed grinding skills. Mine were honed out of necessity, yours are just an art form.

Flap wheels are magic

 

[RivennHewn]

I just got busy.

To date, I’m into this trailer for $125. And a couple hours.

 

[PCustoms]

Excuse me, this thread is about wood, sawmills and boats.

 

[RivennHewn]

Excuse me, this thread is about wood, sawmills and boats.

And cheap-*** trailers to haul logs to the mill

 

[RivennHewn]

Welding cheat.

I can barely draw a straight line with a pencil, let alone run a straight bead.

I tried this brass bar, offset an 1/8” from where I wanted a 1/4” bead. That way I knew it would be centered on the joint AND somewhat straight.

 

[RivennHewn]

Technically, it’s a trailer again.

Hitch
Jack
License plate
Wireless signal lights

But, I’m gonna need some fenders

 

[LXCam]

I’m thinking a live edge fender would be most suited Riv.

 

[RivennHewn]

I’m thinking a live edge fender would be most suited Riv.

I like the way you think!


Got started notching the 1st cross member.

Hot glued a couple shims together for a template. Being a tapered octagon, I’ll have to template each one .

Getting all the tops to line up is going to be the challenge

PSA: always wear your face shield when cutting with a grinder without a guard

 

[PCustoms]

Technically, it’s a trailer again.

Hitch
Jack
License plate
Wireless signal lights

But, I’m gonna need some fenders

Wow, that axle is far back. How long will the logs be? Seems like the short ones would lead to a lot of tongue weight

 

[RivennHewn]

Wow, that axle is far back. How long will the logs be? Seems like the short ones would lead to a lot of tongue weight

Agreed. That’s the biggest reason I cut it in half.

Logs will stick out the back 3-4’ to help with the tongue weight

 

[RivennHewn]

Got the cross ribs all notched and fitted before the wife shut me down for the night.

So nice to have daylight passed 9:00 in the evening.

I’ll need to do some tweaking, string-lining and leveling before I start burning them together.

Would like to do it tomorrow, but it’s opening day for crab season! Going to eat good tomorrow!

 

[Toolfool]

CRAB !!!