Sawmill

[txlonghorn1989]

Nice work Riven! You may have mentioned this in the beginning, what diameter logs can it handle?

 

[RivennHewn]

Nice work Riven! You may have mentioned this in the beginning, what diameter logs can it handle?

26” dia. Max.

I was thinking about going with the 30” model, but have you ever tried lifting a 30” log?

besides paying for the mill upgrade, I would have to spend $$$ on some equipment to handle them

 

[RivennHewn]

For those of us that didn’t choose to spend the big bucks for the hydraulic log lifter, and don’t own a forklift/excavator, we really only have one option for loading logs. A winch.

I purchased the winch set up as an accessory when I bought the unit.

It’s a simple hand crank unit on a post.

If you lucky the winch/cable will be set up, not on the center of the log, but at the center of gravity of the log. Otherwise, it won’t pull up straight onto the bunks.
Now, I haven’t seen this done before, but I have an idea that should help stabilize the log as it’s being winched onto position.

I have taken a strap, and hooked each end to the bed about 10’ apart. I then roll the log onto the strap, then hook the winch to the strap.

The higher the log rolls up, the wider the straps get, giving a much more stable lift.

See pics for a better explanation.

 

[bugnut]

Come on, a manual winch. In true GJ fashion needs at least a four cylinder!

Looks like it will work perfectly manually too!

 

[Michigan Mike]

You can get the logs up there with a cant hook. I have done it. Your winch looks much easier. If you aren't already on the Forestry forum I strongly suggest you do so. It has been a while since I have been active there but it is a great resource and I remember it as being a forum much like GJ. Friendly and helpful. PS my mill was set up on the ground so not as high to get the logs on.

 

[RivennHewn]

Come on, a manual winch. In true GJ fashion needs at least a four cylinder!

Looks like it will work perfectly manually too!

Once my wallet recovers, I’m thinking I’ll replace it with the Warn 115V A/C winch .

https://www.grainger.com/product/WARN-115V-AC-Pulling-Electric-Winch-6DLV4

 

[RivennHewn]

You can get the logs up there with a cant hook. I have done it. Your winch looks much easier. If you aren't already on the Forestry forum I strongly suggest you do so. It has been a while since I have been active there but it is a great resource and I remember it as being a forum much like GJ. Friendly and helpful. PS my mill was set up on the ground so not as high to get the logs on.

Thanks for bring up the forestry forum. I’ll have to check it out.

I have a cant hook, but I’m big into “mechanical advantages “

I like the winch!

 

[LXCam]

Once my wallet recovers, I’m thinking I’ll replace it with the Warn 115V A/C winch .

https://www.grainger.com/product/WARN-115V-AC-Pulling-Electric-Winch-6DLV4

Riv by chance do you own a Milwaukee holehawg. Years ago before I could afford a real wire puller I set up a manual cable winch puller with one as the drive. Sure made my life easy.

 

[RivennHewn]

Riv by chance do you own a Milwaukee holehawg. Years ago before I could afford a real wire puller I set up a manual cable winch puller with one as the drive. Sure made my life easy.

I’ve seen that done.

Warn has a drill powered unit as well.

 

[RivennHewn]

Came home to another wet one. May very well be firewood. But I’ve got places for that too.

Finally got a chance to use the log arch!

Both the arch, and the mill trailer are going to require a hitch with a bigger drop. Another thing on the list.

 

[RivennHewn]

Dam! I’ve got competition

 

[LXCam]

Looks like you’re gonna have to step up your game bud.

 

[RivennHewn]

Looks like you’re gonna have to step up your game bud.

Naw . Those big boys draw attention from the Parks Dept., State, County, and city boys, Army Core of Engineers, NOAA, Fed. Borough of Land Management, Tribal Coalitions, Save the Salmon non profit, and a dozen other “I know better than you” entities.

I like flying under the radar

 

[LXCam]

Naw . Those big boys draw attention from the Parks Dept., State, County, and city boys, Army Core of Engineers, NOAA, Fed. Borough of Land Management, Tribal Coalitions, Save the Salmon non profit, and a dozen other “I know better than you” entities.

I like flying under the radar

Well then under the radar we go.

No one will ever notice

 

[RivennHewn]

Well then under the radar we go.

No one will ever notice

Now that’s more like it!

understated, but with some flare

 

[RivennHewn]

Obligatory 1st cut video, with the dB app on my phone.

 

[LXCam]

Well looky there, Riv’s got wood. Congrats bud, that baby cuts nicely

 

[Jayman17]

That’s awesome Riv, it’s going through like a knife through butter. Ears muffs are a must.

Jay

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Nice! How's the wood look?

 

[RTM]

That’s nice. Love the feed rate. Can’t wait to see the finished surface.

 

[RivennHewn]

Nice! How's the wood look?

Considering where it came from, and the price, I’d say it looks pretty damn good!

 

[RivennHewn]

That’s nice. Love the feed rate. Can’t wait to see the finished surface.

Finished surface? check back in 18 months .

Dry time is a *****!

But, it gives me time to save up for a planer.

 

[RivennHewn]

 

[Half-fast eddie]

What kind of log is that, and how did you strip the bark?

 

[RivennHewn]

What kind of log is that, and how did you strip the bark?

That’s a good question. The logs usually come to me without bark, limbs, or foliage .

It’s kinda hard to identify them.

Also, they have a high moisture content, so even when I cut them to length, the end cuts don’t always give good clues.

The usual smell of a species doesn’t always come through either.

I’m pretty good at identifying lumber, but until it’s dried and planed, it can be difficult.

 

[RivennHewn]

Cut a couple hundred 1” x 1” stickers today.

Then cleared out a shed to convert it into a drying shed.

Got started stacking things up.

Then I got a log or two pulled into position for loading.

Finally, got my Rapid Response Log Retrieval Vehicle moved into position.

 

[Sumboodie]

They call it a toe board, not sure why.

Used for adjusting/compensating for taper.

Yes. Usually at least one on each end. At least on the Woodmizer I ran.

 

[RivennHewn]

Tonight I added a couple of reinforced attachment points for the towing line to the transom of the Rapid Response Log Retrieval Vehicle.
I can now be in the water, chasing stray logs in less than 3 minutes.

Used some noodle floaty material to keep the line outta the prop. The line is 1/4” winch cable rated at 8000lbs. Surely enough to rip the transom off the boat

 

[tarbellb]

Beautiful log you got there, almost looks like Elm?

What did you cut the stickers out of? Any kind of dimensional variation can have a big impact on wood twisting, Ive also heard certain chemicals from can leech into them too, but who knows?

 

[RivennHewn]

Beautiful log you got there, almost looks like Elm?

What did you cut the stickers out of? Any kind of dimensional variation can have a big impact on wood twisting, Ive also heard certain chemicals from can leech into them too, but who knows?

Wish I was better at identifying wet, limbless, barkless logs. Maybe I’ll get better as I get going cutting more.

The stickers are just leftover Home Depot studs.
Hey, the price was right!

 

[RivennHewn]

Sometimes playing at night is advantageous.

 

[Michigan Mike]

I am jealous. Almost want my mill back.

 

[larry4406]

Maybe I missed it, but are your dragging up decades old submerged logs?

Pretty cool!

 

[RivennHewn]

Maybe I missed it, but are your dragging up decades old submerged logs?

Pretty cool!

I wish.

Some are quite old, but most fall into the river, make their way into the salt water, then the tide pushes them up the channel to my house.

Along the way, they lose their branches and bark and start to grow barnacles.

 

[RivennHewn]

Fetch!

 

[Crabman]

Rivenn

Very cool pics. The old Johnson sounds great!

So cool to have something in the back yard. I have crabs, fish and oysters. Not trying to steal your thread which I am enjoying, but I am perceiving that you like me are moving to a new stage in life and I wish you the best.



Had some cedar trees come up under the dock in a big storm this summer. The sawmill would have been handy.

Bruce

 

[RivennHewn]

Rivenn

Very cool pics. The old Johnson sounds great!

So cool to have something in the back yard. I have crabs, fish and oysters. Not trying to steal your thread which I am enjoying, but I am perceiving that you like me are moving to a new stage in life and I wish you the best.



Had some cedar trees come up under the dock in a big storm this summer. The sawmill would have been handy.

Bruce

Thanks, Bruce.
Life ain’t too awful at the moment.

Can’t wait to harvest my oysters. They are getting close.

Feel free to steal the thread, it’s community property at this point

Scott

 

[nadogail]

Having a supply of logs, a boat, and a saw mill makes you a winner!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Having a supply of logs, a boat, and a saw mill makes you a winner!

And he's farming his own oysters! Sweet!

 

[Jayman17]

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

Jay