This is my first time posting so please bear with me. I need some advice on sawing. When sawing 10" SYP boards for board and batten is it ok to saw a cant then start sawing through the cant or do I need to box the heart. Thanks in advance. I really enjoy all the wisdom and advice for here!
Opening face cut to 5" from the center. Flip 180° cut to 10" then rotate 90°. That seems to get the most 10" boards for me.
Welcome to the Forestry Forum. Adding your location to your profile helps with answering questions.
SYP can show some stress being released as it is being sawn, especially from "Plantation" trees. This will be evident by the end of the cant lifting up off of the sawmill bed as boards are removed.
I would level the log on the sawmill and not be concerned with the pith. Make the log's face openings so that the cant saw through is from either the hump or horn side of the log. Flipping the cant 180° after about every 3 boards are removed should keep the cant straight/flat.
I think if you are just sawing them 4/4 or thinner you will be okay. Boxing the heart is to prevent the boards bowing but on thin boards that will be nailed flat, especially when put up green and plenty of nails used, it is not much of a concern. If I were sawing them for my use I would not bother to box the heart for B&B. Let's see what others have to say.
Listen to Magic. He is telling you this because of experience, he knows that the boards cut this way will give bow instead of crook. The bow will flatten out as it is installed.
Thanks for everyone's input! Just wanted to make sure that boxing the heart wasn't necessary.
Truth be known I've been a stalker on here for a few years now. Fortunately I know a lot more about most of y'all than you know about me.
Magicman, I'm from Prosperity, SC. Just added that to my profile.
I would center the pith in the cant the best possible, but try to make sure there is the same amount of wood on either side of the pith on the left side and right side as you look at the end of the cant. Balancing the wood on either side minimizes side bend.
Quote from: bushhog920 on May 15, 2018, 08:42:39 AM
Opening face cut to 5" from the center. Flip 180° cut to 10" then rotate 90°. That seems to get the most 10" boards for me.
In addition to above posts. I don't trust side bend. I mill the cant wider than desired, Cut the boards, then edge both sides a few at a time. It is extra work. I hate bent boards lying side by side on a stack, especially with the "sawmill guys" looking.
The pith will usually ~center up if the log is turned with the horns toward the loader for the initial face opening. Turn the log until the pith centers on the top end and then level the log with the toe boards.
Thanks for all the advice. Now it's time to start sawing 6,000 bf.
Last two days I was sawing pine where some cants had a little side bend, and when the cant was sawn like this on its side into 1 inch boards, these boards would straighten out perfectly. I've seen this before, not that often though.
Releasing the stress and energy that is stored inside of a log can do some strange things.
I sawed a poplar that had been hit by lightning. The boards came off the mill and twisted and curled while we watched. They looked alive. They made good fire pit wood.