Milling beams

[dean herring]

I've got a lot of 16-20' SYP logs. Is there a market for beams? I'm going to cut some 6"x12"x20' beams to see how they turn out. I cut some 
4x8x20' last week and they looked really good. 

[Magicman]

Beams are specialty items depending upon the house plans.  I would be contacting the local builders to find out what they may need.  4X6's are very popular imitating exposed rafters, etc. in kitchens and great rooms.  


 
I have sawed thousands of posts and only a few hundred beams.  I sawed 231 posts which included 4X8, 8X8, 6X12, 12X12, 8X16, and 16X16 in September.  (some shown above)  I also sawed 53 ea. 4X6's for overhead decorative work.  All were 10' & 12' in length.

[beenthere]

If thinking structural beams/timbers, rather than decorative, then will likely need to be machine or visually stress-graded for assignment of the structural grade.

[logman]

I buy pine timbers all the time, none of them graded except for douglas fir.  You may want to wait to saw them out until you get an order.  SYP doesn't do well sitting around.  You could always slab them just to get the bark off and resaw them once you get an order.

[cabindoc]

I cut and installed 10x10 red pine cut local to me in so NJ on a resturant that was permitted and inspected and no request for grading stamps.  These were posts and headers for an outdoor eating area.  BUT, I think it depends on  the town, state, archetect, etc....

[Don P]

The laws are there, enforcement varies. I'm not saying good or bad or that I don't have a house or few out there done just the same. However, be aware of where you are in that legally, permit and inspection did not transfer responsibility from you to them.