cut speed?

[customsawyer]

Here is a link to my mill video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Q_lwnVIuRq0

[dean herring]

Customsawyer, I am new at this sawmilling as I am just clearing a mill site. Having never ran a mill before I appreciate your time and to put that video out. I did not know you had such a big operation very nice. The Forum is full of info for beginners like me, thanks to all for you willing to share you knowledge.

[4x4American]

Thanks Custom Sawyer for the upload.  I was under the influence of sawing from the small end always.  At least that's what I've read on here.  Have you found that it makes any difference what end you saw from?

[ncsawyer]

I like to always cut from the big end as Custom Sawyer is doing in his video.  For me it's easier to judge where to begin cutting.  If I start on the small end I will sometime make my first cut too deep and waste some wood on the big end.  It also keeps you from having to travel half way down the log before you can start cutting.

[4x4American]

I was having a problem with a blade deflection upon entrance, and I was advised to saw from small end first to help with that issue.  I still don't understand how it would matter!

[ncsawyer]

I was having a problem with a blade deflection upon entrance, and I was advised to saw from small end first to help with that issue.  I still don't understand how it would matter!

I wouldn't think it would matter either.   But I have noticed that on but cut logs blade defection can be an issue due to stress in the but end of the log.  In my experience,  I hardly ever have had a blade deflection issue when sawing the small end first.  Again,  I would prefer to saw big end first, but sometimes a customer will load the log"backwards".

[4x4American]

Ahh icic.  Yes that would make sense to me with a butt log

[Magicman]

When sawing some logs with large knots, the blade may tend to rise with the upward facing spike knot.  Sawing from the small end, you enter the knot from the crotch, so less tendency to ride up.

[Peter Drouin]

When sawing some logs with large knots, the blade may tend to rise with the upward facing spike knot.  Sawing from the small end, you enter the knot from the crotch, so less tendency to ride up.

Just what I was going to say. But you beat me to it MM  :D :D :D
The other thing is if the blade rides up it's dull and I don't care from what end I start from. :D :D :D :D

[4x4American]

Thanks yawl!

That makes sense.  Someone should take all of this great info from all over the FF and make it into a book.

[Magicman]

The other thing is if the blade rides up it's dull and I don't care from what end I start from. :D :D :D :D

So true.   

[Magicman]

Someone should take all of this great info from all over the FF and make it into a book.

We is da book.   :D

[customsawyer]

In the video I was cutting 12"X12"X36' timbers. If I can get a board that is 3.5" wide and 5' long it goes in the lumber stack and I get to charge for it. If you are watching the video I make several short boards before I make a full length cut. If I was sawing from the small end I would have to carry them all the way back. ;) Another reason for sawing from the big end on these logs is due to the butt swell on them. If it passes through the mill on this end I don't end up half way down the log and get the mill stuck. There is more compression wood in the butt end of the logs that will want to make blades ride up a little at the start of a cut but it only starts to happen once the blade is loosing its edge.