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Hamajama, Wlmedley, apm, doc henderson, NewYankeeSawmill, 1938farmall, GAB, mbolt512, John S, TroyC, teakwood, Dan_Shade, Resonator, dnash, Old Greenhorn, Ron Wenrich, Larry, jaciausa, Don P, GRANITEstateMP, Chiselbut, Jim Roy, awcldwll, thecfarm, Jeff
Hamajama, Wlmedley, apm, doc henderson, NewYankeeSawmill, 1938farmall, GAB, mbolt512, John S, TroyC, teakwood, Dan_Shade, Resonator, dnash, Old Greenhorn, Ron Wenrich, Larry, jaciausa, Don P, GRANITEstateMP, Chiselbut, Jim Roy, awcldwll, thecfarm, Jeff
Recent posts
#1
General Board / Re: Aurora
Last post by NewYankeeSawmill - Today at 08:22:31 AMSky looked very similar to what @IanB posted outside Knoxville, TN....
I saw them once when I was at college in Oswego, but that might have been the mushrooms?
Can't believe they had an impact this far south... No electrical issues to report, but I've never seen the sky that color before. Freaky. You can see how earlier in human history how events like this would result in myths and stories being told for generations...
I saw them once when I was at college in Oswego, but that might have been the mushrooms?
Can't believe they had an impact this far south... No electrical issues to report, but I've never seen the sky that color before. Freaky. You can see how earlier in human history how events like this would result in myths and stories being told for generations...
#2
General Board / Re: Busting a boulder
Last post by Don P - Today at 08:11:23 AMWe had one job where I moved the house further and further down the hill trying to get off the rock. We ended up blasting anyway. The crew said it was the hardest DanG limestone they had ever shot. The engineer said it was about 5 minutes shy of being marble 
. We were building next door a year or two later and Ifound some of our shot rock, oops. Then a few years later we were building on the hill across from that one. The surface was covered in sandstone, they wanted a basement and I warned them of what we had run into across the way. We pushed the surface rocks away and never hit another one.
On the last "hey let's put a foundation under an existing house" job, the rock was starting to get harder than the jackhammer and demo hammer so I plumbed the skidsteer for running a rock hammer but it got back into manageable by then so I've never tried it. I may rent one and head over to the cliff at some point just to see how it does. That granite is tied right to the hubs I think. Dexpan does work well on that hard rock, the softer stuff just absorbs the expansion without much damage. It works even better if you can find a young man to run the drill!
. We were building next door a year or two later and Ifound some of our shot rock, oops. Then a few years later we were building on the hill across from that one. The surface was covered in sandstone, they wanted a basement and I warned them of what we had run into across the way. We pushed the surface rocks away and never hit another one. On the last "hey let's put a foundation under an existing house" job, the rock was starting to get harder than the jackhammer and demo hammer so I plumbed the skidsteer for running a rock hammer but it got back into manageable by then so I've never tried it. I may rent one and head over to the cliff at some point just to see how it does. That granite is tied right to the hubs I think. Dexpan does work well on that hard rock, the softer stuff just absorbs the expansion without much damage. It works even better if you can find a young man to run the drill!
#3
General Board / Re: Faux Cordwood Wall
Last post by Resonator - Today at 08:10:14 AMLike the cut out sawblade! 
#4
Ask The Forester / Re: Becoming a Forestry Consul...
Last post by Ron Wenrich - Today at 08:09:07 AMThe thing is that he invested in old equipment that was shot. The mill was 50 yrs old. It took too long to install (over 9 months). The mill layout was very bad. He borrowed heavily. His labor force was untrained and not very reliable.
Should you work in a mill? I think you'll get more of an education about that aspect of the industry right there. It depends what your end game is.
I started out stacking lumber at a medium sized mill. I worked with lumber graders and learned lumber grades, how to stack lumber and run loaders. From there, I started to scale and grade logs. Then, I advanced to sawing. At each of those positions, I got hands on experience to gain skills. I worked there for 4 yrs before moving on to being a consultant. I already had my BS in Forest Science. Schools give knowledge, workplaces give you skills.
Your original post was about becoming a forester in northern Indiana. That probably requires a bachelor's degree. At mill level, you become a procurement forester. That means you go out and look for timber, mark and tally, and handle landowners. Seeing logs being broke down into lumber helps in figuring out what timber is worth. Working with loggers helps you recognize logging challenges. Many guys will over estimate usable tree volume until they see what actually is harvested and what breaks up.
As a consultant, you would do the same, but you would be representing the landowner, not the mill. But, you also have other services to offer like timber appraisals, forest mgmt plans, etc.
The other outlet would be as a govt forester. That could mean working for a municipality, county, state or federal. I found those jobs hard to get. There is less work with landowners, but more work with the general public.
Wildlife Mgmt is not very useful for commercial milling. A large paper company may have one on board if they're buying stumpage from landowners. I don't think there is a large amount of private landowners that use wildlife managers as their primary consultant. The only thing left is govt or some environmental organization.
So, a lot depends on what you want to do, and what you can afford. Going to school while working is a big undertaking. A 2 yr degree can get your foot in the door, but has limitations in some instances. Working in a mill will tell you if that part of the industry appeals to you.
Should you work in a mill? I think you'll get more of an education about that aspect of the industry right there. It depends what your end game is.
I started out stacking lumber at a medium sized mill. I worked with lumber graders and learned lumber grades, how to stack lumber and run loaders. From there, I started to scale and grade logs. Then, I advanced to sawing. At each of those positions, I got hands on experience to gain skills. I worked there for 4 yrs before moving on to being a consultant. I already had my BS in Forest Science. Schools give knowledge, workplaces give you skills.
Your original post was about becoming a forester in northern Indiana. That probably requires a bachelor's degree. At mill level, you become a procurement forester. That means you go out and look for timber, mark and tally, and handle landowners. Seeing logs being broke down into lumber helps in figuring out what timber is worth. Working with loggers helps you recognize logging challenges. Many guys will over estimate usable tree volume until they see what actually is harvested and what breaks up.
As a consultant, you would do the same, but you would be representing the landowner, not the mill. But, you also have other services to offer like timber appraisals, forest mgmt plans, etc.
The other outlet would be as a govt forester. That could mean working for a municipality, county, state or federal. I found those jobs hard to get. There is less work with landowners, but more work with the general public.
Wildlife Mgmt is not very useful for commercial milling. A large paper company may have one on board if they're buying stumpage from landowners. I don't think there is a large amount of private landowners that use wildlife managers as their primary consultant. The only thing left is govt or some environmental organization.
So, a lot depends on what you want to do, and what you can afford. Going to school while working is a big undertaking. A 2 yr degree can get your foot in the door, but has limitations in some instances. Working in a mill will tell you if that part of the industry appeals to you.
#5
General Board / Re: The weather 2024
Last post by thecfarm - Today at 08:07:07 AMMostly cloudy here all day, but it will be a dry day!!!
56° for a high.
Greenhouse is getting there.
56° for a high.
Greenhouse is getting there.
#6
General Board / Re: Faux Cordwood Wall
Last post by thecfarm - Today at 08:00:04 AMThere is a garage that I go to, that has one laid up in a heap. At least both pieces are together. This heap is about 8 feet wide and 50 feet long. It's on the right as you go into the garage.
I asked about a trike that was sinking into the ground. I asked about it for the wife's flower bed. He said his wife wanted it for the same reason. Probably will be there 20 years from now.
I asked about a trike that was sinking into the ground. I asked about it for the wife's flower bed. He said his wife wanted it for the same reason. Probably will be there 20 years from now.
#8
General Board / Re: Faux Cordwood Wall
Last post by Jeff - Today at 07:48:19 AMThat bench I restored once. It used to be at the cemetery with a plaque for Tammy's Dad. The wood rotted off of it within 3 or 4 years. I had some whiteoak cut for it. It stays here now.
#9
Forestry and Logging / Re: is there a best time to ha...
Last post by B.C.C. Lapp - Today at 07:43:08 AMWe cut hemlock year round. Never heard of a right or wrong time to cut hemlock. Ive had hemlocks sit many months with no problems. I agree with thecfarm, just cut it as you need it.
#10
General Board / Re: Busting a boulder
Last post by thecfarm - Today at 07:37:21 AMI have people suggest I bury 
too. 
Just found more that way!!!
Then I have to fill the hole up and I go someplace else to dig and found more rocks.
When I had my land logged the guy made a mess of the road to the back field. Brough in his excavator and leveled it out. I had him dig in a spot for me so I could get some dirt, many were found.
When the foundation was dug for the house, there was a few there too.!!!!!!
Had to bring in the blasting guys for the bedroom. He mentioned about moving the foundation a little, but as I said, 4 feet away could be another big.
I wanted the house a certain way for the view too.
too. Just found more that way!!!Then I have to fill the hole up and I go someplace else to dig and found more rocks.
When I had my land logged the guy made a mess of the road to the back field. Brough in his excavator and leveled it out. I had him dig in a spot for me so I could get some dirt, many
were found. When the foundation was dug for the house, there was a few
there too.!!!!!! Had to bring in the blasting guys for the bedroom. He mentioned about moving the foundation a little, but as I said, 4 feet away could be another big
.I wanted the house a certain way for the view too.
