This job ended up being two different locations for two different previous customers. The first was 166 miles and was sawing Black Willow. Wow, that is some pretty stuff. The setup was on a relatively level spot between the main lakefront and the water.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1132_28Small29.JPG)
Nice setup. The logs are in the background.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1134_28Small29.JPG)
A look from some of the logs.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1137_28Small29.JPG)
A 35" Black Willow log being brought to the sawmill. ;D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1140_28Small29.JPG)
The customer on the right and my helper, Ben, who plays professional football for the Utah Blaze.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1142_28Custom29.JPG)
A closeup look at the Black Willow.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1143_28Small29.JPG)
One of the lumber whacks. This lumber will become wall paneling in the customer's new home.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1158_28Small29.JPG)
The second customer had a small Cypress log and no way to haul it. We were 27 more miles from the second customer's saw location making me 193 miles from home.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1160_28Small29.JPG)
The scene of the second sawjob. A 46" blowdown Pecan. :-\ In the far background the butt cut is seen being butchered down to sawmill size.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1162_28Small29.JPG)
Rolling another log to the sawmill.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1163_28Custom29.JPG)
That same log being sawn mostly live edge. The crotch wood was spectacular.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1164_28Small29.JPG)
Butchered down, this thing was still 38" when I loaded it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1166_28Small29.JPG)
No way could a sawmill will less hydraulics have handled this log. It took the log turner and the clamp working together to turn that heavy baby. I have no Pecan pictures, but the 6/4 lumber from that log was awesome.
This trip was very profitable to both me and the two customers. I was provided with meals and lodging, they got some very nice lumber, and I also got two nice tips. smiley_thumbsup
Thanks for sharing the pics MM. You seem to have that road-tripping thing down to a fine art.
Looks like it was a nice trip Lynn.
It really says something when the customer throws in a tip!
Wow !!!! Move over Jake, you've got some serious competition on the big ones.....
Yup Chuck, 15% tips are nice.
Piney, customsawyer should not even be allowed to see that log. The saw hands were working on it while I was sawing the other logs. It took the third saw for them to whittle it down. I thought that they were going to split it, but they did what they did. :D
It still took me over 2 hours to reduce it to 6/4 slabs with as much live edge as possible.
What a life! food, fun and sawdust. and happy custormers. We all know that those big ones raise a few hairs! so, the humble act can cease. Happy for you and the folks that benifited from you work.
That black willow really looks nice, does it grows in the walnut belt? :D
Nice job MM, thats a long way to go for 2 trees but when you work for the wealthy anything is possible . and did you hall that log to the next job? :o :D :D
It was only one Pecan tree, but probably 3-4 Willow trees. I was sawing "hourly rate" but the total bf was very close to 4-5Mbf. Total saw time was 16 hours.
Neither of these customers were wealthy in any monetarily way. Each are young folks in their late 20's trying to scrap things together and build themselves a home. They are using whatever resources are available, even these logs that the landowners were going to burn. I guess that lakefront home in one picture was deceiving, but it did not belong to either customer.
Yup Peter, I hauled that Cypress log 27 miles to the second saw site. Wonder which log I sawed first ???
I've messed around with a few large pecan trees. HEAVY stuff, for sure! Great looking lumber, Lynn. :)
Hey Magic !! When are you going to start working with big logs ? Say your prayers....
We have quite a few Black Willows in this area along the waterways!
One of these days, I'll have one of them on my mill. ;)
Years ago, when owning a sawmill was a pipedream for me, I had a black willow on my property that was blown down by hurricane Opal. I have been a woodworker for years and I was having difficulty having to haul away the wood to be burned. I actually sliced a few pieces with my chainsaw and then resawed them on my small bandsaw (6" max height). I haven't used any of that lumber, but I still have it and it was really pretty. It's still in my storage unit. I wonder if it's dry after about 15 years?
This Black Willow will be used as inside wall paneling and installed horizontally. He will leave spaces between the boards and then chink. The inside walls will then look like the outside of a log house.
Good job MM. I like to read about your jobs and pictures.
I have gotten PM's voicing concerns about making long road trips. The possibility of a breakdown does push my "comfort zone", but I have "shook the bush, got my mind right, and decided to eat the eggs". (Cool Hand Luke)
I had debarker troubles on a previous trip, and had a mechanical failure on this trip which I will detail on another thread. There are generally "work arounds" and ways to keep sawing, but there is always a possibility that something could shut you down. :-\ That is just a risk that goes with the territory.
Internet generated jobs will always be road trips because the locals already know about my sawing service. My next scheduled road trip saw job is in Covington, La. which is 202 miles away.
MM good looking black willow
I actually live very close to Covington I grew up here and still work here, does black willow grow around here?
Gday
Lynn Another Top Job and thats some pretty timber Mate :) ;) ;D ;D 8) 8)
Regards Chris
Quote from: Magicman on September 18, 2012, 08:22:05 AM
I have gotten PM's voicing concerns about making long road trips. The possibility of a breakdown does push my "comfort zone", but I have "shook the bush, got my mind right, and decided to eat the eggs". (Cool Hand Luke)
I had debarker troubles on a previous trip, and had a mechanical failure on this trip which I will detail on another thread. There are generally "work arounds" and ways to keep sawing, but there is always a possibility that something could shut you down. :-\ That is just a risk that goes with the territory.
Internet generated jobs will always be road trips because the locals already know about my sawing service. My next scheduled road trip saw job is in Covington, La. which is 202 miles away.
sounds like you are honing the 'working vacation' to a sharp edge. ;)
I picked up an email this morning for sawing: (quote) "I have around 60 trees that are over 20" in diameter around my house that I would like to turn into building materials. most of the trees are pine (40+) some are oak."
I have not talked with the potential customer yet, because I need to think on it first. The location would be a bit over 200 miles away from home. :o Ouch !!!
That sounds like a few days worth of sawing, MM?
I have people bringing me some of their yard trees that storm Issac laid down MM. NAILS, NAILS, NAILS!!! >:( :-[ ::)
Quote from: Bogue Chitto on September 18, 2012, 12:59:51 PM
I have people bringing me some of their yard trees that storm Issac laid down MM. NAILS, NAILS, NAILS!!! >:( :-[ ::)
Quote from: Magicman on September 18, 2012, 12:24:21 PM
I picked up an email this morning for sawing: (quote) "I have around 60 trees that are over 20" in diameter around my house that I would like to turn into building materials. most of the trees are pine (40+) some are oak."
OK, I have talked with the potential customer and have agreed to saw the job. It will be December or probably January when he gets the logs ready for sawing. Looks like I had better be getting my sawing britches dusted off. The saw job is over 200 miles away from home.
At least it will have cooled off by then. Though the weather the past week hasn't been bad :)
Gday
Lynn You can hold your own Mate ;) I wouldn't worry about the distances look at it as You just get to see some pretty country ;)its more about if it was a paying position for Me ;) I was approached and I am currently looking at a HUGE,MASSIVE,MEGGA Job there is about 400000 Ton of timber across afew Plantations trick is though its 4 to 700mi from home base but the 80 to 90% of the timbers coming to Victoria :o :o :) ;D ;D 8) 8)
Regards Chris
I had a good number of spectators to stop by last week while I was sawing. Since I was sawing "hourly rate" I did not take any time for chat, but several did pick up business cards.
Well, one of them just called. He has 30-40 Cypress logs and wanted to get on the list. They are gonna wear the ole man out. :o
I'm real sorry MM, but I can't help you out. I'm still snowed under as are the other locals LeroyC and slysam. :(
:D :D :D :D
We know it doesn't snow in Louisiana!
MM if you come down to my neck of the woods look me up if you need something . I would be more than willing to help out with something if you need it. (and to learn something in the process)
Thanks, I also spent a few years as a cable splicer. Bogue Chitto is North of you in Franklinton.
I'll be hosting a Chickin Crispin in the Spring. LINK (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,52840.0.html) You will have to attend. :)
Sounds good, you can count me in! I do like chicken.