First cuts

[NewYankeeSawmill]

Finally got my %^_@ together and got the mill finished, and started cutting. Played around on a too-short piece of pine, then threw this poplar on. To think I almost made it into firewood!





I've got 2 more logs from this same tree (this was the smallest of them). I think I might get some more practice before I cut those up, I screwed up a lot of pretty wood just playing around today.

And yes, I cut into a log support, burned up my first blade today, too! Getting in all kinds of firsts!  

- Kevin

[WV Sawmiller]

Glad to hear you sawed into a side support already. Some folks take days and even weeks before they do that. I never do something like that (unless there is someone watching). Now let us know when you roll a log completely across the mill because you forgot to put the side supports up and when you leave a toe board up and saw some long wedges,

[RetiredTech]

Gotta break a few eggs to make an omelet. I get a little better every time I fire the mill up. I'm sure you will too. Actually sawing good lumber is a lot harder than watching the videos. It's also more rewarding. Don't feel bad about sawing the log stop. I've got one blade that I broke every tooth off of doing the same thing. And guess what, It was brand new.

[Nebraska]

Save your first board. Sounds like a good start to me. 

[tacks Y]

That wood looks good to me, dry it and plane it. Was this dead for a while? It has some nice spalting.

[NewYankeeSawmill]

Yes, standing dead for about 2 years. Is that what causes the grain to get brown and streaky like that?
I thought it was too far gone... bark was moldy underneath, sliming off the log when I tried to manipulate it. It landed with a thud, I figured it would make OK firewood once split and dried. Glad I've got 2 more logs of it!

- K