Milling some long ones

[scsmith42]

A while back I made a post seeking some 43' logs for a timberframe project that I'm milling.  Fortunately, some logs were sourced nearby, and although I'm waiting for engineering to be completed on some of the smaller beams, I recently started the milling process on the largest ones.

The focal point of the timberframe will be a pair of finished beams measuring 12" x 16" x 42'.  There is a lot of log handling involved, as each log has to be turned multiple times in order to properly mill it, and the bunks have to be readjusted with each turning.

The job started at a concentration yard by reviewing a gorgeous pair of red oak logs and subsequently having them loaded on my trailer.  They are each 43' long, with small end diameters of 24" and 26" respectively.



 



 



 


After unloading them at the farm, we used a crane to load them into the bunks and then laid out the beam profile.



 



 



 


Milling then commenced on the first face:



 



 



 


First face is complete (and inspected by Shea, our "log dog").



 


After the first face was milled, we used a crane to remove the log back out of the bunks, then used a backhoe to align it for the second face, readjusted the bunks and then set it back in and started milling face 2:



 



 



 



 


After completing the milling on each face, that face was soaked with a 15% TimBor solution to help alleviate any pests in the finished product (since they sure won't be going into one of my kilns!):



 


The next step is to mill the first two faces on the second log in a similar manner.  After that we will adjust the bunks to be perfectly flat relative to the sawmill and mill the second two faces on each log.

Working with long, large logs is very different than typical 8' - 12' logs, not only because of the mass involved but also because every step must be well thought through in advance and executed without any mistakes (so nobody gets hurt and also I sure don't want to have to "eat" one of these expensive logs due to a mistake!).  Working through any tension present in the logs is also a challenge; additional steps are required to mill oversize, with multiple log turns and milling some of the faces more than once to get down to a final dimension that provides for equalization of any tension present in the logs that is revealed during the milling process.

The log weights are significant (over 12,000 lbs each), and extra caution has to be used when handling and moving them around with the crane.  I have a 6' Logrite cant hook, and these guys just laughed at it!  All handling requires heavy equipment for every step, and precision handling to set them up just so.  Because the beams are oak and will be left rough sawn, we also have to prevent contact with steel forks, chokers, etc to the freshly sawn surfaces.

More to come....

Scott

[Leigh Family Farm]

Holy bahdunkadunk! That's an impressive saw job. What would that beam retail for in your area? I never would be able to do that cutting mainly because you are log turning with a crane ;-)

[Part_Timer]

THat right there is just AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Texas Ranger]

DanG!

[hardtailjohn]

Beautiful!!!!  8)

[mad murdock]

Very nice work!  Them are some BEAMS there!  would hate to get one of them stuck in my eye ;)!!

[Tom L]

big stuff!

the pucker factor is definitely up on that job I bet

[Magicman]

Awesome Scott.   

[rockingjl]

Awesome!
Not sure what to think,      wish I was there helping   
                                   or     
                                         man, glad I missed that
                                       
(Scott's brother)

[Tree Feller]

Wow! That's impressive. Very impressive.

[SPD748]

I can't be sure but I don't think that beast would fit on my carriage

Very nice work!

-lee

[Chuck White]

Great job there Scott!

Nice sequential pictures too.

[thurlow]

As Morrie Brickman usta say, (under different circumstances) "Hoo-Boy".

[isawlogs]

 Love those jobs, nice work area, Who's  crane ???

[Mooseherder]

Great Thread!
Thanks for sharing it.

[scsmith42]

Holy bahdunkadunk! That's an impressive saw job. What would that beam retail for in your area? I never would be able to do that cutting mainly because you are log turning with a crane ;-)

I honestly don't know; they were part of a package for the entire frame and decking.

[scsmith42]

Awesome!
Not sure what to think,      wish I was there helping   
                                   or     
                                         man, glad I missed that
                                       
(Scott's brother)

Aw Jeff, you know that you wish that you were here helping!  I'd even promise not to work you more than a half day each day!

[scsmith42]

Love those jobs, nice work area, Who's  crane ???

Marcel, it's great to see you posting! 

The crane belongs to my neighbor - a working railroad museum.  I loan them my backhoe, grader, dozer and dumptruck when needed, and they let me use their crane.  It's a great relationship for both of us.  Thus far I haven't figured out a way to "need" to "borrow" one of their locomotives, but I'm working on it! :D

[valley]

Awesome job I love this stuff

[isawlogs]

[  Thus far I haven't figured out a way to "need" to "borrow" one of their locomotives, but I'm working on it! :D

  I'll get cogitating some on that and maybe help you out with that, DanG is quite good at that cogitating thing too. Might  fire him off an IM and might be able to get his gears a grindin' also on this here dilema.

[saxon0364]

That was a well thought out job.    I've no experience with a Lucas mill.  It has to be a painstaking process to get the runners the log lies on level and solid enough for good sawing.   

[Dave Shepard]

Those timber look great! 8) I know the feeling of not messing one up, I've cut 17 timbers over 42' since last summer. Now, I just have to cut the joinery in them all.

[thecfarm]

That picture taken from on top of the roof is a good shot. Really shows how long that beam is.

[customdave]

Holy mackeral !! I only see 2 guys in the pics, where is the other 2 guys for packin slabs away ! , neat pics & awsome job....



          Dave

[redbeard]

Absolutly  Awesome  I know now what I want for Christmas!