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General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: firefighter ontheside on May 09, 2018, 09:55:33 AM

Title: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: firefighter ontheside on May 09, 2018, 09:55:33 AM
I had someone contact me about covering a 9x12 wall with walnut.  It made me think about resawing 4/4 down to whatever it would be to double the use of the boards.  Of course she would have to pay me for doing the work of resawing.  I would probably need to invent something to allow the operation without sawing into side stops.  I'm also concerned about the wood cupping badly.  Anybody do this?
Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: PC-Urban-Sawyer on May 09, 2018, 11:13:54 AM
ff, an Arky Resaw Jig (http://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=11160.msg154508#msg154508) could be configured to do this job...
Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: firefighter ontheside on May 09, 2018, 05:53:24 PM
Thanks , I'll check it out.
Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: scsmith42 on May 12, 2018, 01:35:12 PM
We resaw all the time with a dedicated horizontal resaw using Laguna Resaw King carbide tipped bands.  It works well and the band kerf is only .035.  The Resaw Kings - once resharpened and reset by Laguna - are the best that I've ever used.  Kerf marks are almost indistinguishable (.010 or less).

Typically we're starting with 5/4 thick stock though.  After drying we will skip plane it to around 1-1/16", then straight line rip and rip to width.  We then run it through the resaw to procude 1/2" thick boards.

Your biggest challenge is to be sure that the lumber has a very consistent MC% from core to shell.  If it's off by 1% or more the boards will cup or bow coming off of the resaw.  Also, using a normal band mill is not very precise and the kerr is thick.  You're probably going to net out around 3/8".



Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: firefighter ontheside on May 12, 2018, 06:47:57 PM
Thanks for the info.  I'm definitely concerned about cupping and the kerf.  I have a 17" bandsaw, but I'd be hard pressed to run 8" boards thru it.  She wants the boards to be roughsawn, so the mill would be fine as far as that goes.  I think I'm just gonna not offer that option.
Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: Magicman on May 12, 2018, 06:52:40 PM
You may be wise.  Sometimes what they want is not what they wanted when they get it.  I would prefer to decline rather than to risk having a dissatisfied customer. 
Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: firefighter ontheside on May 12, 2018, 07:01:09 PM
You're probably right.  She wants to cover a large wall in rough sawn walnut.  I told her $750 would about do it.  It was my idea to resaw, but I never mentioned it to her.  I can't think of a worse way to use this beautiful walnut anyway.
Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: Magicman on May 12, 2018, 07:41:23 PM
Rough sawn sounds "romantic" but the fact is rough sawn collects dust, lint, and whatever else and is very difficult if not impossible to clean.
Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: petefrom bearswamp on May 15, 2018, 08:09:47 PM
What magic said.
Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: bwstout on May 16, 2018, 08:18:10 AM
Yep have some beams in our home hated them have to use a leaf blower to get the dust off. Then wife is made looks like a Texas dust storm blew in :D
Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: Magicman on May 16, 2018, 09:57:28 AM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/DSCN0237.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1305744806)
 
Oddly, hewn timbers are slicker and are not as difficult to keep clean.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1615.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1373222038)
 
A brush on the vacuum takes care of them.

Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: YellowHammer on May 16, 2018, 10:02:10 AM
We get lots of request for rough sawn and resawn roughsawn. Then they want it to be cheaper because it hasn't been planed, until I tell them it has to have at least one flat side, so it's got to at least go through a planer once.  
Typically, most people are pleased with a lightly sanded roughsawn or a "burnished" rough sawn that has some of the sharp edges taken off.

Sometimes I just point the customers to stack of roughsawn kiln dried and they take one look and make some comment that they thought it would look better than that. ::)

Hand hewn is a whole different animal, as Magic says, I even bought a good broadaxe and hand hew occasional beams and mantels when I'm bored.  Then I leave them in the sun and rain for a bit in the customer's eyeshot (I stack them by the Porta Potti) and before long they are sold.  
Title: Re: Resawing 4/4 walnut.
Post by: Magicman on May 16, 2018, 10:10:39 AM
Flap sanded rough sawn looks very nice.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN0315.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1443218037)
 
But then it isn't "rough sawn".  ;D