Need a mill to slab 46" Walnut

[UID Wood Works]

We're a custom furniture business and have (7) walnuts coming down in 2 weeks, one of which is 46" at the base and it poses a problem because I have been unable to find someone to slab the tree.

- Being dropped late December
- 46" at the base
- (2) 10' sections
- Intended use is single slab dining tables, need live edge both sides
- Located in Albany, NY

Can anyone recommend a mill? Most mills and weekend worriers are limited around 40"

[WV Sawmiller]

   Go to the Extras section here on the FF and look for a local sawyer close to you. Call them and if they can't provide that service ask them if they know anyone who can. They may be able to refer you. I could if you were here. If nobody on the FF try the Woodmizer site and look at their Pro-Sawyer network and ask same question.

   Good luck. Let us know how it works out for you.

[dgdrls]

FF member Terrific Timber,   he is in Conn

[dgdrls]

http://m.terrifictimbers.com/main-page.html

[Crusarius]

Posts like this make me want to make my mill mutli width capable. I made the bed 50" wide by mistake. Maybe this was not a mistake.

How soon are you looking to mill those? I have 0 experience milling so not sure I would want to jump into that kind of a job right away.

[Blackhawk1]

If you contact one of the site sponsors they can direct you to a person who has been sold a mill big enough to do your project. I have what you need I am just too far away

[Brad_bb]

First of all, where are you?  Go to your profile and add your location and then it will show up in each post you make.

Wherever you are, I recommend calling any local sawyers and ask them who they know can slab that big.  They are most likely to know who has that capability locally. 

[terrifictimbersllc]

http://m.terrifictimbers.com/main-page.html

Thanks for the referral. His post says he's in Albany.

[UID Wood Works]

Thanks for all the info guys, really nice to see some of your more senior members chime in for a newer guy

After some digging I ran across http://www.berkshireproducts.com/ and had a good convo with a gentleman by the name of Matt. They're shutting down soon depending on the snow but I may be able to squeak the milling in before they close. Does anyone have a review about Berkshire Products in Sheffield MA?

Tree is still standing, tree service company should have it ready for transport by the end of next week.

[terrifictimbersllc]

No review except I've talked to them too. They have a Woodmizer 1000, it was $400/hr including two of their employees, and there was no dropping off of logs-they want your trucker to wait while they mill what you bring them.  Also I think they have a vacuum kiln available there.

[Dave Shepard]

I'll pm you re Berkshire Products.

[UID Wood Works]

So the tree is down! Beautiful on the inside, 48" x 9' section and another 44" x 11' section that will have a few leader knots in it

The next question is if we should slab this big guy when its frozen and/or half frozen? Temps in upstate NY have been in the low teens at night and mid 20s during the day, some warm rainy days recently. We would be using a portable lucas swing blade mill.

I did some searching around and it seems like mixed reviews, a lot depends on the blade and type of wood. Any input is appreciated.

[redbeard]

Call Hud-Son  forestry products in Barnville  NY see who has a Hud-Son 60 close by or maybe they can do it. It will slice it like butter no problem.

[farmfromkansas]

 See in the latest sale catalog that Cooks have a wide cut mill now as well.  Call them, they will give you names of mill owners nearby.  That is the way I found a guy to sharpen my bands with a cat claw sharpener.

[scsmith42]

I find it interesting that everybody is talking about the capability of the mill, but not the quality of the miller....

To me, I would think that you'd want to find that person that knows how to set up and mill an oversize log in order to yield the most valuable slabs.... 

[Brad_S.]

 I would think you would have to find a mill big enough to handle the log before worrying about finding a Sawyer. Presumably, if someone has a mill capable, they themselves are capable as well. Doesn't do any good to find a Sawyer if you can't find a mill.