Log Preservation

[OldGoat]

Newbe questions....Ive had to put a purchase of a sawmill on hold for the time being. Now, whats the best way to preserve my maple logs till I can get someone to mill them. No inside storage at the moment. Should I cover them? Should I do something to the ends ? Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

[LittleJohn]

• Get them off the ground
• Paint the ends, regular paint works if you have it or can read elsewhere on the forum about products specifc designed for sealing ends of logs
• ...may want to consider getting bark of logs, as it may be a home for bugs

I generally do not cover logs, just lumber; I figured the tree survived from Xxx years with just bark and no roof, it will last a few months maybe years with no roof

[customsawyer]

If it is high quality logs I would not use paint. Paint makes it difficult for the sawyer to read the log. Use anchor seal or something similar.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

If it is high quality logs I would not use paint. Paint makes it difficult for the sawyer to read the log. Use anchor seal or something similar.

Jake is right...even ANCHOR SEAL....(the best IMO) comes in different colors. I bought the red and sometimes if I paint to much on it, its hard to read the grain when Quarter Sawing. I'll get the clear next time.

[bandmiller2]

The biggie is to get them well off the ground in a location with good air movement. Keep grass and weeds cut around them. As soon as the bark loosens peel it off. Frank C.

[FarmingSawyer]

Seal it up and good air flow is key....As maple ages it can loose that white glow and get some funky reds, grey's and spalting which is pretty. But I've sawed maples which have been down for a good long time and not been disappointed.

[OldGoat]

Thank you all for the great advice. Logs are now off the ground and I will be looking for "anchor seal".

[schmism]

you can always go old school and toss them in a pond

[scsmith42]

If Anchorseal, you want to purchase Anchor Seal Classic - not Anchor Seal II.  You can buy it online from US Coatings.

Alternatively, you can buy Bailey's End Sealer from Baileys-online.com (unfortunately they are a "former" sponsor).  I'm not sure if any of our current sponsor's sell end sealer or not.

I prefer the winter formula, as you don't have to worry about it going bad if it freezes.

[Dave Shepard]

You can always cut 1/2" off of the end before sawing. That will give you a nice fresh end to work with. What's the difference between Anchorseal and Anchorseal2?

[drobertson]

You could wax the ends, then scrap off when ready to saw, although a sealer is good,  just costly if not going to use it often or that much of it.  How long will they sit?  I lost some good maple waiting too long. It seems to spalt sooner than other wood types.

[Brad_bb]

I'd keep them shaded if you could- out of the sun so that they don't cook.

[scsmith42]

You can always cut 1/2" off of the end before sawing. That will give you a nice fresh end to work with. What's the difference between Anchorseal and Anchorseal2?

About three years ago US Coatings decided to come out with a new version of AS that did not have as much petroleum products in it.  They did this in order to control costs when oil was rapidly increasing in price.

Unfortunately it takes multiple coats of ASII to do what one coat of AS would do.  In the end I've found that it not only cost me more overall (due to increased material use), the ASII product does not provide as durable of protection as the original AS (Classic).

The bowl turners really don't care for it either.