I went to check this pile this morning, the guy says he want 8x8`s, Im not seeing it, the small ends are 10-12", what would be a good suggestion for cutting them?
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18098/cedar~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1546876613)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18098/cedar2~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1546876665)
When people ask me for a too big timber I say "let's try and see what it looks like".
Sometimes they like the result and sometimes not but most all get the idea pretty quick.
"Seat of the pants" way of estimating is "half again bigger". Another words it takes a good straight 12" top end log to make a clean 8X8.
I use that but was uncertain with the inclusions in the cedar, I came up with a surefire way to make sure he gets the most for his money, I referred him to Dennis...
When cutting fence posts, I measure to the outside the heart wood to estimate for post size because the sapwood is not rot resistant.
There are some jobs you're better off not taking.
I can't explain it but even nasty looking ERC logs often give surprising nice lumber. The "inclusions" turn out to be sapwood streaks often. Anyway he called and I booked him for next week, will let you know how it turns out.
Quotewhat would be a good suggestion for cutting them?
I would not use that one for 8x8's, I would cut that into cookies. ($(https://forestryforum.com/board/Smileys/default/grin.gif)$)
That's great Dennis, I feel much better handing this off to a more experienced guy. I'm just going to stick with my stationary mill concept for now
In "situations" I offer the customer....pick one, magic or miracle, but not both. :D :D :D
That's a good one, give me a heads up when you're there, I'd like to come by to say Hi, ( and watch you mill again,)
Very seldom do I saw without knowing what the customer is going to do with the wood.
An 8x8 for a porch post may need to be rather free of defects or the customer may want a rustic looking post. You must have a meeting of the minds to determine what will make the customer happy. If the post is for an outbuilding, then some wane on the corners, some ingrown ( which will be very present in the log in the picture) isn't a problem.
Customers let me know their wish list, then I let them know what the can do list is.
When you try to make a log into something impossible, then you will be very frustrated and sawing is no fun.
Sawed some of those cedars today. Most of the logs we sawed gave 6x6's, here's one below on the mill. Some gave 8x8s and others 5x5s or 4x4s. Initially there were a few with waney edges but when we considered that sapwood didn't have rot resistance I opted to cut deeper and make most of them mostly red.
49 logs were sawn. Good help, good setup and it was a good day except for being cold (under freezing). Glad to be sitting by the fire now.
b(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21495/IMG_2421.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1547765681)
This pic was at lunchtime.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21495/IMG_2422.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1547765672)
Looks good Dennis, you all done there?
No, going back next week after it warms up again. :snowman:
We started to set up where most of the logs were but I suggested we go below where it was flat and level, which worked out better. So didn't see what was left. One of the guys said there's a lot of logs still up there.
There are a LOT of logs up there, nice guy, pretty nice set up he has going there, wouldn`t mind having that "garage"
Last week put in a second day 7 hr, was cold but upped the pace got 60 more logs sawn into beams from 3.5x3.5 to 8x8, plus side1x. All but one cedar. Got another dozen or so oak,birch maples to go, only wants largest beams possible from them.