The Forestry Forum
General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: Ugaambrose on January 02, 2021, 05:27:35 PM
Just got some sinker Red oak out of the river. I was wondering on what's the best way to mill them for them not to crack as bad. Should I go ahead and mill the log and let the boards dry out or should I let the log dry out then mill it like that.
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"Saw it fast and dry it slow" is kind of the mantra of sinker wood. It is often bacterially infected, a sour "off" smell. If so it weakens the bond between rings so drying it gently helps reduce stress while it is drying and shrinking.
Logs don't dry - lumber does. Cants just wreck potential lumber so decide what you are hoping to get from that log and saw it up.
Thanks fellas it's only been out of the water a day or two but I will get on milling it tomorrow. Is there any recommended size that would be best to help prevent the cracking
4/4 will have a good bit less drying stress than 8/4 so unless you have a real need for 2" I'd stick to 1" thick.