The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: Duncan on August 29, 2005, 03:28:07 PM

Title: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Duncan on August 29, 2005, 03:28:07 PM
We had a large  flood this year and a friend of mine has some petrified logs.  Was wondering if anyone had ever tried to saw up any on a Wood mizer.  Have been talking about it with Gillman and we think we could probably do it with a few modifications.

Any experience?
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Texas Ranger on August 29, 2005, 03:36:20 PM
Find a source for diamond blades.
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Gilman on August 29, 2005, 04:54:11 PM
Dunnccann,
You've known me for almost 30 years.  One L only please.  ;)
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Tom on August 29, 2005, 04:59:40 PM
I hear that singin' is a short term cure for stutterin'.   Either of you fellows know Dixie?
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Gilman on August 29, 2005, 05:03:50 PM
Not me Tomm,
I just watched Blazing Saddles for the upteenth time last night, I do know I don't get no kicks from champagne though. ;D
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Dan_Shade on August 29, 2005, 05:43:49 PM
has anybody got a dime?

back to topic...

isn't petrified wood a rock?  you're in for some fun, I believe.
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: dail_h on August 29, 2005, 08:50:27 PM
   I ocasionaly saw rocks,but not with any great sucess
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Dan_Shade on August 29, 2005, 08:54:05 PM
I've sawed a few bolts and such :-D
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Furby on August 29, 2005, 09:29:58 PM
Not sure I understand...........
Did the flood uncover some petrified logs or make some ???
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Gilman on August 30, 2005, 03:37:31 AM
I wish I'd taken a camera with me.  If I go back I'll make sure I take some photo.

Many moons ago there was a landslide that stacked old growth firs up nice and neat.  The soil around them eventually became a semi loose sandstone that the river has slowly eroded.  The petrified logs being harder are lasting longer than the sand stone and they are becoming outcropings from the sandstone.  Looks pretty cool.  Pieces eventually break off and get washed down river.

The one piece in question washed into a swimming hole on a friend's property.  We used a come-a-long and drug it to the edge of the river.  My friend is going to come back with his tractor and we'll strap it to the 3pt. 

Some of the logs have only semi petrified.  The remaining parts are fiberous charcoal.  Looks like they were burried during some volcanic activity.
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Furby on August 30, 2005, 11:53:56 AM
Due to your location...........I wonder how that could happen. ::)  ;D
Petrified logs can be worth some $$$ to collectors and such.

I'd be REALLY interested in getting ahold of a big piece myself.
I have several 5# or so pieces.


If you are indeed thinking of cutting this stuff, and I wouldn't, you would need a dimond blade for sure.
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on August 30, 2005, 11:59:53 AM

Swingmill and Diamond blade   ;) ;) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Furby on August 30, 2005, 12:06:17 PM
I'm wondering about nailing though! :o :D
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Duncan on August 30, 2005, 12:33:50 PM
Well I agree on the diamond blade and think it would be worth trying.  Any suppliers for a WM LT 70 or LT 40Super out there?
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on August 30, 2005, 12:37:36 PM

If I remember correctly  ::) ::),  Someone was sawing rocks, ON PURPOSE, with a bandmill. ?????  It was posted on here, or that OTHER place ??
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Gilman on August 30, 2005, 01:19:21 PM
Harold,
I think you're onto something.  Get a swinger, carry it down to the river and set er up.  You'd have plenty of coolant, especially towards the bottom of the bunk.   ;D

Furby,
Nawww, not much of that eruption stuff happens(ed) around here.  ;)

Duncan,
Hurry up and get that diamond blade.  I want you to test it out for me.   ;D
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Gilman on August 30, 2005, 01:26:12 PM
Duncan,
I called ukam.com and they said the blades would be about $35/ft.  Get-er-dun!  One week lead time.  I'll clear my schedule for next weekend.  8)

They recommend about 2,000 sfm.  Anyone know what a WM runs at?  I know it's been listed here at least a 100 times, but I wasn't interested back then.  ;D
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on August 30, 2005, 01:35:30 PM

I can see some $$$$$$ in Table Slabs.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Paul_H on August 30, 2005, 01:58:13 PM
I remember some oldtimer that was sawing some kind of stone on a WM a couple years back.I'm sure it was talked about here but can't find it yet on a search.

I think he was in Florida (?)

The stone was White and porous if I remember right  ???
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Paschale on August 30, 2005, 05:42:22 PM
Those logs sure would make a nice log cabin.  Perhaps we could get some of the guys who frequent the timber framing side of things to weigh in on this...   ;D
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on August 30, 2005, 05:43:02 PM
 I remember  8) 8) 8) 8)

 It was in the Woodmizer Magazine.  :o :o :o ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Paul_H on August 30, 2005, 06:24:47 PM
I'm glad you remember Harold,I was starting to wonder if I dreamt it  ???
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on August 30, 2005, 06:41:07 PM

YUP, about 6-12 months ago or sumpin.  ::) ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Gilman on August 30, 2005, 07:57:16 PM
Looked on their website, but couldn't find an article on it.   :(
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Paul_H on August 30, 2005, 08:09:25 PM
Gillllman,  ;D
It may have  been in Sawmill&Woodlot (http://www.sawmillmag.com)

I have to go man the BBQ but will look through my old Sawmill mags after supper.
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Tom on August 30, 2005, 08:19:03 PM
I remember, as a child, that Granddaddy took Charlie and me to the Marble quarry in North Georgia.   One of the things we got to see was big blocks of marble being cut up into littler blocks of marble.  They used Wire.  Yep, Wire and a slurry of water and marble dust.  The wire dragged the slurry through the block and cut it as clean as a whistle.

I wonder if a piece of wire could be used for this as well.  It wouldn't have to be solid wire.  A piece of cable(wire rope) could be used to get the correct length.  Cable can be spliced such that you can hardly tell  where the splice is.  It might be that sand and water would get it started.  The slurry would have to be captured and re-injected into the kerf somehow.  It wouldn't even have to be on the Woodmizer if you could cut vertically instead of horrizontall.  The weight of the contraption on the wire could be used and the motor could be a little electric motor from a fan or grinder.   I'll bet it would work.  You could make a bunch of the machines and that would get a lot of production.  They could run all night and day, unattended.  ;D :-\
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: tnlogger on August 30, 2005, 09:48:21 PM
 tom thats an idea i bet you could use feathers and wedges too. i slit some mighty big granite blocks with a hammer drill and a few of them.  ;D
Title: Re: Saw blades for petrified wood?
Post by: Gilman on August 31, 2005, 12:49:58 AM
Paul,   :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Tom,
You think about twenty of those wire cutters would be enough, or do you think I'd better plan on more?  ;)

TnLogger,
I'd try the wedges but I'm allergic to down.  ;D