The Forestry Forum
General Forestry => General Board => Topic started by: Noble_Ma on October 21, 2002, 06:16:35 AM
My son bought me this old small sawmill operation pamphlet at a yard sale yesterday. It details set up, operation and safety instructions for operating a small sawmill "during war times". I couldn't believe it! You wouldn't believe what they talk about. It talks about how to be efficient while being safe about dropping, skidding, and sawing the timber. It has a chart that talks about man hours and total yield based on the diameter of the trees. It was truely amazing and I read the thing from cover to cover....................... twice!
Was it put out by the Forest Service? If so I think I have one just like. It is a good read and a handy reference especially when you own a 40s model mill ;D
I want one!
Jeff,
Went to see the name of the sawmill books and manuals that I have. One printed in 1981 by USDA-forest service is CIRCULAR SAWMILLS AND THEIR EFFICIENT OPERATION by Stanford J. Lunstrum. I have two of these if you would like one.
MANAGING THE FAMILY FOREST usda farmers bulletin no. 2187--------------full of excellent basic forestry stuff. 1962
SMALL SAWMILL OPERATOR'S MANUAL Agricultural handbook No 27 usda-forest service By C.J. Telford 1952
121 illustrated pages telling everything you needed to know about setting up and running a sawmill business in 1952. Mine is a poor quality photocopy, but I can tell you how you can likely get a better copy.
ENDLESS TRACKS IN THE WOODS by James A. Young and Jerry D. Budy 1989 over 300 pages mostly pictures of old logging methods and equipment. This may still be in print and would be a great gift to anyone interested in such stuff. I got mine for Christmas when it first came out.
Got some other old similar stuff, but this is the most interesting to me.
Noble
Circular sawmills and their efficient operation is available in pdf format on the page below. A whole lot of other good publications there also.
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/TMU/Techlinespublications.htm
I have a copy of Stanford J. Lunstrum's manual. It was my Bible as a young sawyer. I stepped into the job with out much guidence and had to fly by the seat of my pants and my copy of Circular sawmills and their efficient operation.
Its right here in the drawer next to my right knee!
Sorry for not getting back to you guys sooner. I've been flat on my back with a bulged disk. I'm finally able to sit at the computer. The phamplet I have was put out by the US Department of Agriculture. Written by Norman B. Schmit. Miscellaneous publication No. 509. This one was printed in 1943. I thought it was really interesting to see how they speced the saw to be used for felling a tree. They suggested that the saw length be two feet longer than the diameter. They also talked about the weight of wet wood versus dry wood and how it's better to dry at the mill so the truck can deliver more board footage. Great reading!!!