The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: vfauto on June 12, 2011, 12:50:46 PM

Title: Milling Posts for Barn
Post by: vfauto on June 12, 2011, 12:50:46 PM
I am building a barn and need some post for the large overhangs.They will be 6x6 and 4x4s.I do not need many but my question is how should they be cut from the log or could someone post a diagram as to how they should be cut out of the log. The other question is can I install them green?
Title: Re: Milling Posts for Barn
Post by: paul case on June 12, 2011, 02:03:55 PM
i think it is a plus to have the heart boxed on 6x6. the 4x4 will bw e little harder to box the heart but if you dont ,on oak anyway, they will sometimes bow.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20540/2859/079.JPG)
we used 6x6 boxed heart post oak on dads barn. pc
Title: Re: Milling Posts for Barn
Post by: vfauto on June 12, 2011, 06:01:36 PM
Can you difine boxed heart please?
Title: Re: Milling Posts for Barn
Post by: Chuck White on June 12, 2011, 06:22:34 PM
Quote from: vfauto on June 12, 2011, 06:01:36 PM
Can you difine boxed heart please?

Just means put the center of the log (the pith) in the center of the 6x6.
Title: Re: Milling Posts for Barn
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2011, 06:55:51 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10026/25/boxed-free-of-heart.jpg)
Title: Re: Milling Posts for Barn
Post by: Jim_Rogers on June 12, 2011, 08:00:36 PM
In order to make sure you have the center of the tree, the pith/heart in the center of the posts on both ends you have to plan your last cut first.

Here is a story I wrote about doing that.

http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,35730.0.html (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,35730.0.html)

I hope that helps you..

Jim Rogers
Title: Re: Milling Posts for Barn
Post by: SamB on June 13, 2011, 08:16:11 AM
If you have logs large enough that allow you to saw heart free posts would that be a better post than a pith centered post?
Title: Re: Milling Posts for Barn
Post by: Jim_Rogers on June 13, 2011, 11:26:49 AM
Quote from: SamB on June 13, 2011, 08:16:11 AM
If you have logs large enough that allow you to saw heart free posts would that be a better post than a pith centered post?

SamB:
I did a write up of an experiment that I did with a large log.

Here is the link to that story: https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,4247.0.html (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,4247.0.html)

I hope that helps you some....

Jim Rogers
Title: Re: Milling Posts for Barn
Post by: SamB on June 13, 2011, 02:45:39 PM
Thanks Jim, a lot of good info in that link as always when I see your name as the originator ........Sam
Title: Re: Milling Posts for Barn
Post by: sst04 on June 14, 2011, 02:34:01 AM
Quote from: paul case on June 12, 2011, 02:03:55 PM
i think it is a plus to have the heart boxed on 6x6. the 4x4 will bw e little harder to box the heart but if you dont ,on oak anyway, they will sometimes bow.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20540/2859/079.JPG)
we used 6x6 boxed heart post oak on dads barn. pc


Not to hijack the thread, but what is that painted on the base of those posts?  Something to keep them from rotting?
Title: Re: Milling Posts for Barn
Post by: paul case on June 14, 2011, 09:03:08 AM
that is cement from the cement mixer. this is my dads barn and he is picky. all of them are burried 3'. the posts werent treated with anything.
he says it will last him a lifetime if he dies when he should.
we had an old 1940'ish pole barn at the old home place that fellin during the ice storm of 07 because some of the concrete had deteriorated and a footing(stemwall) fell over. the poles were post oak and hadnt been sawed. just trees. they were stil good and hard. pc