A woodworker customer saved 14 chunks from an apple orchard burn nearby and dropped them off for me to cut. Only two were longer than 4' so I managed to wedge them against two side supports. How to cut the rest, some of them 18" long? Just took a piece of 2" x 8", cut it to 2' and wedged it on top of the Log Clamp bracket so that it was even with the two bed rails on each side (see pics).
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13967/IMG_20141111_095424_747.jpg)Then took a 1"x 5" x 6' piece of old pine board and propped it up against the side supports. Quick and dirty but it worked! Managed to cut everything either 5/4 or 4/4. When I got down to the 5" level, I flipped the apple chunks, removed the sacrificial pine board and clamped the chunks to a lowered side support and a bed rail stop block. Used the chain to keep pressure with the Log Clamp on the wood.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13967/IMG_20141111_095524_946.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13967/IMG_20141111_095603_647.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13967/IMG_20141111_095616_253.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13967/IMG_20141111_095859_003.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13967/IMG_20141111_095746_360.jpg) OSHA would certainly not have approved but they weren't around :D :D. It took awhile but since I'm getting paid by the hour.... I was not excited to be sawing such short pieces but the wood is gorgeous. Anyone have a better (and probably safer) method? All the best, Rob.
I love sawing apple.... On my mill I have adjustable bunks, so I just move one closer to the other. Each bunk has it's own dog & backstop..... Looks like you made it work the same way I do when I can't be bothered to move a bunk for one short chunk.....
looks like you nailed it to me,, only wish I had some of the scrap for smoking a butt roast ;D ;D
Quote from: FarmingSawyer on November 12, 2014, 06:02:59 AM
I love sawing apple.... On my mill I have adjustable bunks, so I just move one closer to the other. Each bunk has it's own dog & backstop..... Looks like you made it work the same way I do when I can't be bothered to move a bunk for one short chunk.....
Apple does saw nicely! But the short chunks make me nervous--I spent a lot of time making sure they were very securely fixed -- if they ever popped out :o :o. Customer picked his 100 pcs up this morning and was very happy. If, as he says, he can sell them at $ 50 - 70 apiece he'll be even happier!
Quote from: drobertson on November 12, 2014, 06:09:58 AM
looks like you nailed it to me,, only wish I had some of the scrap for smoking a butt roast ;D ;D
Thanks, and that's a great idea! I have a freezer full of homegrown beef -- don't have a smoker but will save those scraps and have an applewood cooked steak as soon as the wood is dry enough 8) and if I remember, will raise a tall cool one to thank you!
Here's a Jig every sawyer should have, a safe(r) solution to short sawing ;D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31415/Shorty_jig1~2.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31415/Shorty_jig2~0.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31415/Shorty_jig5~0.JPG)
Those are some nice planks! I saw as much apple as I can get my hands on. nice job.
Nice jig, woodNthings. 8)
Somehow I knew I would learn something from this thread. Someday's it just pays to be patient and keep reading.
Thanks
Sean P.
Quote from: blade69001 on November 14, 2014, 08:02:03 AM
Somehow I knew I would learn something from this thread. Someday's it just pays to be patient and keep reading.
Thanks
Sean P.
Sean, I feel that way about most threads on FF!
I like that jig.
on the other hand I despise the short stuff and send to someone else,
That apple sure is pretty.
For just one or two logs, I do it like 78NHTFY did. It is pretty quick and easy to move the clamps and stops on my Norwood mill, but sacrificing a scrap board for backing works fine for the occasional odd piece. More danger to the mill than to the operator. First time I tried it, the log dislodged and put a kink in the blade. With a little creativity, it works well for odd sizes & shapes.
Thanks for sharing the jig idea!
Very nice apple chunks; wish I had some...
Last year I had a lot of short pieces to saw so I decided to build a jig for it. Works fine and feels save to use. Also use it for sawing cookies.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31167/DSC_0967.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31167/DSC_0959.jpg)
They usually saw a watermelon at the county fair on an .LT 40
roghair, woodNthings--thanks for the jig pics! will probably put together something like woodNthings' as my metalworking has a ways to go :D :D
5quarter--appreciate it ;D. will do better next time, with a "real jig."
Thanks for all the comments, guys. All the best, Rob.