By way of an introduction

TomFromStLouis · June 30, 2004, 07:10:57 PM

Hi.

I have lurked here for a few months as I crank up my urban logging business. I finally have something to share for all the knowledge I have gleened from this place, so here goes.

My approach to recycling trees is a little different than most I have read about. I do not own a saw. But I did manage to score a big log haulin' truck:

90% of what we pick up (we are a "log disposal business" thankyouverymuch) we sell to a pallet/tie mill or a grade mill. The other 10% gets sawn by a guy who comes to us once a month or so. But what I really wanted to show you is the just completed solar kiln. It is 18' long outside and ideally could hold maybe 2000bf. My first load is walnut but many boards are 12' or so which made the stack have a few air pockets. I figure it has maybe 1300-1500bf in there.

It has a double layer of polycarbonate with white oak exterior and 3/8" ply over a triple layer of that solid pink foam board stuff. Lots of paint. It still needs some flashing. Here is a pic showing the fixed solar panel and air flow with curtains installed:

You did not know it, but this forum was a big help in getting the kiln done. Thanks!

Tom · June 30, 2004, 07:16:06 PM

Man! I'm sure glad to see that you joined. That's the kind of entrepreneur operation that echoes this forum. We have lots of guys who dove in blind, worked hard and invented as they went. It's tough but satisfying.

That operation sure makes me proud to meet your acquaintance.

Welcome aboard.

Bibbyman · June 30, 2004, 07:32:28 PM

Welcome to the FF TomFromStLouis.

chet · June 30, 2004, 07:55:04 PM

Glad ya decided to jump in St. Loui Tom. I think you will be real happy with your kiln. Solar kilns are not very fast, but I have gotten very good results from mine.

oakiemac · June 30, 2004, 08:07:16 PM

Welcome tom,

Nice truck and nice kiln. I could use one of each.

sandmar · June 30, 2004, 08:16:34 PM

Welcome Tom
Hey I would give a hunnerd dollers for that truck and not even kick the tires ;D WOW what a rig!

Sandmar

dewwood · June 30, 2004, 08:18:54 PM

Hello and welcome aboard! You have some nice looking equipment.

smwwoody · June 30, 2004, 10:03:23 PM

Welcome

Nice truck

Woody

ronwood · June 30, 2004, 10:27:06 PM

Tom,
Welcome to the forum. Will need to stop by and take a look at the kiln sometime. 8)

Ron

CHARLIE · June 30, 2004, 10:56:52 PM

Welcome StLouisTom! We sure have a bunch from Missouri now. More than the bunch from Texas I think.

mhasel · July 01, 2004, 05:06:41 AM

Welcome Tom,

Looks like you have the kiln setup I hope to have by next year, very nice looking job there!!

Mike

Percy · July 01, 2004, 06:32:13 AM

;D ;D ;DWelcome TFStL ;D ;D ;D

ARKANSAWYER · July 01, 2004, 06:48:32 AM

Welcome, Now we need spec's on that truck, How much can you lift and haul and such. Nice kiln and looks like a fine job on it. Is it built from wood you salvaged?
ARKANSAWYER

Patty · July 01, 2004, 11:29:06 AM

NICE TRUCK! 8) nice kiln, too.

Welcome to the forum. Looks like you've already figured out the many benefits of hanging out here. Glad to have you join us.

woodhaven · July 01, 2004, 03:03:53 PM

Welcome,
With that truck and kiln all you need now is a saw. That truck would look good setting beside a big old 52" circular mill like a few of us run. It sure would look good beside mine.
You Gotta Have A Saw.

TomFromStLouis · July 01, 2004, 04:37:54 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I guess that means it would be silly for me to say I already screwed up - I meant to post in the drying forum that has been helpful to me in building the kiln! :

Oh well.

The truck is a new Peterbilt. Model number escapes me but it has a 315 hp Cummins in it and has done everything we asked so far. The crane can lift 8000 pounds 10' out, so it has yet to meet a log it could not put on the bunks. Once or twice we had to lift one end at a time, but if we want it, we can haul it. A full load might be 3000bf, but we have had up to 4000 on there (don't tell the DOT). 67k for the truck, another 35k for the crane installed. Monthly payments a little over $2000, which means we gotta keep finding logs or the bank will own my house. Wifey would not be happy with that - she already mentioned it.

Anyway, we recycled over 200,000 bf in our first 6 months and we keep finding people who like free log disposal of any species. It is going to work.

As for the saw, I am tempted. And of course this forum would vote that way. But I am keeping my day job and my driver has no time, so since we would need a sawyer too, paying for turnkey piecework as needed just makes businesss sense. Now, a forklift would be nice...

We aren't doing this the same way everyone else is but it seems like the right answer at this time. Once we get some dry lumber to sell, the numbers should come together pretty well. And yes Arky, that kiln is our lumber except for the plywood.