Looks can sure be deceiving

rmack · September 23, 2013, 11:09:29 AM

couldn't have a nicer log on the mill, right?

wrong... after considerable time put in to slice it up, started offloading 2x8's and every one of them shattered into 3 pieces loading them onto the tractor. total yield from this log will be whatever I get out of it in stickers.

beenthere · September 23, 2013, 11:17:25 AM

You have some pretty severe cross grain in the one piece shown. As you said, the log pictured didn't show that, if that is the same log sawn.

Cross grain is not something wanted in 2x8's or any construction piece for that matter. It is a defect that can be hard to recognize and a reason lumber used in construction requires a grading stamp.
Also, if this would have been sold for someone to build with and used as floor joists and they failed, a lawsuit could come back to haunt the sawyer or sawmill owner. Something to think about.

Rod Yowell · September 23, 2013, 11:24:16 AM

What would cause the 'shattering'? I am real new to milling and I had a log that I thought looked exceptional, sawed several 2"x 8" and when I took them off the brock in 2 or 3 pieces. Is this the 'stress' I read about in a lot of posts? What causes this stress?

beenthere · September 23, 2013, 11:32:22 AM

QuoteIs this the 'stress' I read about in a lot of posts? What causes this stress?

It is different from that stress, which is either growth stress or drying stress causing warped boards.

What is seen and called "shattering" in the OP is failure of the wood to hold together likely due to severe cross grain.

thecfarm · September 23, 2013, 11:47:43 AM

I have seen one of my old,80-100 years old hemlock trees to that. That went into the OWB.

Sawmill Man · September 23, 2013, 12:19:33 PM

This log was broken when the tree was cut down, but not enough to come apart. Possibly hit a stump or fell across a low spot. It sure is dissapointing when this happens because sometimes you wont notice till you start to pull the boards.

Peter Drouin · September 23, 2013, 12:23:47 PM

Quote from: Sawmill Man on September 23, 2013, 12:19:33 PM
This log was broken when the tree was cut down, but not enough to come apart. Possibly hit a stump or fell across a low spot. It sure is dissapointing when this happens because sometimes you wont notice till you start to pull the boards.

Ianab · September 23, 2013, 03:55:53 PM

As well as damage from falling it's also common with storm downed trees, especially if they have broken off (as opposed to uprooted) Hairline cracks can extent up and down the tree a long way from the break. While the log looks OK (it's hard to tell the cracks from tiny end checks), when you saw them the boards fall apart. >:(

Ian

John_Haylow · September 23, 2013, 08:09:02 PM

What a shame, the log looked so good.
John

barbender · September 23, 2013, 09:47:11 PM

Quote from: Peter Drouin on September 23, 2013, 12:23:47 PM
Quote from: Sawmill Man on September 23, 2013, 12:19:33 PM
This log was broken when the tree was cut down, but not enough to come apart. Possibly hit a stump or fell across a low spot. It sure is dissapointing when this happens because sometimes you wont notice till you start to pull the boards.

x2

redprospector · September 24, 2013, 01:35:04 AM

Quote from: Ianab on September 23, 2013, 03:55:53 PM
As well as damage from falling it's also common with storm downed trees, especially if they have broken off (as opposed to uprooted) Hairline cracks can extent up and down the tree a long way from the break. While the log looks OK (it's hard to tell the cracks from tiny end checks), when you saw them the boards fall apart. >:(

Ian

I've always heard this referred to as "wind shake".

Andy

Brucer · September 25, 2013, 12:30:35 AM

Wind shake refers to the separation of the wood fibres from one another along the length of the tree.

What you see in the picture is the actual breaking of the wood fibres. Nearly always caused by a tree falling and hitting something on the ground -- like a large rock or a hidden stump.

redprospector · September 25, 2013, 12:39:46 AM

Quote from: Brucer on September 25, 2013, 12:30:35 AM
Wind shake refers to the separation of the wood fibres from one another along the length of the tree.

What you see in the picture is the actual breaking of the wood fibres. Nearly always caused by a tree falling and hitting something on the ground -- like a large rock or a hidden stump.

I was referring to what ianab had posted (cracks that extend up and down the tree a long way from the break).

Andy

Tim Lea · September 25, 2013, 10:25:34 AM

Wow that's a heart braker ! you never know what your going to get when you open one up..

rmack · September 25, 2013, 10:42:58 AM

I'm running into a lot of these, either they are broken up, or are showing spiral grain under straight bark... I wonder, how does that work? ???

what looked like a nice pile of logs is turning into a learning experience of the sort I wish would be over sooner rather than later.

problems with the mill aren't helping things either.

rmack · September 25, 2013, 07:57:02 PM

well, things went a little better today, got a couple good logs, that and a nice day sure makes a difference to the disposition... wind has been blowing in my face the last 4 days

barbender · September 25, 2013, 08:26:33 PM

My understanding of wind shake (or "ring shake") is the separation between growth rings, if you look at the end of the log you will see the gap between the growth rings. What Rmack has is called "timber break" around here. I've seen it most often in green ash, you can't tell until you open it up. Another mark against green ash :