cutting a 8x8 post that is treated

[firefighter ontheside]

The volume of sawdust that you would create with re-sawing thousands of timbers would be the issue.  It needs to be disposed of properly.  If I had assurance that the dust was being disposed of properly, then I think I might take the job.  You could have a signed agreement that states that they are responsible for disposal.  I would definitely limit my exposure to breathing the dust.  I'm not too concerned when I build a shed or other and saw a few dozen treated boards, but with the volume you're talking about you would have a significant exposure over days and days.  A good fitting respirator with P100 filter and chemical protection would do you well.  As far as cutting the timbers, cutting 2 sides would be fine as long as the timbers are straight in the first place.  Any that are crooked could be cut individually and made straight by cutting all 4 sides as long as the crook is not too bad.

Isn't it just like the government to need 20,000 7x7's, but buy 8x8's and then spend more money making them into 7x7's than they would have spent if they had just ordered 7x7.

[btulloh]

Looks like the health and safety questions and concerns have all been brought up.  Answers can be had for all these with regard to OSHA, EPA, etc., but any way you slice it this job is full of land mines.  

I'm curious about a couple things:  

- What are the actual dimensions?  7 1/2 by 7 1/2 or true 8x8?  Target 7x7 or is that a nominal dimension?  

- What the heck led to having 20k timbers that are the wrong dimension?

- Why are the non-standard dimensions required?  Design issue?  Hard to see how this developed, but I guess "government job" sort of answers the question.

(Probably no way to get the answers to those last two, but I can't help but be curious.)

I'll be standing by to see how this unfolds, but it seems like "run away" is the prudent thing to do.

[Jeff]

I bet pressure treated water skies 

[Don P]

I'm using treated 8x8's at work now. If they are needing a true'd up 7x7 you are probably making 4 passes and there won't be anything coming off the sides that's useable at the end of that straightening series of cuts.

[esteadle]

> Ok so i would not be responsible for clean up and removal of anything. I would not be responsible for loading or unloading they just need a saw. They said they would provide all labor to speed it up and i just run the saw... I was thinking of putting 6 on the deck butt ends 3 wide since they are already square and just cut two sides to spec. I was wondering if they would need to be clamped or not but i do see how clamps could get in the way and be tricky.<


Yeah, I'd take this job knowing that. In fact, I did something very much like this for a landscape contractor who brought home a couple hundred logs from some of their work. It was a pleasure to work with hard workers with access to big equipment and space. Charge hourly if you can, which will give incentive to the helpers to keep things moving.

I'd suggest running them 2 x 2 instead of 2 x 3. You can rotate a cant from either side, but with 2x3 rotating the cant in the middle of 2 other cants will be difficult. Buy 4 cant hooks - one for each helper and then you'll be running as fast as your saw can run.

[kentuckymillman]

talked to him today sounds like they just need one pass one the saw to 6 7/8 to fit a i beam. so no turning the cant just load saw unload and reload for months.

[kentuckymillman]

Im thinking of just renting the machine to his skilled workers after a training that covers mill operation and osha requirements 

[LeeB]

Sounds like a good job for a scragg mill.

[Southside]

What do you have for a mill? I let a guy borrow my plate compactor last week. He had an "emergency" due to his kids birthday party the next day. Figured, what can he do to a plate compactor? He called me the other day, managed to blow up the engine. Credit to him he was asking for permission to buy a new engine and have a shop install it so he did me right, no complaints, but when it's "rental" equipment you know how it's run. 

[esteadle]

Im thinking of just renting the machine to his skilled workers after a training that covers mill operation and osha requirements

I'd run the saw myself. I know I would enjoy it. It's fun to get stuff 'done' like this.
But if you can get the money and you prefer to go fishing, then you take the money, and you go fishing. Thats the way to do *you* ;-)

[Cedarman]

If just one face, get a powered long belt.  Place cant on belt and keep saw head stationary. Should be able to do 3 per minute with 2 people each end and someone keeping wood away and wood to you.
Resaw with belt feed, one head if you can find one locally. Use generator for juice.
Much better ways than moving the head of a mill back and forth.