Making Short Live Edge Slabs

honesttjohn · June 03, 2021, 06:55:07 PM

New member here so be gentle.
I have two CNC machines and have been getting requests for more and more live edge slabs with whatever carved in them. What I was doing was trying to rip the logs (2-3 feet long) freehand with a chainsaw with very mixed results. Tried using a 2x4 as a guide and cut the 2x4 all up. Then I found the chain saw mills. Many of them ----- that added to the confusion. Ideally I'd like to slice the logs vertically 2-3 inches thick relatively straight. I have enough firepit fuel. What's be best way to do this? Bear in mind I live in a subdivision and only do this to keep busy in retirement.

WV Sawmiller · June 03, 2021, 07:12:17 PM

HJohn,

Welcome to the FF. What width slabs and what type of wood do you plan to use? Do you have access to logs - it sounds like you do. Can you transport them to a local miller or have a portable mill come to your residence or place of business? Why not have live edge slabs 6-8 ft long milled then cut them to length as needed? You do not mention where you live. You might check the Extras box on this homepage and look for portable or stationary sawyers in your area and contact them for this kind of service and if they can't help ask them if they know others in the area who might be able to help.

I get similar requests here and gladly accommodate such if the logs are within the constraints of my mill or I tell them of other sources in the area I know of.

If there is nobody listed here in your area you can also check out the Woodmizer site and look under their Services tab on their homepage and they have a referral service for their Pro-Sawyer network who may be in your area.

Good luck. Please let us know if this helps and you find someone.

honesttjohn · June 03, 2021, 07:40:33 PM

Logs I got and I have access to more. The ones cut for firewood are what I mostly use, but i can go longer if needed. They're too big (and heavy) for the band saw so I thought about slicing them long ways with the chain saw. I'm not opposed (in fact, I want to) to buying a chainsaw mill - just don't know which type or brand.

WV Sawmiller · June 03, 2021, 08:08:00 PM

Longer logs are much easier to clamp and saw on typical band mills. You could have a lot of 8' slabs sawn for the cost of buying a CSM and I think you will be much happier with the finish. A 15" diameter log, if that is wide enough, 8' long should yield 5-2" live edge slabs from 10-15 inches wide. When cut in 3 pieces that would give you 15 - approximately 30" slabs. It would only take most sawyers a few minutes to cut such. Just a suggestion - remember "Free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it".

I found 16 Portable Sawyers listed in Michigan here on the FF. I bet some are within range of you and I did not even check the stationary millers. Good luck.

SawyerTed · June 04, 2021, 03:19:01 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

Chainsaw milling is hard on a saw, chain, your back and legs. I started with a traditional CSM and quickly learned that it was awfully hard work for the result. So I started looking at band sawmills. If I had saved my money spent on the CSM, new saw, ripping chains, etc, (I estimate over $2,000) I'd have been a lot further along (3 or 4 years) in my sawmilling journey. Your mileage may vary.......

Norwood makes a chainsaw mill that is very interesting. It is a track and carriage you mount you saw in and push from a standing position. I believe it is the PortaMill PM14. It looks like the kind of CSM I would have enjoyed much more. It may be the best thought out commercial product CSM for cutting
slabs like you describe.

For not much more money than a chainsaw mill setup you can have a hobby type band sawmill. A small Woodmizer is around $3500, a Woodland Mills is around $2400. There are others. The little ones can be moved around fairly easy with a lawn tractor, four wheeler or even by hand if you don't have to move it far. It could be as simple as using a small trailer to slide the mill on to and rolling around the yard. The horsepower is small so not excessively loud for a neighborhood. You don't even have to assemble all the track that comes with one so you can keep the length down to what you need. Cutting is fast enough and easier physically than a CSM. The final product is closer to finished with a band sawmill.

WV suggests a portable mill to come and saw for you or who would allow you to take a batch of logs to it. That's a good suggestion.

JoshNZ · June 04, 2021, 03:44:21 PM

You could try borrowing a chainsaw mill and having a go. If you like it and think it's feasible, then go for a granberg. I think they're a simple enough thing that it doesn't matter which brand. More about your saw, and rails.

Band mill will be way quicker and easier but doesn't sound like this is on the scope of hiring someone in or purchasing a mill, yet?

Daburner87 · June 04, 2021, 09:02:57 PM

I agree with the other guy in regards to the chainsaw mill not being worth it when you can spend that money better from the get go, and have something that actually holds resale value when youre done with it. In your case it might be worth having someone mill the logs up for you. Otherwise judging by the size you mentioned, a cheap mill might be the way to go. A Woodland Mills HM122 might be perfect for you. Small, budget friendly, and good results. HM126 is a nicer upgrade if you have the money.

honesttjohn · June 05, 2021, 08:09:02 PM

How would I go about trying to find somebody to come out for such a small job? Maybe 15-20 short logs I can probably go get more if needed. I'm in Shelby Twp Michigan 48315. I can't justify spending a couple thousand (right now) even though I'd really really like to. Also looking for a mill in the Yale Michigan area (where hunting camp is) that has rough cut slabs for sale.

Stephen1 · June 05, 2021, 08:26:10 PM

Quote from: honesttjohn on June 05, 2021, 08:09:02 PM
How would I go about trying to find somebody to come out for such a small job? Maybe 15-20 short logs I can probably go get more if needed. I'm in Shelby Twp Michigan 48315. I can't justify spending a couple thousand (right now) even though I'd really really like to. Also looking for a mill in the Yale Michigan area (where hunting camp is) that has rough cut slabs for sale.

Go check out the pro sawyers network on the Woodmizer website.
I have been to urban/subdivisions settings to saw wood for people. sometimes I set up on the street and we roll the logs over the curb unto the loading arms of the sawmill. I have a gentleman that does what you are wanting to do. I actually sell him Kiln Dried ovals. I se the log up on an angle and this is what I get. This is a birch oaval.

honesttjohn · June 05, 2021, 10:30:27 PM

City people go nuts over something like this either done in a sign/plaque or better yet, a 3d carving, which is what I do.

olcowhand · June 06, 2021, 06:01:26 AM

Quote from: honesttjohn on June 05, 2021, 08:09:02 PM
How would I go about trying to find somebody to come out for such a small job? Maybe 15-20 short logs I can probably go get more if needed. I'm in Shelby Twp Michigan 48315. I can't justify spending a couple thousand (right now) even though I'd really really like to. Also looking for a mill in the Yale Michigan area (where hunting camp is) that has rough cut slabs for sale.

Hey Honestjohn,
Welcome....
I grew up (if that term can be applied in a generic sense...) in Shelby Twp, but now I'm in Northern Michigan. I'll loan you my Granberg, but not my saw (I use it regularly). It's set up with a Winch to take a lot of the work out of the actual Milling exercise.
I use a Stihl MS661C-M, but it sounds like you've been "Free-handing" your cuts, so you probably have a saw that can do the job.
I'm not sure how we connect privately, as I believe one must "Age- In" to the DM system here. I'm sure our Fearless Leader, @Jeff can help. He has contact info for every member. Let's explore how we can connect privately....
Steve

Jeff · June 06, 2021, 06:53:06 AM

Once you have made a couple posts, you can use the personal messages, so he should be all set to do do.

olcowhand · June 06, 2021, 07:01:26 AM

Thanks, Jeff.
Honestjohn, if you think you want to borrow my CSM, reach out....
Steve

honesttjohn · June 06, 2021, 09:15:30 AM

Tried sending you a PM Steve. Let me know if you got it. Us grumpy old farts are computer illiterate, among other things.

farmfromkansas · June 06, 2021, 09:49:08 AM

Cool carvings

olcowhand · June 06, 2021, 09:54:45 AM

Wow, your Art is fantastic! I got your PM, but I'm currently in my "Labour-it-tree" working on my art. I'll reply when I can. Thanks for reaching out.
Steve

fluidpowerpro · June 06, 2021, 02:42:08 PM

I love those carvings. Just my opinion but I think the finish that the chain saw leaves is better for what your doing than what you would get with a band saw.

honesttjohn · June 06, 2021, 03:04:32 PM

Quote from: fluidpowerpro on June 06, 2021, 02:42:08 PM
I love those carvings. Just my opinion but I think the finish that the chain saw leaves is better for what your doing than what you would get with a band saw.

Kind of my thoughts too. I just want to be able to slice the slabs with more consistancy for thickness more than anything else. And this isn't a high production endeavor. I have maybe 15-20 short logs sitting in the back waiting to be attacked.

Magicman · June 06, 2021, 04:14:20 PM

Quite frankly I would not change anything. I believe that your acceptable thickness consistently will come with practice.

barbender · June 06, 2021, 05:00:38 PM

I'm kinda with Magic and the others on this, don't change a thing! I would consider making a jig to hold the log in place, and maybe snapping chalk lines to lay out the cuts. Log builders do all kinds of stuff by laying out the cuts with levels and squares, and then freehand cutting to the lines. For instance, a jig could be as simple as a couple crossways 4x4's with a notch cut in the middle. When you roll your log onto the square cut notch, it will hold itself in place really well. People that run what are known as swing mills use these and often don't even need further clamping. I would think a chunk of 2x4 going from the 4x4 up to the outside edge of the log with a few screws would provide any other necessary stability. Then on the face if your log, make marks going across, that are the width of your slab plus saw kerf. Then take a level and make vertical lines on each of those marks all the way up the face. Eyeball the middle mark to what would be straight to the other end, and lay out marks from there on that face. Now snap stringlines from end to end, and your slabs are waiting in the marks, you just need to set them free😁

honesttjohn · June 06, 2021, 05:06:10 PM

That's easier said than done........but it sounds good!

Magicman · June 06, 2021, 05:34:28 PM

I understand "not easy" but it appears that you got 4 slabs from one stick of firewood which to me seems quite acceptable. I would not want to loose the chainsaw marks, etc. on the front of the artwork pieces.

barbender · June 06, 2021, 07:37:18 PM

It is easier said than done, but, I've "done" similar things, and I know that you could too. In fact, I think this method may be easier than trying to setup a chainsaw mill on short pieces. If your bar is long enough to reach end to end, Ithink this would work well.

York Woodwright · June 06, 2021, 09:43:34 PM

HonestJohn, whatever you are doing you are doing it very well. Don't mess with success. It is excellent -- I love your work! Charles

honesttjohn · June 06, 2021, 09:57:33 PM

Quote from: Magicman on June 06, 2021, 05:34:28 PM
I understand "not easy" but it appears that you got 4 slabs from one stick of firewood which to me seems quite acceptable. I would not want to loose the chainsaw marks, etc. on the front of the artwork pieces.

That's actually 2 pieces with both sides carved. I managed to freehand these pretty good. But I've got other pieces that look like big not so nice shims.