How do you guys saw BIG logs????

[moonhill]

My log bunks are removable I often will set the log down into the track system with a bunk/clamp on either end, taking a shallow cut off the top, where as it it was sitting on the bunks it would be 7" or so higher and I would have to take a much thicker first cut.  I really like this feature on my mill.  The cross ties between the side rails are 10' apart so I can do this with logs up to this length.  If they are tapered I sit the small end on a cross tie to even the log out, a bunch of shims here and there.

Standing a half cut up is difficult, I have never tried 1/2ing or 1/4ing a large log, through and through is how I deal with them.  In the case of quarter sawing I take large slabs off and them and orient these slabs to gain the proper orientation for quarter sawn stock.

Tim 

[ljmathias]

When I had my manual LT30, I cut several logs too big for the mill, using most of the techniques already described.  And I would take a half a log and try positioning on the mill with my FEL, holding it in place till I could get the old manual clamp locked on it (what a pain!).  Sometimes dangerous things would happen- log would fall over, sometimes off the back of the mill which created real problems in tight quarters, and sometimes just enough that my cut wouldn't be square but I was anxious just to get it chopped down some.  Course, the positive side is all that quarter and rift sawn lumber that you can pull off pretty quickly, at least till you get down about a third and want to flip the odd shaped half a log over... that takes muscle and care, only one of which I still have much of...

I think a half a big log is one of the most difficult things to load and handle on a mill, so be very, very careful- crushed fingers take a long time to heal (don't ask).

Lj

[SwampDonkey]

crushed fingers take a long time to heal (don't ask).

Some parts of them fingers don't grow back. You'll only do it once as I say. ;)

[backwoods sawyer]

To help stand up the halves you can snap a line along one side and take a few inches off so that the half will have a flat surface to stand up on making it somewhat more stable while clamping.
With the big halves it is not just the fingers that can get damaged is short order. So be safe about what ever you try. If you are not feeling safe then it would be best to try something different, like splitting the half in half.

[jimparamedic]

You could get a cirular mill to square the cants if you cut alot of big log then move to the band mill  If you do One or Two on occasion then you could do as the od timers and square two side so the log fit 

[pineywoods]

I use the "gun barrel approach on my woodmizer..cut off a slab, rotate just a bit, cut off another until I get it down to a manageable size. Not a very good technique on a manual mill, hydraulic turner sure does help...

[WDH]

Not a very good technique on a manual mill, hydraulic turner sure does help...

Piney,  just thinking about that makes my back hurt  .

[pineywoods]

Not a very good technique on a manual mill, hydraulic turner sure does help...

Piney,  just thinking about that makes my back hurt  .

Number one reason for my home-made hydraulics. I'd like to see some of you lt15 owners put mine on an lt15. No changes to the mill, everything bolts on,just have to raise it up off the ground about 18 inches. Donk was beginning to think about it, but he found a better solution.  ;D

[WDH]

Yes, that Don K is enterprising  ;D.

[davemartin88]

Thanks for the feedback on the ripping chain- doesn't sound like it's worth the trouble. Using a board to mark your line makes good sense- I tried once using a line on the log itself and as others said, spent more time looking for the line than sawing. Thanks again.

[Magicman]

Messing with those "Too Big" logs really isn't worth the trouble, but I find myself never turning them down.  I guess I'm a sucker for wanting to find out what is inside of them.  It's really only BAD if it's a butt cut and and you get half way in and hit metal.  Then it's a wedge and old sawblade to back out.... :(