getting the most out of a big log

[SDM]

Hello and thanks in advance...I have a 28 inch diameter log that I want to make 2x6`s out of. If I saw it down to a 16inch cant then saw it in half so I get two boards with each pass will those 2x6`s be more likely to twist since I`m not keeping the heart centered? I usually end with a cant with a centered heart but this way seemed quicker and less wasteful....thanks Shawn

[beenthere]

Warped lumber will be wasteful as well, so may be up to you as to which ends up in waste.

Have you had experience cutting this method and it worked ok for you?

[SDM]

I got the idea from a post by magicman a while back showing a quick way to cut 2x4`s. Wasn`t sure if it would work on larger boards. ( quick way to cut 2x4`s...that`s a good one)

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I saw a lot of barn boards. If my logs is large enough, yes.....I will saw a 16" cant in half and saw 2- 8 inch boards at a time.

It is very rare that my boards want to twist.

[SDM]

Thanks Poston I will give it a go in the morning

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Thanks Poston I will give it a go in the morning

Let us know how they turn out.

[customsawyer]

If you have the cant at 16" and the pith is centered I would get a 2X6 off of each side and a 2X4 out of the middle thus keeping the pith centered. If the pith is off center then you might need to get a 2X4 off of one side and center the pith some of the 2X6s. Remember to look at where the pith is in the entire log not just at one end.

[SDM]

Well here are the results...my 16 inch cant couldn`t be done and keep the heart centered, however the 2x6x18`s turned out straight. I had to do it this way to get the max # of boards. That log finished the order. Below are the pics showing the cant and the boards. Thanks guys for th

  

  e input/help

[Magicman]

You will never ever see me recommend splitting a pith and taking boards from each side.  The top and bottom grade & rift boards may hold true, but the QS center boards will almost always crook.

Your cant orientation should be determined before you open the first face.  That cant is your target and you remove side lumber to reach that target with the first three face openings.

Customsawer was very correct about many logs not having the pith in the same part of the log on both ends, and his suggestion about taking boards off of the sides until you have a cant with the pith reasonably centered was spot on. 

Sawing is almost always a compromise on how to obtain the best lumber from a given log because few logs are perfect.

[drobertson]

I tend to go a little slower, and is often times looked on as too time consuming, however the results are about as good as one can get.  For 2x's of any size in width, I make my 2 in drop parallel to the sweep.  This makes my first face and third face the 2" drop sides.  The second face and fourth face I take 2" drops evenly of each face respectively, down to the desired cant size,  keeping the heart centered as possible. These flitches go off the mill until the desired cant is made and the 2x's are done.  Then the flitches go on and are made to whatever yields the most and best quality.  An occasional 1x may come off to aid in keeping the heart centered.  I don't like to gamble on crook boards, once the cut is made, its over,   jmo,   david

[dboyt]

You won't know how it turned out until the boards are dried.  They can look great off the mill, and turn into pretzels later.  This may be species related, but that's sure the case with the hardwoods I deal with.

[downsouth]

I also do as drobertson does.
It's a little slower I'm sure, but works for me. Of course I'm just cutting for myself, and I'm not in any hurry. I just take my time and get what I think is the best the log will give.