Finally got started making lumber

Tramp Bushler · July 13, 2019, 01:23:47 PM

As my production on either the mill or loggin isn't any kind of fast. I don't have alot to add daily. And I don't know how much of the loggin side to add here in the sawmill side.
There are a number of things that need and will be improved on once I get all moved . Granted, most of them won't happen until I build our house. But eventually .
One thing I've decided is I Need an edger. I spend too much time re working flitches and fat slabs. Most of the 1 bys I make are from the slab cuts. Also, I need to come up with a different setup for my log stops. Something that keeps the log about 2" away from the powerhead side blade guide rollers. Once my cant is all squared up I'm good but all too often the roller guide bumps into the log or cant. Part of the reason is I've been only sawing from the small end of the log. So when I get down to the butt , sometimes there is a hump or flare that I didn't think would get in the way that does.
One thing I have been doing it peeling all the bark and cambian off and wane on the piece coming off the mill. That takes a little extra time as I'm trying to keep the slab pile small as possible. A cordwood saw will be a handy thing to have once I get setup at our new home.

I also took the time to make a Burke bar.
Well it's styled after a Burke bar but with the steels that I had on hand. It works GREAT for lifting the small end of the log up to put in pillow blocks. And is good for peeling bark where I may have got dirt in the bark. I'll do a post about it in the hand tools section.
We did get rain and much cooler temps here so I don't have to work night shift now. That's nice.

Oddman · July 13, 2019, 02:31:55 PM

Bushler,
I'm really enjoying your thread here, keep posting. I'm curious if you made your trailer behind your ATV or if it's store bought?

Tramp Bushler · July 13, 2019, 08:15:15 PM

I made it. I used the frame from a military tarmac munitions wagon that had been surplused. I used the deck of it for the flatbed on my F350 .
It's all 1/4" and the pipe frame is 1/2" . The wagon originally was designed to have a big load of ammo And stuff lashed to it and be pushed out the back of a C5 or C130 and parachuted to the ground. It had SOLID steel 2 3/4" axle. All the suspension and lower parts were made real heavy and the top was aluminum.
I had the frame laying around for a couple years trying to figure out what to do with it. Once I figured out how to attach the axle it was go ahead and build. Then I had to figure out the tounge and hitch. The whole thing cost me less than $50.00 . Actually I think it was less than $40.00 . and that was for the hitch.
The deck planks are white spruce. That I Alaska milled years ago and used it for a firewood rack on the 350 before I flat bedded it.
At the time I built it I had time but not much money so it worked out Great !
I've worked the snot out of it. Used and abused, over loaded ect. I don't know exactly how much wood I've got out with it. But it's over 40 cord. The next mod I plan on for it is a walking beam set up with tandem wheels. I may not have tipped over with walking tandem axle.
The only down side may be making the trailer too heavy for me to wheel it around in the tundra and woods. I would like to put 14" wheels and tires on it too.

D6c · July 13, 2019, 10:48:40 PM

Quote from: Tramp Bushler on July 05, 2019, 07:22:53 PM
I discovered that a 6 HP Shop Vac . with the hose screwed into the blower side works great for blowing sawdust and bark chips off the mill.

Tried the shop vac blower trick this afternoon....works great with my 3hp vac! Convenient for me since I have electricity closer to the mill than an air compressor.

Tramp Bushler · July 14, 2019, 03:52:00 AM

My compressor is kinda small. Doesn't really put out enough air to run a framing nailer. With the shop vac ,I just pack the powerhead and hose around with me blowing off the mill.

Oddman · July 14, 2019, 07:51:34 AM

Sounds like a stout little trailer for sure👍

Tramp Bushler · July 15, 2019, 03:12:46 PM

So today is another day.

Hope to get 5 2x8x17 out of this log.

nativewolf · July 15, 2019, 04:51:37 PM

Quote from: Tramp Bushler on July 14, 2019, 03:52:00 AM
My compressor is kinda small. Doesn't really put out enough air to run a framing nailer. With the shop vac ,I just pack the powerhead and hose around with me blowing off the mill.

Just an FYI , check out the Hitachi framing nailer, battery powered one. Only battery powered one worth a hoot. Lots of battery finish nailers but a battery framing nailer has been tough for folks to crack. Hitachi made the best framing nailers anyway (pneumatic) so this is maybe not surprising. Anyhow, wonderful tool. No hoses, so much faster, get an extra battery and you are good to go all day.

Tramp Bushler · July 16, 2019, 09:07:21 AM

I've been reading up on the new cordless framing nailers. Quite a tool. I do have some Bostich pneumatic nailers coil and stick. And need a new roofing nailer.
I've worked with the Paslode gas nailers. When everything was right, they worked good. But once it started getting cool/frost outside they didn't work very well. Also, the nose of them always bugged me. It would slide around and miss the rafters or stud when I got going good. Or at least more than my other nailers.
I'll be using a friends DeWalt compressor to build my house with this summer/fall. It puts out lots of air. Eventually I want a gas engine powered compressor as I am building and will be off grid.

Tramp Bushler · July 16, 2019, 09:16:19 AM

The log with the twist got milled yesterday afternoon.

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Tramp Bushler · July 16, 2019, 09:20:47 AM

Not sure why my pics are sideways. Sorry bout that. I'll have to get it figured out.
I have been having better success with centering the heart in my logs I've been sawing. The Burke style bar I made works great for doing it.

Tramp Bushler · July 16, 2019, 09:17:06 PM

Today was my last day of logging here. Lord willing I will do plenty more after we move. I'm leaving a bunch of good timber standing where I was logging. But hopefully someone will find them and get them to their mill before the spruce bark Beatle gets to them . There was a bunch of Blowdown where I got these logs that was too rotten to be useful. Wouldn't even make very good firewood.

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That's great. All pics are right side up.
I have to put on a new band blade before I start sawing this load. I wish I had another load of logs that would make 16' 2x8s. But that's how it is.
It sure is nice to see the lumber pile grow.

Tramp Bushler · July 18, 2019, 01:04:00 PM

This log made this stack of lumber. Only had 1 board that had compresoon wood in it causing it to bow.

Today I'm making 16' 2x4s.
Probably my last day of milling for a while.

Does anyone know much about wheel bearings on a trailer ? I'm nervous about the trip over the highway with the mill. Its got to go 163 miles.

Tramp Bushler · July 18, 2019, 05:11:07 PM

Well, this is it. All I have left to saw is a bunch of flitches. I'll mill them up after I take them and the mill to where we will build.

I made 20 , 16' 2x4s some 1x6 and a couple 2x6 all @ 16' today. Resawed some flitches also at various lengths. I found out that used motor oil and diesel fuel mixed works GREAT for keeping the blade free of pitch and stuff.

btulloh · July 18, 2019, 05:23:00 PM

You've got a lot of lumber sawed. And some hauling to do. Looking forward to seeing the build.

As for wheel bearings, jack the wheel and test for play. Adjust if necessary. Pop the caps and check the grease. With proper adjustment and grease your all set.

btulloh · July 18, 2019, 05:30:13 PM

You may want to pop the hubs off and repack the bearings if you have any doubts. Beats looking in the mirror and seeing smoke or flames.

YellowHammer · July 18, 2019, 07:49:57 PM

Yep, get the wheel off the ground and start jerking on it, rocking it. It should feel solid, like it's part of the trailer, not like it's about to come off. The old rule is if there is more than 1/8" of rocking of the tire, the castle nut needs to be tightened. If you hear or feel a crunching or grinding when you hand spin the tire, well, that's a bad sign.

Jack S · July 18, 2019, 09:40:09 PM

You should check the dot date code on the tires also. If they are radials and been in the hot sun and over 5 years old or so they are ready to blowout the sidewalls. Local ok distance not good. Ive blown 3 and they disintegrate. its a well known fact on Motor homes and travel trailers. The dot code will have 4 numbers, the first two are the week and the last two are the year they were built. also they show on only one side of the tire. Hope this helps and saves some troubles Jack

Tramp Bushler · July 21, 2019, 01:58:11 PM

Thanks guys !!
This weekend was spent on the property mowing birch and aspen brush that was taking over. With a 4 horse Honda lawn mower. Its alot more wore than people may think

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My wife worked as much as I did but on lighter duty projects.
I was using my Solo 134 brush cutter . Things were going along well till I sliced into a hornets nest that was attached to a sapling. Things got painfully exciting real fast.

RAYAR · July 21, 2019, 03:01:53 PM

Quote from: Tramp Bushler on July 21, 2019, 01:58:11 PM
I was using my Solo 134 brush cutter . Things were going along well till I sliced into a hornets nest that was attached to a sapling. Things got painfully exciting real fast.

I'll bet that turned into a really fast dance and dash, not a fun thing to have happen.

Tramp Bushler · July 23, 2019, 02:39:06 AM

Milled up a dozen flitches while waiting on a battery to charge. I'll be soo glad when I get an edger !!

thecfarm · July 23, 2019, 05:52:25 AM

I go to walmart and buy the cheapest lawn mower they have. I call it my mini bush hog. If I get a year out of one I am doing good. Those stumps and rocks are hard on equipment. Not to mention bushes that are 1 inch across. :

I do find some for free,but most times when I stall those free ones,I have to pull on the rope way too many times to get them going again. I get all worn out just trying to start the the mini bush hog. ;D

Tramp Bushler · July 29, 2019, 03:47:43 AM

So Monday will be my first load of lumber hauled to where we will build our house. 163 miles away. It has taken an unbelievable amount of work getting the correct reciever hitch for our E350 van and even more to get the correct wiring harnesses ect to hook the van to the trailer's wiring . round 7 flat.

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But I think I've got it. Hope so anyway.
I put a Curt class 4 reciever hitch on . 1,000 lb tounge weight and 10,000 lb tow. This is the first time I've set up a vehicle with trailer brakes and lights so its been a real learning experience. And it cost A Lot more money than I ever thought it would ! But I like the end result.

I even used a Molly Hogan as a stub pin keeper. Instead of a cotter pin or other keeper. Molly's are tough and don't come apart on their own or from a bit of brush flicking it. And by burying the end in the wrap. 90% of thrives around here won't know how to undo it. And a leatherman would be very hard pressed to cut it.
I also put new safety chains and hooks on the trailer.
I checked the board weight calculator on this forum and it said that 1,500 board feet of spruce should weigh less than 5,000 lbs. So that is what I'm going to target per load. We will see how it goes.
Thanks for all the encouragement and advice everyone !

As a side note. If anyone has a vehicle they want to use for towing a trailer. That did not come from the factory all set up for towing. I recommend you start getting everything installed MONTHS before you plan to start towing !! Especially if you live remoteish like I do.

Tramp Bushler · August 16, 2019, 07:20:29 PM

Got my lights and brakes all hooked up and started 2 haul lumber. Got 2 loads hauled. I think I was running around 7,000 lbs total weight.

Tramp Bushler · August 16, 2019, 07:28:45 PM

The van handles the load ok. But I do want to get a set of airbags for the van to stiffen it up just a bit. I only have a partial load of lumber left to bring . so I think I will put the mill on the trailer also. That will save 1, 320 mile round trip.

Life kinda gets in the way of building now that I've started my new job and am living here at our place . Plus it has been raining like crazy for here. Usually this is a fairly dry area. 10" precip per year. We've gotten at least 3 inches in the past 2 weeks.
I just gotta be tough !