Sawing OLD posts

[Jstier]

A furniture maker came to me with a strange request. He would like 2 old fence posts milled into lumber for a customer of his. They were off the customers property from the family farm. My issue with it that each post has two thick bolts broke off in them, and who knows how much other chunks of metal. Should I just tell him to forget it or just charge him for every piece of metal hit. Ive hit nails before and sometime my ez40 doesn't even feel them. But a 1/2 in thick bolt id assume it would notice. They have brought a lot of work to me, so that's the only reason I considered it. 

Could I get a special blade that could cut through them?

 Thanks in advance for any advice  

[lazyflee]

Maybe use a metal detector and dig em out?

[moodnacreek]

All that stuff must be metal detected and cleaned.

[WV Sawmiller]

   There is obviously sentimental value here far beyond the lumber costs. I'd tell the customer to remove all the metal and that there was a band fee of $25 each (My current cost - apply your rate) for every piece of metal I hit if he missed any then I'd saw them. I would not/do not metal detect because if I miss something it is now my responsibility. I keep that responsibility clearly on the customer. I named my company Sawmill Services and I believe that. If you can do it almost safely with a sawmill I will try it if that is what the customer wants/needs.

[Magicman]

 

 
In recently sawed some junk such as that.


 
And my rate was $85 per hour whether I was sawing or digging.  My metal strikes are $30 per blade.

I do not refuse jobs but I do make sure that the customer understands the sawing agreement/contract.

[Jstier]

 
In recently sawed some junk such as that.


 
And my rate was $85 per hour whether I was sawing or digging.  My metal strikes are $30 per blade.

I do not refuse jobs but I do make sure that the customer understands the sawing agreement/contract.

Thanks for all the info, I think I may just see if he wants to pay me to dig all the metal out. Pretty crazy to see what you got out of that wood magicman.

[Jeff]

Clearly I'm not needed here. I read that at least twice as SAVING old posts. 

The Forum bookmark feature will be of no use to you for your task.

[terrifictimbersllc]

Another perspective...

Customer may not care about cost of several blades if the posts get sawed successfully.

So long as you hit a bolts crosswise the blade might just cut through it.  Once through you can put on another blade to finish if it is not sawing straight.  Sawing very slow and watching the kerf can give opportunity to stop and change the blade. Or if it doesnt cut all the way through then perhaps finish it with a hacksaw blade or sawzall.

Two weeks ago a customer brought out an 8x8 which had been part of a dam in the river outside his house for over 100 years.  He had denailed it but knew there were broken off nails.  We used 2 blades on it at $35 each and he got flat boards with square nails cut across, in them. This was a big plus for him he was very happy with the result.  His helpers thought it was pretty cool too. 

[Magicman]

Exactly, do not judge a customer's reasons nor his wallet.

[DeepWoods]

A couple years ago I sawed a birch for a neighbor knowing there was a good chance of metal as it was a yard tree.   Hit several nails and changed band every cut, but ended up with some really nice slabs.  Didn't charge him for the bands as I sharpen my own and the damage wasn't that bad.  Worth the risk in this case

 

[SawyerTed]

Yes it's all about the agreement up front on what something like that will cost.  A repeat customer brought an 18' beam from a barn built nearly 150 years ago.  He wanted it "straightened" since it had a bow and a crook.  We talked about it, measured it and came up with a sawing plan.  He reassured me he had removed the nails.  I reassured him a nail strike would cost my blade replacement fee.  Three sides were were good.  The fourth side cost him a blade fee in addition to a half hour of sawing. He was extremely satisfied with the result and actually paid me DOUBLE the total fee (or was it a 100% tip.)

[Jstier]

Clearly I'm not needed here. I read that at least twice as SAVING old posts.

The Forum bookmark feature will be of no use to you for your task.

Ha took me a second. Also are Newbies invited to the Hog roast? I'm down in SE Indiana and we travel to MI a lot during the summer. Last year spent some time up camping at Sleeping Bear Dunes.  I'd love to learn a few things from the pros.