WM LT40 project

[KWood255]

I have owned/operated a small commercial sawmill operation for the past few years in Northern Ontario. This has been a side business to my "real" job which keeps me busy, and justifies my equipment collection to the bride. I have been fortunate with the ability to source nice logs (mostly softwood) to produce dimensional lumber and custom timbers to numerous local contractors and individuals with projects in mind. This has evolved from a hobby to a job, which can be gratifying at times. Other times, I wish I was fishing instead....

Last fall we lost our home to a fire. A devastating experience, which I wouldn't wish on anyone. This threw a significant wrench in our plans for expansion on the sawmill operations as well as many others. 

Building has been a bit of a challenge during the pandemic times, although not as problematic as expected, aside from the costs. 

We took the opportunity to provide as many materials as possible for the building of the new house. We incorporated a timber frame front entrance and covered deck, and cut 1x12x16 red pine for the vaulted ceilings, among many others. 

We are a long ways from being done, but it wouldn't be possible without the sawmill in the yard.We are grateful to have the equipment and ability to produce some of our own materials for the house, as well as numerous other projects within the area. Thanks to the FF members for answering questions along the way. 

 

 

 

   

[Walnut Beast]

You should be proud! Looks great 👍 

[KWood255]

You should be proud! Looks great 👍

Thank you very much. To be clear, we have a very talented local contractor who designed and built the timber frames for us. I'm jealous of his abilities, and would like to learn the trade one day. 

[moosehunter]

House is looking great. Having a mill is great way to get more house for the $$ invested.
Where abouts in Ontario? Have done some sledding in northern Ontario, love the people, scenery and beer!
mh

[Andries]

Building a house in the last two years would've been a nightmare. Cost increases, building material supply and finding reliable contractors would've been a huge challenge.
 Congratulations, your new house is looking wonderful.
Would you be located in NW Ontario?

[KWood255]

Building a house in the last two years would've been a nightmare. Cost increases, building material supply and finding reliable contractors would've been a huge challenge.
Congratulations, your new house is looking wonderful.
Would you be located in NW Ontario?

Yeah the costs are insane to say the least. We haven't had too many issues as far as material supply thankfully. We are very fortunate with the contractor and crew we have. 
Yes, we are in NW Ontario...Dryden. 

[Andries]

Hey, I'm at our camp just East of Kenora most of the time. 
In Canadian, that's almost like being neighbours! 😂😁

[KWood255]

Hey, I'm at our camp just East of Kenora most of the time.
In Canadian, that's almost like being neighbours! 😂😁

For sure! It's a beautiful part of the world....until January. 

[KWood255]

 

 

 

 Almost done the house build. We have cut all the timber frame materials, ceilings, window build outs and trim boards off my LT40. It make for a real unique project! Also cut some white poplar 1x8's to finish a few other projects. The WM has been flawless.  

[beenthere]

KWood
Can you tell us what the construction is above that ceiling? 

[KWood255]

KWood
Can you tell us what the construction is above that ceiling?

The under side of the scissor trusses are strapped with 1x4 and sheeted with drywall. Then finished with 1x12x16 red pine. All the insulation was blown in (18"). The red pine was not planed, but lightly sanded just to get any fuzz removed. They were clear coated with Varathane Diamond Finish before installing. 

[Walnut Beast]

Looks fantastic! Nice job 👍 

[firefighter ontheside]

Looks great.  Sorry bout the fire.  No matter how many houses I've seen burn down, I can only imagine it being mine.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

If you were fishing instead, would it be on Eagle?  Been fishing there since 1987.  I took my sons there for the first time this past summer and we had an amazing time.

[KWood255]

Looks great.  Sorry bout the fire.  No matter how many houses I've seen burn down, I can only imagine it being mine.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

If you were fishing instead, would it be on Eagle?  Been fishing there since 1987.  I took my sons there for the first time this past summer and we had an amazing time.

Yes we normally fish Eagle a few times a year. It's a beautiful lake, but it can be busier then we are used to at times. Lots of rocks to be aware of as well. With the electronics these days it helps a lot, but there are a few surprises here and there. We spend most of our time on the smaller lakes, or Lac Seul. 
If you are coming up this way in the summer, look me up. 

[Crossroads]

Very sorry about the fire, your new house looks great!

[Andries]

. . . Lots of rocks to be aware of as well. With the electronics these days it helps a lot, but there are a few surprises here and there. . . 

Lake of the Woods, Lac Seul, Rainy Lake, are some of the most beautiful lakes in NW Ontario. But the reefs and rocks! 
 A friend was looking at the gps display in my boat and said; "the reefs aren't shown at this scale, but when you zoom in, there's tons of 'em!" Yep. Surprise!
.
KWood, your new home looks terrific. I'm thinking you've been working hard and that you've made a pretty darned good come-back! The walk-out basement and cathedral ceiling make for a wonderful home. Woodstove or fireplace? (The electric rates in ON make my eyes water. 😤)
Do you run your LT40 in a shed? and do you edge on the mill? With all the pines (white, red and Jack) available, do you use anything special to manage resin build up on the bands? You mentioned 1x12x16 red pine. Do you log those trees yourself or buy them? Sorry, but I'm full of questions this morning. 

[barbender]

Andries, the border lakes are beautiful from what I've seen of them. Been a long time. I'm about 100 miles south of International Falls. We're not on the Canadian Shield, lakes in my area you can get in deep enough water and then open it up without much concern. I understand those methods will put you in a predicament on shield lakes😬

[Andries]

Yes sir, the prop shop loves those "predicaments" ! 😉

[firefighter ontheside]

I don't think we will back this year to Eagle, but for sure the following year.  It was my boys and I and one of their buddies and his dad.  The buddy is a fishing fanatic and really wants to go again this year, but we are going to Croatia in May and that will be all of my vacation money for the year and then some.  

I've been fishing Eagle a long time and know the parts that I fish pretty well.  Even still a reef or rock can surprise you especially when water levels are atypical.  This past year the water was higher than I've ever seen it.  I can do pretty good zooming around as long as I don't stray from the areas I know.  

[Resonator]

I spent a about a week every summer growing up staying with my aunt and uncle in Thunder Bay. My uncle was a mechanic for one of the big mills and fixed machines for the logging crews, he knew all the back roads and out of the way places. We'd load up the old Plymouth station wagon with the boat tied to the roof, and head "back in the bush" to camp out. Some of us would pick wild blueberries all day, others would go out on the lake and catch fish. (I remember one of my family members learned not to let the fishing line drift into the outboard motor.) :D
At night we'd cook out, listen to the car radio, and look up at the stars with the northern lights blazing green shimmering in the sky.

[KWood255]

. . . Lots of rocks to be aware of as well. With the electronics these days it helps a lot, but there are a few surprises here and there. . .

Lake of the Woods, Lac Seul, Rainy Lake, are some of the most beautiful lakes in NW Ontario. But the reefs and rocks!
A friend was looking at the gps display in my boat and said; "the reefs aren't shown at this scale, but when you zoom in, there's tons of 'em!" Yep. Surprise!
.
KWood, your new home looks terrific. I'm thinking you've been working hard and that you've made a pretty darned good come-back! The walk-out basement and cathedral ceiling make for a wonderful home. Woodstove or fireplace? (The electric rates in ON make my eyes water. 😤)
Do you run your LT40 in a shed? and do you edge on the mill? With all the pines (white, red and Jack) available, do you use anything special to manage resin build up on the bands? You mentioned 1x12x16 red pine. Do you log those trees yourself or buy them? Sorry, but I'm full of questions this morning.

Thanks Andries. It's been a long haul. 
2 years ago I was supposed to have about a 30x50 saw shed. It still hasn't happened but I guess there's an explanation for that...
The new house will have a wood stove. We primarily heat with in-floor off of my Central Boiler outdoor stove. The wood stove in the basement will be mostly as an emergency backup. 
I do all my edging on the LT40 so far. As a one man commercial operation, I try to edge my slabs every few logs to keep from getting bogged down.  As for blade lube, I have jumped on the diesel train. I tried the typical lube options, and found that nothing performed as well as straight diesel. I do have the auto-lube system on my 40, so I can go a very long time on a couple gallons of diesel lube. 
I purchased the red pine logs from a local logging contractor. Once is cut them, I hauled about 3200bf down to a nearby kiln (Emo) to dry them.