went to school today

[Po-Jo]

 

 

And this was the teacher, as you guys know i am a newby ,no sawing experience what so ever, so i learned how a floor jack can be your best freind when dealing with the small end of the log, i also learned that my little cheap purchase of one of those 12 volt portable winches was a life saver when it came time to turn this sucker, also what it means when the log wants to climb up and over your. Stop when turning,,, all in all a very good / productive day, i do have one question though. When dealing with bigger peices such as this, the log dogs cant be used, how do you secure the log??? I ended up using wedges on the bunks, the log was so heavy it did not move and oncw i got the first side cut, i could start using the log dogs, thanks to this site and your guys experiences i am making the dust fly

[Ianab]

Nothing beats actually running a mill for learning  ;D

As I run a swingblade mill, wedges is generally all we use to stabilise the log, and that's down to the last piece of bottom slab wood. So if that's what's needed when the dogs don't fit, carry on. As you say, the log is heavy, as long as you can stop it rolling, it's not going any place. A larger mill will have more capacity in the clamp system, but when you start pushing the size, sometimes you need to improvise a bit.

Ian

[Nomad]

     Looks like you're making a good start.  Doesn't it feel great to be walking in a pile of your very own fresh sawdust? 8)

[customsawyer]

That sounds like a pretty good day.

[bandmiller2]

Po-jo,looks like you have a small mill house at the end.Thats a real good idea if a fella doesn't have a full blown mill shed. Before my bandmill was in a building I had an attached roof over one end that kept the bulk of the weather off it.The track can be kept well painted and takes little harm outside. Frank C.

[Magicman]

Looking good.  Your question about securing the log is really not a problem.  It is just where ingenuity comes into the picture.  Every situation is different, and you will be OK.   

[Kingcha]

Po-Jo I am also a newbie and have learned much from this website.  I still do not have hands on experience, but have been bite by the bug just by watching videos and reading here.   My deposit is down and I have a tentative ship date for my mill, weather depending as we have gotten hit by a nasty March up here in Northern Michigan.   It will be a good day when I get to post my first pic's of my mill.

matt

[KenPlum]

Good for you Pojo like Kingcha I am waiting to make my first cut I have to wait until the 7 feet of snow on my land melts till I can even set up my mill. Looking forward to post the picks of my first cut .

[Po-Jo]

I dont envy you guys up north with all that snow, my buddy in MN was telling me they are still getting pounded with snow and still have 2' on the ground, the weather has been really nice here, but then again you northern guys wont be envying me here come about July when its running around 120* on the heat index, oh and i live below the gnat line,  so with the 120* heat index and gnats to boot it pretty much puts this place on par with Hades in the summer months, 

[redbeard]

Cut you some PVC pipe to slide over your log stops , helps keep log from climbing when turning log with winch. I learned that trick here on the forum works good.

[thecfarm]

Po-Jo,don't include me with those other Northern guys. ;D Before the Wed storm the ground was just about bare. We only have a few inches in the field and in the open. Still might be a foot in the woods.

[mikeb1079]

Cut you some PVC pipe to slide over your log stops , helps keep log from climbing when turning log with winch.

ahhh....good one!  gonna use that one to death.   

[Po-Jo]

red beard i like the pvc suggestion, i will surely give that one a try, Thanks

[bandmiller2]

Thecfarm is lucky he comes from the warm sunny part of Maine.Up here in new england the weather will pester you but won't kill you,those tornados are a wicked wind. Frank C.

[thecfarm]

Here's warm sunny part of Maine on March 13, :D



 

Everything is all white now,but only 6 inches of white.

bandmiller,Frankin up by the Canada border? Sounds like you get some snow there?

[Kingcha]

Well of course after doing some snow clearing outback we have gotten another 12-15" of snow.



 
Yep that's where my mill is going, right where that 4' pile of snow is

[bandmiller2]

We've got a little snow but its going fast, the spring sun is strong.Mud now skeeters later. Frank C.

[Kingcha]

Lots of sun today.  I managed to get "Outback" and take care of a few things.  Had a little snow damage on my metal chimney for on the wood-fired brick oven.   Not bad, just have to replace a 36" piece.  Looks like its going to be sunny and warm(40's) and it might hit 50 on Saturday for the next week.   Hope I did not jinx myself....................I took the snow blower off the tractor today.

I will head "Outback" Moving the tractor outback for the season. 8)    Hope to move a little snow and maybe even fire up the chainsaw.   I have about 10 small trees that need to go to make room for the new mill.   Tentative shipping date on the mill is 4-19,  smiley_blue_bounce I might just be ready for it.    I figure I will decide on the 15th if a delivery truck will be able to get back there or not.   I think spring is finally here.
matt