Looking for crooked logs and or crooked timbers

Quebecnewf · August 31, 2013, 05:38:01 AM

This is a first for me. I have a customer who wants some white oak or some type of similar hardwood , must be rot resistant outdoors and take paint. This wood will be used on the forecastle of his long liner . It will be bolted down and then steel railings will be fastened to that.
Ideally I need live edge 2" thick by approx 8 to 10 inch wide timbers 12 to 15 ft long with a lot of sweep or crook in them to accommodate the curve of the bow.

Can any of you guys out there in he NE United States or eastern Canada supply this . Would only need approx 6 timbers . or maybes 2 good crooked logs(that seems a strange thing to say)

I am open to logs but probably shipping costs will mean we have to go with timbers.

Awaiting replies
Or PM

Quebecnewf

mesquite buckeye · August 31, 2013, 07:07:19 AM

I think somebody with a slabbing mill could do it. A sweeping log could be cut flat on two sides, then trim to the curve you want with a traditional bandsaw. A woodmizer is limited to a 24" throat width, so unless that is enough sweep, I'd go the other way. You could ask someone with a Lucas. They can go to 60" I think. Good luck . ;D 8) 8) 8)

I'm sure somebody here can do it.

mesquite buckeye · August 31, 2013, 07:24:25 AM

If you could give the radius and other measurements, that would be very helpful. ;D 8) 8)

thecfarm · August 31, 2013, 08:39:08 AM

Must be a boat? Anyway to get pictures of the finished product in place? I have no white oak, Does not come this far inland.

Fla._Deadheader · August 31, 2013, 05:29:06 PM

Try to get some good ole boys from the south to saw you a few Live Oak boards. They don't grow straight very often, and, were the wood of choice for Boat lumber, back when REAL boats were built. ;D

WoodenHead · August 31, 2013, 06:07:38 PM

I have some white oak logs in the yard, but they are quite straight. Perhaps if I make a first cut through or near the center the cants will bow if there's stress in them. Not sure if it would be enough (3" on 12' at most I figure). These could then be sliced into 2" slabs. Unfortunately it would be live edge on only one side (inside curve). Where's a crooked log when you want one! :D If you wanted crooked cedar, that I can easily provide (hard to find a straight one). ;D

drobertson · August 31, 2013, 08:57:56 PM

I think there is one member that uses highly sweeped logs in building, but without knowing the end use this is an impossible call to make. I have to believe that a sound clear board sawn to the necessary radius is the only good way to insure a long lasting, dependable product. there are lots of ideas, and some go by the wayside. david

Nomad · August 31, 2013, 09:19:59 PM

Quote from: Fla._Deadheader on August 31, 2013, 05:29:06 PM
Try to get some good ole boys from the south to saw you a few Live Oak boards. They don't grow straight very often, and, were the wood of choice for Boat lumber, back when REAL boats were built. ;D

X2!!! Shipping would be a bit steep, but you'd be able to get the best of the best for him.

bandmiller2 · September 03, 2013, 08:14:26 AM

There used to be quite a demand in Maine for Larch[hack a ma tack] knees for boat building.I believe they used to corrupt the growth of young trees to supply this market.I would imagine most were cut on those beautiful big cast iron band saws that used to be common in wood working shops.For white oak someone would have to cruse the woods looking for a damaged tree or big branch with the proper bend. Frank C.

Magicman · September 03, 2013, 08:24:38 AM

Kinda like these.

giant splinter · September 03, 2013, 10:30:32 AM

Quebecnewf,
Here is a number for a guy in Maine that specializes in Knees, he has a lot of contacts for specialized boat lumber and should be able to help you out.
Newman Gee 207-938-2380 he is in St Albans Maine.
He is fairly close to you and may have just what you need in his stock supply.

Jim_Rogers · September 03, 2013, 12:51:27 PM

Newman got killed felling a tree. I don't know if his family is running his business or not. But I believe he's gone to a better place.

Jim Rogers

I have some white log logs on hand and some left over white oak timbers but none of them have any kind of sweep in them to fit the request.

WoodenHead · September 03, 2013, 12:59:35 PM

Quote from: Magicman on September 03, 2013, 08:24:38 AM
Kinda like these.

Those are some awesome looking benches!

beenthere · September 03, 2013, 01:41:14 PM

quebecnewf

How much sweep in a log are you looking for here?

Might make the search for you a bit easier for those looking. ;)

Deese · September 03, 2013, 02:12:15 PM

Quote from: Magicman on September 03, 2013, 08:24:38 AM
Kinda like these.

Quebecnewf · September 03, 2013, 05:25:20 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys . Not sure if anyone south of NY or Maine could help with this request. Shipping would be too expensive. It kind of hard to explain what I need . A nice white oak lets say 12" at the top and straight would be not as good for this job as a 8" log at the top with a 4" curve in it.. Both logs are 12 ft long.

These guys are looking for a log that normally would be discarded because it has too much sweep or if you were logging it you would cut it into shorter lengths.

T
I told them the log is out there but it is still standing in the woods and won,t be cut BECAUSE it is too crooked.

Quebecnewf

.

terrifictimbersllc · September 03, 2013, 05:44:37 PM

I've cut curved logs with my LT-40, by letting the log pivot on the bed rails, under the pressure of the sideways sawing force. Not that hard. The first time I didn't try to do it, it just happened. I think if you wanted to do it very accurately on purpose, all you would have to do is lay a part sheet of plywood on the mill, and lay the log on it. Weight and a bit of clamping from the 2 plane clamp (could cut a slot in the plywood) would hold it down, and saw slowly . Get an acceptable flat face, then flip it end for end with the "elbow" pointed at the inside of the mill.

drobertson · September 03, 2013, 05:59:07 PM

My only question in this topic is what is required for the curve, we could cut a pile of them but will the boards fit the need? Just saying as an earlier post stated, "what is the radius?" would he be willing to buy a pile of them to find two or four to cover the bow? I'm not trying to be a hard @$$ just saying its allot of work and trials to get it done, david

Jim_Rogers · September 03, 2013, 06:18:41 PM

What you can do is create a pattern of the piece you'll need. You can create it full scale or 1/4 scale or something like that.

Then you take this pattern with you and go walking in the woods looking for something like this:

Once you have found your tree you can then cut it down and cut some curved slabs off it and do the job.

I have cut curved slabs with my mill and it can be done.

Is what you need something like the one on the left?

These are pine but if that's what shape you need then use this picture to show others so they understand what you want.

Jim Rogers

beenthere · September 03, 2013, 07:00:46 PM

QuoteI told them the log is out there but it is still standing in the woods and won,t be cut BECAUSE it is too crooked.

;) And quebecnewf won't go cut it unless it is across water, thin ice, and in deep snow.... ;D ;D

warren46 · September 03, 2013, 08:46:15 PM

This is what you need to do that. It is called a ships saw. In addition to cutting curved timbers the saw will tilt during the cut so you can make a compound curve. This particular saw is in Mystic Seaport in CT.

Warren

POSTON WIDEHEAD · September 03, 2013, 08:49:12 PM

I have never seen one of these nor did I know a saw like this exist. I learn something everyday.
Good Post!

giant splinter · September 04, 2013, 11:47:56 PM

Jim,
I had no idea that he had passed on, he was a great guy and we had traded out a few thing a couple times.
He will be missed and may he rest in peace.