Goodwill Roadtrip/Sawing - Success

[beenthere]

Awesome.. What a great day this was.  8)

[GDinMaine]

That is a great start indeed.  Did you guys cut all that in one day? You must have had quite a breakfast.

[giant splinter]

Nice whack of logs, Magic Man will have plenty to do.

[Ianab]

With that being said, after using Mike's spare saw, I don't think my little sears unit will work but I will give it a shot. 

As long as it's running right, and the chain is sharp it will get the job done. Might take a bit longer, might need to saw from both sides of a larger tree...  But if the guys have taught you right, just take your time, make the cuts correctly, use your wedges and it will work.

Glad the guys were able to get there and help you out, it was part of your original question that made me nervous. Those practical lessons are the best.

Starting to get a useful whack of logs there, I'm thinking that's the sort of thing MM want's to see when he arrives. Nice tidy piles of decent logs.  ;D

Ian

[Magicman]

Are these down oaks any good for sawing.......I'm hoping these four trees will provide my 1350 sqft of flooring, 5/4 stair treads, and about 30' of counter top.

Yes, those Oaks need sawing.  When you buck them into lengths, you can then determine the quality of the heart wood.  The inside should be solid, such as this one was.


 
You can see from the end that it was solid and it made some wonderful flooring. 

I know that you need 6½' lumber and I talked about 14' logs, but buck those dead logs 8½'.  You will have some end waste, but that will minimize the overall loss.

There is no way that I can over-emphasize the importance of safety and safety gear when felling dead trees.  Overhead limbs and tops are not called "Widow Makers" for no reason.

The Pine logs look very good and well staged.  You, Mike, and Allen had a very productive day.   

[Magicman]

Contributions toward the expenses also continue to come in.  I have acknowledged each of the contributions received either by email or PM.  If you have sent a contribution and have not gotten an acknowledgement from me, please advise.  I take accounting for each of your pledges and contributions very seriously.  (I have one member's contribution that was not received).

As of now, I have 7 pledges that I have not received. 

As information, we have received contributions from non-FF members and also from FF members that have never made a single post.  It's from the Heart.   

[giant splinter]

I am not sure but it might work out, I think it would be in the best interest of all parties involved here if Magicman has the advantage of an edger to accompany his efforts in milling all this lumber for the "Goodwill Roadtrip/Sawing" event.
Has anyone got one close by the project site?, better yet I suspect Wood-Mizer could come up with a loaner for the project and I would think they might entertain it if the right person asked in a nice way.  ;D.If Magicman had a couple guys running the edger he could focus on the cutting list and the logs being staged for optimum productivity.

                                                         Any Ideas??        GS

[Magicman]

Count me in to make the trip assuming no unforeseen problems. It is about an eight hour drive for me. If nothing happens, I will be there for a week if needed. I will bring my WM two blade edger which will help to speedup the sawing. We can setup a production line and make a lot of sawdust. The response that I received from Forum members when I lost my mill and shop to fire drives me not to hesitate to grab the chance to go and help another member as people did me. I can somewhat understand how "dablack" must feel at this time.  Willie 

Take note of Reply #2.   ;D

[giant splinter]

Very Very nice Magicman, that will smooth things out and ease your load a little, I think you will be in good shape Magicman, the project is coming together very nicely.

[SawyerBrown]

Sorry, just have to say something.  I just retired (effective Nov 1) from Corporate America where everything is about Making MORE Money, not about making a difference in the world.  I was so impressed with the FF right from the first time I logged in.  But this effort by a whole lot of members from across the country and beyond to help someone in need who was basically a stranger (no longer, of course) just establishes a whole new level of respect and admiration for you all.  Maybe you all take it for granted, but I'm afraid that that benevolent spirit is being lost in this "Me Me Me" society.  After listening to all the bad things going on in the world bombarding us in the media every day, it's a welcome relief to log in here and read about something so so so good going on.  Thanks again MM and everyone involved for reminding me about what's really important ...

[ARp]

Austin, Mrs. Black, and children, you are very welcome!!!!!

It was Mike and I's pleasure to spend the day with you.  Both of us really feel good about being a small part of the FF's project to lend a hand to a very deserving family's rebuilding plans.  We both hope to able to make another appearance during milling.

MM, thank you for recognizing a need and starting this project.

ARp.   Allen Piepenburg     Mike Lavender

[dablack]

Sorry, just have to say something.   Thanks again MM and everyone involved for reminding me about what's really important ...

Please don't say "sorry".  I thought you were about to say something negative. 

Yes, these days as in days past, bad news sells.  Also, it is so easy to say, "oh that terrible and move on".  Something I have learned through this post, the PM's I've gotten, and talking to others is that they PLAN for a certain number of "giving events" every year.  They PLAN for it.  They start the year assuming they are going to help someone or go somewhere and do something for someone else.  That blows me away.  I'm always eager to help a friend in need but I never go looking to help someone.  Plus, it is usually a known friend that I help.  Mike and Allen showed up early Saturday and it was like we were old friends.  It was amazing.  I'm taking much more away from this than a pile of lumber. 

Austin

[dablack]

We both hope to able to make another appearance during milling.

MM, thank you for recognizing a need and starting this project.

ARp.   Allen Piepenburg     Mike Lavender

Can't wait to see you again.  Hope you and Mike can both make it. 

[dablack]

I've been looking at the house plans and trying to think of ways to get rid of more store bought lumber and use the trees.  It looks like 3 10' 2x12s will work in place of the two 1.75x11 7/8 LVLs that I was going to use for garage door headers. 

I need 80 roof rafters but I forgot about the barge rafters.  So that is 4 more 2x8s 16'.  Total of 84.

Stairs!  I dont' know if I originally had the 2x12s for stairs or not.  So that is 6 2x12's 13' long...better make it 14' to be sure. 

So, I need to make sure there are enough extra logs for those parts.  I'm documenting this here so as I think of things, it will all be in the same place. 

Also, before I was worried about having enough lumber to finish the house and I would have to buy some.  That was keeping me away from using full size 2x4s and 2x6s.  Now I'm thinking I will have plenty and for the 2x6s full size lumber would allow a stronger wall and also would allow three full size 2x12s to be used in the garage door header. 

Thoughts?

thanks
Austin

[dablack]

sorry double post

[SawyerBrown]

Sorry, just have to say something.   Thanks again MM and everyone involved for reminding me about what's really important ...

Please don't say "sorry".  I thought you were about to say something negative. 

Austin

Sorry.  Oh, wait, I'm not supposed to say that ...  ;D  It wasn't exactly on topic, with all the spec's and calculations and number of logs and whatnot flying around.  I just wanted to take a step back a minute and reflect on the project as a whole.  Even with all that's happened to you, Austin, you have to feel blessed as well.

Good luck, I'll be praying for you and the team!

Pete

[Magicman]

Austin, I am leaving it in your, Mike, and Allen's hands to have enough logs staged to make your cut list.  I know that that (Tom) is an unnerving responsibility to make the calculations and estimate the log yields.

I can make estimates regarding yields, but log sweep, etc. creates unknowns for us all.

[dablack]

Pete,

Anything to do with the situation, the logs, trees, wood, or house plan are all fair game in this thread.  Lets just avoid talking about G_ _ _ S. 

Yes, I feel very blessed.  I have a great wife and four great kids.  I was born on a Sunday and have always had things just sort of go my way.  When we lived south of Houston, Huricaine IKE went right over the house and we didn't even lose a tree.  I have always thanked the Father for all my blessings.  No matter how bad any of us have it, there are millions that are MUCH worse off.  The first two weeks after the fire I wasn't angry.  I was just in shock.  Then I had one day where I really got it out of my system.  I was mad and pittiful.  After that I was mostly back to my old thankful and blessed self.  With that being said, it is still hard.  The wife really doesn't like to walk up to the top of the hill.  It is still very hard for her.  I thought the large stack of logs would help and she really did want to come look but instead she just looked at the slab and RV.  She started crying but then turned around and just focussed on the logs.  It helped.  We now have something to SEE that shows we will be whole again.  For that we are truely blessed.  As the build area gets cleaner and the logs pile up, I'm hoping things will get even better for her. 

I also hoping to get what is left of the RV hauled off in the next week or so.  Then I will need to figure out what to do with the other junk.  We need room to stack lumber!

thanks
Austin

[dablack]

Austin, I am leaving it in your, Mike, and Allen's hands to have enough logs staged to make your cut list.  I know that that (Tom) is an unnerving responsibility to make the calculations and estimate the log yields.

I can make estimates regarding yields, but log sweep, etc. creates unknowns for us all.

Mike and Allen both thought it was a good idea to cut many more 16 footers than we need because we can always cut to 8' if needed.  Right now I'm using the numbers you told me earlier in the thread and then have a certain percentage more.  I think we will be safe using full size lumber for the 2x4s, 2x6s, 2x8s, and 2x12s.  The 1x material I'm still thinking about. 

thanks
Austin

[Magicman]

Remember that when using "full size" lumber, nails become a very real problem.  16d nails are all that most air guns will shoot and they will not go through 4".  Also the figures that I quoted about log yield was for "factory" sized lumber, not full sized.  Full 4, 6, 8, etc. is no problem, it's the 1½ vs 2 that leads to fastener (nail) problems.

[Magicman]

This is not an MM thing.  Forestry forum members have responded from all across North America to lend a hand.  wwsjr (Willie) is responding with his edger, Allen & Mike responded with the felling, bucking, & staging, and so many others have responded by relieving the expenses that will be incurred by those that can actually "hands on".

I started the "Heart" thread in the General Board to reach out to those that may not read the Sawmills and Milling Board.  The true Heart of the Forestry Forum is alive and beating within it's Members.

It has been said that a man never stands so tall as when he reaches down to help someone that has fallen.  We all have individual talents.  If we fail to use those talents to help others, then we too have fallen.

[dablack]

Remember that when using "full size" lumber, nails become a very real......  Full 4, 6, 8, etc. is no problem, it's the 1½ vs 2 that leads to fastener (nail) problems.

I rarely toe nail things so that won't be a problem but I will most likely use some sort of bracket for the roof rafters.   With that now realized, and my concern with lumber per log, we should probably go with nominal and not full size.  That gets more boards and allows store bought attachment brackets for the rafters.   

Glad you brought up the nail problem.    It made me think of the bracket problem. 

Thanks
Austin

[Magicman]

We are all on the same team and playing the same game....together.   

[drobertson]

1-5/8" works well with the store bought brackets, I agree, no need to waste lumber.  I don't expect any disappointments with this job, Stick with the plan and all will be good.  Snap lines work real well when used on the right side of the mark.    david

[Brucer]

It really pays to make up a complete material list before you start sawing, and then check out all the commercial items (such as hangers). You can't rely on the manufacturers' descriptions (e.g. 2x8 joist hangers) -- you have to actually measure them yourself.

One of my customers ordered a bunch of 6x6 posts. "Is that full dimension, or store-bought size?", I asked him. Full dimension -- none of that wimpy stuff for him. Well, he bought a bunch of "6x6" saddles to support the posts and found out they were 5-1/2 x 5-1/2.

Another customer was building an outdoor structure with 6x6's. I mentioned the saddle issue and he told me he'd already poured the footings and embedded the saddles. He went home and measured them and found they were 6-1/8 x 6-1/8. He wanted a snug fit so I sawed his timbers slightly oversized.

Most hardware manufacturer's assume you'll be using "store-bought" sized lumber, but you never know for sure until you check for yourself.