Sawing apple chunks …see pics

[78NHTFY]

A woodworker customer saved 14 chunks from an apple orchard burn nearby and dropped them off for me to cut.  Only two were longer than 4' so  I managed to wedge them against two side supports.  How to cut the rest, some of them 18" long?  Just took a piece of 2" x 8", cut it to 2' and wedged it on top of the Log Clamp bracket so that it was even with the two bed rails on each side (see pics). 

 Then took a 1"x 5" x 6' piece of old pine board and propped it up against the side supports.  Quick and dirty but it worked!  Managed to cut everything either 5/4 or 4/4.  When I got down to the 5" level, I flipped the apple chunks, removed the sacrificial pine board and clamped the chunks to a lowered side support and a bed rail stop block.  Used the chain to keep pressure with the Log Clamp on the wood.   

  

  

  

  

  OSHA would certainly not have approved but they weren't around  :D :D. It took awhile but since I'm getting paid by the hour....  I was not excited to be sawing such short pieces but the wood is gorgeous.  Anyone have a better (and probably safer) method?  All the best, Rob.

[FarmingSawyer]

I love sawing apple.... On my mill I have adjustable bunks, so I just move one closer to the other. Each bunk has it's own dog & backstop..... Looks like you made it work the same way I do when I can't be bothered to move a bunk for one short chunk.....

[drobertson]

looks like you nailed it to me,,  only wish I had some of the scrap for smoking a butt roast ;D ;D

[78NHTFY]

I love sawing apple.... On my mill I have adjustable bunks, so I just move one closer to the other. Each bunk has it's own dog & backstop..... Looks like you made it work the same way I do when I can't be bothered to move a bunk for one short chunk.....

Apple does saw nicely!  But the short chunks make me nervous--I spent a lot of time making sure they were very securely fixed -- if they ever popped out  .  Customer picked his 100 pcs up this morning and was very happy.  If, as he says, he can sell them at $ 50 - 70 apiece he'll be even happier!

looks like you nailed it to me,,  only wish I had some of the scrap for smoking a butt roast ;D ;D

Thanks, and that's a great idea!  I have a freezer full of homegrown beef -- don't have a smoker but will save those scraps and have an applewood cooked steak as soon as the wood is dry enough 8) and if I remember, will raise a tall cool one to thank you!

[woodNthings]

Here's a Jig every sawyer should have, a safe(r) solution to short sawing ;D

  

  

 

[5quarter]

Those are some nice planks! I saw as much apple as I can get my hands on. nice job.

[Magicman]

Nice jig, woodNthings.   8)

[blade69001]

  Somehow I knew I would learn something from this thread. Someday's it just pays to be patient and keep reading.
Thanks
Sean P.

[FarmingSawyer]

  Somehow I knew I would learn something from this thread. Someday's it just pays to be patient and keep reading.
Thanks
Sean P.

Sean, I feel that way about most threads on FF!

[petefrom bearswamp]

I like that jig.
on the other hand I despise the short stuff and send to someone else,
That apple sure is pretty.

[dboyt]

For just one or two logs, I do it like 78NHTFY did.  It is pretty quick and easy to move the clamps and stops on my Norwood mill, but sacrificing a scrap board for backing works fine for the occasional odd piece.  More danger to the mill than to the operator.  First time I tried it, the log dislodged and put a kink in the blade.  With a little creativity, it works well for odd sizes & shapes.

[MikeHup]

Thanks for sharing the jig idea!

[roghair]

Very nice apple chunks; wish I had some...

Last year I had a lot of short pieces to saw so I decided to build a jig for it. Works fine and feels save to use. Also use it for sawing cookies.

[red]

They usually saw a watermelon at the county fair on an .LT 40

[78NHTFY]

roghair, woodNthings--thanks for the jig pics!  will probably put together something like woodNthings' as my metalworking has a ways to go  :D :D
5quarter--appreciate it ;D.  will do better next time, with a "real jig."
Thanks for all the comments, guys.  All the best, Rob.