Wallee's Milling Thread

4x4American · October 26, 2015, 08:21:44 AM

I'm willing to bet it's tension in the cant. Ruff sawn lumber isn't perfect either keep in mind. That's why they made planers and jointers

Wallee · October 26, 2015, 10:56:18 AM

4x4 that's what I was thinking but I will tell you this I was experimenting with this can't and I flipped it like every few cuts and still ended up like this.

Wallee · October 26, 2015, 11:08:34 AM

The start of my order of cedar. Finishing up today, delivering it Wednesday!

Magicman · October 26, 2015, 11:24:28 AM

In my experience, it would be very unusual for ERC to show signs of stress, but you are sawing fresh felled, which I normally do not saw.

Wallee · October 26, 2015, 01:53:01 PM

Quote from: Magicman on October 26, 2015, 11:24:28 AM
In my experience, it would be very unusual for ERC to show signs of stress, but you are sawing fresh felled, which I normally do not saw.

Magicman what's your thoughts on those tape measurements?

Magicman · October 26, 2015, 02:11:16 PM

I have done much head scratching on this one. First, you have assured us that you have a firm foundation. If you measure the exact same from the blade to each of the bed rails (bunks) and the cant is resting firmly on each of the bed rails, then it has to saw uniformly. If the cant ends or center lift up off of the bed rails, then that portion of the cant will be thinner.

It is hard for me to imagine that every board off of every cant is thinner in the center. Would that mean both width and thickness?

For all practical purposes, your lumber is OK, but it still is a mystery if this measurement is consistent. The problem is elusive but the answer will be very simple. It's like finding something that is lost. It's always in the last place that we look.

Kbeitz · October 26, 2015, 04:12:59 PM

Spongy ground that sinks with the weight of the head?

Wallee · October 27, 2015, 02:11:33 AM

Quote from: Magicman on October 26, 2015, 02:11:16 PM
I have done much head scratching on this one. First, you have assured us that you have a firm foundation. If you measure the exact same from the blade to each of the bed rails (bunks) and the cant is resting firmly on each of the bed rails, then it has to saw uniformly. If the cant ends or center lift up off of the bed rails, then that portion of the cant will be thinner.

It is hard for me to imagine that every board off of every cant is thinner in the center. Would that mean both width and thickness?

For all practical purposes, your lumber is OK, but it still is a mystery if this measurement is consistent. The problem is elusive but the answer will be very simple. It's like finding something that is lost. It's always in the last place that we look. :)

Turned out a good bit of lumber today for the cedar order. Going to go through it all and measure it to see where we stand. Woodmizer officials are swearing its tension.

Wallee · October 27, 2015, 11:56:33 PM

Last cant of the day was out at a most in the center of 1/4 inch. I am going to call woodmizer one more time tomorrow and explain to them it isn't stress in the logs. You know for a company who prides itself in after sale support, I haven't had a single person really tell me anything. I am at a loss on what it could be. I would be absolutely glad if someone out there in this world could just see the problem and make me feel like a complete idiot, cause at this point I don't care I just want it fixed!

fishfighter · October 28, 2015, 07:47:37 AM

Recheck your center bunks. Use a pen lazar. Myself, now and then I do get a cant that will rise in the center or one of the ends that will throw everything off somewhat. Always cutting fresh fell logs. I see this more on oak then any other logs.

4x4American · October 28, 2015, 08:09:03 AM

What kind of soil do you have below the mill? How did you set up the dunnage on the ground for the mill?

Wallee · October 28, 2015, 08:51:21 AM

Quote from: 4x4American on October 28, 2015, 08:09:03 AM
What kind of soil do you have below the mill? How did you set up the dunnage on the ground for the mill?

ground is seemingly solid. It's been shed covered and walked on 20+ years. I wouldn't think it was the ground. And honestly I have scotched up the center before with wedges, in my head keeping it from sinking to no avail anyways.

4x4American · October 28, 2015, 11:10:04 AM

Yea, I wouldn't think so either. Long as you didn't dig out for the dunnage and then go too deep and backfill a little bit. If you just set it on virgin earth should be fine. So you're making hourglass shaped cants?

Wallee · October 28, 2015, 03:06:39 PM

Quote from: 4x4American on October 28, 2015, 11:10:04 AM
Yea, I wouldn't think so either. Long as you didn't dig out for the dunnage and then go too deep and backfill a little bit. If you just set it on virgin earth should be fine. So you're making hourglass shaped cants?

yep up to 1/4" out. Same thing every cant so I know something is off somewhere

Wallee · October 28, 2015, 10:06:31 PM

Talked to the woodmizer location in which I bought my mill. He gave me a idea and I think I might have found it. Time will tell! Soon to try this out!

gww · October 28, 2015, 10:17:45 PM

I kinda wish you would have shared what the ideal was. Even if it doesn't work for you, it might help me.
Thanks
gww

4x4American · October 28, 2015, 10:36:42 PM

Curious to hear also. Let us know how it works out, I know you will anyways!

donny hochstetler · October 28, 2015, 11:11:45 PM

maybe take a straight true cant lay it on the deck drop down from the top one inch make a bold pencil mark on the cant right where yore sawblade is to run the maybe with someone running the saw and watching the blade and the pencil mark might give you an idea as to what is happening just a thought I had might b worth a shot

Wallee · October 29, 2015, 12:15:53 AM

Quote from: 4x4American on October 28, 2015, 10:36:42 PM
Curious to hear also. Let us know how it works out, I know you will anyways!

Ha ha indeed I will! What I actually did was get a string out, laid it down on the actual frame down the side, not the center bunks this time. Found that right where I was having the dip, I had a dip in the bed to the string. Grabbed a wedge and drove it in, and watched as the bed rose to the string. Pulled the string down the other side and it was correct. Now to just fire her up and see what we have. :D everyone cross your fingers!

4x4American · October 29, 2015, 12:37:34 PM

Fingers crossed

Wallee · November 06, 2015, 12:16:49 AM

No milling just yet but on a side note here is a picture of a table I built for my wife and me a new computer desk! Figured some of you might like to see what some of the side cuts have went on to. Been logging a good bit should be back to the mill this weekend!

4x4American · November 06, 2015, 07:45:06 AM

Good job feller

Magicman · November 06, 2015, 08:13:23 AM

That is neat, and thanks for the pictures showing the building progress. Doesn't it make you feel proud to run your hands across it knowing that you took if from to tree to desk.

Wallee · November 06, 2015, 07:56:15 PM

Quote from: Magicman on November 06, 2015, 08:13:23 AM
That is neat, and thanks for the pictures showing the building progress. Doesn't it make you feel proud to run your hands across it knowing that you took if from to tree to desk.

Absolutely the best feeling ever!!! Pretty nice feeling my wrist has as I am typing this message 8)