Tuesday Milling

[Paschale]

Well, we've got a Saturday Sawing thread...so where are you going to put milling that you did on a Tuesday, unless a new thread is started?  

Furby and I have been meaning to get together for awhile and make some sawdust on his mill, and Tuesday became the day.  We had a good ole time cutting up some logs.  He's set up a slick log deck which made rolling the logs onto the mill pretty simple.  We only had a couple of hours, but we made some decent lumber and had some fun.

Oh, and btw...I saw Furby's renovation up close--it looks great.  And as to his comments about it "not being big enough," well, take that with a grain of salt, because his addition is HUGE!  

Thanks Furby...we'll definitely have to do it again.  It made me even more anxious for spring, when I hope to have my mill up and running.  

[Tom]

It's a lot of fun to share the day with someone with the same interests.  Sawing can bring out the best and Tuesday needs a thread too.   Maybe somebody has some pictures.

[Furby]

Yeah Tom, someone does have pics.
Just took a little while.

This one is of Paschale working on what turned out to be a real nice maple. He had to leave before he finished it though, and I got to cut the really good stuff out of it.



This pic shows the log deck that I threw together. It works a lot better then I though, and I'm thinking I'll build a better one.



This pic is of a real odd maple. We were rolling it onto the mill and I stopped and (me of all people   ) almost tossed it aside because it was such a small, ugly top log. Don't know what to do with these flitches yet, but they are kinda cool.




Paschale,
You are more then welcome to stop by any time. As you know, I have more then a few logs to get milled before spring.  

[WV_hillbilly]

  Looks like you two enjoyed some sawing . It is alot of fun going to someones mil and making some boards . But you will find out Paschale it even better when  your using your own mill.  I try to go visit and see other peoples setups cause you always learn something  and make new friends .

[EZ]

So Paschale, hows the mill doing anyway.

Furby, I had a temp. log deck out here myself and it was really great to roll the logs right on the mill. I have some 4 inch square tubing that I'm going to use to make one that will last. Coarse thats when I find the time to build it.
Thanks for the pictures.

Still want to come down to see your mill, Dan, when I find the time. When I do have a little time on hand I've been working on this edger. The figuring is what takes alot of time.
EZ

[Norm]

Tuesday sawing sounds good to me, looks like you guys had fun. I was stuck inside yesterday so any pictures of folks getting out look great, thanks.

[Paschale]

Well, my mill is on hold until spring.  As much as I love making sawdust, I absolutely hate working on machinery in the middle of winter.    I've had to work on cars enough in the snow to know that for me, trying to get some machinery up and running in the winter is only something I'll do out of necessity.  So the mill's going to get my attention as soon as the weather turns in a couple of months.  Hopefully, I'll be posting pics in late spring of my mill in operation!   In the meantime, I'll bug Furby to get my sawdust fix.  

[OneWithWood]

I absolutely hate working on machinery in the middle of winter.    

So you have attached a piece of frozen metal to your hand too

[Minnesota_boy]

Furby,
Before you put another log on that deck, change the orientation of the concrete blocks.  Make the holes have the openings at the top instead of the sides.  The way you have them, the blocks can crush and drop a log or a load of logs.  Better yet, replace them with wood blocks.  Creosote treated blocks will last for many years.

[Paschale]

Argh...the feel of icy cold metal on frozen, greasy, oily hands is one of the worst feelings in the world!  And then there's the snow that inevitably gets down your pants when you're rolling around under a car, and no matter how warm you dress, you always seem to get cold, wet feet cuz you're just sitting around not moving at all.  Don't forget the runny nose, and blowing the snot onto the ground  , and you can't forget windblown, chapped and cracked hands...if I can avoid it, I do!  

[Furby]

Minn. boy,
I agree with you 100%, but............and I thought long and hard about this.............with the blocks the other way, they sink waaaaay too fast. This season has been real bad for mud around here, and it will only get worse as spring approaches.
There is a piece of wood spanning the back blocks where I load at. I have not dropped one on yet, but I'm sure it will happen. I make real sure no one is around when loading or moving the logs to the deck.

Good thing I didn't post a pic of how I'm moving the logs to the deck, I'b be buried in saftey concern posts. Right Paschale?



I REALLY hate working on any machinery in the cold! Any warmth your hands had, are gone within seconds of touching the cold metal. We all know that no matter how hard you try, trying to get a bolt or screw into place with a warm pair of gloves on is down right hard to do!!!

Hey EZ,
What did ya use to span the gap between the mill and deck?
The section of my deck nearest the mill, is a couple of guard rail posts. A 2x4 works perfect to span the gap. Just a bit of a pain to put into place and remove each time, the 2x4 also kicks up when the log gets onto the mill.

[EZ]

I had 3 inch tubing that slid inside 4 inch tubing. The 4 inch was U bolted to the log deck, when I wanted them out to roll a log on I pulled them out with the cant hook and push them back in with it. Pretty simple but work good.
EZ

[Minnesota_boy]

Furby,
Cut yourselff a nice plank, cut it into proper lengths and put it under those blocks.  The blocks can collapse at any time without warning.  You might be under one of the logs when it happens.

[Fla._Deadheader]

 Got a little story about them blocks. I know a feller that used to get into the ocean and hunt Spanish Treasure. He would jack up large sections of the bedrock ledges, with a hydraulic jack, and then put cement blocks, holes sideways,  under the ledges to hold 'em up. He would then crawl way back, maybe 10-15 feet under them ledges and detect for stuff. One day he came back to the spot he was working the day before. YUP, all them blocks was crushed.    He don't do it that way, anymore. Turnin them blocks OR cuttin wood blocking is the best thing to do. Take it from me, moving away quickly doesn't always happen, especially with all them Fuzzy clothes Y'all gotta wear up there in Snow land.

 THAT'S why we wear them fashion statement shorts and Tennys down here, fast getaways.  

[DanG]

Listen to'em Furby, for they speak the truth!  Snow Snakes like to hang around that sort of thing, too, just to make sure you can't get out of the way.

I don't know how many times I've caught somebody working under a car, sitting on blocks turned that way.  That just scare's the bejeebers out of me!

[OneWithWood]

Furby, the concern expressed is real, cause we like ya!

The reason many of us older gents are still around is because somewhere along the line someone gave us some well meaning advice - and we listened.  Be safe and contimue to have fun!

[Paschale]

Hmm...well that's DanG good advice about them cinder blocks.  I wouldn't have thought of that.  Furby...I think next time we do some Tuesday milling, we should turn those suckers around first.    It'd put a damper on Tuesday Milling if there was a logjam in your backyard with one of us Grand Rapidians on the bottom!    Plus, just think what it'd do to the forum:  this place needs all the class that two G R natives can bring to the establishment!  

[Fla._Deadheader]

 

[DanG]

Sounds to me like you're tootin' yer own horn, Paschale.

[Paschale]

Sounds like you're hearing it loud and clear, DanG, all the way down south!