keeping 6x12 spruce straight

[northernss454]

I have a lots of white spruce that needs to be cut this spring. i was planning on cutting them into 6x12 cants and drying. I thought it would be a no brainer.I was wrong I have been reading and I see its quite a art. I want to keep them straight,and mostly check free.(dont we all).

This was my plan and any input would be great,cut them 6 1/2 x 12 1/2. Stack sticker, paint ends and put a ratchet strap around them every couple feet.,Cover outside and retighten straps every couple months or so. Do u think they will stay straight and what kind of time frame are we looking at for drying. Am in manitoba, so summer is fairly short. I get logs every year so I would like to do this till I have enough to build my a cabin. Be honest please am i wasting my time and maybe i should just cut them into 2x4. Length will vary from 4 feet to 24 feet. that could be fun to try and stack all the odd ball lengths. Should I keff them as soon as they are cut to promote checking where u wont see it, figured just the skill saw 1inch deep or so on each side.When all dry i would run them through a planer or is that better to do first???
thanks guys

[ladylake]

 
 If your going to resaw them cut the cants oversized then straighen them out when dry. I might cut them to thickness right away 1-1/2" or 2" whatever size you want leaving them wide as possible then resaw to width when dry. Then you'ld have nice straight lumber that dries quick.   Steve

[Magicman]

Anytime I have a stockpile of SYP I saw it 1 5/8" X 12" and sticker stack.  After it dries, it can be easily sawed into 2X4, 2X6, & 2X8 without any waste.  I stand it up on the mill, make a thin cut, flip it over, and then saw out the desired framing lumber.  There will be virtually no crown in the finished framing lumber.

One of my customers stockpiled lumber for a couple of years to build his home.  We "resawed" the 2X12's and that home was finished in December.  The carpenters were very satisfied with the lumber quality.