Monster red oak, got a question.

[Precision Wood Products]

I use a o88 Stihl With 54" bar for quartering my cottonwood logs. The logs are up to 5' through. I have never used a ripping chain but just a crosscut chain. I stand the logs on end and start at the top and cut down. By the time I hit the bottom they fall apart about 4" from the bottom. It takes about 7 minutes for a 8' log.

[Don K]

I got a few pics of the log today. It was 60" on the butt, 48" on the little end , and 11 feet long. It has a little punk here and there but should yield a lot of good boards. I am going to use the calculator to get a rough weight.

 



 



 



I hope my cousins tractor is up to rolling this thing around while we quarter it.   Mine is to little.

Don

[Magicman]

You're going to do fine.  Rolling won't be a problem.  Those checks/cracks will probably help you with the splitting.

[Don K]

If you look at the little end pic you can see one of two grown over limb sockets. They are exactly opposite each other. I will saw them off as they will act like chocks. Might have some interesting character in them. I might start a opening split with my saw this week before fishpharmer brings over the big dog.

Don

[pineywoods]

I'll bet if you filled the hollow in the little end with black powder, you won't need fishpharmer's giant chainsaw 

[west penn]

 Don,  Don't know how most feel about it but have "popped "many good sized logs with a little black powder and a fuse from dixie gun works. Makes a big bang but if your log is straight grained with no big knots, it will split nearly as clean as you can do with an undersized chainsaw. I won't print the details  here but if your interested I will send my email add.

[Magicman]

Welcome, west penn.  Tell us a little about yourself.

[west penn]

   Hi Folks, I'm writing from western pa near the ohio line bout halfway between pittsburg and erie. I've owned a woodmizer sawmill since 84 when  we bought a L t 30 with no hydraulics and in 94 purchased a Lt40 hd. I do a lot of custom sawing on weekends and also have a kiln and supply a few cabinet shops with grade lumber- oak cherry maple and some poplar ash etc. Also build a few pallets for the shop where I work during the week. Keeps me moving but I like it. My son is a cabinet maker for a local company so we are always making sawdust of some sort.

    Lt40hd
    ebac kiln
    nyle L200 in progress
    Massey 204 forklift
    pallet knotcher
    stake pointer

[fishpharmer]

DonK, that sounds like a plan.

West Penn, welcome to Forestry Forum.   

[woodbe]

I just picked up a White Oak that was 62” at the but and 48” at the small end  unfortunately  it is only about 7’ long. We  had  a mid size track hoe and a old sky track to help with the job. Isn’t it nice to have grate friends with nice toys / equipment . It was a free be from the friend with the track hoe for helping with the tree removal. We will have to rip it down to get it on my mill as well. This thing is quite heavy.  Good luck with the one you got .

Woodbe

 

[Don K]

I guess I will do it the hard way. I don't know anything about black powder and it is in a populated area. Might scare someone.

Using the weight calculator and throwing in some variables, this log should weigh between 10,500 and 11,500 lbs. Biggest thing I've ever had to fool with.

Welcome to the forum west penn and woodbe.  Glad to have you both. James, I am leaning towards next Mon. Tues. if that would be better for you.

Don

[beenthere]

........... I don't know anything about black powder and it is in a populated area. Might scare someone.

.......

Well ya could paint up a 55 gal drum, set it out by the road with a big Campbells Bean logo on it....Then when the neighbors drive by for a look they will maybe get the drift. 

[Ianab]

I don't know anything about black powder and it is in a populated area. Might scare someone.

Put up posters and sell tickets to watch the bang.

[WDH]

Quartersaw some 8/4.  It is hard to find.  What you don't need for your own use, you can sell on Craigslist.

I have a big cherrybark to do as well, so I will learn from your experience  .  I just need a Fishpharmer with a big saw and then......

[stonebroke]

Those logs sure do look like swinger logs.No moving, no rolling just cutting.

Stonebroke

[barbender]

A swinger does work nice on that stuff.  I have a 4' diameter white pine I need to quarter up to get on my mill, I'll just use a regular chain. I've ripped lots of logs in half with regular chain, it works fine.

[sigidi]

Just to help out fellow forum members - I'll happily chuck Bo Derek over any of ya logs for free






Only thing I'd get ya to pay is our travel expenses.

But seriously you fella's with big logs sitting around, find a swinger off the forum to come over and slice 'em up for ya, but regardless put up some pics

[Don K]

There are no swingers close to me that I know of, besides that would make it too easy. 

Don

[backwoods sawyer]

Same here, no swingers near by, (We are talking sawmills right?) I would gladly trade milling a deck of small logs, or other services, for someone to bust this big fir down with a swing mill. However since that has not been an option I have a 60” bar on the old saw that will get the job done.

[Don K]

I went this morning and made a starting cut on the log. I had a brand new 20" Carlton bar and new Woodpro chain I ordered from Baileys during their sale last month. Cut two lightning strike pines with it yesterday. Man, I love the way a new chain cuts. 

Anyway, it didn't take any time at all to rip down this log. Even went full depth down the ends. The new chain was pulling long curls out on the ends.  Now it will be a cinch with fishpharmers 41" bar next week. I'd say in less than a hour that baby will be laid open in 4 pieces and ready to go on the mill. Don't worry James, the big boy will get his chance to snarl through some wood.

Now I just need to find a monster white oak to saw. I ain't skeered of the big ones no more.

 



I can't wait to saw this thing up.

Danny, speaking of 8/4 boards, do you saw a little over for a planed 2" board or start at 2"?

Don