Sawing timbers that are Square?

[D._Frederick]

I can not saw a 8 X 8 timber that is within a 1/8 inch on the diagonals. I have the band blade parallel to the log rests and the squaring posts square to the log rests. I have the least error if I roll the log 180 degrees for the  2 nd cut and then roll it against the squaring posts for the 3 rd cut. This is were I get my error, because the log does not rest tight against the squaring post. My clamping system clamps with over 500lbs of force. With a log on the mill, its hard to use a square to check that the blade is 90 degrees to the sawn surface.

How do you do it and how is your accuracy?

[Fla._Deadheader]

  Not being a "pro', I use very little pressure with the clamp. Just enough to keep the cant from moving is enough for me.
  I clamp hard on the first and second cut from the log, so it won't roll.
 We cut the 24'  6 x 8's without the clamp, so we could scoot the cant for the extra length. Nothing moved.
 Also, I try to always clamp as low as possible to help prevent the cant from lifting slightly from the force of the blade cutting.
 After squaring up, I also drop the log stops and use the short backer blocks? to keep the cant stable from a low contact point.

[LeeB]

I use a level and shim between the cant and backstops. LeeB

[solidwoods]

D  Fredrick
Try cutting a piece of thick plywood to 12" X 24" (any easy to use size,,check square corner to corner)
Set the blade at 12" above the bed and check blade to bed each area.

If you use a square to check bed to fence 90deg, make sure the square is 90deg.(straight edge,,draw 90deg line perpendicular, flip base to other side 90deg and check for any difference.).  Correct by 50%.

Also check mill bed for twist?
JIM

[Frank_Pender]

Don,  bring the logs South to me and I can cut them for you.  Or, Loren is set up right now in his new building on a temp basis, so perhaps he could help.

[Tom]

If your first to cuts are parallel then your blade is square to the bed. Your third cut must have the cant pulled flat to the dogs. Use a cant hook to pull the cant square with only enough pressure from the clamp to hold it there. Too much pressure from the clamp may distort the dogs and push them out of square.

The fourth cut should have the cant flat against the dogs and sitting flat on the mill bed with no pressure from the clamp.  Just use the clamp to keep the blade from "rolling" the cant off of the mill.

[Oregon_Sawyer]

I suspect you are clamping to hard against your side supports.  

You could use a square on the timber.  Cut your first face, turn 90 degrees make a cut.  Check to see if it is square, adjust as necessary and make a clean up cut.  Since your bed is level you should have the next two cut parrallel.

I have cut a lot of 8x8's.  I had to make sure the side supports were square.

I just looked at your bio.  Boy I would like to see your edger.  I need one but just have a hard time parting with the money they want for a new one.  I  don't live very far from you.

Loren