Author Topic: Finally, some more cedar to whittle on. (Read 2106 times)

tcsmpsi · « **on:** January 09, 2012, 10:48:37 am »

Cedar, around these parts, is scarce (excepting for the little available that folks consider golden) and if of any size is full of voids, rot and/or black ants.

There is a fellow who brings me logs, from time to time, for cutting live edge 1" for his 'carvings'.

This is the one he brought me when he brought the cedars to whittle on. It is from some spalted pecan I milled for him a few years ago.

One thing that becomes immediately obvious, Danny

, is that these cedars ain't from around here. They come from up north of Huntsville, somewhere. Actually, he only brought me one cedar tree.
This is the butt log, with more resin than I have seen in a cedar. And, much heavier. (yes, I have changed the date on the camera, now)

And, this is what I got out of it.

I cut for him on halves, with the live edge being his (well, most of it, anyhow) and the other being mine.

This is the second log up the tree.

POSTONLT40HD · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2012, 11:19:04 am »

DanG now thats some very nice carving! That Deer scene would go great in my Man Cave.

NIce logs too but the carving is KILLER!

Post more pics as your work goes on. Thanks for sharing!

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2012, 11:23:06 am »

Here's a couple closer of the carving, David.

4speed · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2012, 01:15:39 pm »

tcsmpsi,

That carving is outstanding!

Is that tree what is referred to as Eastern Red Cedar? Living in the Navarro County area, I have numerous trees of the same species on my property that are of comparable diameter and significant height. My neighbor who is 80 years young, as well as some other old-timers in the area, refers to these trees as "junipers" while every one else simply uses the name cedar.. It doesn't matter what they are called as far as I'm concerned, I just want to make sure I am referring to the same species if I use the names interchangeably.

Magicman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2012, 01:21:38 pm »

Very nice tcsmpsi. The carving, the log, and the lumber. But, especially the carving.

POSTONLT40HD · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2012, 02:53:09 pm »

tcsmpsi, you put a lot of detail in your work! Don't see that a lot. Mighty fine!

tyb525 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2012, 06:13:14 pm »

Thats a Juniper, or Eastern Red Cedar.

WDH · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2012, 11:40:55 pm »

Michael,

Those are some very nice cedar logs! Keep that up and you will give the Cedarman a run for his money. It is hard to find big cedar without ingrown bark and doty rot. That is some nice thick stock that you cut.

Don K · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2012, 05:41:04 am »

Nice carving and some good looking cedar. That would be beautiful in the hope chest I built for my niece for Christmas.

Don

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2012, 06:23:07 am »

Now, seems there might be a little confusion. I do not do the carvings. I just mill the logs for the fellow who does do the carvings. Though I have not seen one of them, he tells me the ones he does of the Lord's Supper, are his most popular. Yes, his detail shows a lot of work and experience.

I am curious to see what he comes up with for me from the cedar.

Shucks, Danny, it would be nothing short of a full-fledged double naught miracle to have even a whiff of the cedar, Cedarman works with.

Though, certainly, I would be beholding to the opportunity of sawing cedar as a living.

Yes, those are nice 2", Danny. I might would have done the job for just those. The old LM1 will cut about 28", and I had to whittle quite a bit on the first and second logs.

All in all, he should have enough cedar carving stock to hold him a good long while.

beenthere · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2012, 10:29:11 am »

And looks like they are jig sawings, more than carvings (from the close-up pics).

Years back knew a fellow who used three ply walnut veneer about 1/8" thickness that would jig saw out different pieces and place them in a frame with maple or birch backing. Will look for a pic of some of his work but made for nice wood wall decoration.

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2012, 10:56:59 am »

I initially used the term, 'carvings'. They were not pieced in, but, indeed, was a skillful use of bandsaw and scroll saw.

I thought of a more appropriate 'term', but, regardless of the tool(s) used, 'carvings' still seemed appropriate.

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2012, 05:19:38 pm »

Well, the fellow (Wolfe) came picked up his cedar, today. I could see the wheels a turning with every piece we loaded, and the smile with it. Said he wouldn't even have to plane them. I talked to him a bit more, as I had always been in a bit of a rush to get here or there. He was actually born in Germany, and goes there a couple times a year. Says that, in the piece like is shown, once he gets the scene drawn out on the wood, takes him about a day to saw it out.
Seems that I will be consigning some of his work through the shop.

Migal · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2012, 07:47:07 pm »

That cedar looks alot like east texas cedar. Nice carving,Beautiful Log,Most noted was the LM in a really nice wood shed too!

WDH · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2012, 09:57:24 pm »

Migal,

tcsmpsi is set up nice!

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2012, 06:24:29 am »

Migal, indeed, getting over around the area you're at there are some fine cedars.

Thank you, Danny. Inspirations from the Forestry Forum mates flow throughout the place.

I am very pleased, as I know you are, to see you under cover with space to...have your way.

ladylake · « **Reply #16 on:** January 13, 2012, 06:44:12 am »

Nice log, nice lumber, nice looking mill. Don't see too many Logmaster mills on here, hows it holding up? Looks nice and simple, are parts off the shelf mostly. Steve

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #17 on:** January 13, 2012, 08:47:12 am »

I requires nice and simple.

I've had no problems from it. Touted to be (and corroborates what I see) off the shelf parts. Hadn't needed any, yet. Don't know how much longer I can get away with that, though. I do keep everything greased and lubed, level and plumb. Machinery...all works better when it works together.

Woodwalker · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2012, 07:00:18 pm »

In six years I've had to replace an idler sprocket because of the inserted bearing go out, think that was $6.00 from Surplus Center, Drive belt from local parts house, double V-belt can't remember what but it was pricy $30.00??? (CRS kicked in). Had the hand pump on the blade tensioner rebuilt for $30.00. All this on a second hand mill. Most of the maintenance money has been spent on lots of grease. I hate to see a zerk fitting go lacking.
I like the Cedar too.

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2012, 06:08:09 am »

Early on, I did have to replace the tensioner bolt. It turned out to be a batch that the threads were off a bit. Factory, no charge...with an extra, just in case (peace of mind).

The carriage wheels were upgraded from bushings to bearings, and they supplied me a set of those. I got an extra set of those, just in case. I do have an extra drive belt and set of 'tires', and I keep looking and thinking, 'surely, I must have to replace these any time, now'. I've been looking at the new head set-up for my mill. Has some interesting changes.

Woodwalker · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2012, 08:25:51 am »

Quote from: tcsmpsi on January 14, 2012, 06:08:09 am

I've been looking at the new head set-up for my mill. Has some interesting changes.

Haven't seen it. Something major?

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #21 on:** January 14, 2012, 08:32:59 am »

Steel wheels, different blade tensioning set up, different guide roller width adjustment, more engine options. Things I most remember. They have their 'own' blades, now (has their name on them). They are the best overall that they have used, thusfar.

I have been considering a new/spare head.

limbrat · « **Reply #22 on:** January 14, 2012, 12:16:43 pm »

19" steel wheels would be nice i have not had any trouble with the 18s but replacing a band, starting the saw and not having saw dust fly out from under the band wheels tires is something to look forward to. 19" steel wheels are the same size cooks uses, and a new line of blades too i wonder? they are both make a good product and there southern too.

the only thing i have replaced on my lm1 are a idler bearing cap and the steel water tank with a plactic one. I also hose clamped a piece of blade in front of the track wheel on the dust side with one of the teeth stradling the track so that it keeps the track scraped clean.
those are some big pretty logs and they made some great lumber. the butt cut pictures do look a little odd without that brown spot of cubic rot somewere around the heart. thank goodness that some folks like peckey cedar paneling.

Woodwalker · « **Reply #23 on:** January 14, 2012, 07:53:13 pm »

I need to make trip up there. It's been 4-5 years since I was through there. At that time they had the head and band wheels on a custom order saw with a 7' throat. Said the the guy had a bunch of big Pecan he was going to slab.
My mill is a LM-1, but it's an early model with 30" steel wheels and the head is size of the new LM-2 or the LM-16.
tcmpsi have you compared the Log Master blades to any other brands? Who are you using for re-sharp?

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #24 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:58:33 am »

Actually, Woodwalker, the only blades I have are Sterling, Monks and the "Logmaster". The Sterlings were the best cutting and stayed sharp and set the best. But, they were prone to breaking. The Monks are good overall, but the set plays out sooner and they break, from time to time. These new ones, the set stays as well as the sterlings, not quite as sharp, but have the best non-breakage so far. I use their resharp. Sometimes I go, sometimes I ship.

Yes, they will build about anything plausible.

I did not know they did a LM1 in your configuration. That is interesting, indeed.

To me, it is always worth the trip there.

Migal · « **Reply #25 on:** January 17, 2012, 10:52:52 pm »

Not my original post

but chime'n in was getting 6 blades with LogMaster saw mill order

and was wondering on resharp program I'm sold now thanks.

still waiting on that call geez i feel like a kid on Christmas* eve....!

Woodwalker · « **Reply #26 on:** January 18, 2012, 07:28:51 pm »

What you getting?

WDH · « **Reply #27 on:** January 18, 2012, 09:47:06 pm »

I had a guy call me last night wanting to sell me some red cedar. I asked how big are they on the little end? He said they go to the tip. How long are they? Several are 16 feet long. How big on the big end? One is as big as about 11 inches.

Well, I did not buy any cedar logs yesterday

Magicman · « **Reply #28 on:** January 18, 2012, 10:00:08 pm »

He was (attempting) selling, but thankfully you were not buying.

Woodwalker · « **Reply #29 on:** January 19, 2012, 06:55:58 am »

Maybe he was selling fence posts?

WDH · « **Reply #30 on:** January 19, 2012, 07:11:05 am »

They probably already come with wire

.

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #31 on:** January 19, 2012, 10:06:06 am »

What?....you don't need no fence?

Yes sir, that is the predominant type of cedar gold I am usually asked to buy.

Migal · « **Reply #32 on:** January 19, 2012, 11:14:07 pm »

My experience is the heart of the cedar that makes a fence post last!

Migal · « **Reply #33 on:** February 06, 2012, 10:08:22 pm »

Well I got to talk with Ed today! Was informed that the Cat engine came in this morning for the LM2 sawmill I ordered

so I confirmed that A hat would be expected as ordering a Six pack of blades. I've been laying low but am sure the questions will start fling like sawdust soon

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #34 on:** February 07, 2012, 06:07:36 am »

Got a plan? Got logs? Going to be mobile, mobile? Was Ed able to give you any time frame to completion? Anxious for the moment to go pick it up?

I am.

WDH · « **Reply #35 on:** February 07, 2012, 07:14:27 am »

Another addition to the family!

Migal · « **Reply #36 on:** February 07, 2012, 09:46:31 pm »

Quote from: tcsmpsi on February 07, 2012, 06:07:36 am

Got a plan? Got logs? Going to be mobile, mobile? Was Ed able to give you any time frame to completion? Anxious for the moment to go pick it up?

I am.

Yes tcsmpsi Ed did say when it will be ready real soon yes my excitement is grand. Oh I'm spose to have a plan dang

As for mobile it does have tires under it

My only draw back is I work at a plant in the oil and gas industry and time off has been very limited but do see regular hour's in the horizion. I took a couple of weeks vacation to at least play with it a bit and hope to start a rain cover for it at least so the sun don't beat down on us. So far on logs i have a small trailer overloaded with cedar and several pines down that i cut to 8'6" and put up off of ground from the drought and a nieghbor has all the logs i want to practice on Hmm wonder what he meant by practice

He is a pipeliner and gets the pick of the litter for free He said he just hates to see good wood go the chippers.

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #37 on:** February 08, 2012, 06:35:04 am »

Yep. Sounds like the proper plan to me.

And, it IS good to be able to provide a use for trees that would otherwise be burned or left forgotten and forlorn.

WDH · « **Reply #38 on:** February 08, 2012, 07:13:54 am »

We surely cannot have any forlorn trees

.

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #39 on:** February 08, 2012, 08:24:36 am »

Indeed! Otherwise, they may begin to consider we just don't care.

Migal · « **Reply #40 on:** February 17, 2012, 11:17:50 pm »

Hello all and tcsmpsi i posted some of my trailer frame pics ed sent me via email spose to pick her up Tuesday said they hopefully would be testing her out Monday and was planing on working Saturday some ! I would love to be there Monday to hang out with them. Migal

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #41 on:** February 18, 2012, 12:42:43 pm »

Do it if you can, Migal. I did. Spent most all day, final fitting, getting to the log cutting finale.

A grand day, indeed!

I am very much looking forward to your experience with it.

I see that LM1 head in the background...

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #42 on:** February 22, 2012, 09:05:25 am »

Well, Migal, do we have a mill, yet?

Woodwalker · « **Reply #43 on:** February 22, 2012, 07:54:02 pm »

If he got it, you are going to have to wait till after dark to find out

Migal · « **Reply #44 on:** February 22, 2012, 10:01:06 pm »

Yes tcsmpsi the mill is set up and milling

the comment of after dark Hmm Woodwalker

I set it up under the pole lite for now although that dang front dog is in the dark when milling so before getting all brave

i cut a two inch board for last cut of the day

I was right about the exercise i was going to get running it as a one man operation $:-\$

WDH · « **Reply #45 on:** February 22, 2012, 10:26:05 pm »

Don't fret. That will make you live longer

.

tcsmpsi · « **Reply #46 on:** February 23, 2012, 06:04:43 am »

Quote from: Migal on February 22, 2012, 10:01:06 pm

Yes tcsmpsi the mill is set up and milling the comment of after dark Hmm Woodwalker I set it up under the pole lite for now although that dang front dog is in the dark when milling so before getting all brave i cut a two inch board for last cut of the day I was right about the exercise i was going to get running it as a one man operation $:-\$

You'll get to figuring things out. Make fewer movements, make more sawdust. Things like that.

Then, you'll really get to work.

Of course, now that you're here, you are required to take the time for a 'few' good representative PICTURES.

Do they still seem excited getting you hooked up?

Congratulations!!

Migal · « **Reply #47 on:** February 23, 2012, 10:44:32 pm »

You could have told me that when the band blade get's dull it starts to whine on the guide roller's I was waiting for the CAT to bog switched to oak after enough practice lets cut some wood feeling

that blade is history and yes tight enough yet that i had to use the pry bar method on ban replacement (seemed like 1 hr later was spinning again) Thank God he had prior engagements today He would not of liked those choice word's oh pics

after paying taxes im going after some more of that cedar any pointers to when to change band for that

would help

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Author Topic: Finally, some more cedar to whittle on. (Read 2106 times)