oversized walnut saw logs and root balls

[goodwood]

new member here
im actively sawing with an lt28
i recently purchased some large standing walnut tree (48 to 56" diameter) that i can't cut on my mill.
i dont own an alaskan mill and my logger doesnt have one either.
i think i need to invest in an alaskan mill and a large bar and ripping chain?
should i slab the logs or just quarter them so i can make them workable for the wood mizer?
any advice is appreciated
brian

[mikeb1079]

check out the thread a little white oak.  i think it shows member customsawyer freehand quartering white oak logs about that size.  the boy is good.   ;D

[Magicman]

Good evening goodwood, and Welcome to the Forestry Forum.   

[Kcwoodbutcher]

There is much more value in the wide slabs than in the lumber, but like you said you can't do it on a mill.  This only applies if the tree is sound. many of those huge walnuts are hollow. If they are sound you may be able to sell the log to one of the specialty firms that market the slabs for a real nice price. See if you can find someone with a slabber near you, it will work a little better than an Alaskan mill.

[MJD]

If the logs are that big and of good quality I would see what a veneer buyer would offer since you cant cut them with the equipment you have to get the most value (wide slabs). You could put the money towards a slabber for next time.

[goodwood]

thanks guys, i didnt know the difference between alaskan mill and slabber till now!
i found a guy with a slabber and im waiting for a quote.
i dont know any veneer buyers, sawmills are offering 2/board foot in the log and i may just cut the logs down and sell to them.
i have a molder and wanted to accumulate some walnut stock for my own use so i may buy the alaskan anyway, slabbers seem to be 10x the price
best regards
brian

[MotorSeven]

Brian are you going to try for any gunstock blanks out of the stump?

[Peder McElroy]

If you buy an alaskan mill remember that you need a big HP chainsaw to run a big bar and chain.
Peder

[Bill Gaiche]

goodwood, welcome aboard. bg

[grweldon]

thanks guys, i didnt know the difference between alaskan mill and slabber till now!

Would you mind explaining the difference?

[Ianab]

Would you mind explaining the difference?

The Alaskan mill is basically a chainsaw mounted on a frame. You use a guide rail or the top of the log to guide the bar through the log. Relatively cheap, super portable, but slow, noisy and hard work.

The "slabbers" are either a chainsaw bar attachment, or a dedicated carriage, that runs with a Lucas or Peterson etc sawmill. Gives you a big bar powered by ~20hp 4 stroke, running on proper rails. More power, easier to use etc.

"Alaskan" style mill
http://granberg.com/

Dedicated "slabbers"
http://www.lucasmill.com/OurProducts/SlabbingMills/DedicatedSlabbingMill/tabid/274/Default.aspx
http://petersonsawmills.com/products/dws/

Ian

[NWP]

$2 per board ft for logs that size is low assuming they are decent quality.  Is that measurement DBH? 

[westyswoods]

Don't know what the market for BW in your area is. Find a reputable buyer and see what they will grade out as. If by chance they are veneer quality, hard to justify milling vs selling for veneer.

[customsawyer]

Send them down to me and I will take care of them for you. :D All jokes aside if you look at them long enough you will figure out a way. The easiest way is to cut them in half with a chainsaw to fit your mill.


 
This is me staring at the log trying to figure things out.


 


 

This is how they turn out.

 

[hackberry jake]

Or like this 

[5quarter]

Jake...it was the saws fault.  ;)

[Magicman]

2 Jakes = 2 split logs.

[Brad_S.]

Unless you modify an alaskan style mill by extending the depth rails, you would not be able to halve a log with one. Max cutting depth on the one I have is 12".
A slabber mounted on a swing mill has depth limitations too and cannot halve a log either but is a much easier way to make the "slabs" you refer to.
Though everyone tells me "slabs" are so much more valuable than boards, in the 16 years I milled full time, I was never able to sell one. Everyone "ohh-ed" and "ahh-ed" but no buyers. Walnut lumber flys out the door.

[paul case]

Beware, ripping logs with a chainsaw can result in dusty pants disease. the only cure is to have more biguns to rip down. PC

[goodwood]

Hi Guys
Just got back from the job sites.
I am pulling out the root balls and trying for gun blanks, which I hear is a soft and thin market.
I debated leaving the barrel's up to leverage the root ball up but I am afraid of shattering the log with the excavator.
I brought in a backhoe and we couldnt budge the root stock.
I need a slabber for sure. There is some veneer stock but for the life of me black walnut is so rare up here I need some contact info - please help!
I will most likely sell the best few and hoard the rest.
If anyone knows a man with a portable lucas mill for hire that will come to Eastern Canada I am all ears. I also need a logging truck for hire too.

[Delawhere Jack]

I am pulling out the root balls and trying for gun blanks, which I hear is a soft and thin market.

It is a thin market. Yes, there is demand for highly fiqured wood for stocks, but probably half of the rifles sold today are synthetic stocked. They say that synthetic is "better", more stable, less accuracy variation due to humidity changes, but in reality it is a cost issue.

If you get some crotches to cut up, keep rifle stock blanks in mind. You'd generally want to limit the figure to the area between the recoil pad and the pistol grip, the area where the barrel and action are fitted should generally be fairly straight grained. You'll probably need to sit on them for a while while they dry, buyers want blanks that are ready to go.

[Magicman]

There seems to be a greater demand for the lighter colored California Walnut than our darker Black Walnut.

[MotorSeven]

DJ covered it pretty well. Anchor Seal the ends, then air dry for some time before kiln drying to try and keep the checks and cracks to  a minimum. Fish around on fleabay and you will see what sells and what does not.