Big Sweetgum

[dboyt]

Sweetgum doesn't seem to get a lot of respect (and I thought of Magic Man when I milled this one), but it came down in the Joplin, MO tornado a couple of years ago.  It had some spalting on the ends, but nice blue-gray color to the wood.  At 8' long and 36" dia at the big end, it was a real wrestling match, but worth it.  To turn it, I improvised a tow strap and farm jack.  It yielded over 350 bd ft, and took the better part of an afternoon to mill.  Only three sheet rock screws. One of these days, I'm going to get a hydraulic log turner.  Once I got everything lined out, the mill had no problem with it.

 

[Magicman]

I can think of very few things worse than Sweetgum, sheetrock screws, and hydraulic-less turning.  ;D

If that was the butt log, apparently it was a yard tree with those limbs.  Plans for the lumber ??

[ely]

dboyt, in my limited experience the cant hook will work way better ,after, you release the log clamps. ;D

[pineywoods]

Looks like another good candidate for a pineywoods turner/clamp.  ;D

[PC-Urban-Sawyer]

Looks like another good candidate for a pineywoods turner/clamp.  ;D

And a Logrite Cant Hook

Maybe the Megahook? http://www.logrite.com/store/Item/Megahook

Herb

[Finn1903]

Looks like another good candidate for a pineywoods turner/clamp.  ;D

shamelss plug! nice

[pineywoods]

I think I know, but I'll ask anyway. Did you quarter saw it ?

[drobertson]

Mercy sakes Dave! I'm just kinda speechless, thinking I would get the camera man to help ;D nice pic!  ready to see the finish products,  david

[Greg Brown]

That's a nice hat you got there.  It looks just like one I have.

[MSSawmill]

But what are you going to do with sweetgum? I didn't think they were even good for firewood?!

[WDH]

Looks like that sweetgum has brought a smile to your face  ;D.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Looks like that sweetgum has brought a smile to your face  ;D.

We need a "GRUNT" smiley with a hernia and hemorrhoids showing. :D

That's a Big Gum.

[5quarter]

Tom has a picture somewhere of a really nice sweetgum table that proves that it is in fact good for something.  ;)

[mesquite buckeye]

Looks like that sweetgum has brought a smile to your face  ;D.

We need a "GRUNT" smiley with a hernia and hemorrhoids showing. :D

That's a Big Gum.

Don't think Jeff would approve it. :'(

[pineywoods]

Tom has a picture somewhere of a really nice sweetgum table that proves that it is in fact good for something.  ;)

quarter sawn sweetgum, air dried, poly finish


 

[dboyt]

The "camera man" was a tripod.  I don't think it would have helped much.  Clamps barely kept it from rolling back.  They didn't make much difference in turning.  After I gave up trying to turn it with a cant hook, I used a hook on a strap and used a farm jack to turn it.  Piece of cake.  Plan is to make several tables to donate to the city of Joplin, since it came down during the 2011 tornado.


  

 

[mesquite buckeye]

Good deal from a good guy. 8) 8) 8)

[customsawyer]

I think you done good, getting the job done with what you have to work with.

[millwright]

Looks like a small excavator sitting in the background on your pic, that would be easier than the high lift jack?

[dboyt]

Looks like a small excavator sitting in the background on your pic, that would be easier than the high lift jack?

That's an old International 2-1/2 ton truck with a logging grapple.  It will be a good tool for handling logs as soon as I get the blown Detroit Diesel engine repaired/replaced.  Another project for another day.

[WDH]

I am with Jake.  I think that you done good, too.

[Okrafarmer]

But where's the wood?  ???

BTW I have a log much like that except with known metal in it. I'll probably make some thick slabs and/or RR ties from it.