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New to sawmilling!

Started by Deese, August 14, 2013, 12:09:45 PM

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Deese

I joined this forum about a week ago and have really enjoyed it thus far. Just wanted to say hello!
I just placed my order for the EZ Boardwalk Jr mill. I would have loved the larger model but it's all I can afford. I've recently come across about 25 acres of hardwoods (yellow poplar, water oak, southern red oak, white oak, hickories, etc.) that I'm going to harvest, and stack over the course of the next several months. Although I'm good with tree identification and have helped a friend who owns a slightly larger mill a few times, I'm very new to sawmilling. Hopefully you guys can help if...no...when I start screwing things up!  ;D
2004 LT40 Super 51hp w/6' bed extension
Cooks AE4P Edger
Cat Claw sharpener/Dual Tooth Setter
Kubota svl75-2 skidsteer w/grapple, forks, brushcutter
1977 Log Hog Knuckleboom loader/truck

Ga Mtn Man

Welcome to the forum Deese.  You will be impressed with the quality of that EZ.  Hope you have some support equipment. :)
"If the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy." - Red Green


2012 LT40HDG29 with "Superized" hydraulics,  2 LogRite cant hooks, home-built log arch.

thecfarm

Deese,welcome to the forum. You said harvest and stack? As many have said,the best way to store lumber is standing trees. What's the plan for all the lumber? How are you getting the logs out of the woods? You will enjoy having a mill.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

downsouth

Welcome,welcome ,welcome
  I'm sure you will find most of the help you need.
  Good luck with the new mill 

Deese

Hey fellas! Thanks for the greetings.
The logs will be cut and stacked for drying in an abandoned commercial chicken house with the ends open and side walls removed. Basically, it's a HUGE pole barn. The chicken house is roughly 3-4 hundred yards from where my timber is standing. I have a 60-something hp 2wd Ford Tractor (no front-end loader), an old rusty rebuilt 23hp Takeuchi track hoe, and an old Komatsu D20A dozier. My buddy has a bobcat with tracks and a grapple for loading the logs onto a trailer. This is definitely going to be an adventure...

Oh yeah--my wife and I plan on building a house within the next 2-3 years using a lot of this lumber.
Plus--I'm getting into woodworking (just had a bunch of OLD craftsman saws given to me). Table saw, router table, wood lathe, band saw, etc...so I want to build stuff! Haha!
2004 LT40 Super 51hp w/6' bed extension
Cooks AE4P Edger
Cat Claw sharpener/Dual Tooth Setter
Kubota svl75-2 skidsteer w/grapple, forks, brushcutter
1977 Log Hog Knuckleboom loader/truck

drobertson

Sounds like a good plan to me, and I would like to suggest, from the git-go, go ahead and take some of the logs and make your own stickers, can never have too many, and while you're at it, if you find some that are junkie in the heart, make some stacking cleats, 4x's or bigger if you need they will come in handy, having these ready from the start is a bonus for sure,  hope all goes well, have a friend who owned an ez, works good,  take care, david
only have a few chain saws I'm not suppose to use, but will at times, one dog Dolly, pretty good dog, just not sure what for yet,  working on getting the gardening back in order, and kinda thinking on maybe a small bbq bizz,  thinking about it,

Deese

Thanks for the tips drobertson. I will definitely be on that.

One of my main concerns (other than all of the back breaking work) is properly drying the lumber. I've researched it until I'm blue in the face...I know that you've got to have a level foundation, evenly place your stickers, etc...
But I've heard that Oak can be prone to twisting/warping etc... I would say that my new place is 95% hardwood/oak.
I want to do everything "by the book" but I'm still concerned about the drying process and final lumber quality...
I bet that if a piece of lumber is going to twist, cup, warp, etc...then it is going to no matter what is done to prevent it from doing so no matter how much weight is on the pile. But by proper stacking we can minimize distortion? Am I on the right track?

I bet wider cut boards are more prone to cupping than narrower ones...

I've read that there are ways properly saw the cant to minimize distortion during the drying process...
I'll try looking back through some past discussions the forum and see what I find...I've got a million questions but I realize that experience is the best teacher...Sorry for the rambling but i'm just thirsting for knowledge and ready to cut some boards  :)
2004 LT40 Super 51hp w/6' bed extension
Cooks AE4P Edger
Cat Claw sharpener/Dual Tooth Setter
Kubota svl75-2 skidsteer w/grapple, forks, brushcutter
1977 Log Hog Knuckleboom loader/truck

chickenchaser

Welcome Deese!

It is amazing how you read...and read...and read - things still just aren't as clear as you'd like them to be. After a few days with the mill going, a lot of that fuzziness leaves. Great place here at the Forum.

Looks like you have a dandy helper to offbear in a few years.

CC
WoodMizer LT35HD

JD 3720 w/loader. 1983 Chevrolet C30 dump. 1973 Ford F600 w/stickloader. 35,000 chickens.

drobertson

I'm thinking you will figure it out soon enough, mature oak timber will yield better lumber the small, not to say small is a loss.  I might suggest sawing out some for a drying shed or modify your coop for the same purpose, this will give you a good idea on how logs and lumber react in addition to learning how to dry.  A good stack of 30 to 40 layers with a weighted top will be a good start. You will need dry stickers for anything that requires the finished polished look. We have successfully air dried thousands of feet of red and white oak with no issues at all. Like you said time and experience with some good advice along the way is the key,  later,  david
only have a few chain saws I'm not suppose to use, but will at times, one dog Dolly, pretty good dog, just not sure what for yet,  working on getting the gardening back in order, and kinda thinking on maybe a small bbq bizz,  thinking about it,

Tim Lea


thecfarm

There, you have some support equipment. Better than me with just my 40hp tractor.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

grweldon

Welcome Deese!

I'm just a few miles Northwest of you in Autauga County.  You are most welcomed to come and check out my mill and my farm.  I'm about 50/50 hardwood and pine.  Most of the hardwood trees are various species of Oak.  There are a handful of Sweetgum and a few Pecans.  Love to have you visit when you have the time!

Happy sawing!
My three favorite documents: The Holy Bible, The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States.

Deese

Thanks everybody.
Hey grweldon--I really appreciate the invitation! I may have to take you up on that sometime in the near future!
thanks again.
2004 LT40 Super 51hp w/6' bed extension
Cooks AE4P Edger
Cat Claw sharpener/Dual Tooth Setter
Kubota svl75-2 skidsteer w/grapple, forks, brushcutter
1977 Log Hog Knuckleboom loader/truck

Chuck White

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Deese!

As you've noticed, this is a great place to hang out!
~Chuck~  Cooks Cat Claw sharpener and single tooth setter.  2018 Chevy Silverado and 2021 Subaru Ascent.
With basic mechanical skills and the ability to read you can maintain a Woodmizer  LT40!

POSTON WIDEHEAD

Deese.....we all screw up.....some of us just don't post it.  :D

Tell your friend with the slightly larger mill to join the FORUM. :)

WELCOME!.....and I see you have a little helper to go with your new mill.  smiley_thumbsup
The older I get I wish my body could Re-Gen.

Seaman

Welcome to the gang!
You will find a pltior....plathor...well, anyway, a lot of experience on here. Some of us can't spell a lick, but someone can usually help you with anything that comes up.
Franl  no....Frank
Lucas dedicated slabber
Woodmizer LT40HD
John Deere 5310 W/ FEL
Semper Fi

dgdrls

Welcome aboard Deese,

great site with even better folks.

When's the mill scheduled to arrive?

Better start loading the log deck now,  don't want to get behind :D

Best
DGD

Magicman

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Deese.   :)  We will be looking forward to seeing pictures when you get the EZ.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

WDH

Welcome!  Looks like that you are getting started right.
Woodmizer LT40HDD35, John Deere 2155, Kubota M5-111, Kubota L2501, Nyle L53 Dehumidification Kiln, and a passion for all things with leafs, twigs, and bark.  hamsleyhardwood.com

Deese

Dang, thanks fellas for the warm response! Y'all seem to be pretty good'ole folks...I'm new to this forum business so nobody get your panties in a wad if I don't respond appropriately :-) (Trying to be macho)
But in all seriousness, I mailed the check today and I'm sure he will ship it as soon as the check clears...by the way, message me if you want to make a donation!! HA!

I've got some pretty cool photos of really nice black walnut, swamp chestnut, etc that I would love to share...I'll try to figure it out tomorrow.

Oh yeah--yes I do have a new little helper! He is 7 months old and is definitely going to keep his daddy on his toes :-)
2004 LT40 Super 51hp w/6' bed extension
Cooks AE4P Edger
Cat Claw sharpener/Dual Tooth Setter
Kubota svl75-2 skidsteer w/grapple, forks, brushcutter
1977 Log Hog Knuckleboom loader/truck

Deese

Hey DGD---I ordered 5 gallons anchor seal today from the manufacturer...I've gotta work the Buckmasters Expo in Montgomery AL this weekend and cutting will begin shortly thereafter! Hopefully I'll be finished no later than late January...if so, I plan to replant in long leaf pine no later than the end of Feb...
2004 LT40 Super 51hp w/6' bed extension
Cooks AE4P Edger
Cat Claw sharpener/Dual Tooth Setter
Kubota svl75-2 skidsteer w/grapple, forks, brushcutter
1977 Log Hog Knuckleboom loader/truck

beenthere

Deese
Pics are pretty straight forward, beginning with having them in .jpg format on your computer.
Then go to "Home" and down to the "Behind The Forum" forum  and the first thread listed is a primer for setting up your own gallery in your profile, and how to proceed from there to get pics in a post.
Once you have your gallery set up, then clicking on the blue hi-lighted line below this post window "Click here to add Photos to post" will take you through the steps.
south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

dgdrls

Quote from: Deese on August 15, 2013, 12:00:38 AM
Hey DGD---I ordered 5 gallons anchor seal today from the manufacturer...I've gotta work the Buckmasters Expo in Montgomery AL this weekend and cutting will begin shortly thereafter! Hopefully I'll be finished no later than late January...if so, I plan to replant in long leaf pine no later than the end of Feb...

It's great that you already have a replant set for the lot,  your little helper will have his own harvest to grow with.

best
DGD




WDH

You won't regret buying the anchorseal.  You will also need two LogRite cant hooks.  Since you have a manual mill, turning the big logs can be a challenge.  I would recommend the 60" cant hook and the 78" Megahook.  You will be amazed how big a log that you can turn by yourself with the Megahook.  A 48" cant hook is too small for a manual mill.  Can't get as much leverage to turn the big ones with the shorter cant hook.  They will be two of the best tools that you will ever own. 
Woodmizer LT40HDD35, John Deere 2155, Kubota M5-111, Kubota L2501, Nyle L53 Dehumidification Kiln, and a passion for all things with leafs, twigs, and bark.  hamsleyhardwood.com

grweldon

I'll second WDH's advice that a 48" cant hook is too small.  I have one.  I can't budge much over 18" diameter logs when trying to turn them on the mill.  The 48" works well though for rolling the logs up to the mill but the largest I've ever moved is the one that I'm milling now, 23.5" DIB at the butt swell.  A larger hook would be handy rolling it on the ground as well.
My three favorite documents: The Holy Bible, The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States.

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