Turning A 350 Pound Log On A Power Pro (Or How to Void Your Warranty)

[mhebb1]

Well 2 posts were removed and a rod from the ceiling was installed to "hang" the balcony from over 100 years ago. The 2 new posts are now painted and drying in the building. I didn't know if I could pull this off or not. I knew if I could, I'd save the village several thou$. Being a volunteer job there no time tables or constraints.
It turns out the logs never did get balanced because the amount of water in them was mostly on one side. I tried a belt sander before the plane and it just loaded up with mush. It surprised me how well the plane worked.
I'd have liked a lower speed than 250 but the machine seems no worse off.
I don't have the $$$$ or the spare real estate for a heavy bolted down machine that would have done it right. I did find a back up lathe in the neighboring towns historical buildings. 150 years ago it was in a wood shop in Unity NH and driven by a water wheel. We moved (about 15 people) the 12 foot long wooden bed and got it running on an electric motor but I didn't have to resort to it.

Mike H

[mikelst]

Well done... that's all I can say about this. Just Well done.
My hat is off to you sir.