Shopsmith Forums

My wife and I walk our dog every evening through the neighborhood. One of the neighbors had a bunch of logs sitting in his driveway. They happened to be maple as I later found out. He said to go ahead and take as many as I want.

I intend to attempt to mill my own "lumber", small pieces or turn the smaller logs on the lathe. So far I have for the most part limited myself to logs of 6" diameter or less to fit in my bandsaw. I did turn a couple of 5" diameter logs on the lathe while the wood is still wet and save them to shape later after the wood has dried. Very good looking wood.

However, I thought this morning that I should go back and get some of the bigger diameter ones to turn as bowls on the lathe, after I cut them into slabs.

Here's the catch. I don't have a decent chainsaw to do so, so I thought I could try with a regular hand saw or a pruning saw, if I can figure out how to stabilze in some kind of clamp.

Anyone else do this type of thing? Any ideas?

I haven't done what you're trying to do. However, I've processed too-large-for-my-bandsaw logs by splitting them manually using an axe, wedges, froe, etc. Of course that's much harder with anything with an interesting grain pattern.

Depending on size, it may be possible to split the logs then cut them to size. Or even turn them into lumber. It is possible to cut with a saw but it takes a while. I used to wedge the log with smaller branches to prevent rolling when cutting even with a chainsaw. I have also seen places that will rent tools that carry chainsaws and splitters as an other option. If I remember correctly the center pith is removed when cutting for bowl blanks so splitting the logs will be required at some point.

I use a log splitter and rough them out , a pair of ax heads will also work
Here ya can see hickory and walnut

Once you get them small enough the SS will do the rest , if you don't mind sanding the sanding disc ,,,rough paper like 60 grit will get a flat edge pretty quick.

If you want to you can screw a 2x4 across the end to keep the log from turning ,,chalk a line and use a power saw on it , then flip it over and do the same , then just split the remaining with about any thing even a wedge .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WG305-WORX-14-8 ... Swq7JUE1xt
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WG305-1-WORX-8- ... Sw4YdY03-B
Or just pick up one of these if ya have enough wood to make it worth the while

Check around your area and see if you can find someone with a portable chain saw mill. It might not be a big charge and they can slice it how you want.
Paul

Hobbyman, thanks for all the tips. By the way, I had forgotten about my electric McCullough chain saw in my shed. It's about 25 years old and doesn't get much use due to being dull (out of sight out of mind). Mentioned it to my brother, and he has a chain sharpener. Gave him my chain, and should have it back sharpened tommorrow. Will try that out.

In the meantime, today, I cut a 7" diameter slab off with a pruning saw. Not fun. I also cut a couple of boards with my bandsaw. The boards are drying now. Will see in a few months what they do.

Thanks masonsailor; but, I would prefer to learn how to do it myself.

PS: Hobbyman, nice job on the wood you cut.

Dansmith wrote:I also cut a couple of boards with my bandsaw. The boards are drying now. Will see in a few months what they do.

Did ya seal the end grain?