Cherry milling - Woodworking Talk

ARECHER · 08-11-2008, 09:29 PM

I milled a cherry log over the weekend and here are a few pics of the results. It was my first attempt at chainsaw milling in combination with the chainsaw-powered bandsaw (RipSaw). I think, overall, it went well.

Though my muscles have been a little sore for the past few days. The good kind of sore, when you know you didn't sit on the couch all weekend. Those 3" x 8" x 9' planks are pretty heavy. I had a blast though and can't wait to get into the butt log of this tree-this was the top log and was rather branchy. I went thicker with a couple of the slabs as I wanted some table leg stock.

ARECHER · 08-11-2008, 09:32 PM

a few more pics...

I know this isn't anywhere near the volume that most of you all can saw in an afternoon, but it was darned fun and exciting turning over those boards and slabs.

I think I'm hooked.

**joasis** · 08-11-2008, 10:07 PM

Maybe you will get to own a sawmill someday....meantime, it is way more entertaining then making the log into firewood.

jeffreythree · 08-11-2008, 10:12 PM

Looks good! How did the ripsaw work out for ya? I have not been able to use mine much yet, just a couple of logs. My wife says I have to much wood and need to use some up before I make more, and the next oak I was going to cut up is now under water

in my pond because fo the 3-1/2" of rain filling it up

. Good for the fish, bad for the logs. At least I did not cut down the bigger 20" one yet.

**TexasTimbers** · 08-11-2008, 10:19 PM

Looks great. That will make beautiful furniture. The wood has no idea what kind of sawmill it came from, or how much volume the sawmill can do in a day.

A sawmill is a sawmill no matter if it has an 200HP diesel powering it or a 4HP chainsaw. You my friend, are a sawyer. Welcome.

ARECHER · 08-11-2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffreythree

Looks good! How did the ripsaw work out for ya? I have not been able to use mine much yet, just a couple of logs. My wife says I have to much wood and need to use some up before I make more, and the next oak I was going to cut up is now under water

in my pond because fo the 3-1/2" of rain filling it up

. Good for the fish, bad for the logs. At least I did not cut down the bigger 20" one yet.

Ripsaw worked pretty well for an older patched up model. My saw gave me a little trouble but we got through it. I think it will take a few logs to be be comfortable and used to how it works. But it sailed down that log in pretty short order.

I hate to disagree with your wife but...I think you could use just a bit more wood in your stash. That way you don't have to wait for it to dry.

Oscar · 08-12-2008, 11:54 AM

Looks really great. I started with a chainsaw mill and can remember how it felt when I cut my first usable piece. What a Rush!! As TT said it doesn't really matter what renders the board/slab, if it's of consistent dimension. I have a recent post showing "Cherry Milling" and your rendering looks every bit as good and as far as size better.