Today's milling

[AJStrees]

Life’s short.
Get a bigger ladder.
[emoji106]

You’re right of course. Yes a bigger ladder is on the shopping list. [emoji106]

[muttley9050]

Ah ok. I tried looking and it seemed like there was nothing securing the ladder down.   

I’ve a 22’ and 32’ log to do when I get home. I planned on using 2-3 ladder sections and getting them all packed out and level with my 2.4m spirit level. Also considered doing them but by bit with one ladder section but thought it would be tricky to keep the straight line. 

 

Measure the longest ladder you have.Get some 4x2 4x1 etc cut just over the width of the ladder.

Fix a piece of wood at the narrow end of the log the correct distance from the center and a thinner one at the root end the same distance from the center. String a line between the two nice and tight. Fix wood at intervals shorter than the ladder in line with the line.

Put ladder on top of wood and slide along as necessary.

You could do it with a level but you would have to level the tree so the center was level first which isn't easy.

 

 

 

[topchippyles]

Couple of you guys could with half the one i have in the yard. Its a 2 section 11 metre ex BT and just to big for anything i use. 5.5 m each half 

[trigger_andy]

8 hours ago, muttley9050 said:

Measure the longest ladder you have.Get some 4x2 4x1 etc cut just over the width of the ladder.

Fix a piece of wood at the narrow end of the log the correct distance from the center and a thinner one at the root end the same distance from the center. String a line between the two nice and tight. Fix wood at intervals shorter than the ladder in line with the line.

Put ladder on top of wood and slide along as necessary.

You could do it with a level but you would have to level the tree so the center was level first which isn't easy.

 

 

 

I was actually thinking last night that a fencing string might be the better option. I always level the log center to center anyway, it annoys me if I end up going 'off grain'. 

 

Another interesting technique Ive heard is to string the long log end to end and install nails or screws every 2-3" along the length in two rows to the height of the taught string. Then make a very basic sled to cradle the alaskan and the Sled rides along the tops of the Screws/nails. The guy I know who does this said its surprisingly quick to set up once you've done it a couple of times, is accurate with no sag like you could get with a ladder and saves having to hump a bunch of ladders around with you to the job, just a box of Screws and a Drill. 

[muttley9050]

I was actually thinking last night that a fencing string might be the better option. I always level the log center to center anyway, it annoys me if I end up going 'off grain'. 
 
Another interesting technique Ive heard is to string the long log end to end and install nails or screws every 2-3" along the length in two rows to the height of the taught string. Then make a very basic sled to cradle the alaskan and the Sled rides along the tops of the Screws/nails. The guy I know who does this said its surprisingly quick to set up once you've done it a couple of times, is accurate with no sag like you could get with a ladder and saves having to hump a bunch of ladders around with you to the job, just a box of Screws and a Drill. 

I don't really see the point of levelling the log. You only go off grain if your first cut is out.
I don't very often mill with an alaskan these days. My lucas goes up to 6m so only use an Alaskan if I need a beam longer than 6m or tree acsess is bad, but avoid bad acsess trees unless the money is worth it.
Lucas or alaskan I would rather be Milling down hill than level.
The method you describe is much the same as the method in will matloffs chainsaw Milling book.

[Rough Hewn]

Chainsaw milling oak veneer🤣[emoji106]

[Paddy1000111]

30 minutes ago, Rough Hewn said:

Chainsaw milling oak veneer🤣
 

Can't wait to buy one when they are in stock again 😂

[Doug Tait]

30 minutes ago, Rough Hewn said:

Chainsaw milling oak veneer🤣
 

You milled a wobble board musical instrument!

[Paddy1000111]

3 minutes ago, Doug Tait said:

You milled a wobble board musical instrument!

Just don't become Rolf Harris 😂😂

[Doug Tait]

2 minutes ago, Paddy1000111 said:

Just don't become Rolf Harris 😂😂

Other wobble board musicians are available!