Oak butt worth milling?

[jamesd]

I have an oak butt that I’m thinking of getting someone in to mill. I’ve attached a few photos for people to take a look at.

Im looking for advice to see if it’s worth milling and secondly what the best way to mill it would be? 

 

Cheers, james. 

[trigger_andy]

Its a fair size, gotta be over 40" Diameter? Couple of meters long max?  Some rot in there too, how far does that travel up? You might get lucky and get some good bits out of it, or you 'll most likely get a lot of firewood.   

 

Looks like some metal in there too going by the staining, unless thats just from the chain? 

 

Id maybe have a go at milling it if I had an Alaskan but I doubt Id risk paying someone to do it. Expensive firewood. 

[Big J]

Extensive rot and blue staining indicating metal. The burrs are reasonable, but personally I wouldn't bother as burr oak is rarely that impressive. 

 

Sorry to be negative, but it a stem looks that bad from the ends, it's only going to be worse when milled. 

[spuddog0507]

It dont look to cleaver to me but i am sure some one will see it in a different light, resin table tops may be ?

[jamesd]

Yup its a round the 40" diameter mark if not more.. the blue chaining is from a barbed wire fence that grew in it and hopefully i've cut it out now..

 

the rot at the one end probably goes down into the stem around a foot.

 

Hope the extra information helps..

[trigger_andy]

22 minutes ago, jamesd said:

the rot at the one end probably goes down into the stem around a foot.

If you can poke it to a depth of a foot then Id imagine it will carry on significantly deeper than that. 

 

If you're happy to risk the best part of £300 and further chain damage costs by other potential metal incursions give it a bash. You could be pleasantly surprised.   For that kinda money Id just buy a Chinese Mill and do it yourself, I suspect you have Saws, or access to a large Saw? 

 

48" Chinese Mills will give you a 42" Cut. £160 + vat

48" Bar £250 + vat

48" Chain £65

 

All approx! Maybe some second hand on ebay too.

 

Worth a though?

[Rough Hewn]

If you're into making resin tables it would be ideal.
Especially if you enjoy sharpening 48" chains.[emoji6]
As BigJ said, often those bumps are bland.
Doesn't look like true burr either.
However in 3-4" slabs it would be rather nice.
Mill it.
[emoji106]

[devon TWiG]

There is some very nice wood in that log , the burring although not major will add considerable figuring to the wood esp waney edge boards  , there appears to be brown / tiger oak looking at the top end of the log and there is plenty of good wood around the decay area ,,,if you have plans for your own use and are willing to pay for milling then I think it would be worth it , if however you are speculating on selling wood after paying for milling to make a profit then it is a chance you will have to take ...it always is though !!!

[gobbypunk]

Hi yep get someone to mill it with an Alaskan especially if you have a mate with one ,bring it my yard and we can have a go no problem.

Cheers Mark