what length oak log is worth milling?

[Dilz]

Using an alaskan mill a couple of years now on and off mostly as a hobby. For my own use I have milled shorter logs - 1.5m and less before  but only unusual stuff and for practice e.g pine / thuja  - got some 40cm wide white mulberry boards and even a magnolia stem which is  a really nice white colour. 

 

Got some 40 - 60cm diameter oak logs ranging from 3m to about 1.2- 1.5m from a dismantle - Is it worth the effort of milling the short logs - thinking of for smaller projects like stools / chairs / side tables they might be usable? otherwise I was thinking of saving them to start learning chainsaw carving on.   - Just concerned the shorter logs will be nothing left if they split when drying- which I have heard oak likes to do and have never milled oak before. 

 

Local carpenter is super keen on getting some milled oak  from me at the minute. 

 

Any tips advice much appreciated 

[Squaredy]

24 minutes ago, Dilz said:

Using an alaskan mill a couple of years now on and off mostly as a hobby. For my own use I have milled shorter logs - 1.5m and less before  but only unusual stuff and for practice e.g pine / thuja  - got some 40cm wide white mulberry boards and even a magnolia stem which is  a really nice white colour. 

 

Got some 40 - 60cm diameter oak logs ranging from 3m to about 1.2- 1.5m from a dismantle - Is it worth the effort of milling the short logs - thinking of for smaller projects like stools / chairs / side tables they might be usable? otherwise I was thinking of saving them to start learning chainsaw carving on.   - Just concerned the shorter logs will be nothing left if they split when drying- which I have heard oak likes to do and have never milled oak before. 

 

Local carpenter is super keen on getting some milled oak  from me at the minute. 

 

Any tips advice much appreciated 

Certainly well worth milling. 

 

If a wide board splits you still have two usable narrower boards.  The ones most likely to split are the ones straight through the middle, which are probably best re-sawn down the pith anyway and you have two quarter sawn boards - which in oak is a bonus.

 

As you say for many craft and furniture uses you don't need long pieces.  But also even beams like lintels often shorter pieces are very useful.