milling roof shingles from pine using alaskan

[tommer9]

Leylandii heartwood would be excellent as it is actually cypress not pine- a cross between cupressus macrocarpa (VERY durable) and either lawson or nootka cypress. The sapwood will rot very fast, the heartwood will last for years. Splitting is the best for reasons mentioned above, aswell as not exposing endgrain, but TBH you can get away with sawing it and still get a good many years use. You will have more wast than shingle though, even with a narrow .325 chain.

[kernowstu]

i would be worried about the knots as timber is of small diameter

[Rob D]

Using a froe sounds good but it's bloody hard work... I tried clefting a load of oak shingles and it's trying to get them uniform that is tricky.

 

I know that clefting will mean you don't saw across the grain etc but most people use sawn shingles and I'm sure you won't have a problem with them.

 

But it's work that won't suit the Alaskan - can you hire in a bandsaw for the day?

[morten]

...

also as the title mentions i want to use pine as that's what ive got plenty of. so to preserve them i was thinking to charring them or linseed oil?

 

The "traditional" way of preserving roof shingles (at least in Scandinavia) is linseed oil and/or wood-tar. Wood-tar prevents fungus and linseed oil closes the pores of the wood when it oxidizes. They don't readily mix, but when heated and with white spirit added, it will.

 

If using pine, it should be cut thin, to allow to dry out more quickly.

[offgridchris]

thanks for all the replies. im hoping my neighbour will let me use his bandsaw (also depends if its big enough). the Leylandii im hoping is big enough to get into decent shingles. if is splits into bastard shakes then great. although i don't think it will.

 

considering the cost of WRC shingles i could afford a band saw attachment for a chainsaw, which ive seen on the net. anybody seen one in action.

 

i cant believe saw WRC shingles are over £1:00 each. if ben law can split 1000 chestnut ones in a week. then that's a nice earner and i may have to give up the day job.

 

the plan is to clear fell our sitka spruce and replant with sweet chestnut and other hard woods. although a nursery crop of Leylandii looks surprisingly like quality stuff.

[delabodge]

thanks for all the replies. im hoping my neighbour will let me use his bandsaw (also depends if its big enough). the Leylandii im hoping is big enough to get into decent shingles. if is splits into bastard shakes then great. although i don't think it will.

 

considering the cost of WRC shingles i could afford a band saw attachment for a chainsaw, which ive seen on the net. anybody seen one in action.

 

i cant believe saw WRC shingles are over £1:00 each. if ben law can split 1000 chestnut ones in a week. then that's a nice earner and i may have to give up the day job.

 

the plan is to clear fell our sitka spruce and replant with sweet chestnut and other hard woods. although a nursery crop of Leylandii looks surprisingly like quality stuff.

 

I think you`ll find ben law probably didnt! his "(paying for the experience)volunteers did", you have a large area to cover, and cleft shingles look lovely and rustic, but sawn are far faster process, and i`d love to see someone cleft leylandi,,lol,,,good luck ,,,

[Brushcutter]

I'd be worried about using a .325 chain on an 880 lot of power for a little chain. Someone locally must have a mobile band mill with the attachment to do shingles? It's not doing it yourself but its better than a leaky roof. If you were to buy a few tonnes of WRC or Chestnut that must exist locally you'd get a better roof. As i've seen the effects of a leaky roof twice i can tell you, from experence don't do it wrong here as it ruins everything else.

[taz]

hi offgridchris

I live in mid wales too and i have a woodmizer lt15 bandsaw i don't have a shingle attachment but if i can be of any service give me a shout.

 

you could try this for WRC

 

Western Red Cedar Logs - Round Timber For Sale

[Cracker]

If I were you I'd buy some nice straight grained sweet chestnut and a froe. I reckon if you try sawing knotty softwood to shingles they'll split after you've fitted them.

[offgridchris]

cracker it looks like sweet chestnut it is. any idea on what i should pay for lengths/ rounds. ive only ever milled my own timber. or anybody in mid wales with access to some chestnut.

i already have the froe.