Pics of complete beginners milling efforts

[gensetsteve]

Thought it may be useful to put pics of my efforts from the start. Always good to see experts work but a bit over my head at the moment. I should explain we are only doing to produce blanks for the kindling machine. I would like to produce nice beams and posts for my own use but no contract work or sales. Any advice gratefully received. You will notice alot of bark left on this is to get as much wood out as possible as its only going to make kindling.

[gensetsteve]

A few more

[Rhob the Log]

Looks like the Mizer is a little close to the wall. I'd pull it away a bit to get at the mountains of sawdust.

 

I have put chocks beneath the log at one of the clamps in the past to get the first cut as level as possible up the log. Especially helpful with a bend. This may increase production a small amount.

 

Otherwise, top job! Thanks for posting.

[gensetsteve]

Looks like the Mizer is a little close to the wall. I'd pull it away a bit to get at the mountains of sawdust.

 

I have put chocks beneath the log at one of the clamps in the past to get the first cut as level as possible up the log. Especially helpful with a bend. This may increase production a small amount.

 

Otherwise, top job! Thanks for posting.

 

Thanks for your advice I will try chocking it up next time will probably help the kindlet as well. I need to reorganise my other kit to make room but may just connect to the dust extractor when I can afford the hoses. Will try the bigger stems when I have help.

[Copford sawmill sussex]

The work will come you need to just get your name out there, word of mouth soon spreads stock 8x8. 6x6 are always useful in various lengths. You can never have the right stock but as long as you have trunks to pick and choose from, it won't be hard to full full future orders.

[Rob D]

All looks great Steve - looking at what you are producing I can see why you're thinking a Lucas/Peterson would work well.

[gensetsteve]

Thanks for the relies. The reason I did not buy a peterson or Lucas in the first place was cost, noise and extra waste. But being able to do big stuff I think out weighs all these problems also probably cheaper than running a 60kva generator.

 

The stem on the bobcat is too fat one end how would you reduce it to get it through the mizer. Was thinking of trimming it free hand with chainsaw is that a bit mad.

[agg221]

How much is it too fat by? If it's a little bit, I use a side axe (Gransfors but any will do) which will take a couple of inches off in a lot less time than it takes to dig out and fuel up a chainsaw. More than that it's time to freehand it with the chainsaw, sighting down the line from the end.

 

Alec

[gensetsteve]

How much is it too fat by? If it's a little bit, I use a side axe (Gransfors but any will do) which will take a couple of inches off in a lot less time than it takes to dig out and fuel up a chainsaw. More than that it's time to freehand it with the chainsaw, sighting down the line from the end.

 

Alec

 

I think it is 22 one end and about 30 the other so 3 or 4 " all round. The row of stems in the picture on the left most are too fat one end. My miser takes max 750cm or 29 in but I would think it needs to be dead straight.

[agg221]

I think it is 22 one end and about 30 the other so 3 or 4 " all round. The row of stems in the picture on the left most are too fat one end. My miser takes max 750cm or 29 in but I would think it needs to be dead straight.

 

What height can you get through, ie do you need to take it just off the sides to squeeze it through the throat, or do you need to take the top down too?

 

Poplar has fairly fat bark so if you've got a couple of inches of bark to remove, then an inch or so of wood at the fattest bit, I would use an axe. If you can get it under the head, the other option would be to put the 'side' up first, skim that off by a few inches, then roll it up (or flip it right over first if you need some off both sides).

 

Alec