I might have a problem.

[twoclones]

My name is Butch and I just ordered my third sawmill. LOL

I started with a 36" wide Granberg Mk 3. Bought it on ebay with bar, chains, helper handle, oiler, and Husky power head. Having slabs available to make carved benches from really got me hooked But it was a lot of work...

Next, I bought a WoodMizer LT-15. While a GREAT machine, it maxes out at 23" wide slabs so the Granberg was still very necessary.

Then came a 42" diameter catalpa log 90% clear and 100% solid. This reinforced my belief that I needed a bigger chainsaw mill. After buying a 6' bar and 20' of low profile unistrut, I was ready for the biggest logs! However, a 6' bar is a bear to handle in a 24" wide cut. So now I needed a smaller mill for those 2' - 4' wide slabs.

This morning, I ordered a 48" Granberg Mark 3. It should be here on Friday which gives me time to assemble a home make oiler.

 

[Garrit]

Butch, Congrats on the newest edition! That is one big tree! (Walnut?) Feel free to add some more pics of your slabs and set up!

 

[BobL]

One more to go to catch up to me

 

[twoclones]

Butch, Congrats on the newest edition! That is one big tree! (Walnut?) Feel free to add some more pics of your slabs and set up!

That's Catalpa. The slabs dried for a year and have now been machine sanded 'flat' and are on consignment at a local hardwood dealer in Kennewick, WA.

 

[Garrit]

Those are some massive slabs! Nice work!!

 

[twoclones]

Those are some massive slabs! Nice work!!

Thank you. This is a recent maple crotch I chainsaw milled. Yard stick included for size. Didn't have as much figure at one might have anticipated but these 3" thick slabs would be awesome tops for a rustic (unmovable) table.

 

[Garrit]

Butch, when it comes to those large slabs.. or in general I guess. What thickness do you mill at?

 

[twoclones]

Butch, when it comes to those large slabs.. or in general I guess. What thickness do you mill at?

I asked 2 local hardwood suppliers and what they really want to avoid is having a product they cant' move around the store.
I milled the 12' long x 30"+ wide catalpa at 2" and it was all 2 of us could do to flip it onto the tractor forks.
My 9' long by 22" western cedar was impressive and portable at 2" and 3" thick.
I had some 9' long pine at 6" thick (was thinking fireplace mantles) that was just too heavy so I had to resaw it to sell it.

That maple crotch is one of those that's too heavy at 3". But,,, I was hoping it would flatten to 2" after drying.

Basically, if the end user cant' handle the weight, it's a tough sell.

Mulberry slab

 

[twoclones]

Garrit asked for setup photos...

Solar Kiln is 9' long on the inside. I've since added a gable fan, vents and canvas baffle. Glass panels are recycled shower doors.

My air drying rack is a work in progress. Concrete anchors were installed with the help of a laser level. 6x10 feet. 11' long maple in photo.

 

[twoclones]

My 6' bar, dual powerhead setup. Granberg mk3 extended with low profile unistrut. Stihl MS-660 and MS-066.
A Dremel sanding drum can quickly open the brackets to use 1/2" emt for the handle IF you do a little sanding on the emt to remove high spots.

My Woodmizer LT-15 sitting on 3 bed sections can mill just over 16' long logs. I'd love to have the Lathe-Mizer for this but don't "need" it so that won't happen unless I find a really good deal.

 

[Garrit]

Wow, thanks man! a small Kiln is in my future, so I appreciate the write up! I poked around your website and watch the "Walnut log deal". Very funny! A lot of people including woodworkers don't know what it takes or how long the wood has to sit to be 'workable'. I also admire your honesty on donating your stuff and your Saw milling price is spot on (Wish I was closer!)

 

[twoclones]

Since you're in Michigan, you might want to put 2 gable fans in your kiln. We get from 3 - 6 inches of rain a year and 115 F isn't unusual at peak of summer so 1 fan is plenty for me

 

[twoclones]

My Granberg Mk 3 arrived today and I immediately started to assemble it
That didn't go too well
I'm "that guy" who reads the instructions. Item #11 on the parts list is a 5/16-18 x 3 1/2" bolt. The kit included 5 x 3" long bolts (thanks for the extra) which work fine unless you want to use a chainsaw with the mill. Otherwise you'll need the 3 1/2" bolts... Phoning Granberg to express my disappointment was like calling the DMV so I didn't get to vent.

After driving to the hardware store, I will finish assembling my new toy.

 

[SeMoTony]

I asked 2 local hardwood suppliers and what they really want to avoid is having a product they cant' move around the store.
I milled the 12' long x 30"+ wide catalpa at 2" and it was all 2 of us could do to flip it onto the tractor forks.
My 9' long by 22" western cedar was impressive and portable at 2" and 3" thick.
I had some 9' long pine at 6" thick (was thinking fireplace mantles) that was just too heavy so I had to resaw it to sell it.

That maple crotch is one of those that's too heavy at 3". But,,, I was hoping it would flatten to 2" after drying.

Basically, if the end user cant' handle the weight, it's a tough sell.

Mulberry slab

Thanx for the insite.I've got a 7" or so diameter blowed off mulberry branch that i'll have to slice for jewelry boxes or inlay since that is interesting. I found out from some research that catalpa is a very good wood for carving (chisels & knives). It is about 50% heavier than bass and holds detail much better. If you have chunks around and a wood carvers club, bringing the two together may put a bit of change in your pocket from smaller pieces than you may have use for.
Thank you also for the tip on use of emt for that tube. Had not thought of that route & my 6' dual power head bar will be shipped by thursday and to me by a week from friday, I hope.