tek9tim
ArboristSite Guru
So I had an idea a little while back to make it easier to mill small logs with my Alaskan jig, and finally got around to doing something about it the other day.
It's pretty simple, instead of attaching rails to the logs, I built a frame that straddles the log that has the rails for the mill to ride on. I built some feet for the log to sit on, then welded the end of a spike onto the head of a bolt to secure the log to the feet. Tried it out on a few apple logs, (not too sure how good the wood is) then some maple. It works pretty well. First picture is of the log with the spike put in, which I (of course) pre drill the log, then hammer in. The second is the setup after cutting the first full slab off. What I was did was progressively lower the cut each time, until I got too close to the spike, then remove the spike and run the mill directly on the log. (in the usual manner) Came out with only the slightest bit of waste wood this way, since I could make my first cut so close to the top of the log, and also make my last really close to the bottom.
Ran the 460 for all of the apple, and it handled it really well, it wasn't until like 2/3 of the way through that I remembered that I still had the 8-tooth sprocket on it. For the maple I started with the 460, but it was bogging down a little, so instead of changing over the sprocket, I just switched to the 660. That was definitely overkill.
Used full-chisel, full-skip Stihl chain, and it only needed a little touch-up after about 100 linear feet, but at only about 10" wide cuts at the widest. (Amazing I didn't find any metal in the apple)
Question though: anybody have any experience with apple wood? Is it useable? If not, I've got some nicely milled material for smoking.
It's pretty simple, instead of attaching rails to the logs, I built a frame that straddles the log that has the rails for the mill to ride on. I built some feet for the log to sit on, then welded the end of a spike onto the head of a bolt to secure the log to the feet. Tried it out on a few apple logs, (not too sure how good the wood is) then some maple. It works pretty well. First picture is of the log with the spike put in, which I (of course) pre drill the log, then hammer in. The second is the setup after cutting the first full slab off. What I was did was progressively lower the cut each time, until I got too close to the spike, then remove the spike and run the mill directly on the log. (in the usual manner) Came out with only the slightest bit of waste wood this way, since I could make my first cut so close to the top of the log, and also make my last really close to the bottom.
Ran the 460 for all of the apple, and it handled it really well, it wasn't until like 2/3 of the way through that I remembered that I still had the 8-tooth sprocket on it. For the maple I started with the 460, but it was bogging down a little, so instead of changing over the sprocket, I just switched to the 660. That was definitely overkill.
Used full-chisel, full-skip Stihl chain, and it only needed a little touch-up after about 100 linear feet, but at only about 10" wide cuts at the widest. (Amazing I didn't find any metal in the apple)
Question though: anybody have any experience with apple wood? Is it useable? If not, I've got some nicely milled material for smoking.