00juice said:
What is my best way to get started. I'll try out some smaller stuff first, just so I don't mess up the big pieces of lumber. But how to I get started. Does anyone have some procedures that they go through when they are about to get started. Brian
Well Brian I'd say from reading your post, that you wanna get started!!
First off, your going to need a guide attached to your log for that mill to run down. Lots of different ways, you can use a ladder, even a 2x6 works in a pinch. Here is one casey put together...
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=36470
As for quartersawing... usually only works well if you have a good 24 inches or more to start with, because by the time you quarter the thing, and cut off sapwood and bark, the piece you have left has to still be wide enough for serious lumber. I hold my quarters on custom built horses that have holes drilled into the tops for chocks. There are other ways to block up a quarter on horses or on the ground, but depends on how big, where its being milled etc. Use your imagination given the situation you find yourself in. For TRUE quartersawing, you will have to flip that quarter each cut, taking a slice off each face every other time. You can get close to mostly quartersawing by just slicing up that quarter through and through though.
Good idea working on the smaller less valuable stuff first. Would be a shame to butcher up that huge cherry log you mentioned right off the bat.
Start milling, slab off the sides of the log if you want clean edged boards, or just slab it through and through first time, and see how it goes. Then if you run into any specific problems or questions, just ask.
I'm curious what do you teach? ...what age?
