[AT] Did the List catch the flu? Sawing logs

[George Willer]

Spencer,

You're right about sawing the logs fairly soon after felling, but there is a 
notable exception... walnut.  At one of our earliest Portland shows, maybe 
30 years ago they sawed some walnut logs that had lain around in the weather 
for supposedly 20 years.  During that time the pigment from the desirable 
heartwood had migrated all the way to where the bark had been.  There was no 
light sapwood at all.  It improved a lot with age.

The engine guys will know the operator of the sawmill... everyone does. 
That's when I first met him... Kenny Wolfe from Peru, IN.  At that time he 
was operating an old Belsaw portable mill powered by a J.D. L power unit.  I 
can still see that 2 cyl. engine making the belt flop!  He was set up about 
where that fake helicopter has been displayed for the last few years.

George Willer

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Spencer Yost" <yostsw at atis.net>
To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2005 9:25 PM
Subject: Re[2]: [AT] Did the List catch the flu?


>>> and of more interest to this list, I sawed two large oak logs (30"+ in
>>> diameter) at the local saw mill Wednesday.  The sawmill is run by a
>>fellow
>>
>>
>> Spencer, did you saw this oak green and just cut or has it
>>been down a while?  I'm curious because I have about 75 logs that
>>could be sawn if I can find someone with a portable mill but they
>
>
> I was always have sawn logs green and so does everyone else I know, but it
> isn't like any one rushes to get them to the mill.  Within 6 months or so
> should be fine.    I know the moisture lubricates the blade and the blades
> run cooler.  I also have been taught the boards will more stable
> dimensionally as they dry too(because no log really cures and boards cut
> from 3 year old logs will be dry on the ends and wet in the middle).  Plus
> you have rot, etc to contend with when you have logs laying around.  I
> worked in a sawmill in college too and everyone always brought pretty 
> fresh
> logs.  One other thing:  In your area of the country, the logs are 
> probably
> frozen and can't be cut until spring.
>
> I am no expert so get some corroborating opinion (-;
>
> Spencer Yost
> Owner, ATIS
> Plow the Net!
> http://www.atis.net
>
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