...and the space he invades he gets by on you...
June 10, 2012 3:47 PM Subscribe
I need to find a sawyer in Austin, TX who will come to my yard and turn a 2' thick 9' long fallen tree trunk into wood sizes that I specify.
This was supposed to be a weekend of work, but this is a job that I do not have the tools for, and my chainsaw cannot handle. I called a tree removal service asking about this, and they didn't know of any.
I know that sawyers travel with portable mills, and can do this, but looking up sawyer online has just given me a bunch of people named Sawyer, and I think I need to be more creative.
This was supposed to be a weekend of work, but this is a job that I do not have the tools for, and my chainsaw cannot handle. I called a tree removal service asking about this, and they didn't know of any.
I know that sawyers travel with portable mills, and can do this, but looking up sawyer online has just given me a bunch of people named Sawyer, and I think I need to be more creative.
Best answer: Try "on site milling". I just did and saw a couple that might do. Here's one, as an example.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 4:05 PM on June 10, 2012
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 4:05 PM on June 10, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks, both of you. Incidentally, I don't think this will safely fit in anyone's truck unless it's a dump truck, so I'm stuck doing it on-site.
posted by hanoixan at 4:17 PM on June 10, 2012
posted by hanoixan at 4:17 PM on June 10, 2012
Woodweb Sawing & Drying directory
Forestry Forum
or, call small local hardwood lumber dealers and ask if they know anyone who can help you out. You're probably looking for someone with a Woodmizer.
Expect it to be rather expensive for what you'll get out of it. Yard trees tend to have hidden metal in them (old treehouse nails and clothesline hardware), so you'll have to agree to pay for ruined blades.
posted by jon1270 at 4:19 PM on June 10, 2012
Forestry Forum
or, call small local hardwood lumber dealers and ask if they know anyone who can help you out. You're probably looking for someone with a Woodmizer.
Expect it to be rather expensive for what you'll get out of it. Yard trees tend to have hidden metal in them (old treehouse nails and clothesline hardware), so you'll have to agree to pay for ruined blades.
posted by jon1270 at 4:19 PM on June 10, 2012
Seconding jon1270 on the hidden metal apprehension. It would be a miracle if your log left the blade completely unscathed, and all it takes is one buried nail to really mess up a bandsaw blade. Having a metal detector on site might allay their fears somewhat, and would be a good way for you to know in advance if there is hidden trouble.
Also, your sawyer may advise you that it just isn't worth it. For a log that size, there's an excellent chance that the grain will be so twisted that any lumber you mill from it will just warp something awful. Unless you're planning on making small things like bowls, handles, etc., it might not justify the expense.
posted by bricoleur at 6:35 PM on June 10, 2012
Also, your sawyer may advise you that it just isn't worth it. For a log that size, there's an excellent chance that the grain will be so twisted that any lumber you mill from it will just warp something awful. Unless you're planning on making small things like bowls, handles, etc., it might not justify the expense.
posted by bricoleur at 6:35 PM on June 10, 2012
I've done this before with about 7 sections of while oak, 9' long, more than 2' thick.
Think long/hard about how you'll dry the lumber too. Folks with a mill sometimes have kilns and will dry it for you, but at more cost. If you stack/sticker it yourself, it'll take ~2 years air drying before it's ready to use, and then making sure it dried mostly un-twisted is tough.
posted by k5.user at 12:21 PM on June 11, 2012
Think long/hard about how you'll dry the lumber too. Folks with a mill sometimes have kilns and will dry it for you, but at more cost. If you stack/sticker it yourself, it'll take ~2 years air drying before it's ready to use, and then making sure it dried mostly un-twisted is tough.
posted by k5.user at 12:21 PM on June 11, 2012
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posted by HuronBob at 3:54 PM on June 10, 2012 [2 favorites]