Are Small Logs Worth Sawing into Lumber?

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[@donavanshomes]

Thanks Again I am know the family will be grateful to make use of wood that came their family homestead we will let you know what we are able to make from this wood. Thank you 😊

[@nathaneverett533]

What species was this tree? The finish wood is beautiful!

[@rjrotermund]

What did you end up using the boards for?

[@donavanshomes]

@@rjrotermund I will be check moisturize levels in nexts couple weeks ti be sure it dry not sure if family has decided what to do with the wood yet

[@m8s4lif]

Small logs vs crooked logs. Then there are small crooked logs. Someone with a small sawmill who just wants small pieces to work with may very well find value in small logs, even firewood pieces. Matt, you are a blast to watch. I'm 3 years late on this video, but it was still worth my time. You really cause a person to think in a good positive way. Thank you.

[@woodfly8167]

As a wood turner, I would give my eye teeth for bowl blanks especially the crotch sections. Don’t underestimate the value of those ‘little’ logs. You could make a pile of dough by providing blanks.

[@dawsie]

😹😹I was thinking the same thing trunks great for boards but branches on the other hand are fantastic for wood turning. I loved what I did see of the grain as for the parts that kept tossing with live edge much of that can be used for making bobbins or pen blanks for me the bobbins would be plus for all of my embroidery threads I still have around 500 skeins to be placed onto plastic cards😜😜🙈 but alas I have to wait until have more shop room for a wood turning machine that I have my eye one😹😹😹😹 one day 😹😹😹

[@williammaxwell1919]

Small "logs" can still produce timber that, while being "goofy," still is usable for amazing projects /furniture

[@hdwoodshop]

Matt’s looking for a piece of scrap wood for an auxiliary fence. Grabs 8/4 cherry. Yeah this will do. Me. I wish I had a nice board for a project. Hey I could use what Matt throws away. 🥺

[@spaltedwoodsman4368]

Matt, I applaud your generosity and kindness toward the family that asked you to preserve the wood from their tree. The tree, although small, must have given them much pleasure over the years, and I can appreciate the sentiment attached to such a treasured backyard companion. The wood will no doubt be transformed into something just as beautiful and treasured as the tree itself, and be in the family for generations. Well done Matt. Well done.

[@mcremona]

Thank you!

[@gregmislick1117]

well, considering that at the moment I have to do my milling on a 10" table saw, Man, those are BIG LOGS!

[@mcremona]

It’s all relative 😄

[@1216raptor]

Same!

[@jeffweese4551]

Late to the party, my apologies but been binge watching your videos - these are my favorites to cut. Not only because I don't have a mill as large as yours, but they're just so easy to handle and such character.

[@howesfull8]

I'm glad you used the term 'sentimental wood.' That's exactly what makes it worth the effort. Small cutting boards or jewelry boxes for my kids that they climbed when they were little....that they'll take to their own homes when they grow up.

[@taylorsessions4143]

Your comment reminds me of the giving tree by Shel Silverstein

[@curtislea7091]

I lost it at, "let's bump up the sketch factor"! LOL You need some merch with this on it!

[@catroger1722]

wooden folk artists and model hobbyists would love small pieces like that ,as a timber mill boss told me once there's no such thing as an offcut ! ha great vid many thanks

[@CraigConnors]

With the use of resin these days, no wood scraps can go for waste. Glad you were able to save most of the tree for usable wood, which looks great for use in bench, table, or bar tops.

[@kenjett2434]

Hi Matt as a old Sawyer as a commercial prospect your right small stuff is just firewood. But as you partially pointed out it's what it's worth to the individual. I on occasion although didn't enjoy doing it. (In some ways). I did custom sawing on my free time for people but I didn't charge by board foot as you demonstrate not many board feet for time it takes. I charged by hour for custom sawing that covered my time for labor and the mill. Just as I would charge for dozer work. But the customer had to choose if it was worth it to them for what they got and I never got any complaints. But often the customers were tickled to get something out of their what we considered junk. For me that was a easy way to make extra money on the side and a satisfaction of making someone happy.

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

For an operation like yours where you only deal with large logs, it is humorous to see them on such a big mill. However, as a hobbyist, I would definitely resaw them on my band saw.

[@8300IN916]

I was waiting for the splish splash! At least a dunk in the bucket. All kidding aside I learn something new every time I watch one of your videos. Thanks for putting out good content Matt!

[@deaddadd]

I've turned logs much like that one into butcher block counter tops for my kitchen. Red and white oaks that a tornado blew over into my back yard. Talk smack about them all you want, they've turned out beautiful.

[@b0rd3n]

Thanks for showing this. Even if somewhat counterproductive, im sure your friend was happy

[@zed91]

Mathew, you have a combination of qualities that are rare on KZbin: you are a skilled craftsman, competent video producer and an affable narrator. Good work, as usual. Taking the time to save wood from a small tree that has sentimental value to someone is a good deed.

[@meleader]

I'm not a turner, but my turner friends would be ecstatic to get this stuff!

[@josephdestaubin7426]

This video is the perfect allegory for experience over material gain. What's worth more, the scrap wood you will get out of that thing OR the memory of sitting around a campfire you and your family are warmed with by way of the burning of that log? Just saying it's a perfect allegory, or soliloquy, or whatever the hell it is. Cheers!

[@meejiang]

Great content! It demolished my dream of getting loads of beautiful board from my black cherry tree and helped me deciding to buy a bandsaw lol

[@EdTheMole]

I used to cut little 3 inch limb sections on my table saw and as far as them twisting or cupping I never really noticed it since I was living in Texas at the time West Texas can pull the moisture out of a rock. Anyway I used them for picture frames mesquite native pecan live oak and I got my hands on a small limb of black cherry they were all nice wood but that cherry was my favorite. Safely I am no longer able to do any but the lightest of woodworking. I well I won't go into it here so instead I will just leave you with a thought. Never believe that you are invincible, never believe that something can't change your life forever and never take those you !ove and the people around you everyday for granted. You can be on top of the world one day and on the bottom looking up the next. Oh man I've gone on to long I hope you have a wonderful life.

[@jaydallas9895]

I took down a few tall Hickories on my property and considered getting them sawn into boards. The straight sections were about 30 feet and about 20 inches at the base, 14 at the tip. When I considered how much of that wood would be pith, I decided against calling the sawyer. Put it on CL though and it was gone in a day. One mans trash, is another's treasure

[@felixgarcia4001]

Great video! Def learned some from this one...but after u did the satirical measuring with the massive 8in diameter I expected more satire with a bucket of water being splashed on the boards lol

[@J4Julz]

Thanks for showing this aspect of sawing lumber, especially from small diameter limb wood. I didn't realize there could be so much inherent stress retained in the wood simply from what area of the tree it was growing from. I do believe that there is a lot that can be done with heirloom wood that could mean a lot to the family, such as jewelry boxes, valet boxes and as you mentioned, cutting boards. Thanks again for sharing your work, and I bet the family that grew this tree appreciated your help.

[@lindaklock9656]

Oh my gosh! This question was right up my alley! Thank you soooooo much for taking the time for this video. I am, obviously, in the learning phase of wood working and I appreciate all the little pieces of wood! They can be something too! : )

[@mcremona]

awesome! glad it was helpful!

[@evankooiman1988]

You’re a good man for cutting up that small stuff. Even if you’re getting a good rate for the work, a lot of guys might pass up on the work.

[@damiensampson7323]

Wow,. Matthew, I have never heard so much growling out of you since I started watching you. I was very amused, thank you. I love all of your videos. Keep up the great work Matthew.

[@mcremona]

hahaha thanks!

[@tatdexter2334]

You know your logs are too small if you can throw them...or if they fall through the frame of your saw. Fun video to watch

[@notjoeking9035]

I had the Amish saw a trailer load of free Black Walnut the utility company cut from limbs. A lot of small, short stuff like you were sawing here. Although I didn't see the process, they told me they used an auxiliary bed (plywwod) and toenailed each log to the bed. Cost me $250, but I did get alot of slabs for epoxy pours and stuff. No dimensional lumber though. I enjoyed the video.

[@deezipp3011]

Glad to see you finally used the jointer, because that's how I've done small logs and it worked out alright. Still have those 3" pieces of maple.

[@danielroden9424]

10/10 for sharing your rusty apprentice mark story

[@jocofi5852]

You should have used a solo cup to toss water on the small logs.

[@shanogsteele4685]

whats water do?

[@jocofi5852]

Shane Steele he normally throws a bucket of water on the large slabs. You should watch some of his other slabing videos. It allows you to see the wood grain better.

[@shanogsteele4685]

@@jocofi5852 yeah sweet as mate ,cheers

[@deeez00]

That would have been hilarious!

[@williamsmith9026]

"Tools are made to be used"! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Thats why my tools are baaaaanged up and not so clean. Including the Festool collection.

[@davebohnert542]

just a personal experience. a sawyer i have worked with many years back said he coud saw anything even if all he got was a line of saw dust and two slabs. great videos Dave

[@morgansword]

looking at this wood brought some interesting memories back. I had two complete mills set up for trees no bigger than eighteen inches in diameter.. lots of quarter in thick in it and the colors are wow

[@mrstan3997]

Hi Matthew, thanks for sharing the video and your creativeness in sawing small logs. Take care

[@bobwebber8521]

Best video on descriptions of what to do with small funky shaped bits of trees. Thanks so much learned heaps.

[@cynthiastandley5742]

Perhaps the goodwill you generated makes it all worth it. I had an uncle in Eureka, CA. with a mill that gave me a few "leftovers" I was grateful for. Still making things from them.

[@shaunnmunn5823]

Great way to collect different woods for parquetry. GOOD FOR YOU!👍

[@fletchro789]

Lol, so sarcastic! "A massive 6 inches!"

[@rorschacht8478]

Man, wish I had 6 inches. Oh wait you were tqlking about something else. Never mind.

[@eddiestipe2009]

Thank you for sharing. Your video was very informative and what can be cut on the big saw and what needs to be cut in the shop.

[@FatherOfTheParty]

Thank you for making this video, I learned some things that will be helpful in getting useful lumber from some small, more rare pieces that I run across from time to time.

[@smicksmookety]

It is all good in the hood, well put.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks Matt for sharing this video. Fred 👍👍

[@andrewv5104]

I've cut small stuff like this on my bandsaw a few times and it works out quite well for me. The small material is nice for cutting boards or aggravation boards.

[@peterellis4262]

It so much depends upon your needs ;) I'm throwing together a dozen or so timber frame sawhorses for laying out and cutting the frame for our house. This means I need lots of 3x3 to 4x4 stock no more than 30 inches long. I could waste good sized saw logs with potential for other lumber, or I can go after small logs that can give me what I need but would generally be worthless ;) Right now, I have a good reason to do some rough milling of small logs.

[@shanogsteele4685]

im no sawyer but ive dropped big trees and had them milled.....a big silky oay i had in the yard took a lightning hit and so i dropped her and i dont have a mill or much money,i dove in with an 18 inch ryobi ,burned her at full rpm for probably 9 to ten tanks to learn ....then i took it back said it was crap and got the 20 inch 50cc......man i would cut all that freehand with a chalk line and tape....small stuff good for garden and craft.you can cut straight lumber with the chainsaw ,crotches work good for shelf pionts...and it looks cool pulling boards the entire limb length...love your tutorials dude .

[@Kkuts37]

Nice of you to do this Matt. I'm sure the family is grateful! :)

[@MrSpeakerCone]

I make a lot of small stuff and I get a kick out of having picture frames and the like made from "firewood". Plus sometimes the figuring is unexpectedly quite lovely! The insights I'm getting from your channel are super useful, thanks!

[@mgmcd1]

You look like Paul Bunyan tossing those logs around. 🤓 I could certainly make plenty with all of that.

[@bpoweski]

You should see my collection of English boxwood logs. Small is an understatement!

[@grantsaunders]

Great info for us beginners, thanks!

[@roterwash]

Very helpful video. I cut down a black walnut tree from my yard here in St Louis Park last March and had it milled. It’s been in my garage since then. I gave away many of the limbs for firewood but I could not bear to throw the rest away. Wasn’t sure if they would be useful or not. Now I know. There are walnut cutting boards in my future. Thanks.

[@TxStang]

Very informative , I think this made my mind up to build a small sawmill .

[@omerkeinan4784]

Super informative! Thanks

[@ErikArneson]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@markconger8049]

Visitor: “Man! That’s a big saw. What are you cutting with it?” Matthew: “Toothpicks.”

[@027503]

If the tree is sentimental, a tooth pic patters

[@febbral]

Check out the video of him helping April Wilkerson building her saw mill, his is a mini mill.

[@MRSketch09]

lol. .

[@alanm3438]

Thanks for your willingness to teach how to mill small pieces of wood. I have done this and you sure do not get much. My favorite thing is Christmas trees. The wonderful smell is well worth it.

[@deeez00]

Very useful video!

[@A1BASE]

Dude, for a non commercial project there's a load of lumber there. If your rates reflect your time it can totally be worth it, and for the owner it certainly is! Really enjoyed this video.

[@DustinMoffitt]

Great video!

[@mattpeterson7074]

Some really great info, Matt. Always wondered why more people didn't use limb wood. Good stuff.

[@jimjennifershields3065]

That was great info. I am gearing up to resaw 8 to 20 inch limbs and your video did a great job of explaining what to expect. Thank you

[@mcremona]

Awesome!

[@WoodUCreate]

Loved the video, thanks so much Matt. Great camera work too. I liked the aerial shots you mixed in as well.

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@billythekidpi]

Just imagine Matt making this massive saw and only cutting logs like this😅

[@mcremona]

hahahaha

[@skipbandsaw3840]

Bub ,we understand you make your living from KZbin. Don't show your old stuff. That someone actually paid you to do.

[@BrothersMake]

Really helpful video thanks Matt!

[@mcremona]

Good to hear!

[@mariomartinez4244]

Great video.

[@Zogg1281]

7:45 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 that is awesome, I've got tears in my eyes from laughing so much!!!! 👍

[@TheFallorn]

Loved it!

[@billqqq]

Kudos for the perseverance it took to generate that huge stack, Matt. I liked the comment regarding leaving wet wood shavings in the shop, and yes, we've all found that out the hard way! The comment about cutting cookies on the band saw was spot on, I found out about that the hard way many years ago. One of the scariest experiences I've had in the shop, by far.

[@mcremona]

I’m not stranger to learning the hard way haha thanks Bill!

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Really good one Matt. Lots of useful information. 🙏

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@dday9135]

Great entertainment Matthew, I personally enjoy making sawdust out of perfectly good wood!This video was a riot!!! Thanks!

[@twotone3070]

So many tips in there, great video. I loved the lav mic clipped to your nose. :)

[@gregmislick1117]

It's not the kind of work you would pay someone for, but if you have fun milling, and nothing pressing to do, it works. I don't yet have a bandsaw of any sort, so starting with interesting looking logs from the firewood pile, I can make some pretty stock on the tablesaw - with the use of appropriate sleds and holdowns - tablesaws and rocking wood do NOT mix well. It all ends up as suitable stock for boxes or inlays or other small stuff. Great Vid Matt - Thanks

[@johnfisher4910]

Thanks, Matthew! Another fantastic and informative video. Really digging your channel.

[@mcremona]

Thanks John!

[@marionrobertson3895]

Good in the hood Matthew you are a mess man but I love it all. That was fun. Thanks for sharing God bless you all the Family.

[@pdschu6599]

I missed if you said the species you cut up in this video. Glad to see your technique for cutting a log on the band saw. Thanks.

[@taylorsessions4143]

Cherry

[@h.r.4323]

What an outstanding video...thank you so much! We have a 30' black walnut that was just hit by lightning and I'm trying to figure out if it will yield enough material to make an 18"W x 48" coffee table. This video was extremely helpful

[@sethraabe7199]

You’re killin it man. Love the videos!

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@danthemakerman]

This video is very timely for me.

[@dylanskaro8112]

Great work as usual, from a local subscriber from Blaine. Keep it up! Can't wait for those chairs to go up for sale.

[@johanjanssens4530]

In many places in Europe, such short pieces (oak and beech) are cut into small thin planks to make hardwood "parquet" floors that are very expensive.

[@TimRoyalPastortim]

These logs would work fairly well for turning!

[@Kelsdoggy]

That was a really good pile of wood you made! Better than letting it rot

[@Vintauri]

Sweet! I'm bringing up a sentimental pine tree for you next! :P Great tips on the smaller bandsaw resawing though! I've got a Mulberry tree we're likely taking down and I might save some of the "bigger" pieces to cut up on my saw.

[@stevecollins9450]

Good info there, Matt.

[@mcremona]

Thanks, Steve!

[@joeleonetti8976]

My dad had a Monterey Pine (or Jeffries Pine) that was the largest in the county (5 feet diameter and 120 feet tall) in the suburbs that fell over. Sadly, I was in a bad job and just in the beginning of my woodworking journey. I didn't have the bandwidth or knowledge of how to find local sawyers. Sadly, it all got hauled off. A few years later and I would have been able to help find the connections to get it sawed into,some lumber. I would have made a few fancy bird houses as a way to remember and celebrate all the vast number of birds that tree supported. Also, would have it cut into true 1x6 material. When he rebuilt the garage it crushed, it would have been nice to have some, if not all the lumber from the new garage to have come from that tree.

[@mcremona]

That would have been a lovely story

[@mauriceryton]

I enjoyed this video a lot. It was very entertaining.

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@spiridondimaris465]

Yes Matthew tools made to be used very well don

[@tropifiori]

Probably the best use for such logs are bowl blanks. I used a yard walnut to make cabriole legs for a pretty little desk. I left it 16/4 which I really can’t buy readily. I still have some of it in the lumber rack. I have had boards roll on the bandsaw- very frightening Frank

[@CaptainKleeman]

well said. If you're having fun then its worth it. Just brought some Holly back from my parents house. wouldn't think of milling it if it wasn't holly and wasn't from my parents. thanks for sharing the video and enjoying the channel and looking forward to the next happy hour!

[@mcremona]

Holly is hard to come by. Solid find. Thanks!

[@tsuchang1]

I could use small stuff like that in my small hobby shop.

[@johnadams4778]

Wood turners would love some of those pieces.

[@robertstigter9195]

Great lesson how to save these valuable "useless" piece of wood. For the boards you created we are paying a fortune in our DIY markets. This means: it worth doing some extra work. Thanks and have a nicke Weekend . Stay safe you all. Rgds from Germany.

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@williamsmith9026]

Are they worth it? If they mean something to someone, you are being compensated somehow for your effort and machine use then yes they are worth it. IMO

[@superymariowest2403]

Also, if you can get it at a significantly lower price. The main logs can be thousands of dollars where I live while branches are sold as cheap firewood. Considering I don't have a monster sized mill, the firewood branches are just fine for smaller project or mozaic type countertops.

[@PapiSmerf]

This is stuff I'd run on my bandsaw in the woodshop after setting up some feed tables and jigging up a sled. I've done it before, and I'm pretty sure it's easier than what you had to go through here and it works great. Cutting woods like Mesquite, Crepe Myrtle or Palm? It's all gonna be this size. You just start the harvest knowing that you're going after detail pieces that you can't otherwise get, and that makes it all worth your while and changes your whole perspective on what you're getting, and also how you cut it.

[@ctraugh2005]

As a scroll saw artist, this is a lot of wood for what I do so it would be worth it for me. Very cool.

[@786otto]

Fun video.

[@plakor6133]

Good stock for spoons and kuksas.