Chainsaw Milling a Walnut Tree

A friend of mine had a large walnut tree fall down in his back yard. He wanted to know if I wanted to chainsaw mill it into lumber. The trunk of the walnut tree had rotted away, but it left 2 big branches, full of beautiful wood. We cut the branches into four 8 foot lengths, and milled 2 of them. We will mill the remaining 2 at a later date. We used a Stihl 880 chainsaw with a 36" Alaskan chainsaw mill, to cut the logs into 2 inch thick slabs.
I also wood turned a short section of the walnut, into a 21 inch diameter bowl.
Some of the tools used in this project
Cantilever Clamps: amzn.to/1TJmAFx
Milwaukee 18-volt Compact Drill: amzn.to/1sj855F
3M Peltor H10A Optime 105 Earmuff: amzn.to/1sj80iw
wood turning tools: carterandsontoolworks.com/
Stihl 880: www.stihlusa.com/products/chai...
Alaskan MK-III Mill: www.granberg.com/product/alask...
Frank Howarth - Father, husband, and interested in architecture at a small scale expressed through woodworking and film making.
To see upcoming projects follow me on social media
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/ frank.howarth
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/ frankhowarth
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/ frankmakes
G+
plus.google.com/+frankhowarth

[@stephanbackman5802]

I love the fact that you never seem to be in a hurry!

[@camerondrew9402]

You've got me hooked for the next two years just to see that blank turned!

[@BradleyMakesThings]

Glad you got a new saw! I notice that pile of wood next to the shop growing and I wholeheartedly support that endeavor! Haha. Good stuff Frank. Thanks for sharing.

[@turnerscorner9516]

Hi Frank. Thanks for showing us the process of how to process a tree trunk. Can't wait to see what goodies you make from your haul. Derek

[@mrd9534]

Frank, I really admire the effort you take with producing and editing your videos. Your combined talent with wood work and video production is incredible 👍

[@MonacoMike]

I'll second that ! ! !

[@PhilepZ]

totally agree!

[@abagoftoes4108]

Frank hires a platoon of midgets to do all his videography

[@WildmanTech]

Thanks for reminding me about some walnut I put up on the roof a couple years ago to dry. Should be ready to mill now.

[@francisbarnett]

That new saw rocks, great presentation and loved the slow-mo.

[@43bikeguy]

Tis a beautiful thing that you do with wood, could watch that lathe all day.

[@leksey7870]

Good wood in walnut. A decent supply of lumber. A huge bowl turned out. Like!

[@limeroundup]

please never stop making these vids! Quality material here

[@allanmclean6659]

Thanks for the video - I learned a lot of different things; chainsaw milling, drying and handling, and what you can do with the various parts of the tree. Great use of time-lapse, and excellent video and audio. I gotta come back for more. So glad people take the time, energy, and imagination to make such helpful videos. In general, WOW!

[@TheDavidmcgee2]

Thanks for uploading this video man. I don't do anything you're demonstrating here but I'm having a really emotional day and this is very relaxing and therapeutic to watch.

[@AgentZ3R0.]

you're living my dream frank. I would love to have a shop like yours. one day... for now i live vicariously through your videos. Sincerely thank you for taking the time to share.

[@alansimpson596]

A good investment buying the new chain saw. In the past I've struggled with old, tired machines and they just drive me crazy.

[@TokenRing1024]

"I fixed my saw" - hilarious, especially if you watched your earlier video with that saw. "We pulled on the saw some more"

[@mcremona]

Good to see you back at it!

[@frankmakes]

Thanks Matt, yes.

[@MakeCrazydays]

Matt, I think prior to you being on Wood Talk they were discussing using limb wood due to the tension wood which will warp over the length of the board. Is that going to be an issue for Frank here with these 2" slabs?

[@mcremona]

+Make Crazydays it depends on how the tree grew and how the limbs grew out of the tree. If the limbs on the ground are as they were on the tree, they didn't have much lean to them so they should be mostly alright. The further they get from growing vertically, the more internal steer they have. I've had good luck milling limbs by keeping my cuts as if they were cut with a vertical plane while attached to the tree. This keeps the tension wood on one side and the compression wood on the other so the forces are in balance. If you roll the limb 90 degrees you'll end up with boards that always want to bow. Cutting the material thicker also helps.

[@Laidahen]

A video of the above explanation would be interesting, and helpful, to this novice.

[@mcremona]

I can certainly do that

[@JohnSmith-ud9ex]

Always a pleasure to watch Frank, thank you : )

[@johnbouttell5827]

Thanks for showing us all the work involved.

[@BryanSchultzitis]

That blank seems like it's going to be beautiful! I can't wait to see the finished product next year (or the year after)

[@gunterschone8402]

Beautiful video, Frank. Because you've got a lot to get material. Here you can get hard Walnut, from private people. Usually only a merchant, walnut to get.

[@claterpult]

Cool! looks like a lot of work. You're a really great chainsaw mechanic, you fixed that old chainsaw up really well!!

[@williamtabor2640]

Can't wait to see what you do with these slabs when they dry in a few years!

[@Smalltime]

looks amazing that walnut! that bowl is going to be beautiful

[@matthewharper170]

can't wait to see that bowl finished

[@dwaynewladyka577]

That was a pretty impressive find. Nice looking bowl too.

[@harrynewell912]

Commenters mentioned some of the really interesting guys doing videos, Frank, Matt and Matthias. Always something interesting and well presented from them!

[@ashthewoodist2692]

Got some great wood. I love the idea of milling my own lumber. Another great video!

[@tomek]

I love the patience of being able to wait a year or two (:

[@GirlieReview]

I am always so excited to see a new video from you. It's just fascinating to see your process. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@nicholassmerk]

I love the bowl. Great work! I really enjoy collecting my own wood.

[@groovyhippie1165]

Very nice pieces, can't wait to see what you do with them.

[@cozydram1]

Thanks for sharing your videos.... I get a lot of info and enjoyment from them..... Also your animation ones too. Cheers and continue sharing they bring us all a lot of pleasure Thank you sooo much

[@willford8475]

Thanks Frank, your videos are always interesting.

[@greenbarngermanshepards4308]

I can't wait to see a video in a year or two for the conclusion of this bowl you roughed

[@greatitbroke]

that is some beautiful lumber you have there. Nice milling.

[@Ryzomadman]

I really enjoy franks videos highly talented man makes me wish I took wood work at high school.

[@pmckinlay653]

The envy is real, Frank. Beautiful timber... And so benign compared to Australian timbers of the same colour.

[@normanboyes4983]

Brilliant - just keep doing what you're doing 'cos we love viewing.👍😀

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Looks like you got a few beautiful pieces of wood

[@MikeWaldt]

Very enjoyable video Frank, your methods are both impressive and enjoyable. Cheers Mike

[@matthewphelps5136]

Hard work, but you got some very nice pieces Frank. Nice job.

[@SterlingsWoodcrafts]

Wow, what a bowl at the end,Nice slabs Frank

[@peterstewart9376]

Wow thats really awesome! Nice saw!

[@crazethedave]

I don't have the patience to wait that long,but the results don't lie.

[@1Height55]

6:15 Some crazy multitasking going on? watching the footage of yourself sawing the trunks while turning wood at the same time? love it ;)

[@Bikeeast]

Wow, monster new saw! Great video, thanks.

[@kingcowie]

frank i love watching your videos...

[@tonygunner10]

Your videos are oddly soothing

[@shartne]

I love walnut it is very beautiful and hard. I like to use toung oil on it. Thanks for sharing your interesting video.

[@philarmishaw3730]

Great opening, Frank! My wife wondered why I was laughing out loud. I can just imagine what AvE would say if he watched this video. Excellent work!

[@Don.Challenger]

Frank, you're a wonder - that old saw works like new.

[@jakoball]

Thank you Frank for yet another great video! Just a thought: on 5:50 when you cut the elbow, the way you cut it, makes for the least efficient way to cut wood (but I know this way it stands nice and is not moving much). But much more efficient way to cut along the grain is if you lay the trunk flat on the ground. This way the teeth cut along wood fibers rather than across them. Hm... I can't explain it better but I have a feeling it's not clear enough :) Well, I hope you know what I'm talking about :)

[@showerhead2]

thanks so much for your videos. quite apart from the content, love your style. can't wait to see the bowl when you finish it.

[@alystair]

First time watching one of your videos, the production is really top notch and you don't waste the viewers time on any extraneous details... got another sub! :)

[@fredhem]

I loved the detail of you watching yourself with that big new manly chainsaw, hehehe

[@jamfalconhawklight5058]

cant wait 2 years for that bowl duuud !!! keep it up ^^

[@phatpat6667]

the best thing about modern saws is the parts availability.

[@1timby]

That bowl will e someone a nice heirloom. I worked with a carpenter one summer as a laborer. He told me about a home he built using walnut. The house was built on an old farmstead. So there were a lot of old growth walnut. He had it milled & then built the house. He said he wouldn't do that again as the wood was hard to cut & to drive nails....LOL Still it's beautiful wood. Thanks

[@jonanderson5137]

I can't even imagine. I'm on a walnut quest right now to get a table built.

[@MrMnchstr]

I believe Frank could make a video of him peeling potato's and it would be interesting.

[@UtkuDemir]

Peeling potatos by turning them...

[@smitm108]

... or peeling them on the CNC (& then turning 'em)

[@ShogunJimi]

there is a video from - Make it extreme - wher they peel a watermelon. Enjoy !

[@dwoodog]

I can see the beginning now.....sooooo I've got these potatoes.....

[@jalspaugh3]

I'm really interested in this beginning process and would love to see more videos like this! I would also love to hear more about the characteristics of different types of woods, how they look, and how they're best used!

[@MohammadAli-kq6sd]

How time lapse video makes everything look simple and easy. I use a lot of it on my channel too lol. Makes the mundane look amazing too.

[@opennrgdotcom]

Brilliant start to video. Would be a great ad for Stihl.

[@frankmakes]

Thanks, I was wondering if I was going a little over board.

[@tsuchang1]

I really like your videos Frank. That looks like soggy Oregon.

[@gr8dvd]

The bowl has really rich FEATURES, not defects :) Seriously, that "elbow" log would have yielded some very interesting table tops. I'm kinda partial to live edge tops that stray from the basic rectangle.

[@jessjulian9458]

Love your videos . can't wait for the next one.

[@VinceDonkovWorks]

Love the projects, narrating and editing stile you have. It is just so pleasant to watch AND listen. Keep it up!

[@TheIckster3]

Hey Frank, have you ever thought about making a series of safety videos or tips or tricks you use to keep safe while working?

[@AltarenGalil]

Excited to see that bowl when its done. Even if ill have to wait a year or so xD

[@MattDiresta]

very cool to watch the proccess!

[@bcarrancho]

Would love to see a behind the scenes episode. Basically camera work and post.

[@samaker4]

I Like your saw fix solution Frank :)

[@williamdawson3353]

Sure looked like some nice wood. The bowl figure was beautiful hope it dries well but then you'll figure it out somehow probably a CNC fix. Wish I had those rotted pieces to stabilize.

[@CanadianWoodworks]

Great salvage!

[@artfx9]

Great video!

[@Jason-bt5cs]

Hi Frank, I really love all the projects you have shown all of us who love to watch your Chanel especially your shop! Just a quick comment at 4:20 you mention using spacers while storing your walnut planks. FYI I have also heard these spacers called "stickers" in the lumber business. Keep up all the good work, great channel! !

[@OOOHBILLY]

Really looking forward to seeing you turn this bowl next year

[@jeffforbes3772]

Pretty cool, Frank.

[@hunt4fish]

Oh yeah, a sharp chain and good saw surely works better.........good job....cheers

[@the1andonlytrav]

I had no idea you live in Portland too! Man I would love to see your shop. I'm not a woodworker or anything, but I love watching your videos for hours on end!

[@perpetualjon]

Super cool projects here!!

[@minyongkim1355]

Excellent!! as always.

[@PatRobledo]

Aahhh so relaxing, very enjoyable...

[@cobra03pcphunter89]

Very nice video, I think walnut wood is the most beautiful wood ever. I will love to learn how to make rifle stock from walnut wood is my dream.

[@rabbit_holed]

I love it when I fix my tools by buying new tools!

[@veronica5896]

If someone a couple of years ago would tell me that I one day will be watching someone mill wood, I would claim they where insane.. But that 's before I found Frank =)

[@frankmakes]

isn't life grand

[@veronica5896]

Indeed it is =) Thank you for he time, effort and knowledge you put in to your videos! I don't just watch, I quite enjoy it also =)

[@toddgillespie8165]

Ren & Stimpy predicted it years ago.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

hello Frank Nice walnut , are you interested in turning the old yellow saw into new cash , lol ha I fix up old macs and hang em on my wall, enjoy your videos thanks ,billy ray

[@DuncanMaguire]

this is a beautifully made film :)

[@reneehochanadel3239]

A man who loves his Wood!

[@Ksweetpea]

"So I fixed my saw" got a good chuckle out of me

[@GibClark]

thanks for doing what you do

[@fredhem]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MrPoppadog1955]

Nice Frank, love to be in an area where hardwood is more available. We are in the pine capital the Deep South!

[@uknowulikethat4042]

that's a long wait to see the bowl get finished, but I'll stick around.

[@ITSAWOODTHING]

Awesome video, nice looking wood.

[@whiteflour1]

I am legitimately jealous of the beauty of Walnut timber in America. I love Australian hardwoods and all their character but I've always had a soft spot for American Walnut. It's such a shame it's as dear as poison over here. Nice video though!

[@jonanderson5137]

I can only imagine, I bought 24 board feet at 15 inch width for $400, but if I go to a store they charge $10 per foot at 4" width.

[@Wordsnwood]

@2:40 "So this is sped up up, just a little bit" Hah! Just a little bit sped up, Frank? :-) Lots of beautiful chocolate wood there. Very nice!

[@matt4270]

Nice work Frank! Maybe upgrade the circular saw to a framing saw. More power and torque, blade is on the left so you don't have to hunch over it and get a face full of sawdust, and it's more suitable for heavy work. I love my Makita Hypoid gear saw ( heavy, but great balance). I hear good things about Skil Mag77s, and De Walt also makes one.

[@CenturionNL]

Damn that would make a nice dining table

[@timberray9572]

Good choice on the saw. I cant tell if you were using a ripping chain, if not definitely get one, its well worth it if you plan on doing a lot of milling.

[@robertevans6481]

That reminds me of a guy on utube that mills his own trees ...a skinny guy with a cute little kid...I think his name is Matt or something like that......lol...just kidding always like milling videos.. thanks for sharing Frank

[@mcremona]

Lol

[@manowartank8784]

look up Matthias Wandel with his bandsaw milling jig :)