How I Saw for Straight Grain

[@ToddBeal]

Our Woodland Mills HM130 Max Woodlander arrived on Monday - will start assembling it this Saturday. I agree with the other positive comments on your thoroughness. Of all the instructional videos I have watched, this video rises to the top as "Sawmill Operation 101 - Pith Leveling". Thank you for this foundational instruction-set.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Congratulations on the sawmill, and thank you. We always hope folks can learn from these videos. We like to share what we have learned, in hopes to help others with their milling work.

[@gonicjon]

Good video.... haven't seen anyone point this out......it takes the extra time to get it all squared off AND centered..... but now it's good to go and get nicer wood.., especially if you want a good beam from the center

[@IronOakSawmill]

Hello Jon and welcome to the mill. This is one of a couple methods that we use. It's very reliable, and produces a great beam or post. Especially if you are going 8x8 and larger. We like to take the time to do it right, and make a quality product.

[@sdhelomz]

Outstanding video! I wish I was young enough to quarter-saw and smart enough. Thanks.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you Michael. We are planning a quartersawing video in the future. Keep watching. It will be here.

[@PaulWhitedWoodStoneIron]

A set of saw horses on the operators side is very valuable to me to set the flitches on that need edged and the firewood scraps goes on the other side. Helps keep stuff separated for us. Just a thought. But thanks for the videos.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Hello Paul, and thank you for the tip. We are always looking for new ideas. We might have to try that. We have changed the location of the mill. Let's see how it works in that area.

[@PaulWhitedWoodStoneIron]

@@IronOakSawmill of course. I have a set of fold up sawhorses that go with us and are easy to move around to suit where we can use them. Saves from bending over that’s always a good thing.

[@richarddriggers9791]

A bit behind in learning how to level the pith. An excellent video on how to do it Sir! Thank you!

[@IronOakSawmill]

Hello Richard, and welcome to the mill. We're glad the video was able to help. Its one of our goals here. You are quite welcome.

[@theodorebowers9737]

Your wife is like my wife one hell of a worker , we're both very lucky men aren't we ! you're getting really damn good the 2 of you . thanks for the videos really cool I enjoy them

[@IronOakSawmill]

Hello Theodore. Sorry we missed your comment. Deb is amazing, isn't she. We are working hard, and trying to make our business grow.

[@MONNIEHOLT]

It’s like I have a uncle in the sawmill business, I’ve learned a bunch from you, the part about lowering the toe boards before flipping or there is a chance of blowing the seals, or busting a line was valuable piece of information

[@IronOakSawmill]

Glad I could help out, and thanks for checking us out. I'll be sure to share more knowledge.

[@alskinner2007]

I do appreciate your explanation I find saw milling interesting, thanks.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you Al.

[@Logjam5]

As you mentioned, not much out there on the internet regarding leveling a log longitudinally. Good video, well explained.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you. For me, it makes the best lumber, and I was hoping to help some folks out.

[@jeffblumenberg3213]

An Idea I use is a 12' hydraulic jack (if you don't have the luxury of toe lifts) to raise the log to make my cuts.

[@kerryc4440]

Thank you for the explanation and info. Many videos just show cutting with no comments. Just starting out with milling and I appreciate your explanation.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you for the compliments. I remember the same situation for myself. Educational videos were few and far between. I figured I would help some folks, and post a bit of what I've learned. I'm glad you found it helpful. I hope to post other videos like this in the future.

[@pacificnorthwestshop5267]

Very informative! Exactly what I was wondering how to! Bullseye! Very nice job! Appreciated!

[@IronOakSawmill]

Sorry we missed you comment. So glad we could help you out, and happy you found the channel. If you have any questions, please let us know. We'd be glad to help out.

[@aporter701]

I just now saw this "pith" video. Good job of explaining And your videoing has improved much on your later videos .👍

[@IronOakSawmill]

This is a critical step when quarter sawing as well. Need to keep the grain, on the same plain, the full length of the log. When we get to some of the nicer red oaks, we want to do a video on how to quarter saw. That should be fun.

[@corywilliams1698]

I've seen one other guy do this too. He's got a Hudson Mill and built a post and beam pole barn. If you want good quality lumber, I think this technique is a must. Good info, thanks for the vid.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Hello Cory, and thank you. I like this method because it keeps the grain as straight as possible in the boards, then once you get towards the pith, you can center it in a beam, if the quality of the boards drops to badly. Thanks for stopping in Cory. Hope to see you back again.

[@daniels98]

Very real and raw video, just the way I like it. I bought a woodmizer and have yet to use it. It is very nice seeing the process in mostly real time to see what is actually done in sawmilling. Thanks.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you very much. We are enjoying our Wood Mizer, and hope you will as well. If there is anything else you want to see, let us know. Maybe we can help out. Thank you for watching.

[@stephenwalker7972]

Thanks alot for the video. You are very detailed on explaining what you are doing in the video and that helps alot.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank You Stephen, and welcome. I need to have a camera operator next time. Holding the tape measure and running the camera, makes for some goofy video shots. Keep watching. I plan on doing this again, with Ded running the camera.

[@rhondaevans8901]

Great job on video. I love how you explain the process. Will be subscribing I also love the way you reply to every comment. Your video so far is the best I've seen. Can't fault s person for loving beautiful wood. Keep up the great work

[@IronOakSawmill]

Wow Rhonda. I dont know how I missed you comment. I apologize. I'm glad you like it, and thank you for subscribing. If there is something else you would like to see, let us know. Again, sorry I missed your comment.

[@davidhamann1300]

clean, concise explanations, well done. so many how to do's toady are all talk, no action.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you David. I hope is was helpful.

[@TERRORoftheLORD]

Its funny that you say this because he keeps telling us what he's going to do, then the camera blips and it's done. I didn't see him level the log at all??

[@davidhamann1300]

@@TERRORoftheLORD he did a couple of times, but you are correct. I still got what he was talking about though.

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@TERRORoftheLORD I'm sorry you missed it. Perhaps if you watch the video again, you'll see me taking the measurements, and explaining everything. Let me know how you make out.

[@nodnostrebor4300]

Nice approach. Take a long look at the D&L SwingBlade with the radial option for cutting quartersawn lumber. These are expensive mills that can handle huge logs. You clearly have the technical skill to figure out how to make the most out of one, (20+ inch quartersawn boards.) There are lots of improvements to the portable sawmill market that make them capable of cutting quality lumber that cannot be obtained through normal lumber markets. That's the future of this marketplace. Most backyard mills are a waste of time and money because the operators haven't a clue as to the value of their time, or what real quality wood should look like. I'm glad to see you getting the most out of your sawmill investment. Keep up the good work, showing others what is possible.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you very much. I knew just throwing logs on, and milling them wasnt the way to go. Figure the beat way to yield the best product. We are looking into other options for mills. Thank you for the info.

[@Rusty_ok]

Lots of good close up shots of a tape measure and a little saw mill action. I know this was a lot of work to film and post Thanks for posting

[@IronOakSawmill]

Wish it could have been better. I need a camera operator while I talk and measure. Thanks for the compliments, and thanks for checking us out.

[@rnnrrnnr2510]

Great video! I don't have a sawmill YET, but I learned a lot from you!

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thanks for checking us out. We were once in your shoes, and that day finally did come that we bought a mill. That day will come for you as well. I'm glad I could help you to learn something. If you ever want to see something else, let us know, and we'll see what we can do.

[@off-gridhillbillystyle3735]

Subscribed! Great Tutorial! I have my mill cutting at 1in on the small side and 1 1/8 on the end. And my boards are starting to pop up while cutting. Any idea why?

[@IronOakSawmill]

The boards popping up on the end is stress in the log. Not uncommon at all. Not sure what you are sawing, but different woods act differently with stress. The uneven cut could be many things. Is it every board, or just some? Let me know.

[@off-gridhillbillystyle3735]

@@IronOakSawmill well I decided to re level my mill. Haven't tried a cut yet. But will be tomorrow. I'm cutting hickory for floor joices and sub flooring. Dose hickory usually bow? And the uneven ends are every cut. My cross level was ok. But the entire tracks were going downhill. Would that make it do that?

[@CosmicCloud72]

best sawyer i have found on YT

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you Connor. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

[@george8873]

Lol... thought your mill was smoking really bad but it was the fire smoldering behind you.

[@IronOakSawmill]

I saw that when I posted it. LOL Was thinking someone would see it :) Thank you for checking us out.

[@stureid5928]

Thanks for the video. Of all the vids I have watched, this is the first one that addressed the obvious first......Stu

[@IronOakSawmill]

I felt it was needed as alot of the sawyers I see on youtube, and those looking for info on how to saw, will just simply throw a log on, and start sawing.

[@shaneclark207]

I learned more from this one video then I have from the last 6 videos from others I have watched. Thank you. Do you have any videos on wavy cuts and correcting them?

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you very much. We always hope that our videos like this, will help other Sawyers out there. We don't have any videos on wavy cuts, but I can help with that. Let's figure this out. What are you cutting, and is it knotty, or clear?

[@shaneclark207]

@@IronOakSawmill Knotty spruce. I have slowed way down on my passes. I am running 7 degree blades. My next step is to check my blade alignment. It seems to cut well once I get to the cant. And I am wondering if I need to do a better job leveling the mill……..?

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@shaneclark207 knotty spruce is a beast. The knots are the same density as aluminum. Wide cuts are tough. Once you get it down, it will be better. Don't jump on mill alignment. We can check some other things. What mill, and what HP engine? Dri e belt tension is next. If your drive belt tension is low, the belt will slip, causing the blade to slow, and causing it to dive. The engine won't slow, because the belt is slipping. This is the cause of most issues with wavy cuts.

[@shaneclark207]

@@IronOakSawmill LT 40. 27 horse gas.I had the mill in for service a month ago and they adjusted the belt tension but I have not checked it myself.

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@shaneclark207 I would go there first. Next will be blade tension. Sharp blade, proper drive belt tension, and increased blade tension. If WM just aligned the mill, you are good. As long as the mill is reasonably level, you are good. Knotty spruce is the devil. Lots of Sawyers blame themselves, or their mill, when it's just the log.

[@jimauger6274]

I have a lt 40 just starting out , . What ratio do you mix and what do you use to keep the sap off blades? Thanks

[@IronOakSawmill]

Best thing g I've found is 1 pint of pine-sol and a good squirt of dawn dish soap, in 5 gallons of water. Pine-sol does the work, and the dawn keeps the pine-sol and water from seperating.

[@butchmcgregorb1203]

Why 180 sawing

[@leesherman9483]

Great video and I learned something from it for sure. I always think it’s a little comical when I see someone working with wood that used to be a machinist. I don’t worry as much you about thousands of an inch😝.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Old habits are hard to break. Once you get that intricate with your work, its tough to stop. Im getting a little better though, and folks love the product.

[@leesherman9483]

Iron & Oak Sawmill I sometimes wish I was a little more patient and particular!!

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@leesherman9483 it does slow me down a bit though. Sometimes, way too much. LOL

[@carykong]

On the large diameter logs, I do not turn 180 for the second cut. Just 90, adjust toe boards and cut. After second cut no toe boards plus the log passes thru the throat on the third cut with ease

[@IronOakSawmill]

I used to do it that way as well, but if your log stops are not square to the mill, you wont have a square cant. Turning 180 degrees insure the 2 opposite faces are parallel to each other, then for the 3rd cut you can square from one sawn face to the bunks. Was taught that way by a very experienced Sawyer.

[@timberwrightsvs480]

Thanks for the fantastic video, Iron & Oak! You're absolutely right. Many of the sawyers I've watched on YT assume that everyone is seasoned and, therefore, their videos skip right over the basics. I haven't used our LT40HD G28 in quite some time, so thanks for reminding me about centering the pith of the log prior to the first cut -- and rotating 180-degress for your next set of cuts (just as I was taught). I was wondering, however, if you rotate "horned" [aka, slightly U-shaped] saw logs a certain way before centering the pith? I was taught to place the horns at 2 o'clock from the sawyer's view, but I'd really like your thoughts on rotating for the first cut ... and, oh, yeah ... Do you prefer having the big end or the small end towards you when you initially load the log? By the way, what type of leveling jacks came on your nice mill? They definitely look different than the junk we have to fight with every time we move our mill to a new location. If you're ever inclined to produce more videos covering the basics, I'm certainly tuned in for them. One never knows if they've adopted bad habits over the years.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you very much. I may have to answer this one in stages. I make the first cut on curved logs, with the horns up. Depending on how bad it is, I may revisit the pith to get it centered, once the curves are removed. Not sure about the positioning at 2 oclock.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Big end towards me. I can telling I'm gonna get stuck

[@IronOakSawmill]

I replaced 4 of the 6 legs with what Wood Mizer calls FAO legs. Fine Adjustable Outriggers. Much easier to adjust than the stock legs.

[@IronOakSawmill]

I will definitely share some more educational videos.

[@MONNIEHOLT]

Thanks for the info, I will be more careful from now on, great video

[@IronOakSawmill]

Glad to help where I can, and thank you for viewing, and the compliment.

[@bogus_not_me]

FYI - Josaljo Won does center the pith frequently. He cuts mostly dimension lumber, mostly white pine. In my opinion that makes both of you pretty smart... I appreciate your explanation of what you are doing.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Just trying to spread some knowledge a those that are looking.

[@johnnelson8714]

You are aligning a relatively short log with respect to the diameter. How would you align it for a 12" diameter on one 35 ft long? Lodgepole pine has a tendancy to sag in the middle even when the ends are aligned.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Hello John, and welcome to the mill. Once the ends are aligned, the center would need to be jacked up, and cribbed in a way that would allow the ends to just set on their supports. It would be a bit of a balancing act, but it could be done. Once the alignment has been made on the 2 side necessary, the rest of the milling would be straight forward. If this is a common practice at a mill, a similar hydraulic support system could be fabricated to support the center, in the same manner as the ends. Thank you John. You got me thinking. Troubleshooting, and problem solving are always fun.

[@johnnelson8714]

Thank you for getting back to me. My mill is a very manual operation. I have to use a hydralic car jack to level the log. I'll try that in the morning.

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@johnnelson8714 we started on a manual mill. It was a challenge at times. We knew at our age if we wanted to keep milling stuff like this, we would need hydraulics, so we bought the LT35HD. Let us know how it works for you.

[@johnnelson8714]

@@IronOakSawmill I chuckled at your statement "at our age" I'm almost 70 and still cutting firewood to keep warm this winter. The milling this is something l recently started. Stay healthy & safe.

[@jamesstroud8018]

Thanks for the video. Very informative 👍

[@IronOakSawmill]

You are quite welcome. Glad you liked it. Just trying to share some k knowledge with others.

[@jamesstroud8018]

I liked the way that you took your time and explained everything. Don’t worry about the nay sayers or fun makers. Just keep on helping us newbies. By the way, I thought your engine might have had a broke ring at first when I saw all of the smoke. Glad it was wood smoke. 😊

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@jamesstroud8018 thank you for the encouragement. No problem with the nay sayers. I'm glad I can help the new guy. We were all there at one time. If there is anything you'd like to see, let me know. I'll see about putting up a video.

[@michaelblock4397]

Man that engine runs filthy, your right you are quiet precise. Watching you cut that exhaust is horrid you are burning oil somewhere. Sorry I know your showing cutting but I have a hard time getting past the oil. I didn’t see the fire burning 🥵, Lol. Man I love the hydraulics with rotation of the log. Holly shit this is the first watching your wood Mizer all the adjustments are sweet! That makes your work so much easer.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Lots of people miss the burn pile in the background, and believe the engine is smoking. Hydraulics area a God send. When we sold the LT15GO, we couldnt wait to use the hydraulics

[@befmx31]

How do you know how many clean up passes to make before you turn the log?

[@IronOakSawmill]

It's based on the size and taper of the log. No set number. Look at the log as you cut. See about getting the cant squared up. Once that's done, look at the pith, and see about keeping the pith in the center of the cant. That will help eliminate much of the streses in your log.

[@freespirit9981]

Humm trying to figure out location based from standing trees. Spruce not common in the south so VA and north. The area is a wet site in a valley. Northern hard wood mix. Not along a major stream body and not a north facing slope. Can not make out if those big trees are ash to the right or Yellow Poplar. If they are ash trees that would place them somewhere in the Chesapeake bay water shed cause most Ash in western PA, Ohio, WV, NY and other states are dead by 2018. 2015 -2018 is when central PA was getting ravaged by emerald ash bore. Yellow Poplar and or Ash are good indicators of wet site. See Red Maple with some oak, with probably black birch mixed in there somewhere. Southern half of Pa, to VA or Maryland. Seeing little to no cherry so would guess south of route 80 Pa. Yellow poplar that size usually are found South of route 80 in wet sites usually deep valleys. Usually the biggest ones can be found on the PA VA border I want to say PA but MD, VA, WV, and eastern Ohio are also fair game.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Good guess Friend. We are in southeastern PA. There are still some ash, but they are going fast. Yellow poplar are big around here. Lots of red oak, but not as many white. Cherry just don't get that big around here. If they do, they are hollow.

[@commonconservative7551]

does the pith deviate and be offset when you have a huge buttressed oblobby trunk?....or is the pith generally straight , and the outer part packs on the pounds randomly?

[@IronOakSawmill]

In most every case I have run into, the pith is straight. It can be off center in the log because of where it was growing. The sunny side of a tree will have larger growth rings than the shaded side. Leveling the pith is a start to relieving stress in the log. Once the pith is level through the log, then you can work on cutting boards off, and getting the pith centered in the cant. Then cut and flip, and you work your way through it.

[@garrydoucette3335]

Why is it I don't see the sawdust being bagged for Mulch or Bedding by any bandsaw mills, rather than walking through it and wasting?

[@IronOakSawmill]

The sawdust is super fine. Not chips like a circle mills. It's like walking through flour.

[@IronOakSawmill]

I do use it around my property for mulch / weed control. If not, I have to buy 15 cubic yards of mulch.

[@rodhall1221]

Does the pith run straight thru a log ?

[@IronOakSawmill]

I would say, in general, yes. There are some that do curve a bit at times. Centering it the best you can, gives you the best straight grain appearance, untill you get so close to the center of the tree, where all quality drops off for boards. Good question Rod, thank you.

[@heartland96a]

Those piece that you have cut and drying , I don't know the term , what will you be using those for ? are they for your own projects or for a buyer ?

[@IronOakSawmill]

They are for both. I like woodworking, of course, but like to share with others as well Thank you for your question, and thank you for checking us out.

[@mobilnazagadajk1084]

I like to see, that I am not the only one who pays attention to this things :). Just one question ... I noticed that there were big knots in the wood. Which blade did you use? Was it 10 degrees? I am frustrated when waves shows on knots ... uf :((. I would suggest, that you use 7 or even 4 degrees. In Europe you can not get 4 degrees blade, but it should be available in USA. If you have any option please test in and let me know. Kepp up the good job. Regards Dejan

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you for you comments, and thank you for checking us out. I'm using a Wood Mizer 7 degree turbo blade. A little extra tension on the blade, but just a little. Also, slow feed will help with the blade diving. Make sure your drive belt is properly tensioner. A loose belt will allow the blade to dive.

[@mobilnazagadajk1084]

@@IronOakSawmill Agreed, but on the video it shows a big waves and I just recommended to test 4 degree blade. Maybe results would be better.

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@mobilnazagadajk1084 Thank you. The waves are common with spruce lumber. The knots are extremely hard, and cause the blade to dive. They are worse, the wider the cut is. Once the boards become more narrow, the wave is little, to nothing. I will have to see about getting some 4 degree blades for cutting spruce.

[@twistedlimb4053]

@@IronOakSawmill it helps if you bump out the set on the blade too.4 to 5 thou total will help a bunch

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@twistedlimb4053 I dont have a setter to accomplish this. Maybe I could ask the folks who sharpen my blades. It will create a wider kerf. I'm maxed out on power for these 7 degree angle blades I'm using. Another reason to upgrade our mill. Thank you for the advise. I will look into it.

[@bobjohnson8628]

where's all that blue smoke coming from? the belt maybe?

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thanks for checking in Bob. Actually there is a small fire burning behind the mill. I'm tossing some scrap on the fire to get rid of it. That's where the smoke is coming from. I saw that after I posted the video. Apparently so did some other folks.

[@Urban_Lumber_Winnipeg]

Also known as my backyard!! It made me laugh!

[@IronOakSawmill]

There's no place like home Ryan. Lol. Thanks for stopping in :)

[@larrylay4010]

I agree if you want good lumber level the center!

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you Larry. If I'm going to mill, I want to make the best possible product I can.

[@dwightjones5826]

That's good work it looks like your wife is not feeling well like her back is hurting hope she is ok

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you. I was hoping it was helpful to some folks. The wife is doing well. That's her normal stride. We are both in our 50s though. Lol

[@aus71383]

Great tutorial!

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you. I'm glad you found it useful. It's something I like to do, to increase the quality of my lumber. Thank you for checking in. Come by any time.

[@pamtnman1515]

this is helpful, thanks for posting it

[@IronOakSawmill]

You are quite welcome. Glad to help where I can. Thank you.

[@garyarsenault7445]

why wouldn't you have the small end of the log at the start of the cutting

[@IronOakSawmill]

It really doesn't matter to me which end is at the start. Both ends have to be dealt with at some point in the milling, until you have a square can't. To me there doesn't seem to be an advantage starting with one end or the other. Is there a particular reason people do that?

[@jacksonvillereclaimedwood6709]

Nice job on the video.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you very much. Camera work could have been better, but it's just me this time. Thanks for checking us out.

[@tadbarber2735]

How much of the pith do you avoid and why?

[@IronOakSawmill]

It depends on where it falls, and what the lumber looks like around it. Many times I box the pith evenly, and make a beam out of it.

[@jamesharless5357]

Nice, thanks for the information!

[@IronOakSawmill]

You are quite welcome. Thank you for stopping in.

[@larrykinder5353]

When are you going to cut the log . It is near bed time

[@larrykinder5353]

You are taking to long good night .

[@IronOakSawmill]

Sorry Larry. It's an instructional video. I'm trying to show folks this procedure, so it takes time to explain. We eventually mill the log, trust me.

[@jeffblumenberg3213]

Can you explain what the unit is doing that runs along the top of the log ahead of the blade? Thanks.

[@IronOakSawmill]

That's a debarker. It cuts a groove in the bark ahead of the blade in order to clean dirt and debris away so the blade doesn't hit it, and dull. Thank you for your question, and for stopping in.

[@1958vintage1]

Every video shows the log on the saw mill. HOW DID YOU PUT IT ON THE SAW MILL 😫😫😫

[@IronOakSawmill]

Hello, and thank you for your question. It depends on the video. Our older mill used a winch, and our newer mill uses the hydraulic loading arms. I know there are a few that show us loading with both. Take a look around, they are here. Thank you again, and enjoy

[@c2dat601]

I simply use a tractor with boom on the back, takes me less than a minute to bunk logs up to 16'. I used to use the "winch and ramp" method before having a tractor. It really takes all the fun out of milling without the proper equipment!

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@c2dat601 not sure what you mean by winch and ramp method. Maybe back in the day with my LT15. Winched 20' oak logs with that set up. Now with the hydraulics of the LT35HD, log loading is a snap. Not tractor used to lift logs. Just the super strong lifting arms of the Wood Mizer. Thank you for stopping in, and be sure to enjoy our other videos.

[@mgtowrules1649]

GoPro on a Helmet? LOL! Nice machine, Thanks for the upload!

[@IronOakSawmill]

Dont like the helmet Go Pros. Would rather have a drone.

[@mgtowrules1649]

LMAO! That would be COOL!

[@nickharris8304]

Could have turned that log by hand in about 10 seconds lol. Just wish I didn't have to.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Sometimes the turner likes to give us grief. We've done the manual mill in the past. Give me hydraulics anytime.

[@CosmicCloud72]

how do you acquire your lumber?

[@IronOakSawmill]

The logs come from different tree service companies for the most part. Occasionally, I get calls from folks looking to sell some logs from trees they had removed. There are a lot of quality logs to be sourced from these folks.

[@asphaltwarrior1]

That's a huge burl on the ground there.

[@IronOakSawmill]

That is one I am debating on what to do with. Cut it up for turning blanks for the lathe, or attempt to mill into slabs. It's to wide for the mill, so one side will have to be flat sawn.

[@asphaltwarrior1]

Lots of knife handles in there.

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@asphaltwarrior1 that's a weeping cherry burl. Also have a single maple burl, and a huge amount of black walnut burls.

[@martinbyrne6643]

This is a very slow process for cutting a piece of softwood’ would a chainsaw mill be quicker

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you for checking in. It appears slow, because I am taking the time to explain all the steps. It takes just a few seconds normally. A chainsaw mill....lol.....you're funny .....lol

[@rexhavoc2982]

You can run the clamp under the log near the dogs extend it up and let the log down easy when turning, over the years it will save a bunch of adjusting the bed rails.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Not a good idea to let that log drop on the clamp either, since it will blow the seals out of that cylinder as well. I normally let the log down a bit easier using the turner It just didnt happen this time.

[@royramey5659]

You should tell people that it only takes a little bit of time to dial it in.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Good Idea Roy. It's not much effort, for a higher quality board. It just seems like a lot more work because I'm spending all the time explaining it.

[@MrPjpmunar]

that's y u do it so we wont! Haha. nice video...

[@IronOakSawmill]

I know it looks like it takes forever, but this is for teaching purposes, so I have to stop and explain. It goes much faster without all the talking. LOL

[@MrPjpmunar]

@@IronOakSawmill it seems like ur mojo's so off for this day.

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@MrPjpmunar just a bit. Try watching my poplar comedy video. It's way off on that video. Lol

[@Papa_D]

Why is your motor smoking sooooo much ???? Nice video !

[@IronOakSawmill]

Not sure if you're joking or not, so ..... That's a scrap pile behind the mill, that we are burning. Lol Thanks for the compliment. I was hoping folks would appreciate it.

[@Papa_D]

Yeah I did not notice the scrap pile burning until later in the video ! Your wife is a really big help !!!

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@Papa_D she absolutely is. She's standing here reading over my shoulder.

[@Papa_D]

Are you in Western USA or Canada ? :-) Dennis

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@Papa_D in eastern US

[@er.7755]

I don’t get the reason for centring the heart?? I ran a 54” head rig and multi saw edger for years, sawing 12,000-20,000 board feet a day, 700-800 logs a day and never ounce even thought about the centre. When your sawing by the thousand speed is king. I was paid by the amount of wood that I sawed and every man on the crew got a bonus of $2.00 per thousand we produced (over their hourly rate) and if I was to mess with something like this they would have been on my case I tell you what!!

[@IronOakSawmill]

I'm not production sawing. I am custom sawing, and it requires leveling the pith. The straighter the grain, the less chance of a diagonal split. Stronger lumber according to those who request it. When grain is diagonal through a board, it takes away from that strength. Also, cabinet makers have requested that I keep the grain as straight as possible. Diagonal grain can tear out, and chip much much easier as well.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Also forgot to mention, if I plan on turning the center section of the log, into a beam, the best beam will have the pith centered in it.

[@hpaulcohen2525]

Some cut for speed; others cut for quality of the grain

[@robertfoedisch9322]

A head mounted for your phone are about 15.00 👍🏻

[@IronOakSawmill]

I'm not a fan of watching head mounted videos. Only time I would like one is to free up my hands once in a great while. Thank you for your suggestion though.

[@carl-gustaflindquist8094]

Bamsesågen ks500

[@pauleohl]

Even at 1 1/2 speed you are taking too much time for the info you are offering. Edit, edit, edit.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Just being thorough with the description. So many others enjoyed it.

[@trevorbanahaskey5600]

Actually, I appreciate extra time. I'm kinda' slow by nature.

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@trevorbanahaskey5600 thank you. I wanted to give a full explanation, so those who wanted to know, could learn, and show some milling for those who like to see the mill running

[@befmx31]

Hey man, be as thorough as you see need to be. There is always the fast forward option.

[@terryburge6763]

You should really learn how to handle that camera. Way too close when making measurements. Terry

[@IronOakSawmill]

Working one handed while measuring can be a bit challenging.

[@sandman96yzjohn]

Too much talking and to less cutting

[@IronOakSawmill]

Hello, and welcome to the mill. The video is instructional and requires a verbal explanation for those who wish to learn this method. We have many other videos, depicting saw operation. You are welcome to view those, at your convenience.

[@ottoleisering7855]

wot

[@IronOakSawmill]

Yep

[@jimwalden9871]

Saw more, talk less

[@IronOakSawmill]

Believe me, I would rather saw, but seeing as this is an instructional video, I have to explain what I'm doing. Thanks for stopping in.