Mill Free Timber from Logs using your Table Saw

In this video, I show you how to mill boards from a log using your table saw and a simple plywood jig.
In this example, I want to get some usable timber out of a Yew tree log. I built a simple jig out of 3/4" plywood to hold the log square while running it through the table saw.
This is a great way to get free lumber by milling your own logs without a band saw. You are only limited by 2x the depth of cut of your table saw.
If you are interested in buying a table saw like ours here is a link to one on ebay rover.ebay.com...
Disclosure - As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase using the above affiliate link. Thank you for supporting our channel.
Thank you for watching. Please show your support by giving me a like and sharing this video on social media.. www.paypal.me/gregvirgoe #gregvirgoe #howto #workshop

[@michaelbradford4444]

You answered all my questions about milling on a table saw and I love the way you glue the panels together, I'm gonna start doing that every time, thank you very much!

[@GregVirgoe]

Simple wedges are very effective.

[@petersmith6578]

3:41 thanks Greg. Simple solutions are the best. I've just finished squaring my first log an the tablesaw!

[@nicholaspinero7773]

This is awesome. Thank you! I just started using my table saw yesterday to make boards from cedar. This is an extremely smarter way of doing this.

[@GregVirgoe]

Nicholas Pinero glad you found it to be useful 👍🏼

[@nicholaspinero7773]

@@GregVirgoe just made it and this worked great! I just made 3 one inch boards from a cedar log. Thank you again

[@GregVirgoe]

Nicholas Pinero that’s brilliant pleased it worked for you too 😃

[@ninjaturtle1057]

You put alot thought into making that setup..... its simple but amazing how it works

[@GregVirgoe]

Yes it worked very well. I was pleased with the result. 😊

[@noiamhippyman]

I love the clamp wedge idea. That’s genius.

[@GregVirgoe]

Brandon Schmeidler simple but very effective. 👍🏼😃

[@ericmoody3944]

Very cool, how do you cut the wedges so they fit neatly and evenly in the slot for them?

[@noiamhippyman]

@@ericmoody3944 On here you can see that he holds the clamp in place with the wedge sticking out. Push the flat side of the wedge up against the piece and screw in the clamps. Now when you tap in the wedges it will tighten up.

[@AdamBechtol]

Thanks, your jig gave me ideas for a radial arm saw.

[@robertharris8106]

A friend gave me some bits of cherry tree branches (quite chunky bits), I wanted to make some small boards and this came up on a search. Simple jig & method so thank you for posting I will give it a go as I am now on furlough for the next three months and am spending more time in the workshop.

[@369dusty]

Great idea !!!! I just got some free walnut logs (up to 6" dia.) to try this on ! Thank you !

[@GregVirgoe]

They should come up nice :D

[@RobertGSolomon]

That so cool I never seen the old school method of clamping wood like you did but then again I don't know much about wood working trade. Thank you I really learned a lot.

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

This is what I will be doing. I've been trying to figure out how to get quality wood for fine woodworking. This is the best way, I think.

[@luiscelso1082]

Nice jig. Very simple but very good and helpul tool. I am impress.

[@LuteandTheorbo]

Just got some logs of cherry, juniper and amber. Will try it this way - thanks! Oh and I got some deer antler along too to make a knife handle. Interesting project 😀 Anna

[@GregVirgoe]

LuteandTheorbo it worked really well so hope it does the same for you too 😊👍🏼

[@alejandrovaldez2620]

Thank you so much for sharing. I have some logs and I have been looking how to cut them without a bandsaw.

[@Allbbrz]

Great simple jig. I've been miiling ideas on my mind just to mill a couple logs I salvaged from a front yard tree takedown that you came with the best possible solution. Thanks.

[@GregVirgoe]

Always give your table saw the utmost respect, and making this a safer way to run logs was the key to this build.

[@Allbbrz]

Absolutely ! I liked it so much I watched it again ... there's something really satisfying seeing a good work coming out :-)

[@jameshartt3113]

Great video! It gave me an idea, that's working, on how to use my 10" table saw to rip/cut 4x4's 8' long into true 3x3's within 0.020" end-to-end that are parallel and square all 4 sides. (yea, I even measure wood with calipers and dial indicators...LOL) Thanks Greg Virgoe!!

[@GregVirgoe]

It’s not only metal workers that can be accurate with their work. Thank you for your comment 👍🏼😁

[@jameshartt3113]

I learned at a young age to pay attention to the old timers. Now I are one LOL. A table saw can be a very useful and accurate machine IF it's setup properly. Took me nearly 10 hours but it was worth it. Nice to be able to trust your tools.

[@GregVirgoe]

@@jameshartt3113 yes we also had to spend a few hours trueing up the blade on our new table saw. 😬

[@jameshartt3113]

Hope you didn't take it wrong. Just because I learned this one thing from your example in no way trumps your experience. I'm just old. I've had my table saw nearly 8yrs now, a few complain about theirs not being accurate after 1hr of setting it up. Mine's as accurate today as it was day 2. Keep em coming Greg. Maybe someday I'll get to where I can produce a video too. Only photos and a description for now for anyone who wants them. I'm grateful to all the DIYers showing their skills. One idea leads to another.

[@GregVirgoe]

@@jameshartt3113 not at all your comment was very good 👍🏼 thank you fir taking the time to share your experiences with us all. Best wishes

[@Vospader0]

Loved the clamp at the end there, never would've thought of that. Leaves me wondering though - what was the purpose of the glue on the "sacrificial" pieces at the end? I'm assuming those would be cut off in the end? Was it to prevent warping? Inquiring minds want to know!

[@DrowningInDejaVu]

Great techniques. Thank you for sharing.

[@DIMTips]

Thank you so much. Extremely helpful

[@GregVirgoe]

Glad you liked it 😃

[@NerffedLivin]

I LOVE it! Great work! 😊

[@franl5585]

Very nice results! Simple jig, I like your idea.

[@edkinsel3553]

Simply BRILLIANT. Thank you!!!

[@GregVirgoe]

Glad you liked it 👍🏼😃

[@benb5430]

Good idea going to try one on some of my juniper

[@davidleeson8088]

Thank you Greg. I have quite a few logs I was going to take recycling. I can use them for raised garden beds.

[@ducpao]

brilliant video! Thanks a ton!

[@GregVirgoe]

Glad you liked it!

[@Richard-rj4oc]

Good idea and well done but its a little misleading... Log is not exactly fair that is more like a branch. Definitely helpful but not for the logs I need to cut!

[@JimzAuto]

What diameter logs do you need to mill? Have you found a solution for larger logs?

[@pest5373]

Amazing clamp

[@GregVirgoe]

Simple idea but works very well

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Yay Gregs back!!………great ideas Greg..certainly lovely wood and I'm looking forward to seeing what you make from it 👍🏼😊

[@GregVirgoe]

Hello Marc, I've been making preparations for a major new build series for the channel. There should be something for everyone. There will be a flurry of videos very soon as have four in the cutting room as we speak. Check out my Facebook page for clues. Thanks for the support 😀

[@TARIQLES]

Hey Greg, thank you so much for this. You did not show a very important step that i would love to learn. How did you cut the wood pieces straight to glue the two pieces together? Did you use a planner or something?

[@stevescriver2443]

Brilliant, Thank you

[@GregVirgoe]

Glad you liked it 👍🏼

[@edseventyeight6749]

Great idea. Gorgeous finish!

[@smeierding]

Thank you. This was a great idea all around.

[@sjscreations2608]

Fantastic, safe idea. Thanks! Cheers, Sean

[@DjSatsok13]

Great....that was so helpful

[@GregVirgoe]

Glad you liked it 👍🏼😃

[@Bakerfamilyvideos]

Thanks alot!

[@rafa89sousa]

A great tip! Thank you very much!

[@GregVirgoe]

Pleased you liked it. Thank you for watching

[@pheanelehamm-brown6669]

Extremely awesome

[@fireworxz]

Thanks

[@davemeeks8109]

Looks a bit like a wood in the Elm family, great job.

[@davidpambianchi1]

I was wondering if this system would work for freshly cut Eastern Red Ceder logs 3 1/2" and 4" thick and about 35-40" long each to make picture frames? (And I assume a 2x4 would do as well as plywood.)

[@GregVirgoe]

The plywood is there to keep it straight going through the saw so anything else would do the same job. You may have to dry the cut logs before planing and gluing in case the warp when drying.

[@joytekb]

So clever

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@TheCodyverse]

very nice

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@OnTheBait]

Nice vid by the way bud.i have saved all the pine tree I just cut down so looking into planking it up. I attempted some with a chainsaw free hand and they are very un even 😂🙄

[@OnTheBait]

Question... could you not of left the glue off of the waste strips?thought that by the time you hammer in the wedges it will still all be tight.

[@miscellaneous5268]

I see you're making several steps when sawing, adjusting the depth of the blade. Can it work if you start sawing with full blade depth right away? I do not have adjusting system on my table saw.

[@GregVirgoe]

This is a hard wood and a large depth in one go may be too much for the saw to cope with. You can go slower passing it through but risk burning the wood and over heating the blade.

[@hillbillybeerdranker6678]

You can also use a band saw as a saw mill.

[@guya.levanon7495]

Great vid! Quick question, how do I make sure both of the jig's sides are parallel? On the vid you marked the first side somehow (I'm guessing the log's mid point and 1" on each side), but the second side looks unmarked. How did you know where to drill the 2 screws, so both ends are aligned? Otherwise the top of the jig might be skewed, right?

[@GregVirgoe]

Fix the two end panels to the flat base board before fitting the final end screws. The boards are run through the planner after to remove any slight irregularity

[@oggedask]

is there a way to do this and avoid the large screw holes in the wood?

[@GregVirgoe]

You could try panel pins or even glue but that would take more time to setup.

[@Bakerfamilyvideos]

Those have to be dryed right?

[@ryanlassen964]

Would also like to know!

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

The clamping wedges would have been enough to hold the boards tight so why glue sacrificial boards to the side? Love the sawing method!

[@GregVirgoe]

The longer sacrificial strips are to prevent snipe when running it through the planer afterwards

[@maxxdekovessey6543]

Question: neighbor just cut down a maple tree and gave me the logs. Is it ok to use this method with green wood? Or should I let the logs dry out before doing this? Note: Some of the logs are rather large so I’ve split them into quarters already

[@SHARPEYSWORKSHOP]

Hi Greg nice work how long did you have to dry the log first I am always worried about it splitting while drying so never bothered with owt like this

[@GregVirgoe]

Hello Paul, that log has been in my dads wood shed for years mate. It felt dry as a bone. Hoping it won't cup over time. It's glued in my box now. How's things on the job front?

[@SHARPEYSWORKSHOP]

Greg Virgoe I'd best leave some logs I've got in my wood shed a bit longer then lol as for the job front bud not really been looking yet having a few weeks off catching up with things thanks for asking though cheers

[@DavesShed]

I like your idea of the sacrificial strips to reduce snipe. You seem to have glossed over how you avoided the pith. This is what I have been wondering about with very small logs. Or perhaps yew pith is less problematic than other species?

[@GregVirgoe]

Dave's Shed in this yew log there was no notable difference in the core 👍🏼

[@DavesShed]

@@GregVirgoe Thanks for the reply. I'm searching for ideas on how to deal with small logs.

[@countrylifetales2700]

Thank you.

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you for watching 👍🏼

[@jimmazurek5589]

Nice video but you didn’t show how you trimmed the edges to insure a good fit when joining the boards.

[@CoachPiuze]

how to do that with a hand saw

[@GregVirgoe]

It would be very difficult to do with a handsaw

[@ElTurbinado]

Hi. What is the purpose of the sacrificial strips on the sides?

[@GregVirgoe]

Just to give me a continuous level surface to slide over the saw.

[@ElTurbinado]

Greg Virgoe thanks. ty for video too I was racking my brain thinking about solutions that kept getting more complicated I needed a simple idea to reset, lol. worked like a charm.

[@GregVirgoe]

That's great, pleased it worked for you too, thanks for letting me know. Best wishes

[@GSXRI300]

hi greg at 1.09 i always seem to work in me slippers lol

[@GregVirgoe]

Ah you’ve spotted the new steel toe cap slippers 😂 lol

[@joeswanson3318]

Can I send you questions. I’m an amateur and need your help.

[@GregVirgoe]

I will try and help if I can 😊

[@joeswanson3318]

Thanks

[@JamesRobinson-ix9dy]

Awesome

[@GregVirgoe]

Thank you James

[@elvisoshaughnessy1255]

Hi Greg. When I use my dewalt 745 table saw, I don't seem to cut right measurent. I find it difficult to understand its measuring scale numbers. Could you bring out video how to read table saw measuring scale to get correct size cuts

[@lilyofthevalleynaturechannel]

you can always use a tape measure against the fence to measure the thickness of your cut...

[@matyas4878]

How did you straighten the edges before gluing the panels? Awesome video by the way

[@GregVirgoe]

Great question, I ran them through the table saw initially then square the edges on the jointer, you could also use a hand plane in a vice. I use this wood to make a memorial box and this video shows how it was used kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZfQpKyleMiqjdE skip to about 14:30

[@matyas4878]

Excellent thank you!

[@bobabooey8367]

Looks like you need a 12" mitre Mate

[@GregVirgoe]

We make do with what we have and have been swapping tools out when we can afford to. Would be nice to have a 14" bandsaw too. :D

[@GregVirgoe]

We have been slowly upgrading as we get some free cash and the need arises. For now this one has served us well though. :D

[@user-tr2dh4xx6u]

why not just cut a flat edge then put that against the table top, thats how i cut round vegitables with a knife

[@user-tr2dh4xx6u]

also nice clamping method, i was going to buy some long clamps but i like the wedges better

[@GregVirgoe]

You still need to hold the log securely to make that first cut straight.

[@mikkosrussos]

Hi cringe at stuff like this… one pinch and goodbye fingers

[@emmanuelwilliams3310]

please be careful! the way your holding the push arm on the table saw isn't safe, one misstep and you're forearm is hitting the blade.

[@killingoldgrowthsince]

Slowest firewood splitter ever...

[@SC1127-p4k]

What is a "firewood splitter"? 😂😂😂😂😂 idiot

[@timjilman3295]

I'm no safety prude, but no guard on a chop saw, that's insanity.

[@GregVirgoe]

Hi Jim, the guard recently broke before filming and I had a replacement part on order. I totally agree it’s not safe like this. Thanks 😊

[@BlurnGanston]

Music 👎