Sawing Old Logs - How long can I wait before sawing logs into lumber?

How long can I wait before sawing logs into lumber? How far gone is too far gone? Are there any advantages to waiting?
I have a stack of logs that have been sitting around for a few years that we can saw to see the results of letting a log age.
Making Lumber: • Making Lumber
Building the Sawmill: • Wide Cutting Bandsaw M...
Thank you to Triton Tools for sponsoring my work: www.tritontools...
Support What I Do: www.mattcremona...
Check out Wood Talk, a podcast about woodworking that I co-host:
www.woodtalksho...
/ woodtalk
Website: mattcremona.com
Instagram: / mattcremona
Twitter: / mattcremona
Facebook: / mattcremonaww
Email: [e-mail]

[@dericklebron3198]

I’m a few years late to the party, but my chickens get pretty excited when I saw through a log that has ants in it. They clean up termites really quick too.

[@TheWoodYogi]

Thanks Matt :) A few things I need to consider about the stuff I have sitting in the snow for another year. I simply couldn't get to it again due to the huge list of jobs I had during the warmer months. If I get a clear day, I'm going to try and get some of them cut up. I was thinking about it today :) ॐ

[@florentinobautista8511]

You are a lucky one to cut your own lumber Congrats. You have learned somash.tanks for yours videos.

[@caseybouman6927]

Literally using this as a time frame for my mechanical engineering project

[@johnryan1698]

Great stuff Matt. Open you and your family have a wonderful holiday

[@davidredden8361]

Gives me the willies watching this. I feel like they’re climbing all over me now. THANKS MATT!

[@mcremona]

hahahahaa

[@YochanonAvi]

I love your antics.

[@ramos.308]

Hi Matt, thank you very much for this instructional video. I come away from watching your milling lumber videos with knowledge I did not have before.

[@mcremona]

awesome to hear. Thanks!

[@christopheleblanc9175]

ironically i have found some of my best pieces in what others think is garbage wood, like you i can see what is there in a piece and not only what is wrong with it ,,,great explanation

[@MFrank-kf4uh]

I agree! Love that beautiful Colors and different shapes of that Wood! That's definitly no Waste!

[@MFrank-kf4uh]

I agree! Love that beautiful Colors and different shapes of that Wood! Definitly no Waste!

[@dustinbrinker2733]

So glad for more sawmill videos

[@dustinbrinker2733]

I really dig all the sawmill videos and hope they keep coming. Thanks for the amazing content.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Dustin! I have a few more from the summer that I need to edit

[@gregbrown1083]

Matt, thanks for this video, following the milling thru to what it looks like after drying, and planing is great.

[@JimG31547]

Hi Matt, Just a note to say thanks for all the video's you shared with everyone this year. Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Jim

[@mcremona]

Thank you Jim! You as well!

[@BruceAUlrich]

I started to get really itchy starting at 7:18. I learned a good bit while watching this. Thanks!

[@mcremona]

Creepy crawlies

[@steveskouson9620]

Matt, redgum also likes to move. I turned a rolling pin, out of redgum, and the next day, felt like an ear of corn. But, if you rough cut it, and let it dry until it stops moving, it has some beautiful figuring. It also makes gaps, which can be filled with colored epoxy. I prefer something blue/green, because it shows up better. steve

[@909sickle]

Matt: "Cool wood though" Ants: "IT'S THE ANTPOCOLYPSE!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!"

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

I wish I lived where it stays green and warm in December 😉😉 Nice looking maple!

[@Evan-qh3kq]

where

[@johna1160]

Look outside Matt's window @ 19:13

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

JDWoodworks Thanks! Yes, I was joking! I live about 6 miles from Matt's house and I know exactly how cold is is there! 😂😂

[@jeffreyharrington5057]

Thks alot Matt I'm learning so much thks for the knowledge

[@reforzar]

Artisanally sawn firewood.

[@Noold]

Brian Prusa carefully curated

[@ThoenWorks]

Believe I'm about 40-50 miles north of you here in MN. We have snow and 15-20F today. Looks really nice down south :-)

[@DriveCarToBar]

In the Southwestern US, African Sumac is a common decorative tree. If you have space, they're pretty but when they get overwatered, they send up sprouts everywhere and roots travel a very long distance. Which means there are lots of these trees that got put into tract homes where they really have no business going. Mesquite is a much better choice even though it grows a lot slower. African Sumac has a neat trick though, it gets a suntan. It will turn a very pretty ruddy red color when cut and exposed to air and sunlight. You can see it when you trim a good sized limb and the nub turns red. It's nice, because most African sumac trees never really get large enough to need a big mill. The last one I cut down at my old house, I milled with my chainsaw into manageable rough pieces and did the rest with a table saw. Cut those quick though and seal the ends if you can't get to it right away, because it checks something fierce, as the logs like to twist.

[@chris3m98]

Thanks for your knowledge!!!!! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you & your family

[@tommysts1920]

Ran into the same problem with wood bores, only they spread into some of my good wood! Holy cow! That pissed me off!

[@garyw.1076]

Very informative. Thank You.

[@neilhorsley343]

Nice little desks there at12:15 me ns or tops for dresser tables if you do the epoxy resin bit and stain em several hundred a piece

[@adrianfdze3810]

Great wood for rustic furniture yay!!!.😎😎😎😎😍

[@hhymer1]

I watched the videos of you building your sawmill. In spite of some troubles I believe it is proof of: "If you want it done right, do it yourself". It is the best sawmill I have seen. It's big, powerful, adjustable and doesn't eat blades. Great job!!!

[@murchlk]

Merry Christmas to you and your family Matt. Another great video and dang am I jealous of that sawmill

[@mikelrunnels8386]

The boards with splits would make cool epoxy/resin river/lava tables or shelves

[@NickChilders-fy7ns]

I used to think owning a saw mill would be every woodworkers dream but now I think it would be living in Matt’s neighborhood!

[@lancedaniels]

Thanks for posting

[@graysquirreltreeservice7299]

Awesome sawing 👍😁

[@Gantzz321]

near the end where you were showing the results after drying the first board which was split in two would look amazing with a glow in the dark blue or green epoxy holding the two pieces together.

[@mcremona]

I was thinking that as well :)

[@Falney]

As an English man, with how difficult it is to get nice, affordable hard woods, I would sell my first born son for that "piece of firewood" :/ I wish lumber was as easy to get over here. You can end up spending 4 digit amounts for a white oak of unknown status, possibly Rotten through. Most of our oak was used up making the strongest navy in the 1800's Edit: Change my mind after seeing those monstrous ants. At least 3 times bigger than ours

[@mcremona]

hahahaha And they're bigger down south

[@ManBearPig1968]

Great video, nice and long, Thanks Matt. Marry Christmas

[@stevecollins9450]

Interesting info there, Matt. Thanks.

[@luckyhiker3434]

Let me add that you are a strong young man. Again, please take care.

[@bobabooey8367]

Thanks Matt,wish you could do a start to finish toot about the large cabinet with the gooseneck doors.That is beautiful...PS Sawing logs gives me WOOD

[@VicsYard]

Borax and Sugar. I always have some around the Vic’s Yard near wood. Warm weather season when ants are active. Vic

[@SilverBack.]

Hi Matt. Very informative video, I hope you and your Family have a GREAT Christmas and fortuitous NEW YEAR

[@robevans8555]

That's quite a work out

[@aligned4good]

Great info Matt!

[@crackerjack3359]

Great video. Looks like it would have made some great wood turning blanks if cut at 5"thick.

[@SouthernGinger]

Wow nice!

[@sinsilius]

I go through your sawmilling videos and love how you don't give a crap about leaving stuff on the bed and near missing it with the blade or other part of the saw or even hitting it. I'm surrounded by people who overly care of that kind of things. Like even getting rained on... Nice mill, dream actually... :)

[@jimheckert5383]

Thanks

[@inspectr1949]

Matt , very impressive, a home made mill? I've had a Timberking 1220 for 12 years many similarities except that yours is electric, would like to compare notes with you sometime. Its now very much winter here in the Adirondacks (just south of Lake Placid) so I put my mill up for the winter with all of my spoils in storage sheds or on pallets covered with multiple tarps, at age 70 my milling days are coming to a close sometime soon so I thoroughly enjoy your youth and woodworking affinity. Merry Christmas Mike

[@stevebungay]

At age 69 I'm just starting out as a woodwork D.I.Y beginner and would love to try a bit of milling, though probably never will. Why you stopping at 70, or will I have to wait 'till the end of the year to find that out?

[@אוריפלסי]

I've been wondering about the weather issues. Where i live we only have rain (at least supposedly) during the winter. Still a lot of the saws are under a roof? Heck, if some would built me a saw i would build them a roof. They don't get damaged?

[@BillHartCooks.]

I am old and can't see very well, but around 10:13 in this video, It looks like Matt is using the "Force" to move logs around. Nice video.

[@mcremona]

Lol thanks Bill!

[@itmeurdad]

"Here we don't have issues with insects" _Proceeds to cut into an ant's nest_ :D

[@carllos25]

Jake Harris😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@hbjaffri]

Cool...its like life. Full of surprises.

[@hanksgavin]

Murphy. Every time.

[@freespirit9981]

Yeah I laughed at that statement also. Simple fact is most white woods you want sawn in about 2-3 weeks from when the tree was dropped to prevent wood staining. White pine I find in many cases in 2 weeks if not cut it will start staining the wood. Oaks you got more time as long as the sap wood area is small cause you can just slab off the sap wood like you would with a black walnut tree.

[@RandallLakedogpix]

Thanks again.

[@stephenkeefer3436]

Great vid Matt! Happy Holidays to you from here at the Outer Banks, North Carolina.

[@jessebond4221]

Rot means nothing if your a wood turner with a stabilizing rig lol that gorgeous spalt and such would be amazing

[@samuelluria4744]

I like to rough out two sides of a log, in order to hasten/govern the drying vs. twisting, depending on species. I guess you could say this is a "hybrid" way, between clearing multiple sides of a cant, and actually slabbing it. I do one fairly large pass across the top and bottom of the log, so that it will dry quicker, but also remain nice and thick, to keep torsion in "check"(pardon the pun😌).

[@annlucy2882]

Q1

[@tolbaszy8067]

Great tutorial!

[@mcremona]

thanks!

Really like how you are going through the whole process from milling till actually having built the furniture. Do you always mill to the same thickness? Never thicker boards needed?

[@jude.v25]

A day spent doing this almost guarantees a good nights sleep. Fun to watch, too.

[@danielboone21]

Very informative.

[@bobleeswoodshop7919]

Thanks for sharing Matt , good information to know!!! Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 Regards BobLee

[@thewelshwoodman649]

This is so cool, thank you so much for taking the time to share this 😁

[@homesteadorbust]

Man those into transitions were on point! Is there any rule of thumb for drying out boles? Year or more?

[@kenjett2434]

Sorry i haven't commented in awhile been pretty sick. Been waiting for a mill video and this is a great one your knowledge of wood is amazing. With the invention of the bandmill so many have started sawing but so very few know how to saw. So much more to it than throwing a log on and putting a blade through it. Matt you have a real expertise few have look forward to more of your expert milling and wood knowledge.

[@zerocontent3171]

I'm seeing a ton of knife handle scales there

[@247lumpy]

It seems that you prefer your peavey over your cant hook, any reason? I would think the point would damage more lumber

[@mcremona]

my peavey is shorter so it's more practical to use

[@williamjarman7466]

I think any type of eucalyptus would benifit from seasoning before milling it moves a lot as it dries

[@judithfairchild8620]

I am getting the education that I was denied as a teenager as I was told girls don't take shop. I'm glad that's been changed

[@geraldshultz4271]

You are a mans man....you toss logs and slabs of lumber around alone....plus you fight off ants like the Terminator. Last but not least you a good husband and father. That makes you top dog in my book. P.S your wood working is awesome.

[@mcremona]

Haha thanks!!

[@csjmoore]

Nice!

[@wallacewillard3174]

Another question, can i cut in to cants and store for later? or leave in log form?

[@strandbunnyx]

thumbs upmfor more sawing vidssss👍🏻

[@ethics1017]

good info, Thanks.

[@dballard8660]

When milling, (sawing), logs as shown in this video, how often do you need to change the saw blade? And, do you sharpen the blades yourself?

[@Benssawmill]

Matt, I have to say I like your shop videos, but I love your milling videos. Your earlier videos helped inspire me and make my decision to buy my mill and start doing videos on KZbin. Keep up the good work.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Ben!!

[@PatrickWagz]

hey Ben, just watched one of your videos earlier tonight pretty good

[@grumpy1962R]

Matthew Cremona I’m local and I want to meet you. I have recently come into some material that could jump start me in building a mill of my own and I want to talk with you.

[@davelee9791]

Just love sawmill Vlogs ..maybe I need to get out more..the Ants bring a whole new meaning to Live edge..

[@jayrem4974]

Very cool but obviously you didn’t record this recently as I live about 90 miles down the road and baby it’s cold outside!

[@MrMeds-of5ur]

I have a couple of logs of mahogany sitting outside for 3 months in humid tropical weather and I haven’t sealed them. Any thought on how fast I should get to work on them?

[@beeldhouwerijvanvelzen1533]

How long can you let a woodworker run around before you give him a haircut? :)

[@watcherdude1330]

Lots of information there Matt. So in regards to the 🐜.🤯. I for one hate those critters . How do you deal with them in your work area? I can only imagine that there are thousands running , trying to find cover. Do you not have a infestation of them? Another great video thanks

[@dale2778]

best saw mill I have seen. I was wondering why people didn't do this! great IDEA, works great! good job!

[@derekjamesteague3845]

I want to make a mill now after watching this one 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@1963JamesT]

very cool mill never saw one that wide. is there an advantage to sawing multiple logs at the same time? I guess once they are cants, you are saving some time cutting multiple boards at once, it's blowing my tiny mind.

[@mcremona]

Yeah it's just quicker when you're sawing multiple cants at one. Just spitting out boards. Plus it's kinda cool

[@johnbiggi3738]

You mentioned sweetly. What do you make with it and how did it turn out? I got a bunch of it given to me and it should be about dry enough by now

[@donchristie420]

I'm remembering the cartoon years ago where an entire log was turned down to a toothpick,log after log!!! Hilarious,but sad.

[@gr8dvd]

Also sad to see in the wake of a storm, large specimen trees sawn for firewood or even ground into mulch. Probably $10,000s of furniture in patient and skilled hands.

[@samuelluria4744]

Good call remembering the cartoon! For the record, I use splinters from my tree business, to stir my coffee, (I'm literally about to do this RIGHT NOW!😉) as well as for toothpicks, etc.,...

[@parttimefarmer5738]

Matthew your mill is beautiful! Is there a blueprint of it for sale?

[@oreillyjoe1]

How long should I wait before I flush my log!!

[@mcremona]

Until at least one other person sees it

[@danryan3146]

Good one!

[@hofmanjim]

Sounds like it's best to cut the log pretty quick after felling it.

[@davidhullinger3636]

Hey Matt; happy holidays from Dijon, France. I’m over here visiting my wife’s family. I was given some maple that was in worse shape than what you had cut. And I used Minwax wood stabilizer on it and was I impressed(basically like the penetrating epoxy you use). The stuff that was really bad I have been using to make picture frames. It doesn’t have to be too wide or too thick and like yours the color pallet was nice. Have a great Christmas and on the 27th tip one up for me it’s my b-day. Abiento!

[@MegaPoxie]

That 1st firewood piece looks like it might have been good for a wood turner who would use it in sections rather than longitudinal cuts. Do you just mill for timber or do you also cut logs with turners in mind .... would be good to have both options?

[@mcremona]

I've had about no luck selling turning blanks over the years. Lumber will always sell however.

[@9mmkahr]

You say 4/4", i am guessing you're cutting it at that, 1", then it shrinks to 3/4"? Reason i ask is that the lumber we use on exterior trim is designated 4/4 (3/4") and 5/4 (1"). Remnants of shrinkage from the old days of milling i assume. How much do your boards shrink?

[@zacharybroughal3300]

Do you ever run into powder post beetles? If so how do you manage them?

[@MrJh66sh]

Great video Matt very informative. Hope you and your family have a merry Christmas and Happy new year. My sister law live in Chanhassen mn this that close to your town ?

[@MrMNRichardWright]

Clearly a video taken a few months ago, thanks for putting this together. I found it very informative. I look forward to an upcoming one shop day. Do you think you’ll do one in the winter?

[@crazy4chrissypoo]

can you use the cracked one for chips to make a OSB

[@krtwood]

How long can a video clip sit around before it's no good anymore?

[@KSFWG]

That made me chuckle...

[@mcremona]

Let's find out!

[@krtwood]

I got me some Torus table clips from 2014, another project I started in 2016, and one from January 2017.

[@mcremona]

I have a spice box build from 2012

[@Carl-LaFong1618]

I was playing the drinking game on this video and I'm perfectly sober. He didn't say crotch one friggin time. opened a new bottle of jack and didn't take a single shot.

[@tford1036]

If the logs have sit a while, how long do you have to let the boards dry before you can use them after you have milled them?

[@CraftsWithEllen]

Wearing sorts and the sawmill still in one piece, for a minute there I thought you had travelled in time ;) Great to see the logs as well as the dried boards in one video, really interesting!

[@Big-Wonka]

Looks like you had a warm front come through lol

[@keithcarlson6038]

Man, I wish the weather was still like that in Minnesota!

[@dadatschool]

Talk about weather swings - by 19:12 it’s snowing!

[@luckyhiker3434]

Matthew, you are a brilliant woodworker who I admire! But watching you climb around your milling machine flipping logs like they were toothpicks without regard to your toes, shins, etc really concerns me. A small slip can have serious consequences. Please take care of your self as we would miss you dearly if you have to take a recovery break.

[@FredMcIntyre]

Thanks for the info Matt! 👍👊 ..... Gets a shave and a haircut half way through and it's already grown back by the end! 😁

[@PatrickWagz]

it's like Tim Allen in "the Santa Claus" :-)

[@infoanorexic]

It was obvious to me that it was recorded in bits over a long period. So instead I was wondering if he was consciously going for the Keith Green look......

[@DiegoDeOro]

I must concede Matthew. Your mill is bigger than mine. :-) Cheers, and thanks for the great videos!

[@WorkingTimbersCo]

Nice! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Matt! Looking forward to Cremona videos in 2018!

[@mcremona]

Thank you!!

[@bartimeausjt676]

4:25 you have a bent tooth or more than one, Did you hit metal or a small stone?

[@lakestatebullies7391]

No power feed