Sawing Thick Walnut for Leg Stock

[@ffcolon2738]

Matthew, I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your videos on cutting slabs of wood and how you admire the beautiful wood grains, keep laughing and having fun. I see a lot of other videos of and they don’t seem to enjoy woodworking like you do, thank you for that. Congrats on the purchase of your new property/homestead wish you and your lovely wife and kids many blessings. 😎

[@mcremona]

Thank you!!

[@frederickwatson557]

Matt, Thank you for explaining and demonstrating the terms rift sawn and quartersawn saw cuts. Your explanation was the clearest, best i've ever heard/seen. Now its obvious what to look for to get good straight grained wood for furniture legs. You are a genius!

[@mcremona]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks!

[@rodcros]

I enjoy listening to Matt in these early videos. His flippant diction belies a keen intellect. Norm Abrams films show a bit of that, as well.

[@ericst-louis110]

Matthew, you produce some of the most enjoyable content on KZbin. Keep at it, creme always rises to the top.

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@christopheleblanc9175]

you had a great point , commercial mills would not touch most of what you cut because they want as little defects of limb inclusions as possible and want a 8' finished length, thus the log has to be at least 8'6" or greater length before they will even buy them and they also have a upper size restriction for diameter due to their saws capacity on top of the risk of embedded metal from yard trees ,, they are looking to cut the most board feet per hour, with the least loss or down time , ,,, it a shame really because a lot of beautiful trees get turned into fire wood or get chipped , because of the lack of people like you who are willing to take the time and effort to recover what is in most part old or older growth wood, on top of finding the high figured pieces that most wood workers love ,

[@AWoodworkersLife]

Matthew, beautiful setup. I've followed your vlogs for years, always fun to watch. As a rule, I always debark and scan with a lumber wizard any yard logs. If I don't debark, I will cant it first with an old blade, usually something that's already been sharpened 6 + times.

[@AttitudeAdjuster]

how the heck will you ever remember which one had what figure in it LOL, I love the feel of timber and its beauty, so its cool seeing someone with the same love of the hunt, with the unveiling being a completely unknown, while we may have an idea of what we may see its still the first time anyone is ever seeing the Beauty inside of the tree. Keep up your amazing adventure, Cheers from Garry in Australia

[@brucegoodwyn978]

It's amazing to see the array of grain patterns that show up in the crotch pieces. Great work, Matt.

[@danielmackey6594]

I'll bet that smells amazing to cut. I love the different smells of wood being cut. Walnut and cedar are some of my favorites to cut.

[@mrlafayette1964]

Yep White Oak too,even Pine

[@ppumpkin3282]

Lucked into a few walnut logs like that at a tree cutters yard last week. They leave the logs for takers. Unfortunately I don't have big truck so I had to cut them into smaller sections I use for making bowls. 20" diameter. Beatiful wood.

[@1234cdsarver]

I’m glad to see the Garden hose I’ve been wanting to get you one lol

[@mcremona]

I usually keep it off camera

[@jamesstanlake4064]

Great explanation of grain orientation and how to get the best yield from a log.

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@dzee9481]

Matt, after seeing your videos for a while, I have to say you are a seasoned logger and furniture manufacture. I mean you take wood from a trees and engineer how to cut it for a specific project and build it, which I have to say there is no such thing from a single person point of view. That is a skill that is so unique, most people that watch this video don;t realize it. I bought furniture from HOOKER and 25 years ago it was made in the USA, recently bought the same brand name furniture and all over the box is marked with Made in China. Sad, all of these things move over seas and the manufacturing of the furniture is nothing compared to the old Hooker furniture. craftsman ship is not in the vocabulary of the Chinese. I look at what you do it take the RAW material analyze it cut it and prep it and then make the final product all from one place. AWESOME!

[@davidknott9923]

I wish I had the opportunity Matthew to work with wood as you do, especially the Walnut alongside White Oak, Red Oak, Walnut, I think those three species are my three favorite Woods.

[@JimG31547]

I wish you could get those slabs dried as I sure would like to see them in a project. Beautiful wood.

[@etheroar6312]

Stick around for 4 or 5 years. I'm hoping it will be sooner, but ya never know

[@niels_m_h]

I learned recently that in traditional wooden ship construction, the crotches and bends in tree growth are exploited for their grain orientation. When you need a strong joint between the deck and the side of the ship, you find a tree limb that matches the angle and use the natural strength of the wood to reinforce the ship.

[@jeromeclements6532]

They sure were. English shipbuilders cruised the American colonies with templates searching for live oaks with the correct curves for ribs etc. They were than cut, labeled in some fashion and shipped back to the UK. There is a series of videos on KZbin based on the restoration of the "Tally Ho". where this process is used. Check them out.

[@DigitalSwagg]

Please blast the next batch of wood you saw with a few water balloons! I always learn so much from your videos, great job Matt.

[@mcremona]

That's totally going to happen! Thanks for the idea, Launce!

[@doubledarefan]

@@mcremona Yeah Matt, Give it a Splat!

[@robertevans6481]

Walnut never gets old!

[@janedc5ch319]

My friend paints in oil, she paints on small slabs with the bark showing. One that I like is a painting of a out house and a 2" round she paints a key. It has the peoples name on the house. Very nice. She painted me a picture of a Indian and the frame was wood with knot holes. Very pretty.

[@WhiskeyDale]

love that Walnut. A hand held metal detector is a must .

[@hdwoodshop]

Matt, I always envy your ability to saw logs like you do. Glad you share your experience with us. Thx.

[@SilverBack.]

Matt the log slabs look great but the crouch pieces are stunning.Great video 👍👍👍👍👏👏

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@jakebendel5238]

nice addition with the log tongs.

[@mcremona]

They come in handy for the small stuff

[@BLenz-114]

Matthew. The internet has spoken. The Chewbacca table MUST be made!

[@johnsobj]

Great as always. It was wonderful to finally meet you in person. Ben

[@vincepresto759]

Matt Take a hr or so and add a water tank for gravity feed for the blade so you can dispose of the spray bottle and have a constant lube/cooling thru your entire cut ! Just a thought ! Thx’s for Sharing, Great Looking slabs !

[@joshmann2525]

With all the left over firewood, might be worthwhile to make. Friends with a local bbq / smokehouse. Might even get a free meal for the family out of it ;). Cheers, thanks for taking us along, and “thanks for not knitting. “

[@johnryan1698]

I could watch these long videos of you cutting on the mill all day

[@paulstanding7267]

Hi Matthew that is some very nice lumber you cut don’t know about your other watchers but I’m very jealous that you have a very large bandsaw and plenty of room to store/dry your timber and able to get such loverly lumber as well as April’s big bandsaw 👍👍

[@pdwinc.1077]

I am jealous Matt. I really am. I am in Calgary Alberta. I have to order my slabs from Paul in Ontario, Westwinds on the island and Goby across border.

[@alankluttz4400]

Can you explain why you cut the different thicknesses within a log (at times you alternate the thicknesses). you talked a bit about the future projects (coffee tables/end tables/etc) How do you determine what thicknesses you are planning for and are you cutting these logs for a customer or you're stocking them to sell later? 4 years seems like a long time for them to sit outside and weather before using.

[@geraldshultz4271]

Thanks for tip about grain orientation good info. I always enjoy you videos.

[@winohank]

Ever think about orientation of cutoffs for bowl turning? Just saying there's some people would love those.

[@TreasureFiend]

Yes indeed!

[@charlesmckenna6164]

I watched your last video on grain orientation, but I could use a few more...:) great video as always.

[@Dimitrius1]

Just use those for tables ! So beautiful

[@candidethirtythree4324]

Could you use a small metal detector to check for nails, screws, bullets and barbed wire?

[@paultidswell2981]

I wanted to say, when are you going to get a hose instead of filling buckets of water. Ha ha good move. Love your videos Matt.

[@clutelmm]

Nice video. I was wondering why you don't have rain gutters on your shop? Those doors finish would last longer.

[@davemclelland9292]

Matt... my buddy runs a portable mill and scans with metal detector for these type of logs before sawing I agree good gift idea.....:-))

[@daleatkinson3453]

Wow, those are just beautiful!!!!!

[@gamawillie]

Before you stack the boards do you take pictures ? That way you would be e a reference for customers to see what the boards look liks.

[@David-pk9be]

Great vid! More metal less wood next time. The sawmill build was the best

[@JoshuaMichail0]

Those crotch slabs can make some beautiful tops for side tables, end tables, and nightstands. I was also thinking that the big crotch piece could have been cut very thick to create some bowl turning blanks. Some of the ovals and the like can be used for making clock faces, or serving platters, or cutting boards.

[@anthonygasparini1734]

Matt excellent tutorial on wood grain orientation to path of the blade ..Until next time!

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@robsworder]

Have you tried using a pipe detector to check for nails before sawing? (I realise from other videos you sometimes prefer to leave them in)

[@joelarrona]

Matthew, do the slabs stay uncovered while they're drying? I was wondering if the rain or snow interfere with the drying process if they're not covered!

[@ReformedWoodenCreations]

Those isotunes earplugs are great aren't they. I love mine.

[@mcremona]

I’ve been liking them a lot

[@anthonyappleyard5688]

About nails in trees, can timber be X-rayed or use a metal detector?

[@Nurse_Lucy]

If you were to put down a tarp and collect all that sawdust it actually makes pretty good flooring for a chicken coop. It makes it pretty easy to collect all the chicken poop and mixes it with some brown material so that it can be turned into a pretty good compost

[@Nurse_Lucy]

Kind of like kitty litter

[@The33TIGGER33]

Do you prefer to cut Black Walnut green or dry? What do you use to seal the end of your logs. Thanks and as always a great video.

[@williamellis8993]

More beautiful pieces of lumber. I wish my shop could accommodate something like those.

[@josephburkhalter5105]

Ever use a metal detector before you cut? Do you ever paint the ends of the slabs with paraffin to allow drying thru only at the ends and to avoiding splitting at the ends as the plank dries. . JoeB

[@digginerupforte9606]

finally a hose !!! good work thanks

[@johna.9742]

Matt, sorry this isn't in relation to what you are doing now but I wanted to ask about the epoxy you use to fill splits, knots, etc. I think you use a product called Total boat. Which one do you use and also where to you get the dye to darken the epoxy when filling in voids?

[@andrewcooper8980]

I’m curious as to why you don’t use a double edged blade?

[@Gen-Atari-X]

Would really like to know the make and model of that sawmill....

[@DustySplinters]

Hey Matt For Leg stock there is a reals simple solution I use. Tale Quarter sawn out of the middle in both directions. That leave 4 wedge shaped pieces with bark or wane on them which can be trimmed up to make perfect rift grain legs.

[@jodejekab]

do you ever sell this small stuff at craft shows or to people who do craft shows

[@TxStang]

The oval shaped one would make an awesome sofa side table

[@ruthhadad]

I learned so much from today's video. Thank you, Matt!

[@mcremona]

Wonderful to hear!

[@samswoodshop9937]

Mathew what do you do with the slabs that you have cut and stacked?

[@cabman86]

I would so much love 20 or so pieces of this 1/2 inch thick and 12 inch square! I'd get my scroll saw back out.

[@russ155]

Not really a question about wood , but how's the weather up there , I'm really getting sick of not having all the seasons here in central Florida.

[@mcremona]

It's been a really pleasant summer. Most days this month have topped out in the upper 70s

[@coopster217]

How long does one have to wait before they slab out their first tree? I just obtained my first walnut tree and it will be my first chainsaw milling project but I don't know how long to let the tree sit and dry before I try to slab it out. The tree at the thickest part of the trunk is about 15 inches.

[@mcremona]

no need to wait

[@clockdude1500]

That would make a beautiful grandfather clock! I want to build one out of walnut someday.

[@steveklemp2931]

What are you spraying on your blade while you cut? Is it water ? Or ?? Great Videos, thanks for sharing

[@toolsavvyhandymanservices7736]

Such beautiful wood.

[@Gforceracing20]

Lindsey Cremona - Christmas gift idea for your hubby: Metal detector wand. hahaha

[@johncapobianco9055]

I had the same thought!

[@wntu4]

agree. Might save him from a nasty incident.

[@BossmanEight]

They're not that expensive.

[@mrcastro8740]

And take his man card away until he learns how to man up when pulling nails

[@adriank9234]

also a tip when removing nails with a claw hammer. Put a small chock under the curved bottom part and you will get *a lot more leverage* to remove the nail/s

[@willybaetens4648]

Yeah, I realy enjoyed it. Very nice paterns, almost every cut, cool. I have a question: What do jou spray on the blade of your saw, is it plainly water, it can't be oil (because of the stains)? Willy from Belgium.

[@mcremona]

Thanks! It's diesel

[@peterhkoller]

Absolutely beautiful

[@Thundermuffin93]

How did I miss the use of the log tongs now....? What brand of those do you use? Those look like they work pretty darn well, and knowing you can handle bigger stuff.

[@CiCis_Mom]

Hi Matt Love watching your videos. Do you ever cut/sell bowl blanks for woodturners?

[@triggerthesound767]

OMG finally you got a hose out there instead of the bucket!

[@iainf6]

Great video Matt 👌 enjoyed the process of deciding where to cut and what you will get 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@patrickhotra9241]

I've enjoyed all of your videos, especially the ones on the bandsaw mill build. Is there any way the bark can be removed first to make nails easier to locate?

[@mcremona]

You can strip it with a bark spud but if the nail has been in the tree for a while, the tree has likely grown around it and will no longer be visible

[@141poolplayer]

@@mcremona Would a metal detector be useful?

[@JayKayKay7]

Walnut , I think is the prettiest wood.

[@mrpatrickwilson1]

With the crotch section in mind, does it have more value as pieces with wood turners in mind?

[@mcremona]

Not really. I found that woodturners are really cheap. Lots of small chunks of free wood that doesn’t take much to process into blanks

[@I_M_Nonno]

You betcha! Sacrilege to slab the crotch ;-)

[@notasbignow1]

Hey Matthew really interesting to say the least your mill saw does an awesome quick job on those logs really enjoyed your video amazing as usual 😊😊😊

[@HalcyonGuitars]

Are you familiar with billet dimensions for acoustic guitars?

[@DigitalENCOM]

What did it cost to build the saw mill ?

[@davidcrandell1172]

Great video Matt, thanks for posting.

[@OldNew45]

What the hey!? After years, I watch a random MC video, and he does perfect reveal splashes, and USES A HOSE! I'm flabbergasted.

[@mcremona]

or are you slabbergasted?

[@OldNew45]

@@mcremona 😆😆😆 Quite. Definitely something gasted. Or petroleumed.

[@tkrueger06]

Tee hee you had me at "main crotch section." Matt ever thought about setting up a gantry or bridge crane above the mill? With a chain hoist and some log tongs you might save smashing your fingers....

[@Ricopolico]

Why don't you paint the end grain in order to slow drying and reduce checking?

[@mcremona]

Everything is sealed. it dries clear.

[@Ricopolico]

@@mcremona Thanks.

[@nathansmith5229]

could you take the crotch sections and cut them into pie wedges to make a round or hexagon table top?

[@davesawyer6506]

So those will be ready for legs Fall of '22?

[@nordyfamily]

Great stuff Matt!

[@stevehowe9677]

Beautiful wood nice explanation of rip sawn

[@Orxenhorf]

Rift

[@stevehowe9677]

Orxenhorf good to know, thanks

[@tassi13827]

Matt, you have a yard full of slabs, where do you make your living, seems you don't sell too much....or am I wrong?

[@mcremona]

The majority of my revenue is from digital product sales

[@tassi13827]

@@mcremona Not surprised. I wonder if many mill owners are able to make a good living off the mill alone, I question it. I do enjoy your videos, you do a good job.

[@raysparks8905]

If it's not too much to ask how much did it cost to make the bandsaw

[@mcremona]

I spent 8500 to build mine

[@HeavyboxesDIYMaster]

Very cool slabs. Keep it up!

[@cecilmusick8629]

Would love to have a small slab of that beautiful walnut for a guitar body

[@scotbutler4642]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@stefanpries638]

How do you mark your slaps to keep track of the age/date of cut? Wax pen or some sort of label?

[@jasonwyliie8022]

Crotch pieces make GREAT bowl blanks.

[@MRrwmac]

Matt, Nice lesson on selection of cuts for leg blanks. Lots of oooo and ahhhh on those little crotch blanks. I’ll bet your thinking “doors” for those. Hope you and the family get out in the beautiful weather.

[@TimRoyalPastortim]

Gorgeous... Are you selling most of your wood locally now? I know you can't even begin to use all of that! Though 😃 you get to save the best for yourself!

[@mcremona]

Yes, been selling since 2012

[@mariecoyle828]

Thank you Matt I enjoy your videos. Where do you get your loge do you buy then?

[@joecloss1452]

How do you get your lumber down to 8% moisture content?

[@glenmcarroll]

Great video, definitely something to think about next time we run our mill. Is it time to build a gantry???