Slabbing a Big Red Oak Butt Log | Sawmill

My friend, Brandon, brought me this log from a removal job he was doing. The log has a diameter of 4' at the base, tapers to about 3', and flares back out to 4' at the top. The tree was removed from a front yard in Mounds View, MN.
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[@derekjamesteague3845]

Huge reason I really like your channel is because of how you see the wood that others would consider junk or firewood.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Derek!

[@alanr745]

Those would make some gorgeous bar slabs, feature counter tops for an island, desk tops, etc. The amount of quarter sawn material that came out of those slabs was almost mind boggling. I think this shows how single-minded the big box stores are, and how much it influences the masses without us even realizing it. Gorgeous material for a tool cabinet. Hint. Hint. :)

[@mcremona]

very true! I really need to pick something for the cabinet. I have too many choices hahaha

[@HippyRandallRev]

I know Walnut slabs are all the rage right now but this was such a breath of fresh air to see such beautiful oak slabbed up. Good on ya Matt!

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@deveugene7]

You should have a "Mill With Matt" day. I want to come over and help move slabs and sling water! Love the red oak.

[@mcremona]

I've actually been meaning to ask my insurance agent about this. Thanks for the reminder :)

[@mikesaftich5223]

I love your attitude. Chuckling to yourself and loving what you do even in the cold and snow..

[@mcremona]

thanks Mike!

[@glenmcarroll]

The more rot / defects. The more beautiful the end result. Seriously Gorgeous stuff.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Glen!

[@larrylund2682]

Your appreciation of the natural features not normally looked at by so called wood crafters is extraordinary. I fully agree with character over dull and boring. If wood needs a stain to "dress" it up then it is just pallet wood. Some of those splits would look really good with crushed quartz in epoxy. Amethyst, Clear crystal, Rose, and Citrine all great accents to the colors on this Red Oak. Turn a table top into a GEM. I was signing papers today at a walnut natural edge 8 quarter table today. It had shadow gold features in it. Walk past it and the light flashes at you. Matching natural edge chairs too. Matt, you are a class act and an outstanding wood worker. I grew up in western Minnesota so I can fully relate to you working outside in the weather. It isn't easy. Keep on teaching.

[@holdemNE1]

Fun video.....Kind of like unwrapping presents. Never sure what you will get. Some real nice gifts this time.

[@thebigswede1736]

It's so cool that where so many of us would look at these slabs and pick out defects and flaws - you see beauty. A great metaphor for us to live our lives. Thanks Matt!

[@mcremona]

Thanks!!

[@judithfairchild8620]

The red oak is gorgeous. Matthew you live in Minnesota you can get snow from late September to late May. I grew up 60 miles south of Minneapolis. My brother's chose to live there so I do know how cold the weather you all get is that's why I moved to the southern area of the U.S.A.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Man, I love your enthusiasm. You keep me smiling the whole time with your chuckling. Fun stuff!

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@topsaw]

Love your videos. I teach high school woodshop and you inspired me to get a mill at the school. Loving it. Kids love to mill more then woodworking.

[@mcremona]

That would be awesome!

[@topsaw]

@@mcremona got one a few months ago kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGHRq6GnatmlkM0 Thanks for the inspiration

[@TheMrAshley2010]

I love Matt's appreciation of the 'natural'. It's always there. But perhaps more so in this video as he mentions this log compared to 'manufactured' red oak you typically see.

[@mcremona]

thanks Scott!

[@thomas0753]

it is amazing that the Bandsaw Mill will make it through the successive cuts with the weight of the slabs on top of the blade.... some beautiful pieces!

[@ernabueing4250]

Matt, I am sure glad that you love your work........listening to your at that log......makes me think of a artist painter looking at his canvas deciding as to what his game plan will be for it............you are so entertaining for me to watch you and listening to what you have to say.

[@marionrobertson3895]

Matthew the wood slabs are really pretty dark bark extrusions the grain is soo nice really nice slabs.The little boys are soo cute.Thanks bless you and family.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

That's a good friend who would not just give you the log, but deliver it too

[@loicjeannin6233]

It looks like the friend was looking for an excuse to play with the log trailer

[@Bigninjon]

I knew I wasn't the only one who had to put warm water on their wood to see it in the winter but for real fantastic slabs

[@mcremona]

hahahaha thanks!

[@snoozinglion8596]

Thanks for sharing Matt! George Nakashima would be drooling....

[@snoozinglion8596]

www.modernegallery.com/collections/products/2/2?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiK2k1pGU3wIVl_hkCh11VwhKEAAYAyAAEgKAK_D_BwE

[@tinnabjorkhalldorsdottir2630]

Thank you for putting the metric stuff in the video also :)

[@mattmoffet8790]

Those are massive. Love waching you open those up and saving those trees that would turned into firewood.

[@blacksheep_77]

Matt, really great so see you cutting a Red Oak. "Red Oak doesn't get enough credit". Totally agree. Just got finished slabbing out a 300 year old red oak north of Atlanta. 64" base. 54" Top. 144' long. It was a bit red but had all the same coloring I'm seeing in your video. Browns, and figured grain thru and thru. Great Video.

[@mcremona]

Wow! That's a beast of a log!

[@blacksheep_77]

@@mcremona Yes sir....cut it up with a 64" Alaskan mill. Slabs were monsters. Got about 14 with a few 18" burl balls. Just amazing looking very much like what you have here. Would love to have that band saw mill.

[@mauriceryton]

Wow, it never gets old does it!

[@mcremona]

nope!

[@JREASTSIR]

That is just pretty stuff. I like the way you present it.

[@willemkossen]

Everytime i see you enjoying yourself like that, i feel envy. You’re livin’ the life, man!

[@marionrobertson3895]

Willem isn't he though really cool life?

[@samuelbacon1596]

Matt nice log,,,, love the cut of the red oak. Can't wait till you make some out of the red oak. Take care JUNKMANDO

[@chriscunicelli7070]

Great looking stuff Matt

[@nordyfamily]

Great job Matt!..

[@JimG31547]

Maybe we will see a beautiful red oak project in a few years. Thanks for sharing.

[@MakeBrooklyn]

Sweet!!! Nice to see the Cremona Slabinator 3000 is still operating at peak efficiency!

[@alanm3438]

You are the man.............able to a little good in everything.

[@marionrobertson3895]

Matthew I love your enthusiasm I love the beautiful wood slabs you cut.The red oak is nice.Thanks be blessed.

[@practicallyIndependent]

That's a big red oak. We have a ton of red oak around here, but they are hard to find that large. Beautiful slabs. Stay warm and hope the family is doing well.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Mike! You too!

[@Matthewroyermusic]

I just appreciate the sheer size of those slabs. wow!!! to quote you from the past, " those slabs are stupid heavy". lol well done, always enjoy the slab videos.

[@umbalaba]

I love how you are excited about every log you cut up. I get excited every time as well, so it is great to have you share in the excitement :-)

[@mcremona]

I love it all :)

[@bethstehouwer922]

I am glad you braved the cold and cut up that log because it is beautiful WOW!!

[@mcremona]

Just don't stop moving and you won't feel the cold :)

[@tboneterryd]

Very nice. I also like the character trees and the crankiest grain. Thanks

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@lacseul810]

It cracks me up how much you crack yourself up. :) Nice work, Matt! Always enjoy watching these slabbing videos.

[@mcremona]

thanks Jake!

[@yummboy2]

Matt, you are far more than a woodworker! It takes an artist to see the beauty in the imperfections! There appears to be no end to your production of some the most interesting hardwood lumber out there. Thanks again for all you do and all you show us!

[@loicjeannin6233]

Those are slabs, the real stuff

[@mcremona]

Thank you!!

[@blueridgebushcraft8294]

Man I love watching your videos.

[@mcremona]

thank you so much!

[@dennisfahlstrom7422]

Matt, I’ve been a wood worker for most of my life but I’ve never understood the appreciation so many folks have for natural defects like the big splits in this nice piece of red oak. I would only consider retaining the split with some epoxy if it were a small area surrounded by beautiful grain. If this slab were mine, I’d cut the split out and use some biscuits to join it back together. What am I missing? Sure enjoy your projects. Keep them coming.

[@elizabethsuggs2417]

This video is a treat! Thanks

[@mdnd18]

Beautiful slabs.... Can't wait to see what you do with them

[@tonyozimek4252]

you are really stepping up your water throwing game!

[@pulaski1]

Even if Matt won't invest in a forklift, maybe he could invest a few dollars in a watering can, for more even and efficient water distribution.

[@SilverBack.]

Really nice slabs Matt

[@benrudman3917]

Beautiful slabs as always Matt! Seeing you move these on your own and the techniques to do so is very fun to watch. I love the blue staining. 23 minute slab is my favorite. Congratulations on 200k!

[@mcremona]

Thanks Ben!

[@HeikeWoolard]

What a beautiful tabletop or even a gorgeous gigantic head board.

[@wxxryy3469]

I too built a sawmill ( 54" X 21') to saw logs in my "spare time". Been sawing for 2 years here in ILL. I just love finding out what is inside, colors, shape, patterns etc. Every log is an adventure. Enjoy tour videos. Wendell PS I have a forklift ( I am old)

[@creamy150]

Whoever can afford it. Please donate your old fork lift to this guy! Love the videos

[@loue6563]

I would love to have a slab of the round at the end. That would make such a cool table top. I love all the little round bumps on the outside.

[@revhbateman]

Wow love the beautiful wood. Looking forward to the other log. Congratulations on going over 200k subs

[@mcremona]

Thank you!

[@h2energynow]

Awesome piece of wood, and you brought it to life. Wow!

[@mcremona]

Thanks Sonya!

[@mrbakerskatz]

Awesome & Beautiful Thanks Matt

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@tonyneises5195]

Those are some great looking slabs. Going to make some great projects. Thanks for sharing. 😀

[@FredHantz]

Beautiful! Can't wait to see what you make from it in a few years!

[@johnlanham9057]

Good lookin’ kiddos ya got there man. Amazing job sawing and moving that monster. Hope you get fantastic raw material outta all that effort. Dig the videos!!

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@Outlierranch]

I think this is one of my favorite logs you have cut.

[@johnfithian-franks8276]

Hi Matt, Your windows could do with a little TLC and possibly a coat of paint. That wood looks great and the grain patterns are nice.

[@mcremona]

Step one: scrape old paint. Step two: never get around to actually painting them

[@joeskretkowicz3218]

give yourself some credit need more engineers like you

[@hugocoloradosagarnaga6226]

Matthew felicidades por el gran trabajo que tienes

[@khajmi]

i like that you mentions always the cm thnx and good work

[@scottlouis7785]

I can`t hardly believe it`s been that long, time flies for me

[@mcremona]

me too. it's scary

[@kennapop3]

Okay, you mentioned pith, and it is in a perfect spot.

[@mikelatta484]

I love your passion for what you do. And I'd love to get my hands on some of that lumber, but I already have too many projects going.

[@panzer6522]

Keep up the good work you do, your very inspiring Matt. I like the way you think about your passion of woodworking .I'll keep watching Marry Christmas

[@stevecollins9450]

Interesting to see how much good lumber came out of what I thought wouldn't be much.

[@mcremona]

Surprise :)

[@woodturnerbloke555]

Hey Matt, great video. Just an idea, but have you thought about adding a winch at the back of your Sawmill bed? By adding a pair of crab claws to a winch chain you could just pull a log off your trailer straight onto your sawmill bed without having to lift it. I know you are pretty good at getting logs onto the mill with your trailer hoist but this would be a whole lot simpler especially as you work alone most of the time. Just an idea :-). Happy woodworking.

[@mcremona]

I have one back there but it's a small one

[@shawnosaurus1]

Wow, this is one of your best logs.

[@edvickery958]

Hi Matt, If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion. Consider using the first slab that folded and the next one that split in two for a large table project. Split the first slab at the weak point and use the straight grained sections from both slabs for leg material etc. Book match the more interesting sections, then big contrasting butterflies and epoxy. It would be an beautiful wider on one end table or you could flip one side 180 degrees and have both ends finish out at the same width. Cheers.

[@mcremona]

Interesting concept. Thanks Ed!

[@kevinwalsh6450]

Love watching this young man work. And really jealous of the variety and quality of the timber available in the US. Any hardwood here in Ireland is valuable. I'd be delighted to get my hands on some free bland Red Oak

[@flatblack39]

Kevin Walsh, We have more wood in N.W. Ohio than you can shake a stick at! We cant keep up cleaning up dead falls, fence rows and around fields. I cant even give 12" trees away! I wish there was a way to share with you.

[@kevinwalsh6450]

The only trees I get are for firewood mostly pine and popular. As for hardwood very occasionally I'll find a pallet with Ash in it. But my regular source of hardwood is Teak from salvaged doors or window frames. These are being discarded in favour of PVC doors and windows.

[@rudytucci7722]

Hi Matt, I love your Mill, excellent job, i just wish you had a barn or large shed for it.

[@bobferranti5222]

Magnificent patterning in those slabs, I would love to have a slab for a table top or counter top. Matt, have you given thought to putting a tank on the side of the mill and installing a drip feed instead of spraying the blade? The slabs that broke in half would make some interesting river table tops, you could separate them and put some epoxy in between them and have a really nice wider table top. I absolutely love all the figure and colors.

[@wb_finewoodworking]

I agree Matt. That’s some beautiful red oak.

[@robertpearson8546]

Re-watching your videos before you got your skid steer and telehandler shows ingenuity at work. I did notice how often the lack of throat depth affects your sawing. Have you considered redesigning the sawmill with the wheels 1 radius below the sawhead? That would make the throat slightly less than the wheel diameter.

[@davidblalock9945]

Matt, have you considered hooking up a hose to a hot water line? Then you could use the hose nozzle on the shower setting and spray off snowed over logs with hot water.

[@MARKBaid]

Hey Matt just wanted to say thank you and wish you and your family a very merry Christmas. I’m with you on the inclusions, I’d rather have the figure than straight grain any day. Take care my friend and do a kindness Mark

[@mcremona]

Thanks Mark!

[@DuncanEdwards.]

Absolutely gorgeous Oak, love it's character

[@benbirdsill4709]

"Character wood" can be the best. You have a knack for marketing!

[@Mgarberding]

“Welcome to winter....in the fall” 3 hours south of ya in Iowa. Couldn’t be more correct 😂

[@TimRoyalPastortim]

Have a great Christmas Matt & Lindsey & Growing Cremona Family! Gorgeous wood - I need a Brandon in my life... LOL

[@hassanal-mosawi6049]

Thanks for sharing that

[@kenjett2434]

Man those slabs would make awesome old fashion oak dining tables.

[@dinolino3313]

Watching it in double speed is way more fun😂

[@daveweber1331]

Just utterly stunning, all those true brown tones... Red oak, you say?? You said it - looks like butternut, from here! Just to quantify a wild dream of mine, what would you charge me if I wanted to buy that whole log, after it's been air-dried? I realize it needs what? three-four years to dry?

[@mcremona]

Probably a bit over 2 years. I'd have to check for sure but I'm guessing there's about $5000 worth of individual slabs. I'd do a volume discount on something like that probably 25% off.

[@donaldmoore5363]

Just a question from someone who doesn't know much about this but loves what you do. Is throwing the water on the log an important part of the milling process or more for filming the log and showing off its beauty?

[@mikecabe6127]

Great Log Matt!!!!!

[@bwillan]

Those goofy logs sure do produce the nicest slabs.

[@jeffforbes3772]

Another cool video Matt. Thanks

[@mcremona]

Thanks Jeff!

[@ThoenWorks]

Once again a beautiful log on you mill just distracted me from cutting on my own. .

[@mcremona]

we have to stop doing that

[@harrisoncraven5785]

I love keep on going with your bandsaw mill and cutting logos and red oak is a very good wood to work with ok from Harrison and have drink 🍺🍺

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@kevinweir7482]

Hi Matt. With all those cracks in the slabs, you will need to buy a few drums of epoxy or cut about 1,000 butterflies!

[@tadgh0011]

Have you thought on constructing a post and beam or maby a gantry type lifting device? With your innovative use of a wench you could easily move the slabs and logs for that matter.

[@mcremona]

I have but my trailer is more versatile for moving things around

[@peterlittle9935]

Thank you so much very informative but I would really love to know the prices on your finished products. I would find that very interesting thank you for the entertainment and knowledge

[@johnburens3395]

Wiping the saliva from my mouth! I love the slabbing videos, keep them coming.

[@Dustysa4]

I also talk to myself while I work...in an office. My office mate jokes about it. I don't even realize I'm doing it, and he's a good sport.

[@kylekells7937]

"welcome to winter, in the fall" I felt that in my soul here in Chicago, where fall is a myth

[@mcremona]

hahaha I hear that

[@idahopotato5837]

How come you don't ever seem to shim the cuts during cutting and many other sawyers do? Hard to believe there isn't massive force on the blade when stack cutting 6 layers. Great video's. Thanks!

[@Vintauri]

That's not what they mean by a snow blower! @15:47 :) Some beautiful slabs! One of these days I'll come up and pick out my new dining table slab. :D Maybe closer to spring-winter though.

[@mcremona]

hahaha You got it!

[@ThrottleStopRacing]

Thanks for posting

[@gregdagg9305]

Very nice!