Slabbing the Crotchy White Oak Log (Big Logs #3)

This white oak log was the third of the big logs I hauled from a dump pile. It was the only log that I had assistance loading. Before I got to it, it was already being cut into firewood rounds so the bottom 4' of the log was already removed. Those rounds were still sitting there though. I'm guessing whoever cut them, was unable to load them and gave up. The was still a partially cut round attached which I will remove and cut into cookies in a separate video.
More on the log trailer: • My Trailer with Log Lo...
White Oak Log Pickup Vlog: • Yet Another Big Log [M...
Bandsaw Mill Build: • Wide Cutting Bandsaw M...
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[@awldune]

I feel like "cutting and drying cookies" is a real FAQ in the woodworking world so I am looking forward to that.

[@keats182]

I know this is a labor of love for you, but watching you work makes me think paying money for wood might not be as bad as I thought. You are a hard worker!

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Man, it is great to see the construction down on this saw, and the weather nice so you can put it to use, well done!

[@mcremona]

Thanks Andy!

[@Gforceracing20]

Can't believe how straight the grain is with all of those branches!!! You definitely chose the correct way to saw that log.

[@mcremona]

+Gforceracing20 I know right?! Thanks!!

[@maryannrurup353]

I love watching you stabbing, the grain on some boards, curls, and crouching, thank you so much

[@lukejohnson2854]

That trailer of yours is well used. Can't get over how versatile it is.

[@FromTheWood]

I've broken three cell phones in trouser pocket. Very nice log. I was filled with envy.

[@thewhiskeysgt]

I am exhausted watching you. My back wouldn't have held out like that. Great job.

[@Sebastopolmark]

This video really shows the grain progression as you go through the logs. Very interesting to see the history of the tree. I definitely see the next Cremona tee shirt "I like figured crotch!! Do you???" OR "Ask me about my figured crotch" GREAT vid's Matt. Can't wait to see them in a project.

[@judithfairchild8620]

That's the most beautiful and fun grain yet. So many patterns of grain to look at.

[@stokes771]

I just have to say how well built that mill is. You are dropping hundreds of pounds of wet wood with not so much as a shake. Nicely done!

[@mcremona]

Thanks!!

[@andywright2380]

you have the best case I've ever seen for convincing your wife that you need a skidsteer with a forklift attachment. It would change your life for loading large logs as well as moving around material

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Really beautiful grain patterns in this wood! Nature was in a good mood creating this! Thanks for sharing!

[@ScrapwoodCity]

I wish you where my neighbor so I could watch all that cutting live and perhaps come over and buy some beautiful lumber! lol

[@mcremona]

I'm sure you can find a house for sale nearby :)

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Lol, I'll keep that in mind if I ever decide to change country and continent! Greetings from Greece

[@rubbadubdub7857]

Matthew, that's gotta be at least a 200-year-old oak. Wow. What a rare and exquisite collection of wood from which to make something profound. How special that will be.

[@pattigoebel3136]

Rubba Dubdub hmm, now you make me want to go back and count rings. I am thinking around 100 or less

[@rubbadubdub7857]

We had a white oak directly in front of the house I grew up in. It was about 40-inches across at the base. The city did borings into the trunk in the 1970s and determined it was a sapling at the time George Washington was a boy, and was about 220-240 years old. It was called the Tuttle Oak for the farm it had grown upon and lasted until about 2010 before it died of disease and had to be taken down. You've got a 200-year-old oak there I'm quite confident.

[@rubbadubdub7857]

I Googled the Tuttle Oak and discovered it was taken down in 1996 (not 2010)and that the tree did date back to the 1700s as my memory served me. You've got something ancient and rare!

[@pattigoebel3136]

From one of the center slabs, I think top of the 5th slab, approximately 107 years there. Then you could probably add 15-30 for not being the exact center of the tree and how many years it took to grow to that height. You can have two trees be the same diameter, but one easily half the age because of how well watered and fertilized it was or was not. If not in someone's lawn or riparian area, and on a dryer soil type, as oaks like, it would have closer growth rings. _lh3.googleusercontent.com/on0v6Syd9abJym3t2P7AJgVLwo4ti4TAPNMs4S88oJkFYWJESbnWcIknTf3IPPw0a250MT7h_

[@rubbadubdub7857]

Your ring-counting, using a 37-inch gross diameter and a 140-year-old tree, works out to about 0.26 inches of diameter growth per year. This means each ring should be about 1/8-inch apart, probably not unlikely. Still, based on the Tuttle Oak, I would have thought your tree is in the 200-year-old range. However, if 140 years is accurate, that's still something special. Trees are such an amazing gift from God! I am constantly envious of you all.

[@PeopleAlreadyDidThis]

Love watching you saw slabs, Matt. I made my final comment last week about destroying your back. Now you've got your head under the last portion of the log while it's supported only by the farm jack, you have your legs in the mill frame while rolling the log. You won't use rollers because a slab could get away, but yet you take all these chances.... A longtime friend of mine died a couple of years ago when a pine trunk got loose and crushed his skull. The authorities had to take his wife out of her class at the high school to break the news to her. You have a beautiful wife and sons. A Bobcat or all-terrain forklift is much cheaper than your sons growing up fatherless. I pray you will act more responsibly. I believe you to be smarter than this.

[@cudazi]

This is like an old school MRI scan, going slice by slice seeing what's inside. :) I can't wait to see what these get used for in the future!

[@mcremona]

+Curt Ziegler that's so true! Love that analogy

[@cudazi]

I'd get way too attached to each slab when they're this cool, afraid to use or sell any of them

[@dlindesey]

Nice! It was nice hearing he birds chirp while you were working. Felt like I was there watching you work.

[@mcremona]

Yeah that was a great day. Really felt like spring.

[@nordyfamily]

I love your show, I can't quit watching! You are my bonus for covid no work.

[@randallshular5362]

I have watched all the videos on the build of that saw mill. That thing is truly awesome. And this big trunk that you are cutting have some beautiful grain in it. My hat is off to you sir fantastic job.

[@andrewv5104]

My dad pointed out to me this weekend that Winter is only 8 months away. Winter is coming! That oak is very pretty.

[@mcremona]

That's not a good way to think about it lol

[@SisterGraphics]

My gosh you deserve a bonus check for all that work, but that is some of the most beautiful wood I have ever seen !

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@TheMetalButcher]

I can't believe how solid that log was.

[@diggler306]

I'm just friggin' drooling over here! Unbelievably gorgeous slabs of wood.

[@mcremona]

lol thanks Josh!

[@Thom4123]

Absolutely incredible slabs. So cool seeing the presents inside just appear. SLABERGASTED. lol

[@garyb9867]

Hi Matt I love your videos but if you keep man handling those slabs, one morning you will wake-up and won't be able to figure out why you can't get out of bed. You are blessed with a good strong back, if you injure it, it will take the fun out of everything you do. Thanks for sharing your talents. Gary

[@RipRoarLB]

I was thinking, how about using a dolly?

[@gordonedmiston2227]

Big fan of the 'camera on top of the truck' shot. helps you feel the weight of that log as you move it.

[@georgerama7602]

That can make one hell of a medieval battering ram, Matt.

[@mcremona]

+george rama Hahahaha!!

[@i8screaminmoose]

I think you work harder(physically) than anyone else in their youtube videos. Watching you move these logs I am always glad that you're moving them and I am watching.

[@billbuzwah2705]

Almost could taste all that saw dust your making.. Beautiful pieces of lumber Thanks for sharing

[@krn14242]

You need a forklift.. My back was hurting just watching you move all those slabs around. Great job Matt.

[@itzmeagain8011]

Sorry for the length of the comment Matt - the only way I knew how to say it! I'm sure you've been in similar situations yourself: I was sitting in a local cafe a while ago, a couple of tables from a group I know. One, a retired doctor, was relating an anecdote which was causing great amusement. His laugh was so infectious I found myself laughing out loud along with him. Truth is though I had no clue what they were talking about! Well, your enthusiasm for what you were doing and what you were finding created the same enthusiasm for me - so infectious. Thank you for a great video. It made my week!

[@mcremona]

Awesome!!!

[@garymccoy2888]

I'm betting that if you sold just the slabs you have already cut, it would pay for the saw. Great series, loved every episode looking forward to some build videos. Thanks for doing them.

[@rogertaylor2137]

Has got to be the hardest working man on KZbin! Would love to see a finished product from one of the slabs one day.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Roger!

[@billsutherland2128]

Matt, great job on the sawmill and your videos! My concern is your safety. As a kid, I worked as a sawyer on two sawmills. Both had minimal safety features, and our crews had numerous accidents that were unforeseeable. Bad things happen very fast and very violently. Once, a part of one of the blade guides came off and hit the stick man (operator) in the helmet and chin. He was lucky and only bruised. The other time, the blade hit a hardened steel thing and the whole log spun around the upright posts and sent the stick man to the hospital with two broken femurs. And we did have the log clamped securely. I suggest that you fabricate a protective cage or shield out of 4"x4" steel, surrounded by a strong mesh to stand in while operating your sawmill. Take care, Bill S. in Ramsey, MN

[@jeffgannon1]

With your new found welding skills I'd be welding a overhead crane. Fantastic looking slabs!

[@mcremona]

That''s my plan in the future but it won't be at this property. I'll wait until we move and the mill is somewhere more permanent

[@johnwayne318]

I respect you so much!!! its great to see someone getting them wide unwanted crotch logs and milling them. I fell in love with white oak after slabing out a couple 55"+ diameter crotch logs. KEEP THEM VIDEOS COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mcremona]

Thank you!!

[@yummboy2]

Every one of those slabs is incredible! I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite! I am suffering from slab envy!

[@mcremona]

lol thanks!

[@nakamakai5553]

Good for you, Matt - those are GORGEOUS!

[@steverobb5360]

Awesome slabs! Can't believe you move everything around by yourself!

[@mcremona]

Thanks! Well sort of. The trailer does the heavy lifting

[@thomastieffenbacherdocsava1549]

Matt, getting that log onto the truck shows how much you've learned. I was rooting for you there. What are you going to do when it's gone. LOL!

[@_mrv_]

You got quite a few really nice slabs out of this log. My favorite is probably the second to last slab on the main log. The variation in the grain was interesting.

[@timholiner381]

That piece with the double bullseye looks like ET!

[@gian3458]

You should really frame those slabs and put em in an art show! Those are some very beautiful figuring you got there!

[@JudithStOnge]

Matt. I really do hope you sell enough of those lovely slabs to pay expenses and afford you a decent living. You are overall a genius woodcrafter. Master of your Skill. Lovely careful furniture builder. And nice guy. Best wishes always.. From Port Orange, Fl.

[@ymxb6253]

overall of your log cutting videos, I have observed how great you are at backing up a trailer! I really like the way the sawmill turned out

[@mcremona]

Best way to get good at something is to practice :) Thanks!

[@mikehazlett4229]

I enjoy your videos whether it be sawing welding or working wood in your shop. Keep up the good work and videos.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Whenever that winch runs with something this big I can feel my face crunching up like I'm watching a horror movie. I'm just waiting for it all to explode

[@mcremona]

lol

[@dalejones4186]

Great rewards for your hard work. The wood slabs are beautiful. Great video

[@timguba8887]

Matt, I gotta say, you just amaze me. What you do is so cool. Keep up your fantastic work!

[@salmonhunter7414]

That is some beautiful wood. Wish I lived close by to buy some. Thanks for sharing .

[@dbs1183]

Love the wood....keep up the good work Matt

[@jeromemallory9434]

You are a Beast with that Jack!..lol...Jack of all logs!

[@stevepratley]

That very last slab, the 10/4, the one on the deck would have to be my favorite, the grain figure, the bark inclusions, that would be my dining room table! Awesome job Matt, thank you.

[@Gotwoodworkshop]

Loved the video and what an awesome piece of wood! It's really cool seeing what comes out of these big logs, can't wait to see more!

[@swh797]

Matt I read some of the other comments so I hope this one will not fall on deaf ears. The most important thing you will ever have is your health so take care of it. Get yourself a good dust mask and for heaven sakes figure out a better way to handle those heavy slabs. Take it from some one who knows when the back is gone it is gone. Matt this is not fussing, it is experience. Keep up the good job and I love your WORK ETHIC.

[@locohombre79]

Each cut is like unwrapping a Christmas present, except these gifts make money. It's a win win ;)

[@jdavidbaxter]

Wow, talk about hitting the jackpot with that log. That's some fantastic grain.

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@danielmiller2977]

I love your channel. Not ready to tackle my own mill just yet. Thanks for sharing your world.

[@mcremona]

+Daniel Miller thank you!!

[@scotttland31]

I used to jump around like that when I was 20-40,(I have you on the fast yt speed) Now, if I wake up without any pain, I'd think I was dead!

[@amoshelp766]

I love you passion and how you have perused it. Thanks for inspiring me to start.

[@mcremona]

I'll never get tired of hearing that!

[@aintgonnahappen]

Man I wish I lived near you. I remember you saying you sold some of your excess. Beautiful stuff brother.

[@alienphysics8592]

Matt, your a hard working dude, and my back ached just watching you turn the logs around, and heave them here or there ..... Son, get yourself a used propane forklift and save your "back" !!! If you can't afford one perhaps we can all chip in for the cause ......

[@murnelbabineaux105]

White Oak and Red Oak make some beautimus furniture !

[@jeager31]

Beautiful stuff

[@hudsonriverlee]

Sic, just Sic, however I loved watching this. I certainly appreciate the education of seeing this hunk of timber being hoisted upon the Mill. Very glad your experience keeps you safe. I have never seen a log so Unround, lol... however you managed quite well thus far, well done..

[@highentropy]

woah that bullseye is awesome!

[@brucemanning7827]

Good stuff Matt , the slabs look awesome and it's easy to forget how big they are. I look forward to watching these videos . Cheers from New Zealand.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Bruce!

[@lesabre1972]

that last slab is my favorite

[@strandbunnyx]

love the miling vids/series!! hope to see much more milling and/or big trees!keep up the good work!!

[@randyc5650]

Matt, when you start feeling better, after your illness, in your spare time, I can see you getting your welder out and fabbing a tower crane. I'm sure you would put it to good use and would probably take you only a fraction of the time it took to build your saw. If you need any more suggestions, just let me know.

[@mversantvoort]

That's some beautiful wood you got there!

[@motzemog]

Excellent video and that bullseye grain is amazing. Looking forward to the cookie slicing video.

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@sueerickson4849]

Beautiful grain!

[@chetlangford2144]

i cant believe how well that winch works and your rig. awesome bro!

[@mcremona]

Thanks Chet!

[@lesabre1972]

you do a good job for being a smaller dude than I.I love horsing stuff around.LOL

[@SilverBack.]

Fantastic looking slabs the figuring in it is GREAT should make some really nice table tops

[@stevecollins9450]

I think those are my favorite slabs of all you've cut so far, Matt.

[@mcremona]

I'm torn between these and the maple crotch. They were both spectacular.

[@ThoenWorks]

amazed at how well that trailer works.

[@mcremona]

I'm still amazed by it :)

[@gilorcilla7559]

OneVeryOrdinaryMan i

[@jimmylovesbikes]

W o w. The satisfaction and sense of accomplishment should be off the charts!

[@mcremona]

it is :)

[@berthatton9410]

I watch and really like all your videos. That is quite a machine you have built. Please be careful, I wince sometimes when I see you move the heavy stuff. Best wishes.

[@jamesrpm3920]

Wish you were closer , I would love to buy some of that log ; lovely grain !

[@CapnCrusty]

Beautiful wood and that mill is truly awesome. It's good to see you trying to use more tools to move the heavy stuff instead of Fred Flintstoning it. Consider buying a portable winch such as a PullzAll to further reduce the wear and tear on your back. You'll be glad you did when you get older.

[@Psychlist1972]

That is one beautiful log

[@careykitson1155]

Hey Matt, maybe an easy add-on. Harbor Freight's pressure pot spray system could be used to apply your blade lubrication. Mount the spray head just after the operators side bandsaw wheel. Mount a ball valve at the operators station as a spray control.

[@marccutler1338]

That is an epic log. CROTCH FIGURE!

[@JeffHeathTheVintageWorkshop]

I am enjoying your videos on slabbing these massive logs. I have a woodmizer LT40 and am envious of your cut width. We need to find you a small forklift.

[@zeke1eod]

Great video, awesome slabs. Thanks for sharing God bless

[@chadderaps]

Your back yard looks so much cleaner now :)

[@mcremona]

+Chad Deraps getting there

[@RXRSawdustStation]

That is intensely laborious, #MassiveMatt. Crazily laborious! My favorite was the last cut before the flip. Crazy grain pattern. Beautiful wood, man! Thank you for your effort, #TeamCremona!

[@eddraper]

You're making my back hurt! Be nice to see that turned into some really cool Greene and Greene projects.

[@jorgelopes8035]

Awesome boards!!

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@richparker7778]

Beautiful slabs Matt. I get the same excitement when I open logs on my mill. It's like opening up a Christmas present.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Rich! I love the experience :)

[@Hasy84]

Awesome log ..

[@TurntasticWoodDesigns]

Very nice stuff! You could use a bobcat or a small fork lift.

[@kevinwoodcock7578]

That log trailer is f'ing amazing

[@mcremona]

thanks Kevin!

[@TedAlexander24]

I think my favorite slab is the one that you flipped on the mill. Doesn't look like the person that wants to build a beautiful coffee table will have much trouble with these slabs.

[@RickRabjohn]

Terrific video as always - I still think a 2018 Cremona Pin-up Calendar on the best crotch would be a winner! Which obviously needs to include this log!!! Great work Matt - keep it coming.

[@mcremona]

+Rick Rabjohn hahaha! Yes! Might have to work on that :)

[@matt_williams1015]

The grain is amazing in that log!

[@mcremona]

totally!

[@acme663ryo]

I said it once before I love the arch on your trailer. I am going to copy that idea for mine, make it attachable in two places so that I can shift large stuff further up the trailer bed. I put a mounting point for a swinging engine hoist crane but so much I want to move is too heavy for that setup.

[@WoodByWright]

So stinking SWEET!!!

[@mcremona]

I know you like white oak :)

[@WoodByWright]

LOL what would make you think that!