Milling Logs to Boards: Part 2

It took three tries  but weather finally allowed us to process more logs. The site is very close to the large barn where boards are stored for two or more years to dry. This batch of logs included red oak, mulberry, walnut, cherry and hemlock. Three of the logs were cut into large slabs that were subsequently chainsawed into roughly square pieces that we sealed on both ends to retard drying so the ends dry at the same rate as the rest and don't crack or check.

Roughing Out Wood Bowl Blanks

Bowl Blanks Sealed and Ready for Transport to the Barn for Drying

Since this milling process took place on mowed grass and not in a forest like last time, we spread a very large tarp on the ground under the mill to make it easy to collect and remove sawdust and debris.

Two Red Oak and Three Walnut Logs Lined Up for Milling

The Mill Has Six Jacks for Leveling

Each Jack Incorporates a Row of Holes and a Spring-loaded Pin and Require Only a Single Lever to Adjust All Sequentially

First Log of the Day Being Cleaned of Dirt and Stones to Prevent Damaging the Blade

Delivery of a Very Large Red Oak Log

 The raw lumber is stacked inside a large barn. One inch square "stickers" are placed along the length so that air can circulate through each row to facilitate natural drying. Boards in a row are spaced an inch or two apart so edges dry properly.

Lumber Cut in the Morning, Now Stacked, Will Dry for
Two Years Before Being Auctioned to Support the Club.

View of Some of Last Year's Planks That Will Be Auctioned Next Year

A Tall Stack of Last Years's Boards