Having logs turned into lumber

rtj1981 · Sep 20, 2009

My dad had to cut down one of the Black Walnut trees cut down my great great grandpa planted when they bought the house in the early 1900's and we saved all the trunk pieces that I thought were large enough to have turned into lumber. I contacted a local sawyer who told me that it would take 4-5 hrs to saw up the 5 logs. Does it really take that long? I'm afraid I don't have much experience with this so I don't know. The largest log is about 23" but the rest are in the 17" or less range. Thanks.

COAL CREEK FORGE · Sep 20, 2009

rtj1981 said:
My dad had to cut down one of the Black Walnut trees cut down my great great grandpa planted when they bought the house in the early 1900's and we saved all the trunk pieces that I thought were large enough to have turned into lumber. I contacted a local sawyer who told me that it would take 4-5 hrs to saw up the 5 logs. Does it really take that long? I'm afraid I don't have much experience with this so I don't know. The largest log is about 23" but the rest are in the 17" or less range. Thanks.

rtj1981 a good sawyer should be able to saw those in less than 2 hour's top's,try to find someone in your area with a Wood mizer mill that will let you be there when they're cut,that way you know you got your lumber and they'll be no arguement's.

murphda2 · Sep 20, 2009

Once you get them cut, don't forget to post pics for everyone to enjoy.

I don't know about your local sawyers, but the lumber mill I worked at my first summer after starting college could rough cut a 20' trunk in about five minutes it seemed like. Of course, I doubt you want it cut that rough.

Murph

steelshaper · Sep 22, 2009

It really depends on the mill and what you are wanting it cut into. 4-5 hours may be a bit much but I dont think its crazy. How much are they charging you? Do they charge by the board foot or hour? I have a mill and it would take me that long but I am a little slow. Also my mill is small and home made. A bigger mill should be able to do it in a hour or two.

rtj1981 · Sep 23, 2009

steelshaper said:
It really depends on the mill and what you are wanting it cut into. 4-5 hours may be a bit much but I don't think its crazy. How much are they charging you? Do they charge by the board foot or hour? I have a mill and it would take me that long but I am a little slow. Also my mill is small and home made. A bigger mill should be able to do it in a hour or two.

He's charging me $50 for travel and $45 an hour, plus I have to supply two additional people to help. I also need to provide a way to hoist the logs onto the mill, which isn't a problem as my brother works for a landscaper and can bring home equipment. He is the only guy in my area that I know of so I don't have anyone else to compare his prices too.

Thanks everyone for their reply.

birdog4 · Sep 23, 2009

Don't ya have any Amish in the neighborhood?

Tommegow · Sep 24, 2009

Did you save any of the limb joints or crotchs?

steelshaper · Sep 24, 2009

I would bet there is somebody cheaper around you. Ya just have to look. Go on craigslist and put up a wanted add.

There is a guy from Cadilac (I think) that rents his mill for something like 50 bucks a day.

rtj1981 · Sep 24, 2009

Tommegow said:
Did you save any of the limb joints or crotchs?

Of coarse

Steelshaper, I don't think the price is bad I just don't think it should take 4-5 hours but like I said I don't know much about this. I took your advice and put a want ad on craigslist and will see if I can get a second opinion.

Will52100 · Oct 10, 2009

Depends on how many logs and what you want cut. My father's got a woodmizer. It's not the cutting that takes time, it's the turning, recutting, but mainly pulling slabs that takes time. If it's only 3-4 logs that arn't too long and your not wanting odd cuts it shouldn't take a decent mill and three people over about 2-3 hours from start to finish. Look around, I personaly wouldnt' hire anybody to cut wood by the hour, board foot is the generaly excepted way. The more board foot cut from a log, the more it cost, but the more wear and tear on blades and equipment. Before my father got his mill as a retirement hobby I had some logs cut and the sizing was way off because the operator didn't know how to read his log scale or account for shrinkage. My father did the lumber for my house and every bit of it matches dressed lumber to with in a 1/16" or better.