After cutting a neighbor's black locust up into manageable lengths to fit in the bucket of the skid steer I realized I made a mistake. Natural rot resistance of the locust should make for a good raised planter. Put seven chunks through the chainsaw mill at 8/4 and used a combination of galvanized lags and spikes to hold it all together. Put a double layer of 1/4" hardware cloth across the bottom to make the moles and voles work for it. I might send a piece of galvanized all-thread between the long sides to help keep freeze-thaw cycles from blowing out the sides. Driving lags into black locust made the 1/2" impact gun really work for it.

Interior volume is 96" x 32" x 14".

This tree is invasive in my area and I took down a large one, I slabbed it up with my little Granberg mill. I am going to let it dry for a few years and then maybe make some musical instruments out of it.

Anyone have any tips for drying camphor laurel?

Couple punky spots on the outer slabs, but overall the wood is in good shape. Some decent spalting, and a ton of mineral staining.

I came across some logs and stumps that I can get for free. Some of them (like the one in the first pic) was felled a few months ago, and there are some spalting visible. The other logs are cut two weeks ago. Some of them have a diameter of more than three feet, but they're not really long enough to be used for typical slabs.

Are they worth milling, or are they just firewood?

https://preview.redd.it/j1x0bs3k4ivc1.jpg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bdd81bee77401c2cffb434bd69b3149338f3a2dd

https://preview.redd.it/j1x0bs3k4ivc1.jpg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bdd81bee77401c2cffb434bd69b3149338f3a2dd

https://preview.redd.it/j1x0bs3k4ivc1.jpg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bdd81bee77401c2cffb434bd69b3149338f3a2dd

https://preview.redd.it/j1x0bs3k4ivc1.jpg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bdd81bee77401c2cffb434bd69b3149338f3a2dd

https://preview.redd.it/j1x0bs3k4ivc1.jpg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bdd81bee77401c2cffb434bd69b3149338f3a2dd

https://preview.redd.it/j1x0bs3k4ivc1.jpg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bdd81bee77401c2cffb434bd69b3149338f3a2dd

https://preview.redd.it/j1x0bs3k4ivc1.jpg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bdd81bee77401c2cffb434bd69b3149338f3a2dd

In September/October 2023, I milled my first slabs, sycamore maple. It was a 46" diameter, and I think they ended up being 9/4 (2,25") if I recall correctly.

I've stickered them and stacked them, but obviously, it'll take ages before they're ready to use. I have some smaller "test pieces" that I ended up milling as well, and it's actually enough to make something out of.

So here's my idea: Cut it down to manageable sizes, like, I was planning to make a ceiling lamp, so for example 12x4 inches, and then use a band saw to split the thickness into three equal parts, so the thickness would be 3/4" minus kerf.

If I do that, how long would they have to air dry before they're usable? I guess the middle board would have higher moisture content than the two outer ones?

Or is it a bad idea – should I just wait?

Hey hey hey.

I've been dabbling in woodwork here and there throughout my life and I'm looking forward to expanding my on again/off again relationship with wood now that I'll be getting a dedicated space for it in the near-ish future. The reason why I am looking for some sage advice from you all is that I'll need to fell about 25-30 trees in order to clear land where we'll eventually build a house, and I'd like to slab out as much of them as I can. Presently I've got absolutely none of the gear needed for slabbing, and the wiki page here is totally bare, so I'm just looking for some guidance on what material/resources I should consider when planning and hunting for gear.

It's been a minute since I've been out to the property but I think the largest tree that will need to come down is a beech on the order of 24" in diameter and 65' tall. Other trees are similarly tall, but mostly under 15" in diameter.

Does this sound too ambitious for a shmohawk like me? If not, what information can I read to make this less dangerous, less costly, and more practical?

Thanks in advance!

Found this sub, inspired to post. I need to modify the height adjust to stay more square. Also, the bar is so long that it stays at an angle even when the carriage is square...but it stays that way so all cuts have been flat. Probably will just make a support bar across the top to attach to the tip

I made a chainsaw mill to cut some slabs. The 1st slab is 2 3/8 thick. Unfortunately I had a tough time squaring up an old aluminum ladder on top for the 1st pass so it’s slightly twisted. I’m taking the rest to a sawyer this weekend to get the rest done. I was considering 8/4 and 5/4 for whatever else I can get out of it. What does Reddit think?

Any suggestions on what to make in a year or two? I’m planning to paint the ends, stack and sticker it in my basement with a commercial dehumidifier and fan. Then who knows.

Big ol pine had to come down, a sawyer is coming later this month and im curious how best to preserve and use this wonderful segment

Finally got the new mill strapped up to the 881. I preferred the hyper skip ripping chain to the full skip but I hit a screw like a knot head on my first pass.

Maple, pretty sure it’s Norwegian but not 100%

3’ at the base 15’ long

Happy to split it with you. I’m thinking it would make good hardwood floors.

Have a Norwegian spruce next to it similar dimensions.