Woodworking suggestions needed

[chorky]

So I have a handful of apple logs from 3-4 trees I cut a few years ago due to foundation impacts. They are historic. As old or older Than the house (1938). I'm pretty sure they are part of a historic vineyard. The original platt map I have shows land, some 50 acres more or less donated 'to the town of Superior forever" after the owner died in 1935 or so. Soon after, this house was built.

Anyway, I'm trying to get someone to mill them into 1" boards so I can further cut as needed via table saw, unless anyone suggests otherwise. I have 8-10 logs about 7' long and 5-10" diameter with 2 stumps 2-3' long and about 28" diameter but they are cracking. I'm no woodworker, but have a handful of tools and looking to get a fox alien cnc / laser machine for some small projects.

Just looking for what to make. The wood grain is SO beautiful. I can't just use it for random projects, it's too nice for that. Any suggestions???

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[Mtpisgah]

You need to find someone with a jointer and planer, with those you can mill the wood flat and parallel. If you had only a planer, you could use a jointer sled, though it is a longer process.
For the logs, you could use a bandsaw log sled to cut it into planks, and then use the jointer planer combo to finish the milling.
I would suggest you see if there is a woodworkers guild or Facebook group near you to seek help. If you were in SC, I could assist.
It is an expensive, but fun, hobby.

 

[chorky]

Yeah that would be nice. Unfortunately it's unlikely to find a jointer anywhere near me. I have been thinking about getting a small dewalt plainer though. I'm limited on space too so that will kinda stop me from getting too in depth and costly

This guy has a couple good ideas though.

 

[MPMB]

:D

If you get enough planed & square, a coffee table top w/ a pipe base (Pinterest ppl love that s**t)
Fireplace mantle
Rustic "chandelier" (w/o the walnut stain vvv)

 

[kacey]

Hi, I think this idea is really great!

Tutuapp​

 

[biplaneguy]

Here's a couple of tables I made some years back. The first is a random pine slab of unknown origin with mountain laurel legs:

This is from am oak tree we took down in front of our cabin, legs are again mountain laurel. The slab came off almost flat when I was splitting it for firewood; I finished flattening it with a hand plane:

 

[Mtpisgah]

If we want to get into showing pieces we have made….

 

[HankB]

Some tables for boats I’ve made over the years.

 

[Mtpisgah]

Some tables for boats I’ve made over the years.

Is that teak?

 

[chorky]

Great. I wanna to start my first project too

I still haven't figured out fully how to process these logs. I live in a historic logging and mining town, the primary industry is logging and there are tons of small time sawmill owners. So far, nobody is interested in milling these up. It's a strange demographic where most the loggers here always complain about not enough money, not enough work, but they also dont accept work that is thrown their way - not just these logs either this goes for large jobs. It's a really weird situation.

I am probably going to end up having to make a jig and try to process the rest of them on my table saw after ripping them in half with my smaller chainsaw - which sucks since that is gong to waste a lot of it, but it seems to be the only option so far. But I do need to get them milled so I can dry them and clean them up since Im' trying to start a small spare time business and would love to incorporate these into a few things.

 

[Mtpisgah]

Buy a bandsaw off of Craigslist to rip them. Then joint and plane. Should be easier to control and less wasteful than a chainsaw. Precut to the rough length you need beforehand.

 

[chorky]

Buy a bandsaw off of Craigslist to rip them. Then joint and plane. Should be easier to control and less wasteful than a chainsaw. Precut to the rough length you need beforehand.

I would love too, but my basement is getting really tight on space. I'm actually working on workbench plans that will incorporate both the table saw and double compound miter saw but will also flip over for a flat surface. I only have about 10' by 10' to work with. Unless I can find a SBA loan program to build a shop. I have seen some band saws for fairly cheap recently but the ones I have seen only accept 5" thick wood. Most of my logs are at least 6"

 

[WILDHOBO]

If we want to get into showing pieces we have made….

You have more tools than I do. I made an Adirondack rocker out of Ipe years ago, and it’s still my favorite project. I’m working on my first modest live edge project out of some pine trees the insurance company made us cut down a few years ago. I milled them with an Alaskan sawmill three years ago and let them dry in the crawl space until this year. I’m just going to make a modest outdoor bench. It’s just pine, but I like it not going to firewood. This picture is before it was oiled.

 

[Mtpisgah]

I would love too, but my basement is getting really tight on space. I'm actually working on workbench plans that will incorporate both the table saw and double compound miter saw but will also flip over for a flat surface. I only have about 10' by 10' to work with. Unless I can find a SBA loan program to build a shop. I have seen some band saws for fairly cheap recently but the ones I have seen only accept 5" thick wood. Most of my logs are at least 6"

I have two flip carts, one with my planer and spindle sander, and one for my miter saw. They are a great use of space.
10’x10’ is pretty small. How high is the ceiling? Any chance of using a pulley system for storage up high? My current house only has 8’ ceilings so I have no high storage, but we are moving to a house with 10’ ceiling soon so I may be able to utilize some of it.

 

[Mtpisgah]

You have more tools than I do. I made an Adirondack rocker out of Ipe years ago, and it’s still my favorite project. I’m working on my first modest live edge project out of some pine trees the insurance company made us cut down a few years ago. I milled them with an Alaskan sawmill three years ago and let them dry in the crawl space until this year. I’m just going to make a modest outdoor bench. It’s just pine, but I like it not going to firewood. This picture is before it was oiled.

Yeah, my tool collection got a bit out of control. But it keeps me out of trouble and allows me to make cool stuff for the house.

That is a good looking chair. IPE has gone up in price so much since Covid. my wife wants new deck furniture, so I am going to have to bite the bullet before next spring.

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