How I Choose Where to Make My Cuts with Woodmizer LT15 Sawmill

Рет қаралды 22,500

6 ай бұрын

A tutorial on how I choose where to make my cuts when milling logs into lumber. I mill a couple Douglas fir logs into lumber with my Woodmizer LT15 Start sawmill. I demonstrate how I choose where to make the cuts to produce heart center lumber and boards with more uniform grain patterns. The idea is to try to make more stable lumber that is less likely to warp and twist. The logs were cut from my forest land from dying Douglas fir trees. I plan on using some of the lumber for building a small off grid cabin. You can support the channel through Patreon at patreon.com/WilsonForestLands

Пікірлер: 125

@jimmyers264 5 күн бұрын

10:23 "Different situations are different." Goes into my words to live by. Along with "It depends" and "How does that work?"..."Oh, about how you'd figure."

@fadetounforgiven 5 ай бұрын

I'm not sure why KZfaq started recommending me your videos but, well, from the quality of the production to the information given, including the way you deliver jokes and all... it's just great.

@mcpiddler1135 6 ай бұрын

I appreciate your efforts to saw good lumber- and your willingness to stay fully dressed unlike some on KZfaq who think they have to wear spandex two sizes too small, and not much of that even! LOL There's a joke on the Forestry Forum about "spandex sawyers" who are only clickbait and NOT sawyers.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

So far the channel is growing nicely. I haven’t had to resort to pulling out the spandex yet. Hopefully you all keep supporting the channel so it doesn’t have to come to that. 😁

@TheOldManAndTheSaw 6 ай бұрын

OSHA says that any log with 1 milled surface is a cant. USDA says a cant has at least 2 surfaces at 90 degrees. EVERYBODY else says 4 milled sides. Remember that this is your channel and you can call it anything you want; like "Gloria".

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

That sounds like OSHA and the USDA. Coming up with something completely ridiculous. I like the part about calling it whatever I want. Gloria could be a good name for it. Either way, Gloria sounds interesting. I will have to check her out. I wonder if she wears spandex

@SilvasSmallMining 6 ай бұрын

I’ve found that if I cut out the “pith” of the log, I get less twist and deformation. I usually end up with an approximate 2”x2” pith post that I put in my firewood pile. It’s an old trick that I picked up from the “old timer” sawyers. Excellent video! Take care!

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

And if you cut that 2 x 2 out, I imagine you are getting a couple pieces of good quarter sawn on each side of it. It’s a good tip.

@dweebulot 6 ай бұрын

Every time theres a new Wilson Forest Lands video, I have to watch it. Thanks for making fantastic content! I love the logging setup, its really unique and awesome to see how your system works. Thanks!

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

And thank you for watching and your comment. People watching and enjoying them keeps me doing more.

@grizz2702 6 ай бұрын

Very good explanation...speaking as a carpenter and not a sawyer the 2by6 and 2by8 with the pyth in them are not very structural in typical framing because of the direction of growth rings (for the purpose of rafters and floor joist) but they make excellent deck boards because of the direction of the growth ring ...of course I'm speaking of maximum performance of the board and not all situations require maximum performance...cheers

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Good information there. That would make a good video, explaining all of that. I might do one myself if I was more knowledgeable about that.

@mattwernecke2342 5 ай бұрын

I can afford a mill but i can't afford the heavy equipment to move the logs. I guess that I can use a winch.

@electricaviationchannelvid7863 4 ай бұрын

@@WilsonForestLands Hi, can You harvest aircraft graded spruce wood timber??? The cut pattern and ring pattern/density have specific rules...

@WilsonForestLands 4 ай бұрын

I don’t have spruce on my forest lands.

@RavensRidgeNC 6 ай бұрын

So, picked up a nugget on this one - basing all cuts *from* the pith, rather than viewing the log from the outside > in. Good stuff!

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

It seems to be the way all the cool kids are doing it these days. Recently I thought I would give it a try and it works well.

@CWME02 6 ай бұрын

Good explanation and walk through of your process. When I first started sawing I obsessed over quantity. Took me a while to realize the wood “lost” making quality lumber was still useful. Keeps the shop warm through the winter and the campfires burning in the summer. Enjoying your content, thank you.

@flatlinesup 6 ай бұрын

Excellent vid. Well spoken and taught. Thank you for sharing.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for the encouragement.

@wizewoods9130 6 ай бұрын

We have a wicked storm going on here right now, as I was trying to watch this video the power blinked off 3 times, after rebooting my computer 3 times the power went out again and stayed out. Now I have the generator running and was able to finish watching this video. The reason for my panic is that this subject is just what I needed as I just recently ordered a new Woodmizer mill(small homeowner dubber mill but a mill none the less) and I have no idea as to how to mill a log. Your explanation of your process was perfect and very helpful. I watch all your milling videos and find them fun, enjoyable and informative at the same time. Anyone out there considering a mill purchase, buy a woodmizer, they'll send you a nice little gift box with a couple hats, a pair of safety glasses, a sticker, a button, and even a pencil! Happy milling and take care

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

What? A pencil? I got gypped with mine, they didn’t send me a pencil with it. Thank you for the comment. It’s good to know when my videos are being helpful. Best of luck with the power outage and the milling.

@patrickcreath217 6 ай бұрын

You know, I've learned so much from my mistakes...that I think I will make some more!😂 I play around with my my LT35 hydraulic...never knew I had so many friends. 😮 I like your videos Sir.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

You may be like me, have several degrees from the university of hard knocks. 😁

@gerardfallon9204 12 күн бұрын

I log and mill here in Colorado….Doug fir and Pondo. I like to mark the butt with a cabinet makers triangle on my grade A logs for easy book matching boards. Bsafe

@bwillan 6 ай бұрын

It's good practice to center the pith to get the highest quality boards from you log. Keeping the grain as straight as possible with minimal run out makes for more stable boards.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Yes a good practice, well said.

@SevenOaksOutdoors 6 ай бұрын

That’s exactly the way I do it, from inside out. I agree about centering the pith being more important in hardwood. Even pine is more forgiving than oak, poplar, etc… Another great video!

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Thank you,. I have milled very little hardwood but seems like it is more important with those.

@sergeystrizheus3368 Ай бұрын

Hello I like your video I think you really know what you talking about. Can you show how you sharpen blades

@edwinlikeshistractor8521 6 ай бұрын

Awesome video because: 1. Weather magic. 2. If it's not a cant it must be a can. Which you obviously can do. 3. A small helping of pithy philosophy.

@kenashton32 3 ай бұрын

Excellent explanation!!!

@charliesaul729 6 ай бұрын

Terrific presentation and explanation. If I had a mill and if I had trees, I'd do it your way!

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Thank you. I suppose it’s the thoughts of doing it my way that counts?

@melissatuason2395 6 ай бұрын

Time to watch Mr. Wilson with my morning coffee and then head out to the barn.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

It’s good that you have your priorities straight. 😁

@melissatuason2395 6 ай бұрын

@@WilsonForestLands Barely sir

@VIVA4EVER2001 4 ай бұрын

Another great video, so much for me to learn, thanks for sharing

@billhackley3540 6 ай бұрын

thanks for splainin your approach, the centered pith makes perfect sense to me

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Happy to do the splanin’, thanks for watching and commenting.

@dougdinsmore9751 5 ай бұрын

Awesome video for folks wanting to cut to grade. Thanks for sharing!

@benelkins2510 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the lessons.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

You are welcome and thanks for watching and commenting.

@stevenpepper5581 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info..

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

👍

@chowtimewithruss1411 6 ай бұрын

Great video! Makes perfect sense to me!

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Thank you, I like your KZfaq name.

@adirondackwoodsman 6 ай бұрын

I like the way that you use the blade as a visual . Another good video!

@vdsgw52 6 ай бұрын

That really explained that well. Keep it up.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Thank you, I wasn’t sure how clear that would be.

@andysmith8544 6 ай бұрын

Very well done!

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Thank you Andy.

@krzysztofr.4667 6 ай бұрын

Good old American quality!! 🤩Greetings from Poland!

@marktullis1175 2 ай бұрын

Very good tutorial, Never will have a band saw but it never hurts to dream😊

@1hynes1 4 ай бұрын

It's a great video, I always have trouble cutting the log, knowing where to start, very well explained..

@mattenricochanneling1952 4 ай бұрын

Btw. Nice story channel in some of the parts i can see a sawmilling.

@Bushman9 6 ай бұрын

Quite informative.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

👍

@markgazelka8493 3 ай бұрын

This was a very much needed video for me to help determine where, why, and how to make the cuts. Well presented. Thank you!👍👌👏👀💪

@zeke1eod 2 ай бұрын

Your splainin was clear as mud! Love it, great job. You cut some beautiful boards. Thanks for all you do. Stay safe, and God bless

@joegrochowski669 6 ай бұрын

good job with explanation of this method, merry christmas and a happy new year to you and yours

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate the comment and same to you.

@boatrvme8478 6 ай бұрын

Good explanation! Nice vid. Im sawing today using your method.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Thank you, hopefully it works out well for you.

@chjp2346 6 ай бұрын

I want to mill just like you, Benton County 😊😊

@lpeterman 6 ай бұрын

Well done sir, a video version of what you 'splained to me during your visit. I've been putting your sage milling acumen to work for me -- only I don't have "Turbo-Mode" on my Timbery M100 E. Gotta order me that after-market conversion like you and North-West Sawyer have. Cheers from (a foggy) Linn County

@MsdMakingSawDust 6 ай бұрын

Great video on explaining How you do it …. Boy am I glad you cleared that up. I was beginning to think I need to think on how I’m milling. I’m not milling like you do and maybe that’s a problem. Ok taking notes appreciate you sharing. 😂😂😂

@KnowArt 6 ай бұрын

I'm building a house with doug fir and oak. So a sister video to this one with oak would be lovely!

@WilsonForestLands 5 ай бұрын

I would be happy to do that if only I was milling oak. It’s the Douglas fir trees here that are dying and I am leaving my oaks standing.

@MrHern2430 6 ай бұрын

Thanks much for an outstandingly informative video. I would say you have done a through job of 'splainin good pointers for milling.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for the feedback. I wasn’t sure if that was all going to be clear or not.

@friendlylocal3731 6 ай бұрын

Pretty soon I'm going to be selling my bandsaw mill (I now use a Lucas swing blade). This method you're using is the way that I used to use my bandsaw, and I've never seen anybody else on youtube show this. I'm a perfectionist, and I used to love working from the centre, like you're demonstrating here. It's the one thing I miss about my bandsaw.

@CaveFreediving 3 ай бұрын

I want more videos like this; you could explain the sawmill process with figured or spalted logs. In that case, you're going for the "prettiest" boards. As a woodworker, that's what interests me. I'm also excited to see very wide boards where you could glue 2 or 3 boards together for a table or other large furniture.

@GrumpyToadCreations 6 ай бұрын

This was a good watch. I should take the time to explain the cuts in my videos. And those squiggly trees sure do make for a lot of waste. I just finished up my squigliest logs and left a quite a pile of off cuts. I like your technique.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Explaining my cuts in videos might be helpful but sure makes for a long day of video recording. 😁 Thanks for the comment.

@etchediniron4249 6 ай бұрын

There are few absolutes I agree. But one absolute, for sure, is don’t do it the way I’ve been doing it. lol I’m gonna hot the mill today and try this out. Thank you for the info!

@garysnyder6020 6 ай бұрын

What's the 2 x 8 rough sawm selling for today ? Very informative video, as always. Thanks.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

I haven’t tried to sell lumber since early summer. Just under $7 for 8 foot last I looked at the big box stores. I would likely need to discount it lower than that to motivate people to deal with the inconvenience of scheduling a time and place to buy it from me.

@gregmislick1117 4 ай бұрын

The extra care taken when milling just makes for better end product - should get you a better price (I hope) If I weren’t on the opposite coast I’d be adding you to my supplier list. Nicely explained. The other option, at least on a larger log , is to cut a 4x4 6x6 with the pith boxed in the center - theory goes you get a stable beam as the shrinking is equal (ish) on all four faces for all the reasons you listed. You get some QS (ish) boards clear of pith - never a bad thing, and then your normal yield above and below. Options, options options - the log will tell you if you ask it. Nice vid !

@southernadirondackoutdoors 6 ай бұрын

Hmmm, what changes to the mill could be coming??? 🤔

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

And he drops another cliffhanger. 😁

@hiscifi2986 2 ай бұрын

You seem to be only cutting 2 inch or 1 inch boards, what about some 1 1/2 inch fence rails, or even some 7/8 floor boards. From what I remember from woodwork classes 60 years ago, some mills would cut some at 60 degrees radial angle, to make boards that had a better grain structure ( maybe for furniture.)

@robintaylor-mockingeemill8223 6 ай бұрын

I find its faster to cut bug wood , because I am not trying to get every last scrap out of a log . We get grubs or chew bugs in white pine and also spruce if it is left in the pile to long , here in Nova Scotia Canada .

@davidwaggoner436 6 ай бұрын

For cryin' out loud--- heavens ta Betsy.

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

For Pete’s sake and suffering succotash.

@davidwaggoner436 6 ай бұрын

@@WilsonForestLands You can say that again

@konradsusiebakalarczyk267 6 ай бұрын

Are you calculating for kerf loss or only using a scale on the mill? How does this scale allow for this when switching from 1” or 2”? You cut down to a 6x8 but with kerf loss wouldn’t your last cut not be less the kerf of the previous cuts?

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Since the boards are going to shrink anyway and be smaller than the exact dimension, I don’t bother with factoring in the kerf. If I make a 2 inch board, it’s 2 inch minus shrinkage and the kerf. It saves a lot of calculations and potential misscuts and wasted wood. I have enough to think about while milling and doing video at the same time. So I keep it simple. 😁

@davefran01 6 ай бұрын

If the leftovers where a bit larger you could talk quarter sawn but that just might add to the confusion 😃

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

If the logs in general were bigger I could do more quarter sawn. 😁

@100-AcreWoods 6 ай бұрын

Hi- I love your content, thank you. Why do you mostly do full dimensional 2" thick lumber, instead of 1.5" thick boards? Is that more of a western thing?

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Back when I was selling lumber for a while, a lot of people appreciated the full dimension. It was something they were able to get from me that they weren’t able to get from Lowe’s and Home Depot. For myself I just like the looks of it. It doesn’t look as impotent as the 1.5 or 3/4 material. And maybe mostly it’s just easier to calculate when milling. I already have enough to think about while milling and doing video at the same time. Throwing in halves and 3/4 into the mix just complicates things. 😁

@Twobrothersoutdoors 6 ай бұрын

I looked up the definition of cant to put a hypothetical question out there. Definition was all over the place from single cut to four sides cut. Sooo, I decided to leave that one alone😎

@dgoodman1484 3 ай бұрын

Jiminy Christmas (do people still say that) I think I recently asked you the very question this video answered. Oops 🤦🏻‍♂️👍🏼👍🏼

@dannyswortzel2327 15 күн бұрын

Enjoy your videos, however I have a question. When you move your saw height and talk of 2x’s, is your scale set up to allow for the blade kerf? Thanks

@stevek5988 6 ай бұрын

A video worth watching multiple times. How do you account for blade kerf, or do you bother

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

I don’t bother. Since the wood is going to shrink some as it dries, it’s not going to be exact dimension anyway. And I have too many things to think about as it is milling and making video at the same time. 😁

@StoneGoat 6 ай бұрын

For the love of Pete (and i don't even know a pete!)

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

I don’t either but I think my grandma may have known one. It may have been a different one though because she used to say “for Pete’s sake”.

@lpeterman 6 ай бұрын

Yes, you do! Your neighbour to the North.@@WilsonForestLands

@thaddeustempleton8262 Ай бұрын

What's the market like for this kind of dimension lumber? Do you forward the cut boards onto someone with a kiln and planer, to make standard-sized dimension lumber? Is there just a secondary economy out there of builders who use true-to-size two-by's? Or is this just lumber for your own projects, where you don't answer to anybody but yourself?

@davidmushal7862 6 ай бұрын

About how much shrinkage from the true dimensions you saw do you have in your final product after drying?

@integr8er66 6 ай бұрын

I'd like to hear about what you do with the lumber after you saw it. Do you air dry it, then do you plane any, or other mill work to get higher quality finish and also to get it dimension of building lumber?

@WilsonForestLands 5 ай бұрын

When the price of lumber shot up to ridiculous in the last couple years I was selling it green as it. Now I am just milling some for my own use to use as is. Not sure what I’m going to do with the rest.

@franek_izerski 3 ай бұрын

How about some quartersawing?

@Blackadder75 4 ай бұрын

How exact are those measurements? does the machine do some automatic calibrating when you move it up or down 2 inches , or is it just the skill of the miller and handywork?

@joeyrector1015 6 ай бұрын

I'll bet I know where your truck we. I bet that the bear,the deer, the mountain lion and the bees took off with it

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Wouldn’t surprise me. I need to stop leaving the keys in it so they will stop taking it for joy rides.

@joeyrector1015 6 ай бұрын

@@WilsonForestLands right. I got me a new puppy the other because my beagle went off and never come back. I don't know if she died or someone got her. But anyway I took him with me and he got in my lap and tried to drive

@Wheelloader__ 6 ай бұрын

Cool video Wilson

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Thank you as always Wheelloader.

@nearlynormal2293 6 ай бұрын

How do you, or do you account for the kerf in dimensional lumber?

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Since the wood is going to shrink anyway as it dries, it’s not going to be exact anyway so I ignore the kerf.

@beerbuzz62 6 ай бұрын

Looking for a good 2x6 to build a mars rover,got anything on hand?Lol .Marry Christmas

@WilsonForestLands 6 ай бұрын

Not out of this batch. We will see if I can get some Mars Rover grade material out of the next one. 😁

@bard44 5 ай бұрын

A LOG BECOMES A CANT AFTER ANY TWO SIDES OF IT ARE CUT. HELPFUL?

@mahlermr 4 ай бұрын

I see that you are debarking your logs before cutting. What tool are you using?

@mahlermr 4 ай бұрын

Looking further into your video, I see that is not the case always. I have the same sawmill as you have that I am getting ready to use for the first time on a 1500 sqft hickory floor project. I was concerned about bark and dirt dulling my blade too quickly.

@WilsonForestLands 4 ай бұрын

I used to debark the whole logs in the spring when the bark was loose. I have a crowbar tool I used for that. I use the flat end of it like a bark spud.. Now I’m just using an ax to chop a clean line in the path of the blade. It’s not ideal but it’s what I’ve come up with at the moment.

@bard44 5 ай бұрын

It's called a cant once two sides are cut. I know, I already said that. Regards today's video, Jan.17,2024, you can't do anything about "NitPickers". My wife is a NitPicker. I try to ignore it and just say "Yes Dear".It makes life so much easier. Less arguing. I don't try to change her mind. It's just the way she is. Same with some of the people that send you emails nit picking. Not telling you what to do. Just suggesting. Good Luck. I sure enjoy your vids.

@WilsonForestLands 5 ай бұрын

It’s a good suggestion. Hopefully you don’t mind I had to laugh about the part about your wife. 😂

@bard44 5 ай бұрын

not a problem. I have a similar sense of humour as you.

@DanielAtkinsFirewood 6 ай бұрын

I have no idea why i was leaving so much. Especially since i don't have a mill. As a non paid professional, youtube watcher have an understanding of why others do what they are doing