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Logs in Timbers Out
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When the logs were delivered to us the moisture content of the log is still "forest green". We keep the logs wet to inhibit the germination of molds and fungi until they are sawn. One of the most common molds is called "blue stain" for the bluish pigment the mold produces. A pile of logs, as seen here, is called a log set. You can just see the sprinkler jet behind the log loader in the picture. Logs are delivered to us in 33 foot lengths and each log truck will hold about 32 tons of logs. |
| Before a log is moved to the saw mill it is "bucked" (cut) to length and the end pieces are removed. You can see an end piece just to the right of the log and of course the saw dust from the chain saw. This log has yet to be bucked. Log diameters average 12" to 14" and some even larger depending on the frame requirements. We provide John Box, who runs our sawmill, with a complete list of all timbers needed for your frame so he knows exactly what to produce. |  |
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Here the logs have been moved to the sawmill and are ready for the initial cuts. The mill we use is a band saw mill rather than a circular or sash mill. Band mills produce very accurate cuts and slight "kerf". Kerf is the amount of wood that the saw blade removes as it works through the wood. Reducing kerf reduces waste and produces a cleaner cut. John will inspect each log to determine the best way to mill it to fit a specific size and length on the saw list, then position the log on the mill to make the first cuts. |
| John is making shallow passes with the saw blade to remove the outside bark. A timber is produced by removing shallow sections of wood at a time; reading, turning the log and making a new cut until a four sided timber is revealed. |  |
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Only two sides of this log have been cut but it will soon become a square timber as the two remaining sides are sawn. A four sided square timber is called a "cant" but it is not yet to cut to size. One inch thick boards will be cut from each face of the cant until the final sawn size is achieved. You should notice that the center, or heart, of the tree becomes the center, or heart, of the timber. This "boxed heart" cut equalizes the forces exerted by the individual wood fibers thus greatly reducing bowing, twisting and warping of the final timber. |
| Here we are loading the kiln with timbers sawn from logs of Southern Yellow Pine. The drying process takes 28 days to fully dry the timbers to a moisture content of about 16% to 18%. Drying the timber greatly reduces its tendency to shrink which reduces checking (cracks along the face of the timber) and helps ensure tight joints in the finished frame. |  |
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These timbers have been kiln dried. The boxed hearts are plainly visible. You should also notice the clients initials are stamp on the timber ends. That's how we keep all the timbers separate from other projects. We cut only what we need for the frame and a few extra timbers just in case. Each timber is meant to fit a specific location in your frame. The next step for these timbers is our timber sizer. |
