Converting Timber on Site

Converting trees into timber...

... from the round into planks and boards is easier said than done. Everyone who has a niceish tree thinks they are going to make loads of money because timber is expensive. Prepare yourself for a shock - you aren't going to get rich, even it's a lovely Walnut.

This little blog isn't about what you may or almost certainly won't make from your tree or trees but to throw a little light or how it can be done. To make money you need a lorry load (500 cubic feet) of quality straight trees, roadside access and a good sawmill.

If you haven't...

... here are some options. Popular but not always the answer are mobile saws, the Woodmizer being a good one. Talk to Richard about this... his details are at the bottom of the index page, he knows his stuff.

You can also if you have a lot of trees, buy a small static mill like our own Lumbermate and they will do a job, you get what you pay for... as I always find with women.

Pictured below is a Peterson mill. Rob featured below sells the smaller ones of these and depending on what you cut can be ideal - it's perfect for legs for his furniture making business and beams:

If you have just a tree or...

... two and aren't rolling in cash I'd recommend an Alaskan Mill which is a clever frame that goes round a chainsaw and for the money, a couple of hundred quid is excellent. It has the advantage that you can take it anywhere so is ideal for gardens where you can't get a bigger machine in.

The geezer who sells them in the UK is Rob Dyer who can run training courses but reckons if you just watch the f -ing video rather than bothering him you'll pick it up. It is amazing how many of these mills he sells each year.

One thing you'll need...

... is a very big chainsaw... bigger the better. If you are splashing out then you might as well get all the kit which includes proper milling chain and very cool electric sharpening device that clamps on the bar, wedges and Aspen fuel which has all the nasties taken out so you don't get a headache.

Naturally Rob sells all these things through his website and no I'm not on commission though I will declare a decent discount on all the above wot I bought and find very handy!

So armed with your...

... Alaskan Mill and kit you line up by your tree. The first cut is using a ladder to get a square flat surface. This is where I have usually cocked up as screwing the ladder to the tree is not only recommended but a lot better than trying to get two people holding it steady.

You usually need about 6 " on the mill to allow for screws and ladder. Once you have a flat surface it's easier but use wedges and take a bit of time.

Pictured below is Rob doing the first cut on some Yew :

Rob certainly uses...

... what he sells. All the timber for his furniture and wall hangings come from his own milled timber. Quite often you can tell when timber has been chainsaw milled by the marks on the planks (blunt chain) and slightly dodgy cut, but you can't with the stuff he's done... I've checked.

If you are going to have a go, from experience apart from a mill the most handy thing you can have is something to lift as trees are blooming heavy. Pictured below is ideal... it's only £30,000 , why not have two !