Back at the worktable, you
can see my first cut. Now, I unscrew the log and rotate it so that this cut side is flat
on the fixture's table, as can be seen in the right hand photo.
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Now, I make my cut on the second side.
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With two sides cut and
square, I rotate the log one more time.
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...and cut the third side. Now, I could cut the fourth side so that the log
can be sliced with nice, squared edges, but at this point I will just make 1/2"
advances and remove the rough edge at the table saw later.
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It took about 5 minutes to make the first "squaring up" cuts and about
the same time to make the 1/2" slices. I was not trying for speed but for accuracy
and safety.
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Here are the results. The
two pieces at the right are the first cut-offs and are basically "kindling." The
four pieces on the left are the good slices. Remember that there is still a one inch piece
attached to the fixture. I will save that and re-saw it when I make a good, tall fence.
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I took
the four slices to the thickness sander. I wanted to see how many passes it would take to
sand out the saw marks and what the finished thickness would be — or how much I would
lose.
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Here are the final boards. The Hand Held Saw Mill works great.
There are things I have learned from this first effort:
1) If all the boards are to be the same thickness, I will have to improve the
measuring scale method and make the miter slide tighter in the slot [maybe use an Incra
Miter Slide;] and
2) That it takes almost a full 1/4" extra board advance to get final,
ready to finish, boards. So if I wanted 1/2" finished stock, I should advance it
3/4". This allows for the kerf width and sanding the saw marks to 150 grit finish.
With some practice, I can probably reduce that loss a bit.
I will start looking for more logs to cut up. I am particularly looking for
logs in the 8 to 10" range now that the bandsaw can handle higher stock.
Lastly, I need to find a metal detector that will work for this operation. I
would hate to lose this blade to an old nail.
For me, adding the riser block, installing the TimberWolf blade and using the
Hand Held Saw Mill were great steps forward for my shop. I look forward to much more
re-sawing with my "standard" bandsaw.
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