/r/slablab
Cut 'em up, not down!
All about DIY wood harvesting, in an environmentally responsible and ethical manner.
Pictures of harvests and Pro tips welcome.
/r/slablab
3,317 Subscribers
Raised Planter
After cutting a neighbor's black locust up into manageable lengths to fit in the bucket of the skid steer I realized I made a mistake. Natural rot resistance of the locust should make for a good raised planter. Put seven chunks through the chainsaw mill at 8/4 and used a combination of galvanized lags and spikes to hold it all together. Put a double layer of 1/4" hardware cloth across the bottom to make the moles and voles work for it. I might send a piece of galvanized all-thread between the long sides to help keep freeze-thaw cycles from blowing out the sides. Driving lags into black locust made the 1/2" impact gun really work for it.
Interior volume is 96" x 32" x 14".
21:24 UTC
Really, Klein? Ya’ don’t say!
13:03 UTC
These log tongs...
22:18 UTC
Decided to slab the 6yr old red maple stump I left in the front yard for fun
Couple punky spots on the outer slabs, but overall the wood is in good shape. Some decent spalting, and a ton of mineral staining.
11:31 UTC
First time. It was 50 years swallowed into this oak. The head is still inside one of my slabs.
23:10 UTC
Is this birch (?) worth milling?
I came across some logs and stumps that I can get for free. Some of them (like the one in the first pic) was felled a few months ago, and there are some spalting visible. The other logs are cut two weeks ago. Some of them have a diameter of more than three feet, but they're not really long enough to be used for typical slabs.
Are they worth milling, or are they just firewood?
21:14 UTC
New here! First batch in my DIY solar kiln and could use advice!
19:27 UTC
Waiting for wood to dry is even more boring than watching paint dry! What happens if I cut one of my slabs in three?
In September/October 2023, I milled my first slabs, sycamore maple. It was a 46" diameter, and I think they ended up being 9/4 (2,25") if I recall correctly.
I've stickered them and stacked them, but obviously, it'll take ages before they're ready to use. I have some smaller "test pieces" that I ended up milling as well, and it's actually enough to make something out of.
So here's my idea: Cut it down to manageable sizes, like, I was planning to make a ceiling lamp, so for example 12x4 inches, and then use a band saw to split the thickness into three equal parts, so the thickness would be 3/4" minus kerf.
If I do that, how long would they have to air dry before they're usable? I guess the middle board would have higher moisture content than the two outer ones?
Or is it a bad idea – should I just wait?
08:58 UTC
New guy looking for advice
Hey hey hey.
I've been dabbling in woodwork here and there throughout my life and I'm looking forward to expanding my on again/off again relationship with wood now that I'll be getting a dedicated space for it in the near-ish future. The reason why I am looking for some sage advice from you all is that I'll need to fell about 25-30 trees in order to clear land where we'll eventually build a house, and I'd like to slab out as much of them as I can. Presently I've got absolutely none of the gear needed for slabbing, and the wiki page here is totally bare, so I'm just looking for some guidance on what material/resources I should consider when planning and hunting for gear.
It's been a minute since I've been out to the property but I think the largest tree that will need to come down is a beech on the order of 24" in diameter and 65' tall. Other trees are similarly tall, but mostly under 15" in diameter.
Does this sound too ambitious for a shmohawk like me? If not, what information can I read to make this less dangerous, less costly, and more practical?
Thanks in advance!
15:58 UTC
Polar tree knocked down this black walnut.
I made a chainsaw mill to cut some slabs. The 1st slab is 2 3/8 thick. Unfortunately I had a tough time squaring up an old aluminum ladder on top for the 1st pass so it’s slightly twisted. I’m taking the rest to a sawyer this weekend to get the rest done. I was considering 8/4 and 5/4 for whatever else I can get out of it. What does Reddit think?
Any suggestions on what to make in a year or two? I’m planning to paint the ends, stack and sticker it in my basement with a commercial dehumidifier and fan. Then who knows.
17:29 UTC
What’s the best sawing for this pine? Slabbed, quarter sawn, etc..?
Big ol pine had to come down, a sawyer is coming later this month and im curious how best to preserve and use this wonderful segment
16:31 UTC
Anyone live in southern NH and want to take a crack at this?
Maple, pretty sure it’s Norwegian but not 100%
3’ at the base 15’ long
Happy to split it with you. I’m thinking it would make good hardwood floors.
Have a Norwegian spruce next to it similar dimensions.
22:24 UTC
Does wood cutting count as woodworking?
03:31 UTC