I recently had around 10 trees cut down including red oak, tulip poplar, and beech. I'm considering whether it's worth my time to mill these logs. I'd like to make use of the wood for future projects instead of letting it go to waste or become firewood. However, I'm a complete beginner in woodworking and currently don't have any tools. I'm retiring in about six months, so I'm curious about the dimensions I should aim for if I decide to mill them. Any advice?
3 Answers
If you're just looking to save money on buying lumber, it might not be worth it. However, if you want to learn the full process from tree to finished product, go for it! You can use a chainsaw with a guide system like an Alaskan sawmill to help. For dimensions, I’d recommend cutting a mix of 4/4 and 6/4 boards, about 8-10 feet long, then you can dimension them later.
Absolutely mill them! Free wood is always a bonus, but keep in mind that it’ll take some time for the wood to dry out properly before you can work with it.
It really depends on the size of the trees you cut down. If they were on the smaller side, milling might not be worth it. I'd suggest hiring someone with a mobile mill if you're looking to mill all of them. Just keep in mind that you'll end up with a lot of wet lumber that needs to be organized and dried for a couple of years before you can use it. If you're totally new to woodworking, starting small might be a better approach unless you're interested in turning, where wet wood can work fine too.