Hey everyone! I'm new to woodworking, but I'm pretty handy overall. I have this large western red cedar that's dying and needs to come down soon. I'm looking to have it milled, ideally into large logs. What's the best length for these logs? I've never milled a tree before, so I'm curious about the process. Should I ask for 2-inch slabs, or are there better sizes/shapes that work well for making furniture? I have the tools to break it down further if needed, but I'm not sure what to ask for. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
3 Answers
Before you mill, make sure to research air drying if that's the route you want to take. You’ll need to use stickers to stack the lumber properly and plan for it to dry in a suitable location for a year or more, depending on your area's humidity. Also, if you're considering hiring a portable sawmill, check if they offer kiln drying and what their maximum log length is for drying.
Have you figured out the cost of milling yet? Just curious how much it usually runs.
Consider quartersawn lumber for more stability and a nice grain pattern, especially for furniture projects!
I've noticed some businesses that will come to your site to mill and then transport your lumber to a kiln for drying. Sounds pretty efficient! I haven’t had a chance to use such services, but it seems like a cool setup if you can find local options.
That's a good idea! I’m planning to build a large shed soon, so I could dry the logs there over the next year or two. I'll definitely read up on how to do it right, thanks!