Photos of Wide Hardwood Slabs
A little show-and-tell display of some big Walnut and Elm slabs, with some discussion of bandsaw mill capabilities. March 16, 2015
Question
I cut the big elm and walnut I had and here are some pics. I just picked up another huge walnut.
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Forum Responses
(Sawing and Drying Forum)
From Contributor B:
Nice wood, great cut. The center pic shows a lot of ring shock but plenty of good pieces too. Are you in the northwestern part of the United States?
From the original questioner:
I'm in upstate NY. Here are some slabs I cut yesterday. The big slabs are 36"-38" wide 8' long.
Click here for higher quality, full size image
Click here for higher quality, full size image
Click here for higher quality, full size image
From contributor T:
Nice slabs! It looks like a bandsaw cut. Which saw do you have to get 36" between the guides?
From Contributor Y:
Looking good. I'd love to pick up more walnut, too. You must have the right friends. Plans for the wood?
From the original questioner:
I'm going to sell the slabs. The mill I have is an Oscar 52, it cuts 46" between the guides. I have around 400 slabs for sale.
From contributor T:
I thought it might be a 52. I have a Farmboss with a true extended frame to cut 24' logs. I've debated upgrading to the 52. I have a 39" Chinquapin oak x 12' that I don't want to split into pieces to slab.
From contributor E:
The correct term for the defect is "ring shake" or "heart shake" - it is caused by a bacterial infection in the tree and leads to the wood falling apart.
From Contributor P:
I've seen where that Oscar sawmill runs around $14k? Was that similar to what you found? It’s awfully expensive to get that extra width, but sure would like to try. For a manual mill, I’m still thinking a used swing mill with a slab attachment would give better features for the price. For just doing slabs though, can't beat the width and speed of a bandsaw. I’ve had a Woodmizer super with a 40hp diesel and it really didn't like sawing over 24" very well. How does a small mill like that saw a 40" plus wide cut and still clear chips and perform? It seems like you would want a specialty bandsaw with a skip tooth or something.
From the original questioner:
I’ve had some problems with my Oscar 52 to start with. Many from the factory, but some mine. I have it so it saws great now. It cuts 45" white oak with no problem. I also have a chainsaw mill that will cut 68" wide. I cut an elm log that was 11' long an 68" wide and it took 20 minutes - cut when the chain was sharp. I only get three cuts until you have to sharpen it. Plus it takes two people and a lot of work. For what I go the band mill was the way to go, but a big cost. Not so bad if you can move the slabs.
