Technically not Neander, but it is an enabler - an Alaskan Sawmill. And I used a small axe to debark the log, and a draw knife to draw down a hump in the log so that counts for something.
Got some nice boards out of a dead tree on our property that I cut down in December. I believe it is a European Mountain Ash that fell victim to ash bore. My father-in-law planted this tree over 40 years ago. The log was only 52" long, but I got some decent pieces out of it. I've made some small boxes in the past from secondary wood salvaged from the property, but this is the first time using lumber from a tree planted by my father in-law. My wife and I bought our place from her parents 25 years ago.
As I was reflecting on the lumber, it made me grateful for all of those who plant trees and responsibly log the forests of the world. My father in-law is 92. He has a background in agriculture and has always loved trees. I'm guessing he has planted well over 1,000 trees in his life. He dabbled in real estate development and sometimes when driving around town we run across trees he planted over 50 years ago. So I am really looking forward to make a few keepsakes out of this lumber.
My Alaskan Mill is the small frame.
Lessons learned:
1) A normal cross cut chain that fits your saw works better than a rip filed chain that doesn't.
2) Debarking a log with a hand axe is relatively easy, but when the log is on the ground, I think it is a young man's game . Oh my aching back.
3) Even when you are up-wind of the chain saw, they throw a lot of dust towards your face.
All told I got six boards out of the log. This is the first time I used the Alaskan Mill. I have 3 boards in the 5/4 - 6/4 range and three in the 8/4 thickness. I'm toying with the idea of a bench or two and maybe a coffee table with natural edge, but it will be a year or so before I work this lumber.
P.S. The draw knife is a flee market find that I've done very little with. For this project it got a few swipes with a 300 and 1000 grit diamond plate. Someone hollow ground the blade so I was able to get it sharp pretty easily, just didn't bother taking out all of the nicks