I’ve watched a bunch of YouTube videos and have just bought a Woodland Mills HM122 used (less than 3 hours). The first log I put on the mill will be the first I ever sawed….total newbie.
I have a BUNCH of 50-75 year old pine trees on a lot that I’m going to saw for siding and trim. It was eithe saw them or pay to put them in the landfill…hated that idea on 2 levels…wasting the trees and paying to do so.
My question is this. And I am sure it’s a loaded question so I apologize ahead of time. What is the best way to saw them to maximize yield, be as efficient as the small mill can be, and keep warping/twisting/cupping manageable? It seems the main idea is to load the log, get the centers on both ends as level as practical (how critical is dead level?) and make a cut the length of the log. Roll 180 degrees and repeat. Roll 90 degrees and repeat and roll 90 degrees and repeat. Is this the idea? I know that sounds stupid but again, complete newbie here.
I am a little (a lot) confused about pith. It seems like some sawyers start with it in one direction and some with it in another. What’s ideal? Say you have a near perfect log almost dead level end to end and it has a small split almost dead center. Start with the split as horizontal as possible or as vertical as possible? I’m sure it’s a matter of reading the log so to speak which can only come with experience but in an ideal situation which is correct?
I read a lot about minimizing tension by positioning correctly? Anyone have any suggestions ( videos, articles) that explain the best way to make initial and follow up cuts?
I know this is very fundamental but there is a LOT of experience here and knowing enough to know you don’t know enough is, in my experience, a good quality to possess….thanks in advance, any info or advice would be greatly appreciated.