Sawing and Drying

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Sinker Log Process Help

10/8/16       
Scott Member

Hi,
I have no experience with lumbering so all this is amateur for me. My brother-in-law and I had to help remove some logs in front of my in-laws dock at their lake house in Maine. It is believed that these logs a were old timber logs that were floated down this way a long time ago. One is about 13 or 14 inches in Diameter on one end and 20 inches in Diameter at the other end with a length of about 8 or 9 feet long. So my Question is: Where doe we start and What do we do now with this sinker log in order to make use of it?

10/10/16       #3: Sinker Log Process Help ...
R Arely

Hey Scott, Pay no attention to sinkrswim. There are a lot of questions asked on this forum that are of the same line as yours. I wish I could help you but my experience is not in sinker logs.
Cheers

10/10/16       #5: Sinker Log Process Help ...
EC Aumiller Member

Ignore sinkrswim.. did not even use his real name...
No personal experience with sinker logs, but do a search on the knowledge base on here and will get good info...
Think you need to keep the logs wet until you have them sawed, sticker them properly, then put them directly into a kiln to dry them..
Good luck, should make some unique lumber..

10/11/16       #6: Sinker Log Process Help ...
R Arely

E.C, Lots of folks on here use different names. Good info though.

10/11/16       #7: Sinker Log Process Help ...
Scott Member

Thanks R Arely and EC

I didn't realize the forum was supposed to be for professionals only. Clearly I am going to have to take it to a professional, (which is why I was asking in the first place Sinkrswim) because I don't have a saw mill or a Kiln or any other lumber processing equipment. I was just hoping for some direction in where to start in taking it to a professional. I have researched the sinker logs on the forum but have not found anything on exactly what I am looking for. I guess I just call and research the local lumber and saw mills. Thanks again EC and R Arely.

10/16/16       #8: Sinker Log Process Help ...
rich c.

Tons of sites on the internet for hobbyists. Surprised you landed here. Try The Forestry Forum. You have to register to use the site.

10/25/16       #9: Sinker Log Process Help ...
Eric Steadle Member

Website: https://steadwood.djfirefly.com

Hi,

All you need is the name of a local sawyer with a portable sawmill, who can come to your house and saw your log for you. There is a directory of such folks here on Woodweb located at the following URL:

http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/directories/sdd.cgi

Hiring a sawyer is easy. Contact them, tell them what kind of log you have, and let them tell you about what can be sawn from it. Usually, they charge by the hour, and can have it done quickly. Sometimes they can save you a few dollars by having you bring the log to them.

A log preserved underwater usually has some value, but it depends on the species, and how straight it is, and how many branches it had...etc.

If you take a picture of it, you can post it here in the response, and folks may be able to help you assess it's character.

10/26/16       #10: Sinker Log Process Help ...
Gene Wengert-WoodDoc

As you might know or suspect, logs normally float in water. So, what made your logs Synk? The answer is very high and unusually high moisture content. This is most often, if not 100%, the effect of bacteria. The anaerobic bacterial also weaken the wood with an enzyme they create. So, sunken longs has much more water and are weaker. Once sawn into lumber, they must be dried very slowly and for a long time to minimize defects. This is expensive. The end results are often not as good and are much more expensive than working with today's wood. Also, it is common in your area to find that the sunken log species is eastern hemlock, which tends to be a lower quality wood when sawn from older logs. The bottom line is that you will spend time and effort and money and have a low quality final product. From a business point, this is a poor choice, but from a hobbyist, it should be fun but perhaps not so rewarding when it is over.

10/26/16       #11: Sinker Log Process Help ...
eslinx

Dr. Gene - I am unfamiliar with the technical term you used - what does "Synk" mean in this context? I cannot find any other use of that word in texts on trees.

10/26/16       #12: Sinker Log Process Help ...
Gene Wengert-WoodDoc

sink. ( Typo.)

10/26/16       #13: Sinker Log Process Help ...
Gene Wengert-WoodDoc

Sorry for the typo errors. I am having eye surgery next month to improve things.

As you might know or suspect, logs normally float in water. So, what made your logs sink? The answer is very high, unusually high, moisture content. This is most often, if not 100%, the effect of bacteria. The anaerobic bacteria also weaken the wood with an enzyme they create. So, the wood of sunken longs has much more water and is weaker. Once sawn into lumber, the lumber must be dried very slowly and for a long time to minimize defects. This is expensive. The end results are often not as good and are much more expensive than working with today's wood. Also, it is common in your area to find that the sunken log species is eastern hemlock, which tends to be a lower quality wood product when sawn from older logs. The bottom line is that you will spend time and effort and money and have a low quality final product. From a business point, this is a poor choice, but from a hobbyist viewpoint, it should be fun but perhaps not so rewarding when it is over.

1/11/17       #14: Sinker Log Process Help ...
chas Member

As a custom sawyer, I like Eric's reply. I wish you all the best in your first sawying adventure. I do some of this here in Louisiana. Your sawyer should (hopefully) be able to advise better when he starts cutting. You can check for a local sawyer at Woodmizers web site. A bit far for me to travel though.... Dry under roofing tin and never plastic tarps! Careful stickering too after surface drying standing up will help.


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