Forest Transformed

Shaping the Log...

The mill shown here recently burned down. Click here to see pictures of the fire and of the current rebuilding. Once we have new pictures, we will update them to the website. Keep checking back for more pictures of the rebuilding process.

After the logs clear the debarker, they make their way to the "Log Carriage". Pneumatically powered, the "sawyer" aligns these logs with the help of a laser to ensure precise sawing.

Through numerous cuts, the log is transformed into timber and dimensional lumber. The blade used here is a 56" diameter blade. Not something you want to get a finger caught in.

The dimension lumber is run through an edger and then sent up the "green chain". The lumber is cut for length and stacked for shipment to the kiln for drying. The chain is referred to as "green" because the lumber is freshly cut. The edges, cut off by the edger, are discarded onto a conveyor that deposits them into the chipper.

After the timber is cut for length, it gets sent to the dehumidification kiln to be dried. The timber is dried to an approximate 19% moisture content. Unless a radio frequency kiln is used or it is left to dry naturally in dry environment, timber won't get much drier than that. Since it still has some moisture to it, the timber frame will check and move/twist after it is raised and closed in. That is an entirely normal process.

After the timber has been dried, it is dressed to its finished dimension. This is the outfeed side of of their 4-sided surfacer. This paticular timber is 14"x14" by 18' long. Once all the timber has been dressed, it is then stacked and banded together for shipment.

Previous - Into the Sawmill... Next - Creating the Frame...