Milling Lumber

In and around the whole foundation and wall part of the project we were also milling lumber up at Antonias place.
Antonia's WOOFers helped out to. Antonia, Steven and Steph on a log on its way up to the milling site.

Pa told me not to cut up them sheep with the chainsaw no more

Is that Popeye's sister? Chains are really heavy but can pull an amazing amount of weight. We have a new appreciation for chains.

Tamara and Antonia choking logs. Chain is wrapped once around about 1/3rd back from the front of the log.

Rigging the rope and cable to pull the log out.

The cable goes through a pulley and on to the truck bumper. It's amazing what this "little" truck could pull. We love our truck!

A nice catch. Logs on deck ready to be rolled into the mill. The tools are Peaveys, AKA cant hooks, used to roll logs around.

Tamara running the mill with Antonia pulling boards. This is a Lucas mill lent to us by Brian. THANKS TO BRIAN AND TO KIRK FOR GETTING US SET UP!!! The log is stationary. The mill is a circular saw blade on rollers, so it cuts the bottom cut as you push it forward and then you rotate the blade for the sideways cut on the return path. Tamara likes running the mill.

I guess size does matter.

Chuck and Tamara taking a break.
This was the biggest log we milled and the only one we couldn't pull with our truck. The huge amounts of sawdust are now used to sprinkle into our outhouse between deposits. Once full and settled in for a year, we'll plant fruit and nut trees on top of the old pit moving the outhouse to a new tree site. Thanks to Antonia for this idea.