Anybody Ever Use a McCulloch Lumber Maker?

M.D. Holloway · 07-07-2006, 11:07 AM

Some Hombres are coming by this weekend to cut down my Post Oak. Plenty of good wood I want to use someday so I am going to make some planks out of it and store/cure in my attic for a few years.

I picked up this little number to make the rough boards. In the future I will plane them down and finish them out but for now I will cut 1 x Y x Z and 2 x Y x Z and maybe even some thicker stock.

I was wondering if anyone ever used one of these before. I picked it up at Harbour Fright for $25. Chances are it may not last the weekend but it should provide a straighter cut than trying to do it but sight or snap-line alone. Any input? Suggestions? Comments?

notfarnow · 11:21 AM

Suggestions:
1) Make sure you use a straight 2 x 4 as a guide (ask me how I know

)
2) Go substantially thicker than you want your final wood to be. It will warp and cup as it dries, and you may have to mill a fair bit off afterwards in order to get nice straight planks.

Any plans for the wood?

I bet it will be sad to watch that tree come down, I remember seeing the picture of it.

We're having a huge maple taken down tomorrow, but we have 27 on the property so no real heartbreak there. It will be firewood.

M.D. Holloway · 07-07-2006, 11:27 AM

Jake, good call. I can't make them to big - I have to lug them up to the attic and my back can only snap once a month (I used up my quota!)

I will make sure the 2x4 is not only straight but also slippery! I have a nice dry lube that will make the guide slide and yet not attract saw dust like an oil would.

I will most likely use a 2x6 and temp tack to the limb and attach the 2x4 to the 2x6. I was thinking it would provide more stability?

M.D. Holloway · 07-07-2006, 11:31 AM

Oh ya, as for the plans for the wood. I think in a few years I will build a Hope Chest for our Little Girl and also one for our Sons future wife. I know it is pretty far off but if I start planning now than it stands a good chance of getting done in 10 years!

If I have enough I may even think of a few other things - not sure yet. I still have to buy a joiner and planer as well as a few other toys. The P-car has priority and I really want to refinish her in the next year or so.

07-07-2006, 11:37 AM

Mikey - Be sure to inventory yer fingers and other vital appendiges before and after each use.......

M.D. Holloway · 07-07-2006, 11:41 AM

Mark, if your not doing anything too exciting this weekend...

Joeaksa · 07-07-2006, 11:48 AM

Mike,

Keep your eyes out when they are cutting the tree. If you see any with nice burl, make sure that they cut it long enough to use for a gunstock or three. I just saw one nice piece of burl for a gunstock go on the internet for over $1000. Three feet long, 8 inches tall and 3 inches thick.

That could buy a lot of 911 parts!

JoeA

M.D. Holloway · 07-07-2006, 11:52 AM

Joe - I actually spotted at least three nice size ones. I never thought about gun stocks great idea! Beats the ***** out of making bowls out of them.

Joeaksa · 07-07-2006, 11:53 AM

Look here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150006157131&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=005

You can buy nice bowls, make a nice gunstock or three out of them!

M.D. Holloway · 07-07-2006, 12:04 PM

Check these out - 3 nice ones - do you see them?. The Woodpecker home (at top off pic) will be sac'd.

M.D. Holloway · 07-07-2006, 12:29 PM

I'm going to leave a 10ft stump then have this guy I know carve something - not sure what yet. Here is some of his work:

MikeSid · 07-07-2006, 12:43 PM

In addition to the difficulty in getting all that wood up into your attic, you might want to consider the load limits of your ceiling joints. Or at least make sure you stack the wood so it spans between walls and does not simply rest on the joists. That wood's gonna be green and heavy.

If memory serves, I think you had some living space up there which would indicate it was designed to handle a live load. But most attics aren't built that way. I know mine (1913) isn't.

M.D. Holloway · 07-07-2006, 12:51 PM

I agree Mike, I'll move some of the toys and lay out accordingly:

turbo6bar · 07-07-2006, 02:44 PM

I hope you have a good saw. It takes a lot of HP to do milling work. If I recall correctly, some guys use 100+cc monsters for these jobs. If you're underpowered, it will be tough work.

M.D. Holloway · 07-07-2006, 02:47 PM

100cc! We donn need no stink'n 100cc! Mi hombres laugh at meel work...

MBAtarga · 07-07-2006, 06:07 PM

It might be too late now, but you can purchase a chainsaw blade specifically designed for the rip cuts you'll be making. Sorry, but I don't have a source.

Joeaksa · 07-07-2006, 07:52 PM

Mike,

Yep, lots of nice burl there. Cut carefully!

Joe

M.D. Holloway · 07-07-2006, 07:53 PM

I am pushing the down'n of ol Oaky till next week - lil diff of opinion with da Wife as to exactly what to do. The tree will come down she just doesn't know if the stump carving idea is a good one.

Stay tuned...

POPS · 07-07-2006, 07:53 PM

You really need a ripping blade or you will just burn up your saw and will not have a very good outcome. These are the people I bought my stuff from...www.granberg.com They have anything you'll need.

Check out my website....www.deluxewooding.com Go to Mickey Mouse and then tools...this is a 12 X 12 X 16. With this setup you can be very accurate. The 12 X 12 I did is within 3/16's of straight. The stacking and sticking of the wood is very imporant to do right after it's cut or the wood will cup and warp. John

M.D. Holloway · 07-07-2006, 07:57 PM

POPS - Thanks! I did see that milling attachment in Harbour Fright but thought twice at the $200 price tag. If you have one I could borrow I would gladly pay you in a case or two of some great engine oil!

As for the blade, I guess a conventional chainsaw wouldn't last very long with all those long cuts?