I've been really busy lately working in Santa's basement workshop - mostly in secret, so I haven't been on the computer very much. Had to get outside yesterday though. I sawed up a couple of red maple logs that came down in the windstorm a month or so ago into some 4x4s. Looks like nice weather today too, so I think there's going to be some more red maple and ash on the menu.
Here's today's fun. More red maple. I think this is about my favorite wood to saw - every piece is unique. 6 slabs - 6' long, 2-1/4" thick, and the widest one is 27".
Great looking stuff. Good bit of red maple on my place, I have been looking forward to one coming down and getting to mill it. Now you have me chomping at the bit.
I should not be over here looking at this stuff. I am afraid you guys will give me the bug. Some awesome looking wood there. Makes my imagination get the better of me.
Gonna play with my mill a little bit this afternoon after work..... Nice looking stuff Shawn! Love that resaw bandsaw..
So how does red maple compare to say hard maple for woodworking? I've never used red before. Nice future stock you have, and I always enjoy these posts.
Thanks! The one thing I've noticed so far, besides the obvious difference in hardness and weight, is that with soft maple I end up with a bit more tearout around areas of difficult grain coming off the planer. Though any of my carbide tipped blades and bits don't have a problem with it.
Looks like you're having fun now with some of your hard earned pieces Shawn. You've built quite a supply of unique slabs to work with for a long while...
Those cutting boards look snappy Shawn! My wife would love one should you plan on selling them! Christmas is here, help me out with a functional & beautiful piece!!
This was fun. Got to play with the 880 for the first time. HOLY 4 letter words what a ride!!! Took another piece out of my fat ash,, log. About 4' long, 27" diameter, sawn the same way as the last one except I got 1 more 2" slab out of this one. The 661 didn't do too bad in this stuff, but the 880 just laughed at it. I hardly had time to stop and set a wedge, I'd already be at the end of the cut! I think she'll do just splendidly for taking apart the rest of that 4' walnut. Gotta turn the oiler down a little... Bandsaw treatment again for the center slabs - more 4x4 stock.
I can only imagine how big that smile was... I was smilin' just reading it. That's a whole lotta power right there...
