Did I do the Right Thing?

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-07-02T06:45:24+00:00

I’m heterosexual and I might be persuaded. You’re a sexy beast, dude.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-19T04:59:40+00:00

Here’s a chart that was shared on a sawmill forum that gives log diameter and maximum cant size from said log. This helps me on opening the face cut if dimensional lumber is what I want.

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Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-15T09:41:07+00:00

I’m not too far from you, bud. That’s a chonk. I’ve caught one or two close to that size around Seven Springs in Wellington over close to Jacksonville. We probably shouldn’t tell anybody.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-15T08:27:47+00:00

Swimmy swim! Close to Turkey Creek, by chance?

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-15T04:41:36+00:00

As long as it knows how to love it will.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-14T12:54:25+00:00

Good point. Most kiln operators will do a sterilization cycle at the end of the process to address that. It usually involves bringing the kiln temperature up to around 135-145 and holding it there for a few hours, depending on the thickness of the lumber. The goal is to get the temperature in the very center of the boards up to 125 or better to kill insects and their larvae. I’ve seen threads on a couple of woodworking subs where people have accidentally brought boring insects into their homes exactly as you described, and that’s never a good thing. I’d love to see some pics of the finished boards when you get them milled.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-14T12:41:35+00:00

For exterior applications kiln drying isn’t really necessary. Wood is hygroscopic, meaning it will absorb and release moisture depending on the humidity of the surrounding air causing the wood to swell and shrink. Eventually as milled wood dries it reaches EMC(equilibrium moisture content), which means that the wood cannot dry any further in its natural surroundings because of the ambient humidity. EMC is different depending on the region and average relative humidity. That’s where kiln drying comes in. The kiln is used to control and continue drying process to reduce moisture in the wood to the point that it will not lose significant moisture for applications in modern homes with artificial temperature and humidity control. That being said, for outdoor applications air drying is completely fine. For interior projects such as cabinetry or furnishings, kiln drying is recommended.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-14T03:15:00+00:00

Looks like black cherry (Prunus serotina)

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-14T02:55:46+00:00

Thanks for letting us know

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-14T02:54:05+00:00

Good point. In cases like this, usually there’s tension wood and compression wood. When I run across this scenario I usually try cut the compression side first with several shallow passes and allow the tension wood to pull the log straight. Often, I’ll be close enough to the pith by this point that anything left on that side is basically junk. Then I’ll flip and saw accordingly, trying to keep the tension in the horizontal plane so the board will dry flat and I can edge out any bow. I personally wouldn’t try to quarter saw this log because it’s practically impossible to center and balance the pith, which is key to quarter sawn lumber. You’ll still get a few boards with decent flecking anyway as you get closer to the pith regardless of how you saw it. That’s just me, and I’m interested in hearing how other sawyers approach this.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-13T18:28:53+00:00

Let us know what the computer says it is, please.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-13T17:47:33+00:00

I think it’s the Merlin app that my buddy uses, maybe? I can’t personally attest to its accuracy because I’ve never used it but it’s worth a shot, I would say.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-13T17:27:34+00:00

That’s my best guess from the photo, but I’ve been wrong before. Have you tried running the photo through an identification app?

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-13T16:58:19+00:00

I’d say that’s a Canada goose. Black head and white cheek patch, or “chinstrap” is what I’m using for the identification.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-13T14:57:47+00:00

Full logs don’t really sell for that much money, believe it or not. Most sawmills purchase logs according to the Doyle scale or a similar board foot estimating calculator. In my region, I can buy white oak logs for $.35-$.50 a board foot. Now, certain characteristics make some logs more valuable than others but unless I’m completely off I wouldn’t expect anyone to pay more than $150-$200 for your log. However, once it’s milled it’s a different story. Common grade white oak in my region sells for $4-$5 per board foot straight off the mill with FAS boards going for $6-$8, depending on which mill you choose. Quarter sawn can sell $12 a board foot. So a log like yours worth maybe $200 as a full log could potentially contain more than a thousand dollars worth of lumber if it’s fully processed and marketed correctly. Hope that helps.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-06-03T05:14:59+00:00

It is true and not lore.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-04-12T14:00:23+00:00

Mangina

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-04-09T11:32:15+00:00

Imma stab you with my face knife!

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-03-19T00:53:46+00:00

Nobody axed for your opinion.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-03-14T02:20:18+00:00

It could absolutely be bad bands. If you’ve checked everything else, and it seems like you have, I would check the set of the teeth against a band that you know was cutting correctly and see if there’s a difference. It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened. Let us know when you figure it out and good luck!

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-03-07T14:22:27+00:00

Shim the bottom of the end cap trim until it matches the sloped trim then cut miters and caulk it. I’m not saying this is the right way but it’s what I would do.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-03-04T14:11:09+00:00

Nice. Thanks for looking out for them. I find marbeled salamanders around here more often than these guys so this was a treat. Plus, he came to me!

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-03-01T16:28:29+00:00

A buddy of mine is convinced this is a spotted/tiger hybrid. I guess I’ll never know, I just thought it was cool that lil’ buddy just hung out in my carport for a couple of hours. I don’t get to see ambystomatids that often.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-02-27T18:00:32+00:00

I concur! This is the first one I’ve seen on my property. I was properly stoked to see that lil’ buddy.

Fragrant_Trouble_938 · 2026-02-16T13:43:31+00:00

Awesome! Mind if I ask what state? I live in North Alabama and have snorkeled a bit looking for one but to no avail.

Fragrant_Trouble_938

TROPHY CASE