Author Topic: Splitting for the most  (Read 8851 times)

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Offline Timo

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Splitting for the most
« on: March 30, 2011, 10:02:24 pm »
There is a saying that sometimes good fortune runs over us like a Mack truck. Well, I got splattered today!  Last week, I bought a log from a post cutter about 20 miles near my home. At 9 feet in length, and 15” across the butt, it was by and far one of the best looking logs that I have ever laid eyes on. I paid the man, cut it to the desired lengths, got it quartered, sealed the ends and stored it back of the shop until I could get more time to work it up. Well today I got some time.

 With a log this good it pays to take some time to really study the best overall way to gather the most for your buck. The main splits where pretty much straight forward, with few surprises, garnished by many nice belly splits.

All sealed and standing pretty, I then turned my attention to the 3 footer. I decided to take a few pics showing what the process is that I go through with a good quality log.

I wanted to keep these billets matched up as close as I could, so here is how I go about it.



Offline Timo

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2011, 10:04:13 pm »
Once the main split is done, then the belly usually just pops right out. Just continue to the next mark and work away.

Offline Timo

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2011, 10:05:35 pm »
When I have a log this good I usually will clean the bark and sapwood off, then run them through the band saw, keeping the two halves together. This pic shows what this half log yielded. The belly splits need sealed up right away. There was an extra on this one, so maybe there will be on the other half.

The other half had a few bad spots near the core, but I was able to get enough to match up with the one extra I had on the first round.

Offline Timo

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2011, 10:06:18 pm »
Here is a pic of what the whole log yielded.  Yea…I’d say some good fortune?

Offline toomanyknots

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2011, 10:20:00 pm »
Beautiful!
"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair

Offline Acutus

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2011, 10:25:52 pm »
Looks like ya got some bows to make!! ;D

I have some questions. Belly split? Is that the split without the bark? When you say you seal the ends, Is that the end of the log that was cut? Leaving the bark on you don't have to seal that side?
Is all the moister to come out of the belly part of what will be the bow?

Sorry so many questions but I just don't understand really getting staves and such.

Offline Elktracker

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2011, 10:34:30 pm »
That was a nice log :o well done on the splitting!

Josh
my friends think my shops a mess, my wife thinks I have too much bow wood, my neighbors think im redneck white trash and they may all be right on the money!!

Josh Vance  Netarts OR. (Tillamook)

HatchA

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2011, 10:37:29 pm »
Acutus...  Belly splits are also called "inside splits" - the marked out sections that are below the curved marker line in the first pic.

Tim...  beautiful haul!!

Offline PeteC

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2011, 10:58:43 pm »
I would'nt know what to do with myself if I came across osage that pretty and straight. ;D  God Bless
What you believe determines how you behave., Pete Clayton, Whitehouse ,Texas

Offline sailordad

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2011, 11:03:18 pm »
HOLY SMOKES THATS COOL  8)
ive never seen so many nice staves from one log
let alone hedge
not that i get a chance to see alot of hedge
i always wanted a harley,untill it became the "thing to ride"
i ride because i love to,not to be part of the crowd

Lombard

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2011, 11:06:05 pm »
Nice work Tim. Went through a similar process myself with some more Winged Elm last weekend.  Now I just need to find some fine Osage like you have there, and repeat.

Offline beetlebailey1977

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2011, 11:14:14 pm »
Nice, clean, and darn straight..... :)
Happy hunting to all!
Bowhunters of South Carolina Executive council member
Professional Bowhunters Society Associate member

Reevesville, SC     James V. Bailey II

Offline cowboy

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2011, 11:18:09 pm »
That wasn't no Mack truck! More like a BNSF 100 car train. I'd say you got your money worth outa that log Tim ;).
When you come upon a track or trail you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing.

Offline Rick Wallace

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2011, 11:28:57 pm »
Thats cool!!  That looks almost like DET cord in the first pics,,,you sure you split them?? Or did you blow them?? :o
U.S.ARMY '86-'91  East Milton Fl.   Dont take yourself to seriously,,No one else does

Offline ErictheViking

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Re: Splitting for the most
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2011, 11:30:16 pm »
sweet haul.  good fortune indeed!
"He that but looketh on a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it hath already committed breakfast with it in his heart"  C.S. Lewis