Thread: small milling operation

mate ring a couple of local cow cockys and im sure they will tell you a lot . hopefully helpfull . cheers bob

use it to cut split posts.

plenty of money there

I am having a hard time grasping how to use the Lucas mill for cutting split posts efficiently buy the time i manipulate the log for each cut i would probably have the whole billet ripped out using the chainsaw, what is the best way to cut split posts with it. I did think a buzz saw may have been suitable for cutting posts maybe. I am really interested in supplying a good quality sawn product to a higher profit market.

I have the intention that any iron bark I come across that is not suitable for milling i would rip posts out of the ensure that I am utilizing the resource to the highest level possible.

I look forward to any ideas you have though.

i rip out split post all teh time with the lucas.

its mutch quicker than a chaisnaw as i did that for a wile to.


a 200mm - 300mm log you simply quater it into 4 posts.
a 300mm - 400mm log u cut into 4 quate pots and 4-3 sided posts with a 4x4 or similar in the center.
bigger logs are really better to mill into timber.

i get more for the the 3 sided posts as tehy are good for putting mesh on and look better by a house.

you can also make a jig for cutting all teh posts with a taper. just a simpe pin and a frame asembily. it works well and all teh bosts are backed off.

its a lot easyer to sell split posts than timber. if u also cut fence rails and the like from bigger logs then u should be able to fo really well out of it.

Cameron, G'day and Welcome.

As a fellow Lucas owner, I too have thought about split posts using the Lucas. Exador has a good method if the log is on the smaller side, basically you get a pile of billets together, cut to length (7'6" is what fencers around me have a preference for) and all around the 300mm dia range - there isn't a heck of a lot you can get out of a 300 dia log and keep it looking good (yes you can get stuff out, but the probability is lower for smaller logs and if you have a strong market for split posts then cool)

Once you have a stack you do a day or so of 'splits' basically you quarter the log into 4 pieces, this gives you 4 splits per log, yes they are shaped a bit different to your normal split, but if the flat back is specifically desired, then after cutting 100 or so (before lunch, standing up, out of the sawdust, not hanging onto your 880 all day and pushing the mill on rollers) then you can bring them in with the blade set 4" or so off the log supports, flip the 'splits' on their backs and put a 'face' on the back of 'em. Look for a thread about 'split posts with a Lucas' using the search function, it'll show you how you can cut 4 splits with one drop of the mill and 3 cuts.

It'd have to be quicker than the chainy....

Carl, doesn't cut 'typical' splits - his are a bit more square at times - you'll see a pic from Carl in that thread too.

I reckon a Lucas would be quick for the 4 posts but trying to get 5-7 splits out of a billet is too much farting around (I tried, even tired setting up a laser line to make cutting splits easier/quicker, both didn't work well) and trying to get 2 layers out of a good log is definitely too hard, but also a waste of a good sized log which is much better sawn into timber.

Cam, if you've got 6 hours one day, feel free to give me a call. I'll chew ya ear off if ya let me some things are easier said than typed...

a mate ha a steup like this that works really well in his peterson mill.

ill let u try and figure out how it works first.

The log spins a bit like on a lathe, but you lock it off, do the vertical cut then back out the log, turn the log to give the desired 'width' of the split post, then bring the blade back in on a vertical cut -something like that?

ya got the first step right. make sure you set teh height so u miss the frame.

I cut split posts on my lucas from all my salvage timber, (250mm - 450mm diameter logs) I have 2 timber cradles which the log lays in, then I adjust the saw to cut horizontally at mid height of the log, mark the quardrants with a crayon around the closest end of the log, then run the saw along cutting 100mm - 130mm deep ( a white crayon mark on the blade) turn the log using a cant hook to the next mark & cut again, (I get 6 to 8 posts per log) once finished cutting I split the posts out using wedges & throw them to the back of the forks on my machine & roll the next log in. I average about 20 to 25 split posts an hour on my own. ( thats get the log, saw & split then stack ready to load on the truck). I will post some pics in the next couple of weeks as I have an order for 600 posts to fill.
regards inter

Originally Posted by InterTD6

I cut split posts on my lucas from all my salvage timber, (250mm - 450mm diameter logs) I have 2 timber cradles which the log lays in, then I adjust the saw to cut horizontally at mid height of the log, mark the quardrants with a crayon around the closest end of the log, then run the saw along cutting 100mm - 130mm deep ( a white crayon mark on the blade) turn the log using a cant hook to the next mark & cut again, (I get 6 to 8 posts per log) once finished cutting I split the posts out using wedges & throw them to the back of the forks on my machine & roll the next log in. I average about 20 to 25 split posts an hour on my own. ( thats get the log, saw & split then stack ready to load on the truck). I will post some pics in the next couple of weeks as I have an order for 600 posts to fill.
regards inter

Inter, why only cut 100-130mm in, is it to maintain the integrity of the log for the rest of the cuts or some other reason?

cos us fencers have gotta be able to lift the buggers round all day.

it anos the crap outa me when i got a load of posts that had a 8" back and 8" sides. you try lifting 100 of those buggers into post holes in a day.

the idal post had a 6-8" back and 4 - 6" sides with teh front backed off.

Burnsy, the depth varies a bit from log to log but always the cut finishes about 50mm to 75mm from the heart, that way with the log tension a split starts tangentally where the cuts stop & they pop out very easy with a wedge ( unless there is a limb ) A cut any closer th the heart & they dont split out as easy because the heartwood is not as dense & the wedge compresses the timber.
regards inter

Inter, when you do those splits, could you take some time out to do a series of pics and then a write up so we can see how it goes? Thanks Mate

Have I told folkes? ............ I love my Lucas!

Thanks Inter, I am with Sidgi, some phots would be reat, loved your last set on cutting your posts.