Slabs from a felled Macadamia tree

Hi,

I'm a total novice when it come to trees and would love some advice if you can spare the time.

I have had a macadamia tree cut down in our back yard and I asked the arborist to keep as much of the trunk in one piece as possible so that I could look at getting it milled into wood I could use build a table. He suggested I could look at hiring a chainsaw mill to get the tree into slabs,

Do you have any suggestions on the best method milling method to get the best wood for a table?

Also, can you suggest someone with a portable mill in Brisbane?

The trunk (330cm long, 57cm diameter narrowing to 38cm) is in the back yard and there is no way I can move it without chopping it up into more manageable chunks.

Thanks for taking the time to help me.

Regards, Tim

:o Lucky fellow wish I was closer I would have taken the rest love turning Macadamia :2tsup:

Try Sigi he was on here haven't seen him post for ages send him a PM

Seal the ends straight away with a few coats of log sealer, or thick paint if you don't have any, even PVA is Ok. If you can also mix up some Borax in some warm water (say 1kg for each 4litres) in an old fashioned watering can (it may need a few) and drench it to keep the bugs at bay.

It is too hot now to be slabbing, they will crack badly, so I would suggest sealing and leaving until April next year if you can.

I have a slabbing chainsaw mill and could help you out, if I am in or around town, but I am not sure where I will be then. There are a few millers here that could help you out so hopefully they may reply too.

Cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wheelinround

:o Lucky fellow wish I was closer I would have taken the rest love turning Macadamia :2tsup:

Try Sigi he was on here haven't seen him post for ages send him a PM

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Cheers mate - thanks!

I have been here almost everyday, but mainly lurking, combination of things has kept me from posting much, mainly too much workin ;)


Tim_Bris,

I can help ya out if ya like, where abouts are you in Brissy? Can I get my ute to the log? Also any likelihood of nails/trash in it? Ring me anytime :2tsup:

Thanks for all of your recommendations. The tree was cut down a few weeks back and I have already noticed cracking at the ends, I'm hoping it is only at the tips.

Sigidi - thanks so much for offering to help, I live in the gap. The trunk is straight and clean. Unfortunately there is no way to pull your ute around the back of the house and carrying the log seems pretty impossible. I was hoping I might be able to find someone with a portable method of cutting the log and that I wouldn't have to wait until winter. We've got a quite urgent back yard job which the tree was stopping, hence the unfortunate loss of the tree in the first place and I'm not sure if I can hold off so long. Would you need to get the log to your workshop to work on it?

Thanks again everyone. Really helpful :2tsup:

Perhaps post some photos of the tree, the backyard, and the access - they will all help

I've had one experience with it. ….. It very dense. On the lathe, my progress was very slow due to sharpening.…..and the stuff seem to hold much internal tensions. The bits I had twisted, warped and cracked very badly.

But its pretty. I want to make a stool out of it one day