LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Help figuring out how to trim log rounds

2K views 24 replies 16 participants last post by  Jim Jakosh 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have several log rounds that I need to have consistent dimensions . right now they are not consistently flat and range from 7/8 to one and a quarter or thicker. I need them flat and consistent thickness. I'm trying to decide what the correct tool for this is. I own a belt sander , but as it stands I've had a difficult time dimensioning the rounds. I've considered buying a power planer, some hand planers or a benchtop planer, however i have yet to see a good method for doing what i need to accomplish. See pics below:
Hat Wood Natural material Sun hat Fashion accessory


Wood Pattern Flooring Wood stain Auto part

Thanks for any and all advice!!!!!

-Chris
 

Attachments

See less See more
4
#6 ·
The jig idea seems fantastic, i have a good router to use and some good bits. My question with that is how do you do level out surfaces that are not completely flat on one side? if you look at the pieces the cut is not smooth and flat.
 
#10 ·
i'm totally going to attempt to build a router jig if it works it should help tremendously.

You may have to flatten one side then flip to mill to desired thickness.

Are these cookies dry. As thin as you are looking at the can curl like a Pringles potato if you are not carful.

- JKMDETAIL
these are not completely dry but have been drying about 4 or 5 years.
 
#11 ·
these are not completely dry but have been drying about 4 or 5 years.

- XquietflyX
The SLICES have been drying 4 or 5 years, or the LOGs have been drying 4 or 5 years? Either way, I'd think they should be dry after that long.

And I hope you have more of the uncut logs, because you'll want to cut them thicker then needed to allow room to flatten and sand them.
 
#15 ·
If you are cutting them on the band saw, place the log on a flat board and use shims to square one end against the table. Get a 1X and attach it to the end of the log and screw a piece of wood (however thickness you are aiming for) to the top of the 1X that is extending above the log. Use that as a guide to make your cuts.
 
#19 ·
If you are cutting them on the band saw, place the log on a flat board and use shims to square one end against the table. Get a 1X and attach it to the end of the log and screw a piece of wood (however thickness you are aiming for) to the top of the 1X that is extending above the log. Use that as a guide to make your cuts.

- mahdee
I cannot visualize this, at all?
 
#20 ·
Just curious, what are you making with them?

BTW, it it was me in my shop… I d use a router and a jig to get them in the ballpark and then finish up on my thickness sander.

- PeteStaehling
I'd like to make scroll saw bowls with them, i have lots of logs that if i could get properly sized log rounds
 
#25 ·
I just had to do that with some coasters. I flattened one side on the belt sander, then I glued on a spigot and faced them in the wood lathe flat and to the desired thickness. Then I cut off the spigot and sanded that original side again.

One of those bridge router jigs should work if you don't have a lathe. But you have to make a way to hold the piece secure if one side is not flat and/or just to keep it still under the router passes. I think I would make a big sideways V block or V- vise with 2 v's that clamp it from both sides. It would be nice to make one thicker than the piece so you can leave it in there all the time and flip the whole assembly while doing both sides. The v jaws would get cut a little but that would give you what you want- parallel and flat and to the size you want.

My 2 cents worth…...............Cheers, Jim
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top