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Squaring the Log into a Cant

3:59
8:11
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At 3:59 in

Sawmill Sunday: A day on the farm Milling North Carolina White Oak

What happens here

After the first slab is removed, use the hydraulic log turners on the sawmill to rotate the log 90 degrees. Ensure the newly cut flat surface is now facing downwards and securely clamped. Activate the debarker again to clean the next cutting path. Make a second pass with the sawmill blade to create another flat surface. Repeat this process twice more, rotating the log 90 degrees each time and making a new cut. This will result in a four-sided, square piece of timber known as a cant or beam. Use a chainsaw to trim any rough ends or remove excess material from the newly formed cant.

Goal: Transform the log into a four-sided square cant by milling all four faces.

Tools and materials

  • Chainsaw Husqvarna — Trimming rough ends of the cant
  • Helmet with Face Shield — Head and face protection when operating a chainsaw
  • Safety Chaps — Leg protection when operating a chainsaw