Chainsaw Milling Lumber – Workshop at The Gardens

Why & How to Seal End Grain of Log with ANCHORSEAL

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal

Why & How to Seal End Grain of Logs with ANCHORSEAL – Life in the Log Yard

One of the most important parts of milling quality lumber from salvaged logs is proper drying. The first step of a good drying process is to seal the end grain of the logs. It is best to seal the logs as soon at the tree is cut down. If unable to seal right away the next best practice is to put a fresh cut on the logs before sealing. By sealing the ends of the logs you slow the drying process down. Most of the drying process happens when water leaves the log from the ends. The water leaves at a faster rate from the log ends then the middle of the log and that difference is what cause the wood to crack or check. The best product to use to seal logs is call Anchorseal. Anchorseal is an end grain sealer specifically made for sealing the ends of logs and lumber. It is a premium wax emulsion end sealer made for the prevention of end checks and drying splits. However you mill your wood it is best to seal the end grain of the logs.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – By sealing the ends of logs you prevent the wood from cracking as ot dries. That cracking is also known as checking.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – The Log Yard at the Workshop at The Gardens is always receiving new logs that have been salvaged.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – As salvaged logs make it to the log yard they are sorted and lined up to begin the process of turning logs into lumber.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – The recent arrival of some White Oak logs and a monster Ash log.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – The best time to seal a log is as soon as the tree is cut down. When the end of the logs are exposed the drying begins.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – It is easy to see the small checking that begins soon after the tree was cut down. The best practice is to put a fresh cut on the logs before sealing.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – A seal white oak log. Anchorseal dries clear so you are still able to see the wood grain prior to milling.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – Depending on the temperature the Anchorseal will take some time to dry. It is a waxed base product so you will be able to feel if the log has been sealed.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – Once logs have been sealed they do not have to be milled right away, but it is best to keep them of the ground.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – Anchorseal can be applied with any paintbrush. Depending on how many and the size of the logs the best way to apply Anchorseal is with a roller. The smaller micro rollers work great for applying Anchorseal.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – Anchorseal is water soluble and the roller and tray clean up easily for reuse.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – Using the paint roller makes quick work of larger logs.

Why & How To Seal End Grain of Logs with Anhcorseal – It is also good practice to seal the ends of “Slab Cookies” to help minimize the checking during drying.

Chainsaw Milling Season 2020 – First Slabs of the Year with the Alaskan Mill

Chainsaw Milling Season 2020 – First Slabs of the Year with the Alaskan Mill : The process of making your own lumber is exciting. Cutting into a log for the first time to reveal the beauty inside. To see the grain and the colors inside. The anticipation of what you will make with the wood someday in the future when it’s dried and ready to work with… it’s a lot of work to get the lumber ready after it is cut. But let’s back it up a little too before we even get to cutting that first slab. The is a lot of prep work to get done. And since I’m not a full time sawyer and primarily cut in the winter, that adds a few steps. My chainsaw milling setup for the first slab included the 36” Granbeg International Alaskan Mill, a 36” Cannon Superbar from Cannon Bar Works and the MS661 Chainsaw by Stihl. Watch the embedded video and you’ll follow through the first slab of my 2020 milling season! Thanks for checking it out! Enjoy!! ~ Glenn

Chainsaw Milling Season 2020 – First Slabs of the Year with the Alaskan Mill – A lot happens to get ready on the first day… watch the video to see my first day of slabbing!