Many thanks to everyone who offered their suggestions and help on
this project. If any one else has a yearn to make their own
charcoal, there is a website www.eaglequest.com that has complete
instructions and drawings for doing this. I guess one of the main
motives I had for doing this is: 1. My neighbor knocked over 80 acres
(with a bulldozer) of 100 year old oak trees and I hate to see the
waste. 2. I have a huge curiosity about just about everything.
Respectfully, Susan Chastain
My neighbor knocked over 80 acres (with a bulldozer) of 100 year old oak trees and I hate to see the waste.
G’day; That waste is nothing short of criminal! You’d need a skilled
charcoal burner to do this job though. Better yet, find someone with
a portable sawmill. These consist of a very large chainsaw (with a
ripping blade to cut with the grain; ordinary chains cut across it and
are sharpened differently) mounted on a sliding chassis that slides
along rails placed either side of a log. The saw is positioned to
produce whatever thickness of plank is desired. Adjust the earmuffs,
pull the ripcord and two people move the saw along the rails until the
plank is cut through. Then raise the log, cut another plank, etc.
Next log please. The planks are then carefully ‘sticked’ and
stacked. A piece of wood about an inch thick is placed at 12 inch (or
so) intervals under the first plank, more sticks on top of this plank
ensure a good air flow between the planks and so on Begin a new
stack. Turn each plank at 3 month intervals, and make valuable
furniture in a couple of years time. Sell it and make enough money to
set yourself up as a jeweller.
I’m sure portable sawmills must be as easily available in rural
America as they are in NZ. Folk here earn a good living with them.
I have a huge curiosity about just about everything.
Me too!
Cheers John Burgess.