What I learned at the mill this week. Honest, detailed, no fluff.
White oak is unforgiving. Grain direction, moisture content, and blade tension all conspire against you. Here's the setup that finally worked after three wasted logs.
Bad sticker placement. Insufficient airflow. Skipping the end sealer. These are the three mistakes that ruin more air-dried lumber than anything else.
After running through a dozen blade types across hardwoods and softwoods, I've landed on two go-to blades and one niche choice for figured wood.
Commercial log dogs are expensive and often the wrong geometry for small-diameter logs. I designed a set in Fusion 360, printed them in PETG, and they've held up for 200+ cuts.
Plymouth County is dense with white pine, red oak, and white oak. Less commonly: black cherry, ash (before the EAB), and the occasional butternut. Here's what to look for.