Tamarack knees

[Caledonia]

Wondering if anybody out there could help with info,experiences, etc.. on harvesting Tamarack roots for knees. We cut a few this year for an addition to our barn (set as posts,in ground), and another beauty that we milled out for some custom coffins for some friends who are starting to think about their subterranean future. I'd like to know what the finer qualities to look for in a good root/trunk joint may be. Any tips on harvesting? how does one go about milling? Thanks in advance, Andrew

[TimothyB]

Here is a fellow that does this commercially:

http://www.newmansknees.com/

I'm sure he would be able to give you some good info.

--T

[Caledonia]

Thanks Tim, some good pics on that site of rough stock and a jig for milling on a wood-mizer.

[raycon]

A previous issue of Woodenboat covered milling of knees. I believe an alaskan mill (chainsaw w/jig) was used.
Its the least expensive way to get into milling and its one of the easier methods for milling curved timbers.

[Bob Smalser]

I've done burls and snags deep in the woods, which is much the same thing. I simple dig them out with the backhoe if I can get to them with it. As our stuff is much bigger than pics of your larch I've seen, if I can't get backhoe or cat in there, I generally keep looking until I find one I can.

You can do it with a big chainsaw with ripping blade and a Granberg Alaskan or other portable chainsaw mill.

http://www.baileys-online.com/

http://onlinestore.forestindustry.com/baileys/images/items/559.jpg

They're making a straight slab using 2X4's tacked to the top of the log for the first cut...subsequent cuts are made with the mill riding on the flat you just made.

http://onlinestore.forestindustry.com/baileys/images/items/560.jpg

The big problem milling roots is getting the soil and stones out...helps a lot to be able to haul the whole thing in to a power washer.

[ 12-27-2003, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Jack Heinlen]

There used to be a company in Maine that did this as a business.

This is old(almost ten years), so you may not get satisfied. And I have no personal experience.

Lucky G. Farms
RFD 1, Box 5920, Hartland, ME 04943

207-938-2380

They advertised for years in WB, diggin' up knees.

It could be worth a call. One has to like the name.

[TomFF]

Luky G farms is the same as Newman's Knees. Newman Gee is a great guy and loves to talk boats. From what I understand he made the knees for the Amistad and has years of experience with Tamarack. I saw him this summer, He made an incredible bar from a tamarack knee.

Anyway give him a call- and tell him hi from Tom Fehr.

[Whiffle English]

I've had wonderful service from Newman. Only problem is the guys at the post office are still talking about the weird things I have gotten from him. They thnk they are boomerangs. I haven't disabused them.

[mic]

Unreal! any body know of a place in Australia that harvests these knees? Or at least sells them. Need some medium ones below deck and heaps of small ones for where the gunwhale sits on top of the staunchin