: This question may be beyound the scope of this bulletin board, but it
: pertains to building kayaks and canoes, so I thought I'd post it here. My
: family owns land in the corner of northeast Iowa that is covered mostly
: with a hardwood forest. Hard Maple is the mainstay of the land, but Ash
: and Walnut also grow in plenty there. I want to go up and drop an Ash and
: a Maple to build paddles out of and for gunwales for my next canoe. I'm
: searching for info on anyone that has done this and an advice on what
: tools I'll need, etc... I'm good with a chainsaw, but never have I milled
: any wood. I'd like to keep it simple as posible. Thank you for your
: advice.

The simplest way is to not use power tools. You can split a log with a sledge hammer and wedges. Use steel wedges to start a crack and wood ones to keep it open. Then work those into pieces small enough to cut into narrow boards on a table saw or bandsaw.

Why drop a tree for just a few strips of wood? Maples (and ash) have some very large branches. A simpler pruning job can give you a branch or two which are big enough to supply you with wood for this project, and small enough to split easily. And you'll save the main tree for later use.

If you have the chainsaw, there are two basic tools for converting a tree or branch into boards. both bolt to the hainbar of your chainsaw.

1) The "Alaskan" mill, is a bar that sits parallel to the chainbar, and can be adjsuted so it is usually 1 to 4 inches away. for the first cut you slide this bar along a straight edge (usually a 2x8 board) resting on top of the horizontal log. The chain saw, hanging from the bar, cuts away a slab as thick as the distance between the bar and the chain. Afer the first cut you have a flat area on the log which you use as a guide for the next cut, so you can set aside the 2x8. "Alaskan" mills can be made at home, or purchased from $150 to $250 depending on size and brand.

for a picture and description check this URL:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=4006970&storeId=6970&langId=-1&productId=22874

Harborfreight.com has a 36 inch version fro $149.
2)A "Beam machine", "Mini Mill", or "Lumber Maker" rides along guides made from common 2x4 lumber (or steel rails). The chainbar is at right angles to the guide. For each cut you need to re position the 2x4's that the thing rides on. It is a bit more time consuming than an alaskan mill, but you can handle larger logs with a small chain saw, and this device is much less money -- anywhere from $20 to $80 -- and very compact. Northern Tools has a device like this which they call their edger, and they advertise it as a useful supplement to the alaskan mill. They sell theirs with a 12 foot metal track so you don't need the 2x4. here is the URL for this:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?xsell=11873&storeId=6970&productId=152334&langId=-1

Harbor Freight's version they call the Lumber Maker (search for lumber) or go directly to the description at this URL.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=41085

Currently this is on sale for $20, marked down from $25. I could not find one at the local Harbor Freight store, so this may just be available by mail order.

I got one, and I'm waiting to use it. (Haven't had the time, or the desire to get full of sawdust ) If I try it out in the next week or so I'll write up a review.

If you are just going to cut a few boards, this may be the way to do it cheaply. Aim for cutting 2 to 4 inch thick slabs and you can use a table saw to reduce these to more usable thicknesses. A branch which is about 8 inches in diameter should yield a 4x4 after you square it off -- but you don't need to square it off first. If you use the lumber maker to just cut one or 2 flat sides on a log you can use your table saw to make boards with less waste.

good luck with your project

PGJ