[quote]dgranucci wrote:
Thats lookin good! Whats the total time from cutting to having a finished workable log to lift (in your estimation)?
Are you making backups in the event of your main log cracking or is that not likely?[/quote]
Thanks.
Hard to say about the total time, but so far I’d estimate about 8-10 hours on the log and about 18-20 on building the jigs. I haven’t had much time to work on it lately. I have some other projects in the works that have taken priority over this one, but I should be able to get back to it soon.
I plan on making more than one. Like I said, building the jigs is the worst part. It’d be a shame to just scrap them after only building one. I’ll probably sell all but the best one 
Cracking is not very likely. Tupelo is a very cross-grained wood and is especially hard to split. An eight-pound maul bounces off of it as if you’d hit it with the blunt end.
Might as well build some to sell, especially with the jig being one of the more time consuming parts.
We dont have the Tupelo up north, but it sounds like a good wood to use.
Keep those updates coming, bud.
I finally have some more pics to upload. And a video, if it’ll work.
Here are some pics of the Big Sanding Idea.
I hope this vid works. Please excuse the chaos that is my shop. I usually have about a dozen or so projects going on at a time, and limited time to work on them.
Handle-well jig, clamped in place with a tie-down strap.
To cut the bevels, I used a flush-cutting hand saw. Carving out the waste is going to be a booger, but with some relief cuts with a skilsaw, it should go easier
That sanding jig was a great idea! Nice work man, I’m looking forward to seeing more progress pics.
[quote]Doenitz79 wrote:
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/2700/218186128213243om3.jpg
Just sharing. This is my 12’ log - made by a welder.
This is her after two years and a lot of tender loving care
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs190.snc1/6400_52883603299_753393299_1469793_2162887_n.jpg[/quote]
That is absolutely the most well-made steel log bar I’ve ever seen. Makes the Sorinex model look like a cheap knock-off.
Are the non-knurled handles a pain in the ass, or is it even noticeable?
I don’t have any problems with the handles as I use a hook grip(I use this grip for almost every lift)
Yup, she was a beauty when she was born.
Here is my beloved log being put to use.
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/95/218186128213243kg3.jpg
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/1338/218186128213243ng5.jpg
(By the way, I am half the world away in the Far East, so I can’t hook anyone here up with my welder, but I don’t mind sharing blueprints)
I found a piece of telephone pole that I’m going to use. Odd thing is that it’s slightly tapered so I’ve going to have to balance it to find the “center” rather than measuring, but I think it’ll work just fine. It was sitting out in the rain and weighs about 3 tons right now (rough estimate) so I put it in the shop to let it dry out.
Just got back online a couple days ago. A virus got past my defenses and f’d up my shit, and I just now got time to fix it. Bad news is that a lot of my pics have somehow gone missing. I’m just about entirely finished with the bar.
Pics soon.
[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:
I found a piece of telephone pole that I’m going to use. Odd thing is that it’s slightly tapered so I’ve going to have to balance it to find the “center” rather than measuring, but I think it’ll work just fine. It was sitting out in the rain and weighs about 3 tons right now (rough estimate) so I put it in the shop to let it dry out.[/quote]
If it’s a creosote log, I’m not sure I’d use it. They’re nice and heavy, but creosote is not your friend. A coworker of mine once used a creosote timber as a seat while we were taking a break one hot summer day. He ended up going to the hospital for the rash that ensued. I’d hate to think what would happen if that shit got in your lungs or sinuses while you were cutting.
Yeah, it’s definitely been tarred. I’ll either wear a mask while I’m cutting it and then give it an extra layer or two of paint/sealer, or maybe just find another chunk of wood. As a matter of fact, I’m almost positive I’ll just use something else. We’re clearing out several acres, certainly no shortage of logs. Thanks for the heads up.
Right, so I’m finally around to posting more pics. I have no idea what happened to my pics between these and the last ones I posted.
The only thing left to do is paint the ends and wells black and apply a final coat of urethane.
Final weight is 90lbs, just heavy enough to warm up with.
I’ve only been able to do 140 for 5 so far (strict). Log press is a bit tougher than military press, I guess because your hands are farther away. But damn I love the way it hits the delts and upper chest.
That thing is a Beaut! Very well done/professional.
Are you still planning to build those other log bars?
As you can see, I decided to go double-sided on the handle-well bevel cuts. I also installed 1.5" handles which I expertly fitted so tightly, that I didn’t even have to bolt them in place (this line actually reads “I got really lucky”).
The double-sided bar gives me another idea for the next one: Leave one side as-is and on the other side, cut out the chink of wood between the bevels like in the attached pic. The handle spacing is PERFECT for rowing, but I can’t get a deep enough pull to make it effective.
[quote]dgranucci wrote:
That thing is a Beaut! Very well done/professional.
Are you still planning to build those other log bars?[/quote]
Thanks for the kind words. I am indeed planning on building more as I get time.
