Abstract: A method of producing a hardwood flooring product, including the steps of processing a strip of raw wood into a blank having a predetermined thickness and width, and top and bottom surfaces defining parallel planes relative to each other, and splitting the blank along the width of the blank from one side to the other to form two low profile flooring strips having the same width as the blank and a thickness less than one-half the thickness of the blank. The splitting step includes the steps of providing first and second circular saw blades mounted on spaced-apart vertical axes for rotation in a single plane intermediate and parallel to the planes of the top and bottom surfaces of the blank and positioning the blank on conveying means upstream from the saw blades with the plane of rotation of the saw blades intermediate and parallel to the planes of the top and bottom surfaces of the blank for movement of the blank from an upstream position to a downstream position relative to the saw blades.

Abstract: A method of preparing a multilayered wood panel from thin boards is discld. The thin boards are produced by from square timber by a knife cut.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method apparatus for the manufacture of wood products from tree trunks in the form of an integral work station utilizing modern splinter-chipping technology. In a preferred embodiment a tree trunk (6) is alignable on a feeder carriage (4) for optimal utilization of the wood, on the feeder carriage (4), and is moveable by means of the carriage lengthwise in the working zone (8). Laterally modular tool units (10, 12, 14, 16) are provided alongside the working zone (8). They are of modular design and can optionally, for a selective processing sequence, be brought into engagement with the tree trunk repeatedly passing by.

Abstract: Procedure and apparatus for sawing a square timber, the apparatus comprising a feed mechanism (1), a chipper (2) and a sawing apparatus (3) in such manner that .the feed mechanism has been arranged to feed the square timber into the chipper, the chipper has been arranged to remove from the square timber its curved surface portions, and the sawing apparatus has been arranged to cut up the spar arriving from the chipper. As taught by the invention, the feed mechanism (1) is connected with a pivot (4) with vertical axis to the chipper, and the chipper is connected with a second pivot (5) with vertical axis to the sawing apparatus which is carried on the frame of the apparatus, and that the apparatus comprises a feed table (6) for feeding the square timber in controlled manner into the feed mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for around the curve sawing is shown and described wherein a group of roller assemblies are positionable along a selected semicircular path having a point of tangency relative to lines of cut provided by an assembly of cutting blades whereby each roller assembly provides a transport path normal to the axes of rotation for each roller assembly and tangent to the selected semicircular path. Upon actuation of the roller assemblies, as positioned along the selected semicircular path, the wood product, as captured between rollers of the roller assemblies, moves along the selected semicircular path and into the cutting device for cutting along concentric lines of cut. The method and apparatus is particularly well suited for use with tree species having irregularly shaped protrusions and formations deviating from an idealized curved centerline of the log or cant.

Abstract: In a method of sawing a log where, to avoid edging, inner comers (3) are first cut out prior to sawing off the edged boards, inner corners (3) are cut out along curved lines, each with a planar smooth surface (4) and a chopped rough surface (5) which is curved, whereafter the respective board is sawed out with a curved saw cut which coincides with the respective chopped rough curved surfaces (5).

Abstract: A system used in combination with a cant sawing or cutting unit, the function of which is to guide two faced-cants through the cut along the line of their natural curvature. The system comprises, at the infeed end of the unit, rollers for clamping the opposite planar faces of the cant, thus providing it with a pivotal point, and also includes means for causing an angular displacement of the forwardly moving cant, from said pivotal point and relative to the sawing or cutting elements, thereby allowing the elements to cut along the natural curvature of the cant.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for, in one continuous operation, receiving a slab sawn from a log, sensing the thickness of the slab and setting the apparatus to plane its upper and lower surfaces to produce a desired thickness slab which then is sawn into boards of desired width. The apparatus includes upper and lower planer heads, the upper of which is mounted on adjustable setworks for raising and lowering. At the infeed end of the apparatus a sensor determines the thickness of an entering slab and through control mechanism adjusts the space between the planer heads to plane the slab to a desired common board thickness which is the maximum available from the slab size. A bank of smooth cutting saws downstream from the planer heads saws the slab into smooth-sided boards.

Abstract: A method of preparing a multilayered wood panel from thin boards is discld. The thin boards are produced by from square timber by a knife cut.

Abstract: A fastening system for a rip saw blade and chipping edger combination includes at least one rip saw blade provided with holes and at least one chipping edger mounted collinearly and adjacent to the rip saw blade on a turning arbor so that the teeth of the chipping edger is aligned with the holes provided in the rip saw blade. The rip saw blade, the chipping edge and the turning arbor are all held stationary relative to each other by anchoring the same on the turning arbor with a fastening device such as a nut. An intermediate space or recess is provided between the rip saw blade and the chipping edger to permit the rip saw blade to yield in either lateral direction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a circular saw blade assembly for a saw mill or similar apparatus used for sawing boards from logs, said circular saw blade assembly comprising at least two circular saw blades attachable to and axially transferrable on a saw blade spindle as well as one or several edge milling cutters for shaping the board to a correct width.

Abstract: A clamping and feeding device for the machining of boles by machining tools, such as band or circular saws, milling cutters, and the like, in which a carrier slide (5) designed in the manner of a frame is equipped with clamping devices (10, 12, 18, 23) retaining the bole (8) from several sides and can be reciprocated on a profiled support (4) by rollers (6) along a machining station (1) and is supported by guide rails (14).

Abstract: A cooperative conveyor system for a lumber production line. The production line has a canting station and a sawing station spaced at a distance from each other and interconnected by a powered conveyor system. The cants are fed at a higher rate through the canting station than through the sawing station. The conveyor system is arranged to receive cants from the canting station at a high feed rate and transport the cants to and into a sawing station at a lower feed rate. The cants are fed through the canting station at controlled intervals so that the resulting gap between succeeding cants received on the conveyor are at a desired spacing to maximize the production of the sawing station. The cant exiting from the canting station is forced to overrun the conveyors feed rate and thereby reduces the gap between it and a preceding cant. The conveyor then transports the cant to and into the sawing station at the desired feed rate for the sawing station. In one embodiment, the sawing station has two saws.

Abstract: A process for producing beams of square cross-section from tree boles or the like is characterized in that plano-convex slabs are severed in parallel to the hart zone of the boles. An apparatus for performing the process is characterized in that the boles (2) are supported by height-adjustable supports (9, 10) in such a way that the heart zone (8) is congruent with the preferably horizontal feeding direction of the bole (2). Thereby, the thus-produced square beam (7) is defined by planes parallel to the heart zone.

Abstract: The combination with a machining tool for machining boles, of a clamping and feeding device for feeding the boles to the machining tool. The clamping and feeding device comprises a slide on which the bole rests during machining. The slide has mounted thereon a pivotable device that directly supports the bole, this pivotable device being elongated and extending lengthwise of the bole and being pivotally connected at one end to the slide. A power jack changes the elevation of the other end of the elongated pivotal device thereby to permit positioning the bole with its heart zone parallel to the direction of movement of the slide. In another embodiment, a lifting device is carried by the slide for lifting one end of the bole relative to the other end of the bole, the lifting device comprising at least one cam supported eccentrically on the slide, and a power jack to rotate the at least one cam to lift the one end of the bole.

Abstract: An edger for use with a conventional sawmill, including upper and lower chippers or cutters for forming the upper and lower edges of a board to be removed from a log, mechanical or optical sizers for automatically determining the location of the upper and lower edges of the board, and a control mechanism, responsive to the sizers, for positioning the cutters. The cutters have horizontal or vertical motors with associated blades, and the motors are mounted on carriages which ride up and down on a mast, positioned by a hydraulic cylinder. Mechanical sizing wheels are mounted on separate carriages, and the wheels are urged to contact the log's surface to determine extreme points of narrowness thereof. The extreme motion points of the sizing wheels are recorded by frictionally secured pistons which are sensed by metallic sensors which are input to the control mechanism. An electric eye causes the sizing wheels to move toward and away from the log.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cutting and sawing of logs including a cutting unit mounted to engage the log and including a pair of spaced apart axle sets. Each of said axle sets has mounted thereon at least one disc saw for sawing the logs in a lengthwise direction and at least one chipper edger for chipping a board to the right width. The cutting unit is moveable so that the axle sets are moved and the position of the disc saw and the chipper edger on each of the axle sets in changed relative to the log.

Abstract: A method for the production of finished wood sheets from rough cut wood includes the steps of conditioning the rough cut wood, as necessary, to obtain a predetermined mositure content equivalent to a humidity of at least 50%. The conditioned rough cut wood is cut into predetermined dimensions using a sawdust-free process and then immediately dried to obtain a low moisture content. The dried wood is further machined to eliminate rough edges of the finished sheet.

Abstract: A method for the production of finished wood sheets from rough cut wood includes the steps of conditioning the rough cut wood, as necessary, to obtain a predetermined moisture content equivalent to a humidity of 50%. The conditioned rough cut wood is cut into predetermined dimensions using a sawdust-free process and then immediately dried to obtain a low moisture content. The dried wood is further treated using a grinding process to eliminate rough edges of the finished sheet.

Abstract: A combined saw and chipper head comprises a frustoconical body having a circular saw blade mounted on smaller face. A plurality of straight-edged knives are mounted on truncated face of body with corner of each knife positioned in a gullet between a pair of teeth.

Abstract: An improved wood patch, in combination with a slot formed in a blemished wooden surface, and apparatus and method of manufacture thereof. The improved wood patch has, where the wooden surface to be repaired is horizontal, three faces: a flat horizontal exterior face, a flat vertical interior face, and an angled arcuate interior face. The patch has both a larger vertical radius of curvature and a larger angle between the flat vertical interior face and the angled arcuate interior face than the slot. Apparatus for manufacture includes a router utilizing a double router bit having a straight cutting edge oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the bit and an angled cutting edge oriented at an angle to the straight cutting edge.

Abstract: A system of optimizing the volume of boards that may be cut from a log provides for one surface of a cant to be cut with a curved or straight surface. This takes into account curved, tapered or straight logs. The system comprises a scanner positioned to scan the log and determine an optimum cut surface profile, a cutting head positioned to cut the top surface of the log, the cutting head having relative vertical movement to the top surface, a conveyor to convey the log passed the scanner and the cutting head, and a controller to control the relative movement of the cutting head in accordance with the signal from the scanner to produce the predetermined optimum cut surface profile for the top surface of the log.

Abstract: A machine for cutting logs to provide a dovetail log joint is provided with a number of saw legs which are slidably mounted on carriages, some of which are movable in order to adjust the angle of inclination of the saw blades. This machine permits dovetail tenons to be formed at either end of a log to provide both inside and outside corner joints. All of the necessary cuts can be effected while the log is held in a fixed position, it is only necessary to move the log longitudinally of itself in order to form the tenons at opposite ends. C-clamps are also provided for applying pressure to the log joint during assembly of the joint.

Abstract: A tree trunk is fed to a cutting station along a centerline line by a pluity of groups of centering rolls spaced along the centering line. Some rolls are driven to advance the trunks. The groups of rolls are adjustable from a centering mode to a non-centering mode by either retracting the rolls or unloading the rolls. During the advancement of a trunk successively through the roll groups, the groups are successively adjusted between their centering and non-centering modes such that roll groups located to support front and rear ends of the trunk are in their centering modes, while at least one roll group disposed therebetween is in its non-centering mode.

Abstract: A log (10) to be sawn into boards is supported by a support assembly (26) which supports the log with its longitudinal axis aligned with the direction of carriage movement of a carriage (22) reciprocating along a defined pathway. A side trimming head (12) is mounted adjacent the path followed by the log and includes first (94) and second (96) spaced-apart circular saw blades oriented so as to make two blind cuts to a predetermined depth into a supported log. An intermediate rotary cutter (104) may be provided between the blades to shape the portion of the log between the first and second blades. A third circular saw blade (14; 107), oriented transversely to the first two blades, cuts the completed board from the log.

Abstract: The invention is an infeed conveyor for a saw which enables feeding sweepy cants or logs in such a manner as to achieve a significant improvement in lumber recovery. The conveyor has at least one portion which can be configured between a straight line track and a curve which approximates an arc of a circle. The arc can be adjusted so that it approximates the sweep curvature of the log or cant which can then be guided into a saw along a path approximating it radius of curvature. The conveyor consists of a sharp chain having at least one portion running on a slide bar which can be configured to give the desired curvature. The conveyor can further be adjusted with regard to the following saw or saws to control offset. In its most preferred version a pair of chipper heads is located between the conveyor and saws to dress the upper and lower faces of an incoming cant into a gang cant of predetermined depth.

Abstract: In a method for profile chipping, the necessary chipping out of wany-edged corners laterally defining a side board (4) to be separated is carried out in such a manner that firstly in a direction perpendicular to the trunk axis saw incisions (6) are made to the full depth of the corner but that material adjacent the saw incision (6) is simultaneously chipped out by chipping blades only to a lesser depth, and in a second working step in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (17) remaining corner material (20) is chipped out by means of chipping blades and simultaneously a second saw incision (18) is made. The side board (4) exposed in this manner is separated by a saw severance cut. This provides throughout corner faces worked by saw cut which do not have any material splits due to chipping blades.

Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of prismatic or truncated-pyramid-shaped beams, it is suggested to produce respectively two adjoining, mutually perpendicularly disposed lateral faces in one working step by simultaneous edging. In an apparatus for performing the method of this invention, a machining tool (2) with two sawing or cutting tools (7, 18) is provided, these last-mentioned tools forming a right angle with each other and being arranged offset with respect to each other in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the bole (6) to be edged.

Abstract: A headrig slabbing head for machining a face on a log comprising a movable base platform mounted on rails to allow for varying the position of the base platform which supports a guide system having a carriage member adapted for movement along the guide system. A chipping head driven by a motor is mounted to the carriage member for cutting a face on a log. The position of the carriage member on the guide system can be varied to allow the chipping head to be adjusted to machine a face on logs of different diameters.

Abstract: To produce wooden laths, boards of optional width are resawn in unplaned condition, whereupon the laths are fed each into one compartment which is defined by splitting knives and within which the laths are subjected to a pressure which is directed against the feed table carrying the laths and under the action of which first the lower side and then the upper side are planed. The machine for resawing the boards and planing the laths has a feed table with a guide edge and sawing means comprising coaxially mounted saw blades adjacent the infeed end of the machine, splitting knives mounted directly after the sawing means and defining compartments each adapted to accommodate a lath, and pressure means above each compartment for applying to the laths a pressure directed against the feed table. Planing means are arranged for working, under the action of said pressure, first the lower side and then the upper side of each lath.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the production of prismatic or truncated-pyramid-shaped beams from boles (4) by edging the latter with the aid of at least two machining tools (13, 14) wherein a relative movement is generated between the bole (4) to be machined and the machining tools (13, 14). In order to be able to manufacture conical beams, the machining tools are adjustable during edging transversely to the direction of the longitudinal extension of the bole (4) the result being a linear relative motion of the machining tools (13, 14) inclined under an acute angle with respect to the axis of the bole (4).

Abstract: Two circular saws are arranged with their rotary axes parallel to each other and driven in opposite rotational directions. The flight circles of the two saws overlap each other. The cutting edges each extend, without touching, into the gaps of the respective other saw. The saws are driven in forced synchronism.

Abstract: A log sawing and cutting apparatus has a knife head which serves as a cutting tool for the production of wood chips and a coaxial circular sawblade which serves to saw off at least one side board. The knife head is connected with a hollow shaft. The saw shaft is connected to a saw shaft and is pivoted and axially displaceably supported in the hollow shaft. The saw shaft is connected with a drive apparatus which provides a higher spped than the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A piece of board stock is advanced on a conveying table between a pair of milling units mounted about and below the table. Each milling unit comprises at least one milling tool having a pair of spaced rotary cutting blades and a profiling tool of lesser diameter than these blades sandwiched therebetween. For each pair of blades on the upper milling unit, there is a corresponding pair of blades on the lower milling unit disposed in coplanar relation therewith. Each pair of blades is so dimensioned as to cut at least halfway, but not all the way, through the piece of advanced board stock, and each profiling tool is so dimensioned as to profile the adjacent surface of the board stock. In this manner, a piece of advanced board stock is simultaneously cut into a plurality of slats having opposed profiled edges, and this is done in a single pass.

Abstract: A saw assembly for reducing logs while passing the logs at least once through the assembly and resawing the resultant sawn blocks while re-passing the blocks at least once through the saw assembly. The assembly comprises a pair of chippers (1) and at least one pair of band saws (2) located downstream thereof, and a pair of guide-and-feed devices (9) located between the chippers and the band saws. The components in each of these pairs of assembly units are located opposite one another on different sides of the center line of the saw line and are adjustable in relation to the center line.

Abstract: A method and a device for carrying out the method of guiding the blades (4) of a circular saw in operation, such as at the sawing of, for example, saw timber, timber blocks, battens or other workpieces on wood basis, where one or several blades (4) are located at an axle (6) and each blade is guided by at least one guide (9,11) acting on the blade. At least one of the guides (9,11) of each blade (4), and in such a case guides corresponding to each other for all blades (4), separate or together with said corresponding guide of remaining blades in the form of a guide package (9',11') during the sawing are floating substantially in the axial direction of the blades (4) and hereby continuously positioned laterally in response to movements and position of the workpiece (1) being sawn, substantially in the axial direction of the blades in connection to the guide or guide package and/or the lateral movements and lateral position of the blade(s) in connection to the guide (9,11) or guide package (9',11').

Abstract: A saw machine with one or more saw blades for ripping a log, after which are provided one or more parting knives. The problem occurring in saw machines of prior art is that the spacing of the fixed guiding points working the log, as viewed in the direction in which the log is being sawn, becomes so large that curve-sawing is no longer possible. The saw machine of the invention is characterized in that both the saw blades (7) and the parting knives (8) are located in a separate sawing unit (6) articulatedly attached to the frame (9) of the saw machine and thereby following the crookedness of the log (11).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing lumber products which are machined on all sides. With this method, the curved trunk which is to be machined, and which increases approximately conically in thickness toward one of its ends, is first, prior to flattening its longitudinal sides and cutting off boards, aligned relative to a processing line of sawmill equipment in such a way that its longitudinal central plane, which is disposed in the direction of curvature of the trunk, extends approximately parallel to the machining surfaces of side cutting devices which flatten the longitudinal sides of the trunk. After that, a portion of the large trunk end which projects beyond an alignment plane is flattened. This flattening is effected in a plane which is tangential to the two trunk ends on a convexly curved surface portion thereof.

Abstract: A woodworking machine to form finished dimensional lumber from cants by a single pass of the cants through the machine and comprising compression and feed rollers above and below a longitudinal path and parallel longitudinally offset arbors respectively are mounted above and below the path upon which spaced saw blades are mounted with opposed blades in common planes and of diameters adequate to form complete cuts through a cant during a single pass, the arbors also supporting between the blades additional cutters to plane the edges of the dimensional lumber and form rounded edges thereon.

Abstract: A crude curved log with an essentially circular cross-section is before a first machining cycle in a working machine fixed in a rotary condition where the longitudinal sectional plane comprising the maximum curvature is horizontal, and is then measured and processed along curved paths determined in a computer unit on the basis of the measured curvature. Thereafter the central block, thus obtained is processed, in a second cycle along paths having the same curvature as the first cycle by utilizing the same command signals as in the first cycle are used, possibly with a correction for changed lateral position of the block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for sawing a log or a block into pieces of lumber, such as blocks, planks, boards, etc. The method is characterized in that pieces of lumber are sawn out with longitudinal cut surfaces such that--when the log is viewed in cross section--the lateral surface of the piece of lumber facing the center of the log is substantially concave while its lateral surface facing away from the center of the log is substantially convex, the concavity and convexity being adapted to the local tangential and radial shrinkage properties of the wood so that the sawn pieces, after drying to the desired moisture ratio, will have substantially plane-parallel sides.

Abstract: A flat reducing and sawing installation for processing tapering logs includes a reducing section and a sawing section through which logs pass in sequence. The reducing section includes two reducing disks which can each be moved outwards by respective positioning devices. The sawing section includes at least two laterally movable saw blades. The position of the reducing disks is controlled by an electronic evaluation and control unit on the basis of profile data fed in about the log, which indicates that at least one of the disks is about to grind sufficient material from one side of the log to form a plank of a minimum acceptable thickness, length and width. Under these circumstances, the control unit moves the appropriate reducing disk outwardly by at least the minimum acceptable thickness to allow the outermost saw of the sawing section to saw off the resulting plank.

Abstract: A chipping machine for processing wood including a chipping head with circumferentially spaced chipping knives to chip those portions of the wood in intereference with the chipping knives as the wood is moved past the inboard end of the chipping head, a facing head rotatably mounted adjacent the inboard end of the chipping head with facing cutters adapted to cut a flat face on the wood just inboard of the chipping knives, and drive means adapted to rotate the chipping head at a speed to generate the desired size wood chips and to rotate the facing head at a speed to generate the desired surface finish on the face of the wood.

Abstract: A machine for hewing squared timbers from round trunks, with the aid of rotary cutters, before which there is a set of guiding rollers for the trunk to be hewn. The machine comprises two cutter pairs disposed immediately after each other and the axes of which form an angle of 90.degree.. The set of trunk guiding rollers consists of at least one pair of pulling wheels with padded circumference and disposed thereafter a track-resembling pair of pulling roller units, all of which together move in a transverse direction following the thickness of the trunk that is being hewn, parallel, and feeding in a forward direction the trunk that is being hewn.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding blocks of timber into a cutting machine has a stationary rear pair of lateral guide rollers immediately in front of the saw blades, a laterally displaceable front pair of lateral guide rollers and a middle lateral guide device, which may be a pair of lateral guide rollers. The middle lateral guide device is at half the distance between the front and the rear pair of lateral guide rollers. The front pair of lateral guide rollers is arranged on a support arm which can swing on a swivel point which is in front of the rear pair of lateral guide rollers at a distance of six tenths of a distance between the front and rear pair of lateral guide rollers. The arrangement is suitable for curved sawing both in sawing machines and in reducing and reducing sawing machines.

Abstract: A cutting machine fitted with saw blades for pieces of timber has, adjacent to at least one pair of outer saw blades, lateral guide devices, the position of which can be adjusted, and which ensure the guiding of a worked piece of timber when its rear end section has left the lateral guide devices before the saw blades on the feed side of the arrangement. The arrangement is suitable for simple sawing machines and for reducing and reducing-sawing machines, and is particularly advantageous for the working of curved timber.

Abstract: Logs are advanced substantially in the direction of their longitudinal axes through a saw while engaged between a driven pusher dog and a retarded holdback dog. The pusher dog is on an endless carrier chain located above an initial log support, and the holdback dog is on an endless carrier chain located below the log path and forwardly of the support. Logs on the support are movable angularly and laterally from the machine axis to displaced positions which are unobstructed by the carrier chains, to permit offset sawing and taper sawing. Chipper heads produce planar surfaces on logs approaching the saw. A retractible preliminary holdback dog engages the forward end of a log and moves past a bottom-flattening chipper head to a tranfer area where the chain-carried holdback dog engages the log and the preliminary holdback dog is retracted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing cut timber from round timber comprising the steps of measuring the minimum diameter of each piece of round timber, sorting the round timber pieces and dividing them into groups of identical diameter, storing them in an intermediate storage device and feeding round timber pieces successively to a saw, which has been preset according to the diameter, for cutting timber sections, wherein the round timber logs to be processed are first cut to round timber pieces having a predetermined standard length, the minimum diameter is then measured on the individual round timber pieces, concentric, plane guide surfaces which are uniformly distributed over the periphery and spaced from each other at intervals depending on the measured diameter are provided, the round timber pieces are then sorted, and the round timber pieces are fed from the intermediate storage device to a cutter while being supported and guided by the guide surfaces, whereupon they are passed on for cut

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for efficiently producing machined lumber products such as boards and squared timber is described wherein, after initial four-sided planing of a log, the remaining wany edge regions are milled using saw/chipper units which present, at each milled region, a relatively smooth and a relatively rough surface. The final step in log processing involves sawing the log along the plane of the rough milled surfaces so as to yield a pair of substantially smooth, severed boards, as well as a smooth central timber or cant. The apparatus includes respective, carriage-mounted, shiftably adjustable heads (each having a chopping tooth member and an adjacent saw blade of substantially the same diameter) along with cooperating second saw blades.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for processing elongated logs to give maximum production of lumber is described wherein the log is initially cut to present four flattened faces thereon with wany edge regions between adjacent faces, followed by first partially milling the wany edge regions with severance of boards from opposed log faces, and thereafter completing the milling of the wany edge regions with subsequent removal of additional finished boards. Such stepwise partial milling of the wany edge regions materially increases the amount of lumber obtainable from a given log, as compared with prior practices. In preferred forms, the log is processed in an improved apparatus including log turning stations having a pair of pivotally mounted, opposed log-gripping arms; the respective arms are supported on a circular frame which is itself rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the log.