Patent Publication Number: US-7712494-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for profiling a log for use in building timber or log homes

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to the field of machines for sawing logs and in particular to a log profiling machine for profiling a cant from a log and for cutting compound dovetail joints into the ends of the log. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In the prior art applicant is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,855 which issued Nov. 4, 2003 to Giles for a Log Home Fabrication Process and Associate Log Cutting Machine. As Giles observes, in the construction of log structures, a four sided cant or, for a more natural looking log wherein the natural contoured edges are left, using a two sided cant, the log must be further processed if the log is to be used in the construction of walls. Hence, each end of the log is cut with some sort of intersecting notch, that is, a dovetail so that the ends of the logs may be interlocked to form the corner of the structure as seen in  FIG. 1  herein which is a representation of the compound dovetailed corner of a log structure illustrated in the Giles patent. 
   As Giles describes, conventionally, a rectangular log has the necessary joinery cuts made in the log by a joinery machine, the straight edges of the rectangular log enabling the joinery machine to make the necessary cuts with precision. According to Giles, the straight edges of the log cant greatly simplify the manufacturing process, and logs which still have the natural external contour of the raw timber log in place on opposed edges of the log, such as two sided cants, cannot be so easily processed because the width of the log will vary along its length. Consequently, Giles describes an apparatus for cutting such two sided cants a guide aligns the log centreline with respect to a log cutter, and a controller controls movement of the log substantially horizontally along a support and also controls the cutter itself. The example is given that the guide may be attached directly to the log so that the guide maintains contact with a fence leading to the cutter. It is also taught that the guide may be a fence guide attached to the fence, or that the guide may be alignment elements forming a portion of the log mover. In all three embodiments, the guide maintains the log centreline substantially parallel to the fence at fixed distance from the fence as the log is moved to the cutter. 
   In the present invention no fence is required at all and thus the requirement for guides as taught by Giles is removed, the arrangement of the present invention as better described below, allowing for all measurements to be made from the centre of the log, that is, the axis of rotation common between the rotatable end carriers on either end of the log thereby removing the problem of dealing with tapered cants etc. The present invention also provides for the use of spaced apart pair of splines between adjacent logs thereby allowing for insulation to be inserted between the splines while retaining the rustic outward appearance of a log wall structure. 
   In the prior art applicant is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,846 which issued Jan. 13, 2004 to Hoffman for A Lineal Log Peeler and Debarker for Use in Log Home Construction. Hoffman discloses a machine which replaces hand-peeling of logs with a draw knife wherein a log is end dogged between spindles, one of which is a drive spindle and a cutter head lowered into engagement with the logs so as to debark the log as the cutter head travels slowly down the length of the log. 
   Applicant is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,899 which issued May 5, 1992 to Hendrickson for a Cant-Making Apparatus and Process which discloses the use of circular saws for cutting a log held at opposite ends of the log. The log may be rotated relative to a frame on which is mounted an overhead sawing device moveable along a track extending along the log. Cants may thus be made having contiguous flat chordal sides which are principally clear wood so that in subsequent milling operations the cants may be cut by conventional sawing apparatus to clear lumber or sliced into edge-grain veneer. 
   Applicant is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,316 which issued Oct. 3, 1972 to Pluckhahn for a device for Sawing Timber, Pluckhahn providing a portable timber milling jig having a beam along which runs a carriage for supporting a chainsaw or reciprocating saw. The beam is supported at either end by a vertical stand which is also clamped into a corresponding end of the log to be sawn so that the log is positioned below the beam, the saws then cutting the log as the carriage is moved along the beam. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In summary, the log profiler according to the present invention for sawing surfaces into and along the length of a log may be characterized as including a saw carriage selectively translatable along a track, a pair of log holders on the track for holding the log suspended over and along the track and adapted to selectively rotate the log about its long axis, a linear double-acting saw blade mounted on a blade carriage, the blade translatable linearly along the blade carriage relative to both the blade carriage and saw carriage, the blade carriage selectively rotatable and selectively elevatable relative to the saw carriage. 
   In particular the log profiler may include:
         a) an elongate frame having opposite first and second ends;   b) a track rigidly mounted onto the frame from the first end to the second end;   c) a saw carriage mounted onto the track for selective translation of the carriage longitudinally in both forward and reverse directions along the track and defining a sawing cavity over the track;   d) a double-acting saw blade mounted on a feed for selective translation therealong, the feed mounted on a blade carriage, the blade carriage rotatably mounted for rotation of the blade and feed about a transverse axis and vertically translatable in the saw carriage, the blade carriage mounted in the cavity so as to dispose the blade across the cavity and laterally across the track and so that rotation of the blade carriage rotates the blade and the feed about the transverse axis extending along the length of the blade relative to a log mounted parallel to the track and journalled through the cavity, wherein the double-acting saw blade is adapted to saw the log in both the forward and reverse directions;   e) first and second log holders rotatably mounted, respectively, at the first and second ends of the frame and aligned with the track and selectively positionable relative to the track so that the log is held clamped between the log holders and substantially horizontally parallel to the track in a cutting path of the blade, the log holders rotatably mounted so as to be selectively rotatable about an axis of rotation of the log, the log holders adapted for mounting to the opposite ends of the log at substantially the centroids of the opposite ends so that rotation of the log about the axis of rotation rotates the log about substantially a centroidal longitudinal axis of the log;   f) a log rotation drive mounted at the first log holder for selectively rotating the log about the axis of rotation by a desired angle for canting the log or dovetail jointing the ends of the log so that translation of the saw carriage along the track when the blade is positioned for cutting engagement with the log cuts the log along the cutting path to thereby cant the log when the saw carriage is translated the length of the log, or to position the log about its longitudinal axis for cutting compound dovetail-joint ends in the log;   g) wherein, when cutting the compound dovetail-joint ends, the blade carriage and log are positioned to angle the blade at a compound angle relative to the log by rotation of the log to a first angle of the compound angle and by rotation of the blade about the lateral axis so as to incline the blade to a second angle of the compound angle, wherein the first and second angles are orthogonal to one another, so that a compound angle joint saw cut is made at the compound angle as the saw is translated on the feed inwardly from an end being jointed.       

   Double spline cutting saws may be mounted to the saw carriage and within the carriage cavity for cutting a parallel, transversely spaced apart pair of longitudinally extending substantially linear spline receiving grooves along the length of the log. The spline cutting saws are mounted so as to be selectively movable relative to the saw carriage into cutting engagement with the log. In particular, the double spline cutting saws may be mounted to an upper end of the saw carriage and may be selectively lowerable downwardly into the cavity to engage an upper surface of the log. 
   A calibrated scale may be provided cooperating with the log rotation drive so as to indicate to a user an angular displacement of the log by the log rotation drive about the axis of rotation. The scale may be mounted for rotation co-axially with the log whereby the angular displacement is indicated directly by corresponding rotation of the scale. 
   The saw blade advantageously may be substantially linear and extend between the upright. The axis of rotation and the transverse axis may be orthogonal and substantially horizontal. In particular the saw blade may be a chainsaw extending along the transverse axis, and may further include a saw drive mounted to the saw carriage and cooperating with the saw blade for actuating the saw blade for sawing the log. 
   The saw carriage may be formed as an inverted, substantially U-shape having uprights extending vertically on opposite sides of the log and the cutting path. The second feed may be a linear actuator for actuating the blade along a plane which is selectively inclined by rotation of the blade carriage. 
   The present invention also includes a corresponding method of profiling and compound-angle jointing of a log. The method includes the steps of:
         a) providing the above apparatus summarized above;   b) determining a desired cant profile for the log,   c) rotating the log to an angular orientation about the axis of rotation corresponding to the desired cant profile so that sawing by the saw blade along the cutting path produces the desired cant profile,   d) determining the first and second angles and corresponding angular orientations of the log about the axis of rotation and the saw blade about the transverse axis,   e) positioning the log and the saw blade for sawing along the first and second angles to thereby saw a compound angle joint in an end of the log,   f) actuating the saw blade so as to saw the log and simultaneously translating the saw blade to translate the saw blade longitudinally relative to the log and to simultaneously translate the saw blade on the feed inclined or otherwise selectively oriented relative to the log so as to follow the first and second angles to produce the compound-angle joint in the end of the log.       

   The method may further include the steps of measuring desired saw cuts for canting the log or jointing an end of the log from the centroidal axis of the log, where the centroidal axis extends longitudinally along the log and the axis of rotation. The step of measuring the first angle may be done using the scale so as to rotate the log about the axis of rotation to an angular orientation corresponding to the first angle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is, in perspective view, a partially cut away assembly of dovetail jointed logs illustrating the compound dovetail angles and splining accomplished by the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is, in front elevation view, the log processing apparatus according to the present invention operating. 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the left hand side of  FIG. 2  illustrating one log end holder assembly. 
       FIG. 3   a  is, in perspective view, the log end holder of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  is, in enlarged view, the saw carriage portion of the apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is, in left side elevation view, the apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  is, in enlarge view, the right hand side of the view of  FIG. 2  illustrating the opposite log end holder. 
       FIG. 7   a  is the log end holder of  FIG. 6  illustrating hidden detail in dotted outline. 
       FIG. 7   b  is, in right side elevation view, the log end holder of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8   a  is, in side perspective view, the saw blade and saw blade supporting platform which is rotatably mounted within the saw carriage of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 8   b  is the elevation view of the view of  FIG. 8   a  sectioned so as to illustrate the endless drive chain driving the pair of threaded rods to translate the saw relative to the saw supporting platform. 
       FIG. 9  is, in perspective view, the saw carriage of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 10  is, in partially cut away front perspective view, the hydraulic motor and reduction gears driving the saw carriage along the rails. 
       FIG. 11  is, in perspective view, the log end holder of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 12  is, in enlarged perspective view, the saw blade, saw blade drive motor, and saw blade supporting platform. 
       FIG. 13  is, in perspective view, the saw blade, saw blade drive motor, and saw blade supporting platform, viewed from the opposite side from that of  FIG. 12 , and partially cut away to illustrate the drive gears driving the threaded rod so as to translate the saw relative to the saw supporting platform, and illustrating the endless drive chain within the saw supporting platform which drives the corresponding threaded rod on the opposite side of the saw supporting platform. 
       FIG. 14  is, in perspective, partially cut away view, the end of the saw blade illustrated in  FIG. 13  mounted on its threaded rod, with the saw supporting platform cut away for clarity and the saw head assembly rotated for nearly vertical cutting, the saw carriage supports partially cut away to show one of the four threaded rods which are driven by an endless drive chain so as to raise and lower the saw supporting platform. 
       FIG. 15  is, in perspective view, the control console of the apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 16  is, in front perspective view, the view of  FIG. 15  with the control console shown in dotted outline so as to view the tape measure support mechanism mounted therein behind. 
       FIG. 17  is, in front perspective view, the top of the tape measure support apparatus of  FIG. 16  and the cut depth, angle of cut, and elevation of the cutting head scales mounted therein behind. 
       FIG. 18  is, in perspective partially cut away view, the splining saws mounted on the saw carriage supports. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
   As seen in the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts in each view, the log profiling machine  2  according to the present invention includes a frame  4 , a pair of log supports  6  mounted at opposite ends of the frame  4  for holding a log  8  elevated from, and parallel to, the frame  4  for selective rotation of the log about a log axis of rotation A. Log lifters  10  are used to raise each end of log  8  for engagement by, so as to be clamped between, log end holders  12  by the use of mounting plates  12   a . Long logs may however tend to sag, the amount of the sag at the center depending on length and thickness. For such longer logs, for example those logs longer than sixteen feet, an auxiliary lifting device such as a screw jack (not shown) may be placed on the center tracks at approximately the mid-point along the length of the log. 
   Log end holders engage and hold the ends of log  8 . The log end holder  12  at a first or driven end  8   a  of log  8  is rotated by a rotation drive unit  13 . The log end holder  12  at the opposite end, the second or carrier end  8   b  of log  8 , is passively rotated on a rotatable carrier  14 . Rotation drive unit  13  includes a scale  15  which indicates the amount by which log  8  has been rotated about axis A (see  FIG. 2 ) by rotation drive unit  13 . The lifting of log  8  by log lifter  10 , and the rotation of log  8  about axis A are controlled by controls  13   a  located on rotation drive unit  13 . A control valve and knob  13   b  provides for lowering of log lifter  10 . 
   Rotatable carrier  14  is mounted on a trolley  14   a  so that the position of the rotatable carrier  14  may be adjusted relative to frame  4 . A braking system  16  is also mounted on trolley  14   a  so as to selectively and releasably lock the position of trolley  14   a . Rotatable carrier  14  includes a means  17  for urging log  8  against the log end holder  12  of rotation drive unit  13  wherein such means  17  may include, without intending to be limiting, a tail stock type mechanism mounted within rotatable carrier  14  and actuated by an actuator for example such as manually operable crank  17   a . By means of rotation drive unit  13  and rotatable carrier  14 , log  8  is maintained with its longitudinal axis along axis of rotation A and substantially parallel to frame  4 . Thus when log  8  is rotated and is sawn as described below, all measurements and angles remain parallel to the axis of rotation A. 
   Linear tracks  19  are mounted along the opposite outer edges of frame  4 . Saw carriage  18  translates along tracks  19  by means of rollers or wheels  18   a  which are rotatably mounted at the lower end of a rigid saw supporting frame  18   b  which extends in a generally inverted U-shape over, so as to extend between, the opposed pair of parallel tracks  19 . 
   A linear saw blade  20 , for example the chainsaw illustrated, is mounted generally horizontally between the uprights of saw supporting frame  18   b . Saw blade  20  is supported for movement in a plane C (see  FIG. 5 ) containing the blade and between the saw actuating mechanism mounted to the uprights of saw supporting frame  18   b . In particular, the saw blade  20  is actuated so as to saw log  8  in a selectable desired orientation of plane C as saw carriage  18  is translated in direction B (see  FIG. 2 ) forwardly and rearwardly along tracks  19 . Saw blade  20  cuts in plane C, that is in a sawing path defined by plane C and the direction of translation of saw carriage  18  in direction B. The angular orientation of saw blade  20  as it is inclined in direction D (see  FIGS. 4 and 9 ) from the horizontal, is governed by actuation of rotatable actuators  20   a  mounted on the uprights of saw supporting frame  18   b  and controlled by controls  23   a  on control panel  23 . Saw blade  20  and actuators  20   a , may be vertically translated in direction E (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) by means of vertical actuators  20   b , again controlled by controls  23   a  on control panel  23 . 
   Thus with log  8  securely clamped between rotation drive unit  13  and rotatable carrier  14  so as to pass through the opening defined by saw carriage  18  as saw carriage  18  is translated along tracks  19 , saw blade  20  may be selectively positioned and angled so that it profiles log  8  so as to form a desired profiled cant having dovetail, compound-angle jointed ends as saw carriage  18  is moved back and forth along frame  4 . Because saw blade  20  may be rotated and pivoted so as to cut any selected angle including horizontal and vertical, saw blade  20  may be pre-positioned vertically so as to engage at the correct height within log  8  for jointing an end of the log and may be then angled and translated during the cut both along the length of the log and so as to translate vertically into the log. This combined with the ability to rotate log  8  about axis of rotation A provides for compound angled cuts required to form compound dovetail joints such as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
   A parallel pair of spline saws  21  are mounted at the upper end of saw supporting frame  18   b  so as to selectively extend downwardly into the cavity  18   c  defined by saw supporting frame  18   b . Spline saws  21  may be rotated downwardly so as to engage the upper surface of log  8  to cut parallel grooves  8   c  into the upper surface of log  8 . The parallel pair of grooves cut by spline saws  21  provide for splining pairs of logs  8  together in vertically adjacent parallel array as seen in  FIG. 1 . The pair of parallel grooves  8   c  are cut along the length of log  8  parallel to axis of rotation A. A drill  22  is also provided so as to extend into cavity  18   c  for drilling holes (not shown) into log  8 . Such holes are useful for pinning of the logs and for providing conduits for electrical wiring. 
   Thus as will be understood, the combination of the selectively rotatable log  8  and holders which may be accurately rotated so as to rotate log  8  about axis of rotation A as monitored by the operation of scale  15 , and by means of the rotating pivoting saw  20  which rotates and pivots about axis F allows for the cutting of compound dovetail corners, that is, the male end protrusions at the ends of log  8  having compound angled cuts for interleaved mating at a joint such as at a corner with corresponding compound angled cut male protrusions from oppositely disposed logs forming the interleaved dovetailed joint such as illustrated. 
   The pairs of grooves provided by spline saws  21  allow for the vertically adjacent pairs of logs to be splined together using vertical planar splines  9  without regard to the taper of a particular log or other natural characteristics such as bumps or knots. It also allows for the insertion of insulation between the parallel, spaced apart pair of splines  9  mounted into the corresponding upper and lower pairs of grooves  8   c  while also providing for a more authentic traditional timbered style appearing building. Such splining takes the place of more conventional chinking and also reduces the likelihood of drafts and increases the airtight insulated value of the wall. 
   In embodiments of the present invention wherein the drives are hydraulic, the saw carriage  18  may also support a hydraulic valve bank  24 , a motor  25 , and a corresponding hydraulic reservoir  26 . 
   With reference now to log end holder  14 , braking system  16  includes a ratchet lever  28  which is rigidly mounted to at its lowermost end so as to rotate a sprocket  30  by the operation of the lever. Lever  28  and sprocket  30  rotate relative to a dogging sprocket  32  over which rides a ratchet and brake dog  34 . A roller chain  36  runs along frame  4  and is tensioned by chain tension bolt  38 . Roller chain  36  runs underneath an idler sprocket  40  and over sprocket  30  so that rotation of lever  28  in direction H correspondingly rotates sprocket  30  in direction I about shaft  42  to thereby urge trolley  14   a  to which lever  28  is mounted in direction J. Translating trolley  14   a  in direction J engages the tail stock assembly  44  against log end  8   b.    
   As described above, saw carriage  18  translates along frame  4 , and in particular on tracks  19 , on wheels  18   a . Saw carriage  18  supports, inter alia, saw blade  20  on saw supporting frame  18   b . Saw carriage  18  is selectively translated along tracks  19  by a selectively actuable feed as better described below. The saw blade  20  and its supporting structure is moved relative to saw supporting frame  18   b  by another feed which both may be actuated to translate saw blade  20  vertically by means of vertical actuators  20   b  and also to rotate the saw blade supporting members relative to saw supporting frame  18   b  so as to angle the blade relative to a log suspended along and over frame  4 . Yet a further feed selectively moves the saw blade relative to the saw supporting members so that the saw blade cuts on plane C which is inclined relative to the log. 
   In particular, and without intending to be limiting, the feed which moves saw carriage  18  along tracks  19  employs a drive sprocket  48  engaging a feed roller chain  50  running along frame  4 . Drive sprocket  48  is driven on a shaft  52 , itself driven by reduction gears  54  themselves driven by a hydraulic motor  55 . Drive sprocket  48  is mounted between a pair of idler sprockets  56 . Chain  50  passes underneath idler sprockets  56  and over drive sprocket  48  thereby maintaining driving engagement of drive sprocket  48  with chain  50 . 
   Saw blade  20 , including saw blade bar  64  and saw chain  66 , its corresponding hydraulic motor  58 , and saw blade bar tip support  60  are collectively referred to as cutting head  62 . The second feed moves the cutting head  62  vertically relative to saw supporting frame  18   b  and comprises, again without intending to be limiting, four threaded posts or rods, one in each of the four corners defined by the four vertical hollow frame members  68   a - 68   d . Threaded rods  70  are rotatably mounted so as to extend vertically within hollow frame members  68   a - 68   d . The uppers ends of threaded rods  70  protrude from the upper ends of their corresponding frame members  68   a - 68   d . Geared sprockets  72  are mounted on the uppermost ends of threaded rods  70 . A continuous linked chain  74  extends endlessly around geared sprockets  72 . Consequently, the turning of one of geared sprockets  72  simultaneously turns the remainder of geared sprockets  72  by reason of the rotation of chain  74  continuously around all four geared sprockets. Thus, because the geared sprockets are mounted rigidly onto the ends of rods  70 , the driven rotation of chain  74  about geared sprockets  72  thereby simultaneously turns all four threaded rods  70 . Chain  74  is driven by hydraulic motor  75  driving drive sprocket  75   a.    
   Platform  76  is mounted onto threaded rod  70  by the rotatable mounting of platform  76  to rigid cross members  80 , one at each end of platform  76 . Cross members  80  are themselves mounted onto the threaded rod  70  by the threaded engagement of threaded collars  81  onto the threaded rods. 
   Cutting head  62  is mounted to platform  76 . In one embodiment, platform  76  is a U-shaped rigid frame having the cutting head  62  mounted so as to extend across the opening in the U-shaped frame as defined by the pair of legs  76   a  of platform  76 . The tertiary feed mechanism is mounted to the distal ends of legs  76   a . In particular, a pair of hollow elongate housing members  82  are mounted perpendicular to legs  76   a  at the distal end of one of the legs. Members  82  support the tertiary feed mechanism and in particular, hydraulic motor  84 , drive shaft  86 , and gears  88  driving threaded rod  90 . Each end of cutting head  62  is coupled to a corresponding threaded rod  90  by corresponding threaded collars  92 . A take-off chain drive  94  is driven as an endless drive chain by sprocket  96  mounted on drive shaft  86 . Chain drive  94  runs along the length of the U-shaped platform  76 , within its hollow interior, on idler sprockets  98 . A pair of parallel threaded rods  90  on either side of platform  76  are thereby driven simultaneously by hydraulic motor  84  and drive shaft  86  and thus cutting head  62  may be selectively translated in direction K. Only one threaded rod  90 , on one side of platform  76  is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Platform  76  is rotated relative to supporting frame  18   b  by actuation of hydraulic motor  100  driving shaft  102  via 30:1 reduction unit  101 . Rotation of the platform and saw is locked in position by brake drum  104 . Platform  76  rotates on bearing contained within bearing housings  106  supported on cross members  80 . 
   Control panel  23  may be mounted to supporting frame  18   b  so as to dispose controls  23   a  for ease of operation. In one embodiment not intended to be limiting, the control  23   a  illustrated in  FIG. 15  are, respectively, in respect of the control joy sticks shown, and from right to left, for:
         (1) actuating drill  22 , the power switch for drill  22  being mounted adjacent,   (2) actuating raising and lowering the spline saws  21 , the corresponding power switch being located adjacent,   (3) actuating translation of saw carriage  18 , the power switch for saw  20  being located adjacent,   (4) actuation of saw  20  relative to platform  76 , that is the tertiary feed,   (5) actuating raising and lowering of saw  20 , that is the secondary feed to move the blade and blade support including platform  76  vertically relative to supporting frame  18   b,      (6) actuation of rotation of saw  20 .       

   Actuation of brake drum  104  is by pulling brake lever  108 . Brake cable  108   a  extends from brake lever  108  to brake drum  104 . A fuel supply  110  and a chain saw bar oil supply  112  may be conveniently located underneath control panel  23  and supported on control panel mounting frame  114 . Chain saw bar oil supply  112  feeds a chain oil pump (not shown) for continuous lubrication of saw  20 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 16 , a linear measuring system includes a tape measure display  116  mounted between supporting frame  18   b  adjacent control panel  23  for displaying the position of saw carriage  18  along rails  19  as indicated by the position line indicator  118   a  on tape display window  118  as better seen in  FIG. 17 . Tape measure  120  is mounted so as to extend under tension along a corresponding rail  19 . Tape measure  120  passes under idler rollers  122  so as to be directed upwardly in and along the vertically extending legs  116   a  so as to be displayed horizontally across tape display  116  underneath tape display window  118 . 
   Tape display  116  is mounted to saw carriage  18  so that, as saw carriage  18  translates along rails  19 , the tape measure  120  which is affixed to one of the rails, continuously runs on idler rollers  122  thereby continuously indicating the longitudinal position of saw carriage  18 , and thereby the longitudinal position of saw blade  20 . In one embodiment, line indicator  118   a  indicates the leading edge of saw blade  20 , the width of saw blade  20  which is for example five inches, having to be taken into account for setting the blade for its cut depending on which direction of cut is desired. Advantageously, a further linear measurement scale  124  is also provided mounted on the saw carriage. Indicators  124   a  which are spaced apart by the width of the saw blade, move with the movement of the saw blade so as to indicate to an operator where the rearward and leading edge of the saw blade presently are positioned relative to the saw carriage. Scale  124  therefore indicates the depth of cut as saw blade  20  moves relative to platform  76 , scale  124  advantageously being mounted so as to rotate as platform  76  is rotated. 
   A further semi-circular scale  126  is also mounted in cooperation with platform  76  for rotation therewith. A rigid pointer  128  mounted to cross bar  80  indicates the amount of rotation of platform  76  relative to saw carriage  18  to thereby indicate the angle of the saw head, that is, the inclination of saw blade  20 . Lastly, a further linear scale  130  is mounted under a corresponding window having a position indicator line  132 . Scale  130  and indicator line  132  are mounted so as to move relative to one another responding to the vertical movement of saw blade  20  and it&#39;s supporting structure including platform  76  relative to saw carriage  18  and saw supporting frame  18   b . Thus, scale  130  indicates the height of the saw head, advantageously, measured from the center line of the log when mounted in the log holders. 
   As seen in  FIG. 18 , spline saws  21  include a parallel pair of circular saws  132  mounted on a swing arm  134 . Swing arm  134  is mounted to shaft  136 . Location of shaft  136  so as to thereby raise or lower circular saws  132  is governed by actuation of cylinder  138 . Circular saws  132  are driven by belt drive  140  within drive housing  142  driving drift shaft  144  on which saws  132  are mounted. 
   The depth of cut is indicated by scale  146  cooperating with pointer  148 . Pointer  148  is mounted to the end of shaft  136  and rotates as shaft  136  rotates. 
   A locking lever  150  actuates a locking device (not shown) which prevents saws  132  from accidentally dropping down or from drooping due to possible seeping of the hydraulics actuating cylinder  138 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 3   a , scale  15  is mounted around the circumference of wheel  152 . Wheel  152  is mounted onto the end of the shaft  12   b  on which is mounted mounting plate  12   a  so as to engage log end  8   a . Wheel  152  thus rotates with rotation of shaft  12   b  so that scale  15  as read through window  154  indicates the amount of rotation of log  8  relative to frame  4 . Once the desired angular orientation of the log is achieved by the rotation of crank  156  turning drive chain  158 , brake drum  160  may be actuated by lever  162  so as to lock the angular orientation of the log. 
   In operation, once a log is mounted into the log end holders, the log is rotated into the desired position for production of a cant, and the saw positioned so as to saw off the side board to produce the cant and the main carriage translated then between the log end holders so as to remove the side board, following which, the two sided cant is produced by rotating the log one hundred eighty degrees and again translating the main carriage the length of the log to remove a second side board. 
   Dovetails are formed in the opposite ends of the cant by the use of the second feed comprising the motor  84  and drive system  86 ,  88  and  90 . In particular, to form the dovetail cuts, the main carriage is translated and stopped at the desired position for the cut according to the position indicated on scale  118   a  and  118 . The height for the cut is adjusted to the desired elevation using scale  130  and the pointer  132 . The cutting head is rotated to the desired position using scales  126  and  128  so as to set the desired degree of the dovetail, usually about ten degrees. The main saw  66  is then actuated using the switch on the panel, and a user while looking at scale  124  moves the second feed lever either up or down to engage hydraulic motor  84  and drive system  86 ,  88  and  90  to translate the cutting assembly in direction K. The user watches pointer  124   a  as it moves along scale  124  so that, when the desired depth of cut of the dovetail is reached, the user releases the actuating lever stopping further cutting. This produces a dovetail cut at either end of the cant. The same procedure is followed to produce a vertical cut in the cant except the cutting head rotation as indicated on scales  126  and  128  is rotated to ninety degrees. The depth of cut is monitored by the user and the log position adjusted for example for removing of the waste wood from the dovetail cut. 
   As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.