I've never cut spruce, but in my experience, cutting beams with an edge near the pith (not centered), results in crook. If the log is big enough and you can get away from the pith by cutting some 2 x's out of the center, you're more likely to get straight beams or posts.

I would cut 2 6x9's out of it and not worry done it many times. I've cut beams every way if a log is prone to twist after it's sawn cutting out the pith isn't going to make any difference.With spruce until it's dry keep it out of the sun or it will twist regardless what you do.

I've found spruce to be more stable than fir. I have both, and spruce and tamarac are my favorite two woods for building.
I think you'll be great, and if you are too worried about it, take the two beams, flip them so the opposite sides are against each other, and strap them together as they start drying (kind of like holding the backs of your hands together).
The first week or two should be when they loose the most moisture; after that you should be good.

Let us know how it turns out. I'll be happy to be mistaken; but oak and many of the hardwoods around here don't behave well when not ring-centered.

I've done that with fir Eddie when the log is only large enough for 1 and 1 customer a few years ago didn't want 6x6's cut that way I've forgot his reasoning.

I believe you, Bill, and I've probably gotten away with it several times too. I remember, though, an instance when I was cutting 5x10's out of oak for a guy building a barn. One log was big enough to get two beams and I warned if we split the log we'd probably end up with side-bend. He said, "do it." Sure enough, we could see the beams curling as the blade passed between them. Knowing him, though, I bet he found a way to make them work.

Interesting side note. I've seen wood curling as I cut. Just a couple months ago, I was cutting a fir that had some significant curve in the log. The worst part I cut into an 8' log, and when I was cutting it, I had about a 3" rise from the cut (cutting 2" slab).

wbrent keep them out of the sun or you'll have propellers.

I cut two out of an 20' ash log and they bowed about three inches in the first week. They were 8" by 13" and I only needed 5" so I re sawed one to straighten it. I cut 3" off one side so I would have a straight face. It bowed 2" before it was even off the mill. I've found ash has a ton of tension.

Thanks for the good report. If you didn't see any evidence of bowing as you cut them, they'll probably be o.k. (Chalk one up for Bill and r.garrison1).

I just cut 2 4x8's for a fella splitting a log down the middle after I cut them they both bowed about an 1/8 " in 12'
This was from a fir log I've had for a year or so.

Looks real good !!!

Impressive addition; neat work. How did you join the angled braces to the beams?

The only thing I do different now I have a mill is use 1x6 strapping on 12" centers so I don't have to be care full where I walk on the metal.

Hi,
Howmuch long one beam you can make from one log?