estemerwalt log homes unveils remarkable new lathe

March 2009—Estemerwalt Log Homes, a leading log home manufacturer based in Honesdale, PA, has unveiled their newest and most unique piece of manufacturing equipment to date—an exceptionally large round log lathe capable of milling logs up to 38 feet long and up to 20 inches in diameter.  The lathe, nicknamed the "Amber Lynn," can also mill a flat edge along the entire length of the timber, making this lathe an ideal tool for making long-length round floor joists, rafters, carrier beams, ridge beams, girders, collar ties and wall ties.

 

Estemerwalt Log Homes is a 5th generation, family owned company with 125 years of experience in the lumber industry, so they recognize the necessity and advantages this piece of machinery provides. "The Amber Lynn allows us to expand our offerings to help fully realize the unique visions that our customers have as we help them design their dream home," says Kurt Propst, owner of Estemerwalt, "and since the lengths and diameter of the logs that we can make is something that very few other log home companies can manufacture, it helps to further set us apart."

 

The "Amber Lynn" (which was designed, built and named by the previous owners) had to be cut into smaller pieces and shipped from Victor, MT to Honesdale, PA on several tractor trailers due to its large size. Once there, a new foundation had to be poured to support the weight of this immense lathe. Before reassembling, the craftsmen at Estemerwalt reengineered the travelling carriage and streamlined the hydraulics system and controls (eliminating nearly a quarter mile of hydraulics hoses in the process). "Even though we did a lot of refurbishing to this lathe it is a cleverly engineered and unique machine," says production manager Christian Reece. "We simply improved and streamlined the original design. It's not as if they have a catalog full of machines like this one. If they did, everyone in the log home industry would have one."

 

When asked why the lathe is nick-named the "Amber Lynn," Christian had this to say, "When the lathe showed up at our mill, the carriage had some flames drawn on it with a black magic marker, and the words 'The Amber Lynn' were written right next to the flames.  We don't know the source of the original inspiration, but it's a fine name and the men started referring to the lathe by her given name almost immediately after being unloaded from the trucks. Even though we have repainted the machine to match the rest of the mill equipment, it is still referred to as the Amber Lynn around here."

 

Estemerwalt Log Homes creates one of the most comprehensive log home packages in the industry, offering a wide variety of log profiles, including D-Log, Half Log, and the ever popular Full Round Log. For more information on Estemerwalt Log Homes, please call 1.800.515.2060, or visit them online at www.estemerwalt.com. To see photos of the Amber Lynn, please visit http://www.box.net/shared/acuxnxvox2.