grasping is of a tapered form it will be centered so that the axis of the log will be colinear with the centers 40a and 40b of the carriage the centers are then pressed into the wood so that the log is supported entirely by the centers and the carriage the parts 32 33 are then retracted as described in said log mill patent a power drive on one of the centers permits rotation of the log at any selected speed one or more cutters 42 is brought upward into contact with the log and rotated at high speed while the log itself is rotated and moved longitudinally to the right into the cutters 42 so that a long smooth cylindrical and balanced log 38 is provided out of the rough log the cutters 42 are then retracted and the log may then be pre dried by rotating at high speed in some instances even higher than that used to create the finished log wherein it has been found that large amounts of water within the log are thrown outward by centrifugal force and thus establish a material amount of pre drying of the log that may in some instances make it unnecessary to have any kiln drying of the log as has been heretofore known in the art in other instances it may be necessary to include additional high temperature kiln drying depending upon the characteristics of the.