Yet another newby milling question

[wyksta]

I have a bud wants to mill up to 20" wide slabs. He's mostly going to be building small sheds and stuff for an animal rescue. It's appears it's mainly going to be spruce, cedar, and some larch. I have an accnt to deal Alaskans here in Europe, so was wondering what sort of mills I should consider since he wants to use as small a powerhead as possible. Both because of costs and his age. He can't really handle a very big saw with a bad shoulder. He can't start my 281(but it has 200 psi compression). So what sort of set ups have worked for you guys?

Obliged!

 

[Wolverine]

Well I don't have any experience with anything besides my Granberg MkIII. I can attest that it is very light and easy to use. 20" wide softwood I would think 70cc and up. I remember hearing mention of the Husky 372 bearings being too small to be safe on a mill, so research that if you plan to try it.

 

[XP_Slinger]

Well I don't have any experience with anything besides my Granberg MkIII. I can attest that it is very light and easy to use. 20" wide softwood I would think 70cc and up. I remember hearing mention of the Husky 372 bearings being too small to be safe on a mill, so research that if you plan to try it.

Too small or the plastic cages not liking the heat of mill duty?

 

[mdavlee]

I've done a ton of milling with a 046/460. 372 has the same size bearings as a 460. Just keep it tuned rich and let them cool if needed

 

[XP_Slinger]

I've done a ton of milling with a 046/460. 372 has the same size bearings as a 460. Just keep it tuned rich and let them cool if needed

Makes sense, I thought 6202 was pretty standard size for a 70cc saw.

 

[mdavlee]

Makes sense, I thought 6202 was pretty standard size for a 70cc saw.

It is. 572 is getting 6203 I believe.

 

[huskyboy]

It is. 572 is getting 6203 I believe.

That’s a smart decision on there part. Is the 462 gonna be 6202?

 

[mdavlee]

That’s a smart decision on there part. Is the 462 gonna be 6202?

I'm sure. It's the size if the 362.

 

[huskyboy]

I'm sure. It's the size if the 362.

That’s what I figured, they had to sacrifice something to save weight somewhere. Time will tell if it holds up.

 

[XP_Slinger]

It is. 572 is getting 6203 I believe.

Makes sense given the added mass of a full circle crank.

 

[Wolverine]

Too small or the plastic cages not liking the heat of mill duty?

I remembered Mike mentioning something about the 372.

I wouldn't ask a 372 to do anything over 16" with the smaller bearings in the case.

Small bearings for a 70cc saw. I wish they could fit 6203 in there instead of 6202.

For some reason those comments stuck with me. From this thread: http://opeforum.com/threads/milling-power-head.2031/

 

[Marshy]

I believe @Philbert mills with a 575 or 576 which is 70cc. I'd recommend a granberg mill or the knockoff ones from holtzforma (spelling?) Or farmtech. I've read good things about the knockoff. These all are aluminum rails and will be the lightest. They make good mills for slabs.

If You are looking for a non-mobile mill take a look at norwood.

Also, if you want to focus on making lumber more than just slabs then take a look at Logosol mills. They are portable just like an Alaskan but they are better suited for lumber making. I have a friend that loves his.

 

[XP_Slinger]

I remembered Mike mentioning something about the 372.


For some reason those comments stuck with me. From this thread: http://opeforum.com/threads/milling-power-head.2031/

That was a good read, thanks for digging it up.

 

[Philbert]

I believe @Philbert mills with a 575 or 576 which is 70cc.

Not me, sorry. I don't mill.

Philbert

 

[Marshy]

Not me, sorry. I don't mill.

Philbert

Oops sorry. I was thinking of CTYank on AS. (No offense lol)

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Could try one of these if you don’t want to have to carry saw ect. Still portable but takes longer to set up and won’t work on large logs