Chainsaw Mill - recommendations?

[mainer_in_ak]

No problem! Ok, back to clear-cutting, buckin n truckin, lotta green alaskan birch to move. Dozer comes tomorrow to flatten the land.

 

[chris421sd]

read the chainsaw lumbermaking book by will malloff, it covers everything in detail with good illustrations and pictures.

 

[chris421sd]

I want to get into chainsaw milling for a few smaller projects. I want to make a decorative pergola type structure. I have saws and I have nice straight pine logs 20" small dia. typ. . Rustic feel is a goal. For the price of the 4x6 posts I can basically buy a granberg 36" mill. Plus, It's a hobby I've wanted to explore for other projects. I also understand a bandsaw mill is optimal but again this is a hobby.
I'd be milling with either my 2095 or 066.
With that said, I'd like to buy a 36" granberg. (could maybe talk me into 40"plus but then I'd need a bar) What I'd like advice on is what other things do you find make chainsaw milling easier/more enjoyable? Such as recommendations on first cut guide bars or ripping chain. Anyone have some guide bar brackets plasma cut out that just screw into the ends of the log that fit extruded tube or hell 2x4s?
Is an aux. oiler necessary at that length? Handle modifications for fatigue? Log Cants at what height?

Any constructive advice is recommended on what to buy or fabricate (other than just buy a bandsaw mill).
Thanks,
Kyle

read the chainsaw lumber making book by will malloff it covers everything in detail with pictures.

 

[sledneck22]

Here’s where my first big project sits for anyone following along.

 

[JB-PlantHeirloom]

imho, For a chainsaw mill having a Pro Cut type trailer is the best. No kneeling, just standing pushing the saw, hopefully downhill. Then when you are done, you can use the trailer to haul the wood and saw. Having leveling (pipe) jacks at all four corners helps. Having a cheap 12v winch to haul the logs up the ramps to the mill helps. Making the carriage itself that holds the saw, even and square is the biggest object.

The correct tooth gearing for the mill head helps, I like having 8 turns to 2" I lock mine off with 1/4" pins so it does not vibrate and go off from the setting. With the proper chain and squareness, the boards come out looking planed.

 

[Wolverine]

Here’s where my first big project sits for anyone following along.

Outstanding!

 

[Thomas M Barnes]

There's a new style of chainsaw mill made by a Swedish company called Logosol. An aluminum frame that you load the logs onto and then run the saw back and forth. Eliminates a lot of the adjustments and moving the mill frame. They don't have the cutting width but if your doing stuff under 28" diameter then its a game changer. A Maine dealer Fox Forestry.

 

[Stihl Potlicker]

I got time to finish milling that oak log today. Pretty fun to come away with such incredible slabs. Might be a little addicted in the early going.

get that Granberg winch kit, it is amazing how much it helps.

 

[Stihl Potlicker]

A Vallee Green Monster out of Quebec. The picture shows it when I set it up where it is currently sitting back in 2020. While I have a log loader on it I have not used it in well over a year, I load it with my tractor. The second picture shows part of what I have to mill.

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why not a woodmizer?

 

[Stihl Potlicker]

There's a new style of chainsaw mill made by a Swedish company called Logosol. An aluminum frame that you load the logs onto and then run the saw back and forth. Eliminates a lot of the adjustments and moving the mill frame. They don't have the cutting width but if your doing stuff under 28" diameter then its a game changer. A Maine dealer Fox Forestry.

that's who i got mine from is Fox forestry

 

[huskihl]

Here’s where my first big project sits for anyone following along.

How’s the new saw working out on the mill? Shed looks great

 

[sledneck22]

How’s the new saw working out on the mill? Shed looks great

It’s great. Milled out a bar top today in 90deg temps. It never missed a beat. Pulled my 53” bar through a 30” pine like butter. Had 4 two inch slabs in the trailer in less than an hour. Saws ready for some big wide hardwoods now.

 

[Semotony]

My dad has a bandsaw and I could use it when needed but it’s not easily mobile. Plus the logs all got dropped on my home land so I don’t want to haul the logs when everything is staying on my lot.
Plus in the future I plan on milling some large slabs, 36-40 plus dia. For bar tops and tables etc. and they don’t fit well on the bandsaw.

That's why there are cannon 50", 60" and a just in case forester 72" in inventory. Have used 50" on ms460 and ported 661, 60" on 661. I cut with the "top" of the bar it throws chips away, and the oil is pumped into the center of the bar on the side that is hitting all that resistance. Just a thot
Also on the longer bars full skip chisel that works its way down to 5°, medium 50" in soft wood and shorter semi skip chisel. The full skip gives room for chips to not bind the chain!!

 

[Seachaser]

Great following this thread!

 

[HumBurner]

It’s great. Milled out a bar top today in 90deg temps. It never missed a beat. Pulled my 53” bar through a 30” pine like butter. Had 4 two inch slabs in the trailer in less than an hour. Saws ready for some big wide hardwoods now.

Beautiful!!