Chainsaw Mills

[wildroamer]

Gorgeous apple!

 

[Terry Hennessy]

We have a few large pines on our hunting land close to camp. We've been considering building a pole barn, or something like it, and I love the idea of doing it soup to nuts with trees from our land.
I like the looks of those Alaskan mills, and have seen some videos on them. Have not seen the porta-mill yet, though I will look for them. Not sure how much saw you need for this type of thing, that's another consideration.

Re: Portamill, check Northerntool.com, and youtube videos.
Saw size= 55cc will work w/ 12-14" logs, 60-75cc better, 85-95 best, but $$ really go up w/ 90-120cc, so a lot of it depends on available log size. Bigger logs = longer bars= bigger saws

I see we have a Portamill USER here, (??) I believe his logs exceed the 15" limit, (which I have always questioned? because I don't own one...) Why could you not use a portamill to half a larger log (16-28" log?) w/ a 24"-28" bar? MY strong suspicion is a Portamill would be much easier than an Alaskan? I.e. STANDING VERSUS KNEELING ( I am a logosol M8 owner, and an old man w/ bad back, LOL)

 

[Terry Hennessy]

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So what size logs and cants, powerhead and bar size are you running thru that Portamill? I (suspect?) larger than the stated 15" max? or is it optical illusion? (But I do see that forklift, LOL)

 

[junkman]

The bigger logs i have to freehand cut off some of the side the saw is on,and the dogs do not flip up,thosr bigger ones are heavy enough they dont move,i think the widest i have cut is 28 inch log using a 32 inch bar

 

[junkman]

So what size logs and cants, powerhead and bar size are you running thru that Portamill? I (suspect?) larger than the stated 15" max? or is it optical illusion? (But I do see that forklift, LOL)

I use a ported ms660 ,i broke the crank once with that saw,and usef a ported ms460 till i got it back,i only mill softwoods though

 

[madhatte]

Here I am milling in the snow a couple of weeks ago. Saw is a Partner P100.

 

[junkman]

Are those rails easy to set up ? Looks a lot easer than a ladder to start with

 

[mdavlee]

Here I am milling in the snow a couple of weeks ago. Saw is a Partner P100.

View attachment 4413

Howdy buddy. Is it easier to run with the saw flipped up clutch side up? I've never tried it that way but thought about it.

 

[junkman]

Howdy buddy. Is it easier to run with the saw flipped up clutch side up? I've never tried it that way but thought about it.

till you get to the bottom ,then would hit the ground

 

[Frank bierce]

These are my first attempts at milling..only about 10" wide. Thicker piece will be used as a live edge mantle, thinner pieces will be a live edge entertainment center.

 

[czar800]

I just started milling with a chainsaw. Wish I had a bandsaw... Someday I will.
I build this mill it's very simple just like me. It's a fun to do and you can make just what you need.

Here's some maple.

 

[czar800]

Top pictures are of my new rails bottom is my very first cuts with some 2x4s

 

[Terry Hennessy]

These are my first attempts at milling..only about 10" wide. Thicker piece will be used as a live edge mantle, thinner pieces will be a live edge entertainment center.

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Live-edge TIP: Remove the bark, it often houses bugs/ eggs/ larvae

 

[Steve]

I have two grandberg mills. The nice thing about the csm is the mobility. I have milled quite a few boards and such. The csm is so easy your mom can use it. The most interesting thing I have hit was this bullet I sliced in half.

 

[madhatte]

Are those rails easy to set up ? Looks a lot easer than a ladder to start with

They're not too bad. They're short (12' I think) so longer rips take some secondary setup, and the height adjustment screws walk all over the place, but they are light and easy to rig up.

 

[XP for Life]

Am I crazy to want to use an Alaskan Mill with a 262XP 20" bar ?? I am looking at doing some cedar (shouldn't be a problem) but have some beech and sugar maple I wanted to tie into. 12" to 16" timber. Not full timing it, just wanted some boards for a remote deer blind I am building. Feel free to tell me I am crazy. Only the truth.

 

[Terry Hennessy]

Am I crazy to want to use an Alaskan Mill with a 262XP 20" bar ?? I am looking at doing some cedar (shouldn't be a problem) but have some beech and sugar maple I wanted to tie into. 12" to 16" timber. Not full timing it, just wanted some boards for a remote deer blind I am building. Feel free to tell me I am crazy. Only the truth.

No, 262 w/ 12-16" logs and Alaskan is quite appropriate. Enjoy

 

[XP for Life]

Thanks Terry, I appreciate the response.

 

[XP for Life]

One more question that I failed to ask. I know there is a controversy on whether you should use a crosscut chain or a ripping chain. Any thoughts on what would be the best ???
I would love to just use the crosscut chain (3/8") I have, but would consider going to a ripping chain if that will better my experience. I don't care about the crosscut markings.
I am building a deer blind, not furniture. Thanks again

 

[foragefarmer]

Am I crazy to want to use an Alaskan Mill with a 262XP 20" bar ?? I am looking at doing some cedar (shouldn't be a problem) but have some beech and sugar maple I wanted to tie into. 12" to 16" timber. Not full timing it, just wanted some boards for a remote deer blind I am building. Feel free to tell me I am crazy. Only the truth.

You might have a clearance problem with a 20" bar and the larger wood. I have a 24" bar I mill with and only get about 18" effective cutting width with it. YMMV