Husqvarna 390XP is it any good for milling

[ajschainsaws]

Got chance of a nice husky 390 wondered what there like for milling need a saw for
some wood maximum width 20” so not over big

here’s the saw

 

[Stump Shot]

Any saw can be used for milling. What you are content with is another matter depending on size, specie's, volume and speed of cut desired.
Keep it towards the fat side of tuning and run a 32:1 ratio for survivability purposes of the bottom end which imo can be the weakest point of this particular model depending on usage.

 

[Eduardo K]

What Stump Shot said.
I milled my first log with an ms290. It was on the smaller side. When I had the opportunity to mill bigger stuff, I built a pair of clone 660s. At some point, when I’m tired of messing with them, I’ll buy a proper milling saw or saws.

 

[ajschainsaws]

Any saw can be used for milling. What you are content with is another matter depending on size, specie's, volume and speed of cut desired.
Keep it towards the fat side of tuning and run a 32:1 ratio for survivability purposes of the bottom end which imo can be the weakest point of this particular model depending on usage.

thanks for the reply ive milled with the echo 1201 and big dolmars but I wanted a newer regular
saw and I’ll take on board what you said sir

 

[ajschainsaws]

What Stump Shot said.
I milled my first log with an ms290. It was on the smaller side. When I had the opportunity to mill bigger stuff, I built a pair of clone 660s. At some point, when I’m tired of messing with them, I’ll buy a proper milling saw or saws.

Thanks i was also thinking about a farmertec h288 or the 395 version

 

[Eduardo K]

If I were in your position and knew I would use the saw for milling, beyond milling for novelty, I would get the 390.

 

[Wolverine]

Thanks i was also thinking about a farmertec h288 or the 395 version

I'd definitely choose OE over chinese rip off any day. I like the outboard clutch for keeping some of the heat out of the case/pto bearing but that 390 will do fine. Run it rich and tune it fat...

 

[CBGOLD]

Until I got a bandsaw mill, I regularly used a 390 for milling without issue. Mainly milling large spruce. In addition to Stump Shot recommendation I would also add make sure you keep the chain sharp. Every time you fill up, run the file over the chain. You'll say time and decrease the wear and tear on the saw and chain.

 

[SCHallenger]

Got chance of a nice husky 390 wondered what there like for milling need a saw for
some wood maximum width 20” so not over big

here’s the saw

View attachment 384145View attachment 384146

Got chance of a nice husky 390 wondered what there like for milling need a saw for
some wood maximum width 20” so not over big

here’s the saw

View attachment 384145View attachment 384146

It should do just fine. I milled a few hundred board feet of white oak, black walnut, honey locust which is as hard as your mother-in-law's head, sugar maple, & red pine with a 920 Jonsered (88 cc). What Stump Shot said plus use a ripping chain. I was using a 34in bar & producing boards as wide as 24in. Use the best available air filter like Red Beard or West Coast Saw foam. Ripping makes LOTS of dust rather than chips!

 

[ajschainsaws]

I'd definitely choose OE over chinese rip off any day. I like the outboard clutch for keeping some of the heat out of the case/pto bearing but that 390 will do fine. Run it rich and tune it fat...

thanks the outboard clutch is a plus less heat as you say I usually use the my echo 1201
but seeing I’ve got the mill carriage running on a trailer it’s a pain with the echo with the upright fuel and oil filler
unbolting to refuel all the time

 

[ajschainsaws]

Until I got a bandsaw mill, I regularly used a 390 for milling without issue. Mainly milling large spruce. In addition to Stump Shot recommendation I would also add make sure you keep the chain sharp. Every time you fill up, run the file over the chain. You'll say time and decrease the wear and tear on the saw and chain.

thanks good points

 

[ajschainsaws]

It should do just fine. I milled a few hundred board feet of white oak, black walnut, honey locust which is as hard as your mother-in-law's head, sugar maple, & red pine with a 920 Jonsered (88 cc). What Stump Shot said plus use a ripping chain. I was using a 34in bar & producing boards as wide as 24in. Use the best available air filter like Red Beard or West Coast Saw foam. Ripping makes LOTS of dust rather than chips!

Yes i hadn’t thought about a decent air filter like the one you mentioned

 

[Wolverine]

I’ve never used a specific milling chain, just adjusted angles on the full chisel loops I had. Works fine, full skip or full comp.

I will think twice before agreeing to mill honey locust again. After a couple cuts, it took over a tank to make one cut.


Walnut mills pretty easy.

 

[Kerfed]

Planning on milling with my Jonsered 2188. Where would I get a better air filter for that?

 

[ajschainsaws]

I’ve never used a specific milling chain, just adjusted angles on the full chisel loops I had. Works fine, full skip or full comp.

I will think twice before agreeing to mill honey locust again. After a couple cuts, it took over a tank to make one cut.
View attachment 384353

Walnut mills pretty easy.
View attachment 384354

those boards look lovely , chain is the next one theres several options out There 404 3/8
and 3/8 lo pro which could be a problem for big torquey saws I’ve got a 42” 404
and a 46” 3/8 lo pro but no 3/8 bars over 32”

is there a 3/8 bar D009 mount longer than 32”

 

[ajschainsaws]

Planning on milling with my Jonsered 2188. Where would I get a better air filter for that?

above in a post @SCHallenger said two places where too get a good air filter

 

[Wolverine]

those boards look lovely , chain is the next one theres several options out There 404 3/8
and 3/8 lo pro which could be a problem for big torquey saws I’ve got a 42” 404
and a 46” 3/8 lo pro but no 3/8 bars over 32”

is there a 3/8 bar D009 mount longer than 32”

Yes, I have a 42" that came 3/8, it's an Oregon. And if you want to go beyond:
https://www.newenglandsaws.com/product-page/50-gb-titanium-bar-and-ripping-chain-husqvarna-mount-1

 

[ajschainsaws]

Yes, I have a 42" that came 3/8, it's an Oregon. And if you want to go beyond:
https://www.newenglandsaws.com/product-page/50-gb-titanium-bar-and-ripping-chain-husqvarna-mount-1

thanks nice bar that one is there much difference between 3/8 or 404 for speed and smooth cuts

 

[Squareground3691]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3620310259...lx6FfZ4S9a&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Here’s a pretty good deal ,

 

[Wolverine]

I’ve only ever used 3/8. I watched dual ported 660/1’s on a double ended bar mill elm with 404. After several cuts that chain was still sharp to the touch. In my mind, the wider kerf w/ more loss of wood with 404 is not a positive attribute. 3/8 has done me fine and I’ve milled a metric chit ton.
One time was about 20-22” oak. Used a 28” bar with full comp chain. SCarr ported 394 went down through it like greased lightning. Of course now I grind but then I was hand filing it square.