Large Log guide rails

[BlackCoffin]

I’ve got a large log to mill up soon and have always wanted a larger setup dedicated to milling the larger specimens in life. For all my milling needs 2x4’s have served me well with angle steel on the ends of the log. I used the same setup for this one except 2x6’s were used to try and prevent flex since this would be a 14’ log if be milling.

I trimmed down the 2x6-20’ down to 17’ to get me a little on each end of the log to support the saw in and out of the cut. I then took some 1.5” stainless square tubing and welded 2” square ends made of flat bar on the ends of the tubing. I welded a blind nut on the end plates so I could bolt the boards together in the center to support them from flopping around too much. I countersunk the 3/8” bolts on the boards as well connecting these so if the upright on my mill went across them it would glide by without having to bump the saw over them.
In the center 2 crossmembers I welded 1” square tubing which will serve its purpose as a guide for 3/4” threaded rod that will be able to apply some pressure downward and support the center of the rail from dipping or flexing in the middle of the cut.

Lastly 2” stainless angle was cut with 3/8” holes to lag onto the ends of the log and 1/4” to lag into the 2x6 to tie it all together.

The whole setup is 17’ long and 49” wide. Dedicated just to using my 72” bar on large logs. I’ll most likely build interchangeable crossmembers and end pieces for smaller widths as well down the road.

 

[BlackCoffin]

Giant Sequoia log to mill. 14’ long, 48”x60” on the largest area. The butt swells to 72” on the top but will be cutting that portion out since it doesn’t flow well with the direction I want to mill.

 

[Eduardo K]

Them be some purdy welds...

 

[BlackCoffin]

Figured it might as well look good, working well comes secondary

 

[JIMG]

very nice weld up. Makes me shy to post pics of the monkey booger welds on my homemade alaskan. Looking forward to seeing the insides of that sequoia.

 

[BlackCoffin]

very nice weld up. Makes me shy to post pics of the monkey booger welds on my homemade alaskan. Looking forward to seeing the insides of that sequoia.

As long as the welds hold is all that matters! Function over form

 

[RI Chevy]

Very nice! Puts my ladder setup to shame. Lol What saw are you using for the mill?

 

[BlackCoffin]

Very nice! Puts my ladder setup to shame. Lol What saw are you using for the mill?

I use a ms880 for the larger stuff, 41” bar or larger. Everthing else I use my 661 with a 28”-36” bar.

 

[RI Chevy]

Very nice.

 

[Eduardo K]

Giant Sequoia log to mill. 14’ long, 48”x60” on the largest area. The butt swells to 72” on the top but will be cutting that portion out since it doesn’t flow well with the direction I want to mill.View attachment 320552

Let’s see some pics of that milled sequoia.
That log is huge.

 

[BlackCoffin]

Let’s see some pics of that milled sequoia.
That log is huge.

It’s been rain, then snow and single digit to negative temps with wind chill the past 2 weeks or so. Hoping it clears up soon so I can get some work done!

 

[BlackCoffin]

Got the top cut done today. I set up the first one to cut the swell out of the log so I could get a more level surface to make my second pass. Kind of made it work with what I had laying around, and it actually worked really well! The big guide rail I build was solid and did a nice job. No bouncing or vibrating as I was working down the log. Finished and it was a little late and dark, but it’s going to look nice once we get into it. Plan is to finish milling it next weekend. Mainly just wanted to open it up and get the top cut taken care of before then. The 880 pulled the 72” bar like a champ.

 

[RI Chevy]

Nice!

 

[BlackCoffin]

Few teasers

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Got the top cut done today. I set up the first one to cut the swell out of the log so I could get a more level surface to make my second pass. Kind of made it work with what I had laying around, and it actually worked really well! The big guide rail I build was solid and did a nice job. No bouncing or vibrating as I was working down the log. Finished and it was a little late and dark, but it’s going to look nice once we get into it. Plan is to finish milling it next weekend. Mainly just wanted to open it up and get the top cut taken care of before then. The 880 pulled the 72” bar like a champ. View attachment 323899View attachment 323900 View attachment 323901View attachment 323902 View attachment 323903

Early model 880 or 088?

 

[RI Chevy]

Few teasers View attachment 323918View attachment 323919

Wow!!! Stunning.

 

[Eduardo K]

Very nice.
You said that’s a 72” bar. Out of curiosity, did you have a smaller mill and increase the width with a longer handle and rail set? I have a small log mill and am thinking about getting a MK IV, but unsure of the size. If I can, I’d start with the 36” and buy a wider handle and rail set when I need it. I’m wondering if it’s that simple. I’m sure I could just email Granberg…
I can’t wait to see the slabs as you mill further. Thanks for posting.

 

[Lnk]

Very nice.
You said that’s a 72” bar. Out of curiosity, did you have a smaller mill and increase the width with a longer handle and rail set? I have a small log mill and am thinking about getting a MK IV, but unsure of the size. If I can, I’d start with the 36” and buy a wider handle and rail set when I need it. I’m wondering if it’s that simple. I’m sure I could just email Granberg…
I can’t wait to see the slabs as you mill further. Thanks for posting.

If you think you may mill something 36" in diameter, go up one size to a 48" mill. A 36" mill will only let you go about 30". The 48" mill will work on anything smaller than 44", even if your bar is shorter. Much cheaper to buy the larger mill first.

 

[BlackCoffin]

Early model 880 or 088?

Early 880 with the cast 1 piece muffler. Off course that got a stainless outlet/deflector and I polished the aluminum to mirror finish haha

Very nice.
You said that’s a 72” bar. Out of curiosity, did you have a smaller mill and increase the width with a longer handle and rail set? I have a small log mill and am thinking about getting a MK IV, but unsure of the size. If I can, I’d start with the 36” and buy a wider handle and rail set when I need it. I’m wondering if it’s that simple. I’m sure I could just email Granberg…
I can’t wait to see the slabs as you mill further. Thanks for posting.

It’s just that simple! 3 pieces and you’re swapped out to the larger or smaller rails! I bought the 36”, 56” and 72” rails. As previously mentioned you fall 4-6” short of the actual rail length due to the nose of your bar sticking out past the end of your rail and your felling dogs on your saw. I’ve removed the dogs in a pinch and got by. Since then I usually just up the size of the mill. I would go the next size larger if I’m doubt though.

 

[BlackCoffin]

Finally started on it! Got just over halfway. Some very nice slabs coming out of this beast of a log. 179” long makes for some long pulls for the ol 880. The widest slabs I’m refueling right before the end. It’s slow going but she chugs right along. Could use an auxiliary oiler but it’s whatever, one of these slabs would buy me 2 new bars. Going to haul away and stack the first half of slabs tomorrow then come back next weekend and try and finish it. Got some smaller logs to mill up tomorrow anyway.