Milling small logs?

[FergusonTO35]

So, I have plenty of small hardwood at my place like 10-14" diameter. I think it would make nice planks for shelving and the like. Would it be feasible to mill with my 50cc Echo and a Granberg 777 or similar small mill? Obviously I'm not talking about huge quantities or getting it done quickly.

 

[Wilhelm]

Interested too.

And how would one go about with setup with the trunks being rather small OD?

 

[Sloughfoot]

If hardwood prices in your region are anything like they are here, I'd say it's worth it if your set up time is fairly streamlined. If it's not streamlined it will be after milling a bunch of small logs.

 

[Ketchup]

So, I have plenty of small hardwood at my place like 10-14" diameter. I think it would make nice planks for shelving and the like. Would it be feasible to mill with my 50cc Echo and a Granberg 777 or similar small mill? Obviously I'm not talking about huge quantities or getting it done quickly.

Lots of variables here, but in general lumber quality is much lower in smaller logs. The exterior rings tend to be larger and create warping. It’s surprisingly difficult to get a quality 6” wide board out of a 14” log. Beams and posts are also more prone to twist, bow and shake.

And while capable of this work, 50cc saws tend to be light and fast. They aren’t designed for long, high heat, run cycles. Milling with them really wears them out. A 60 or 70cc saw will endure better and be more enjoyable to operate as well.

As a novelty I’m sure it’s fine. If you’re doing a lot of BF, get bigger logs and saws. Or a small BSM. Even a junk BSM can produce a lot of material out of small logs.

 

[Wilhelm]

In my case, newbie, don't have a clue how to go about it at all.

Also in my case, not worth it at all.
But I was stupid and promised to try mill a dozen small OD walnuts, one useable plank per trunk.
I already regret that promise.

 

[FergusonTO35]

It would be a very occasional thing.

 

[Ketchup]

Then go for it! Even an edge mill (like a Beam Machine or Granberg 55b) and a 2x6 can make a fair number of boards. It’s satisfying work.

 

[Shane¹]

I would go for it too. Keep the chain sharp run plenty of oil and open up the muffler some if you can and let it roll.

 

[Motorka]

Have done it in black locust with husqvarna 55 . Its hard on chain- gets dull quickly, sharpened with standard angles .325 chain.

 

[Wonkydonkey]

I,d get a normal chain and file it to 10* and lower the rakers a bit more . This will give you a smoother finish otherwise it will probably look like a wash board.
You can find the info on raker height for milling but it depends on a few things up to a max size of x (saw, length of bar etc)

Personally think a 50cc saw is a bit small for milling. So as ketchup says 60 or 70 is better.
Also you'd probably only get a few useable boards out of each log.

But if it were just 1 or 2 or a few more and the odd post here and there., then l'd have a go.

Btw, I’ve built a 5’ x 12 extension to my allotment shed, it was a lot of work also the wood was green . So I was fully aware of some of the shrinkage but not the twists and some of the splits.
This was with a 036 at first then I went to a 461. I was just dam quicker. The setting up takes the time as well, so if you can do bigger logs? Your get more wood for your time . But that is a trade off with the size of the saw.

Anyway, there must be a few YouTube vids making it look easy

 

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks. I'll put a little mill on the birthday list!

 

[drf256]

You can do it slowly.

Biggest issue is that you’re gonna have to do the setup for the initial cuts and not get a lot of BF out of a log.

Can be done, but the first time I milled I was shocked at the amount of load it put on a saw, even in soft cedar. I’d say that it’s roughly 5X the work of a cross cut, and I’d say noodling is roughly 2X the work. I’d want a 70-90cc saw for a 14” log. I would not have believed it at all until the first time I milled.

I’d go 24:1 with good oil as your fuel. Please report back how it went

 

[mainer_in_ak]

So, I have plenty of small hardwood at my place like 10-14" diameter. I think it would make nice planks for shelving and the like. Would it be feasible to mill with my 50cc Echo and a Granberg 777 or similar small mill? Obviously I'm not talking about huge quantities or getting it done quickly.

Ferg, try to find a used 60-70 cc saw. A 50 cc won't work well at all. I run a g777 frequently, if saw logs are 17" diameter or less. Even then, my 67 cc saw appreciates the 3/8 low profile chain. GB offeres the 20" milling bar and the 3/8 lp rim sprockets that are perfect for the g777 mini mill. Whites forestry sells the gb 3/8 lp milling goodies and ships to the states.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks, will keep that in mind

 

[HumBurner]

I found the mini-mill to have too much wobble with how it runs on the track/groove. It would be much improved upon with a "W" or "E" shaped track as opposed to the "V" shape it has. The change in shape would actually "lock" the mill into the track and reduce potential for wobbling.

You'll be setting up at least three, if not four times per log with the mini-mill, and it's not the easiest to make the first cut with, as you'll need to rig up boards 90* to the surface or have risers underneath the track-board.

 

[HumBurner]

Ferg, try to find a used 60-70 cc saw. A 50 cc won't work well at all. I run a g777 frequently, if saw logs are 17" diameter or less. Even then, my 67 cc saw appreciates the 3/8 low profile chain. GB offeres the 20" milling bar and the 3/8 lp rim sprockets that are perfect for the g777 mini mill. Whites forestry sells the gb 3/8 lp milling goodies and ships to the states.

For clarification, your photos show the small-mill (g777) not the mini-mill (g555)

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Yep I was referring to the g777 small mill as my mini mill, If it wasn't obvious enough, I hope this clears your confusion.

 

[FergusonTO35]

How about the Echo CS-590 for milling?

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Yep, with 3/8 lp, the 590 would be sufficient. Youd have to pick up a rim sprocket to replace the spur sprocket though. The echo one is very expensive. Archer has a well priced replacement. Traverse creek has them for $16

 

[FergusonTO35]

Sounds good, thanks. I'm going to think about this for a good while.