My first milling

[drf256]

I have a new respect for those that mill.

In no way did I ever thing it would be so time/fuel/energy consuming.

My buddy @MustangMike came today and expertly dropped a few trees fo me. I picked a bad first milling victim, the 75' red oak he dropped. The rounds were 32" in diameter and 12+ feet long. Milling done with the 066 that @Mastermind built for me. I tuned her a bit fat and ran 24:1 Motul 800 just to be safe. Got 2 nice boards before I hit a rock and toasted my chain.

It was a super fun day nonetheless. It continues today and tomorrow.

 

[drf256]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Jimmy in NC]

Be careful as it is addicting. Common mistake, that i too made. In reality one should start with a 16" pine for the first milling victim.

File that chain and finish the log!

 

[czar800]

Looks like a good time with some good friends! What kind of mill & chain are you using?

 

[Brewz]

No 026?

 

[mdavlee]

Using a mini mill?

 

[MustangMike]

We used both a Logosol Timberjigg (basic unit only supported on one side) and a Beam Machine. We mounted a 2 X 4 on the side of the log to get a flat surface with the Beam Machine, then attached the pair of 2 X 6s to guide the Logosol unit. Unfortunately, we were working against the clock a bit, and neither of us noticed the rock tucked under part of the log that appeared to be off the ground. The log was too big to be easily moved, and there was a lot of brush and prickers that made conditions less than ideal.

Despite the milling woes it was a great day. Always good to see Al (and his family). In addition, Al converted my burned out 024 Super to a ported 026 power house, so now I have a legitimate limbing saw that is strong enough to do some bucking!

There was also the reward of dropping Al's large Oak with the 460 Al had previously ported for me, running a 36" bar. I had told Al when he ported the 460 that I would return with that saw to drop that tree, and as Al will tell you, that saw pulls a 36" bar through Oak w/o any problem at all.

And then Al taught me how to make Mozzarella Cheese and sent a bunch home with me as a send off gift! Absolutely great stuff! My wife and my next door neighbor got a big kick out of the fact that Al was going to teach me how to do something in the kitchen! As my wife put it "Mike can barely make eggs, and now he is going to make cheese".

There are some people who are jacks of all trades, but Al seems to be a Master of many trades!!! THANKS AL ... GREAT STUFF!!!!

Was also pleasantly shocked to do the 84 mile trip to LI in less than an hour and 1/2, each way. If you know anything about LI & NYC bridge traffic, that was an accomplishment!

 

[Shawn Curry]

Nice work Al and Mike! If you get tired of all that oak, I'll take the rest off your hands.

 

[MustangMike]

I think they moved this thread to the milling section and the posts stopped!

Al, my wife loves the Mozzarella, and she want to know if you can teach me how to make Red Wine next???

 

[redoakneck]

Nice post!!!

Great to see people helping each other .

How do you make mozzarella cheese???

I like cheese, and milling, and red oak

 

[drf256]

Nice post!!!

Great to see people helping each other .

How do you make mozzarella cheese???

I like cheese, and milling, and red oak

Quite simple actually. PM me for details.

 

[drf256]

I think they moved this thread to the milling section and the posts stopped!

Al, my wife loves the Mozzarella, and she want to know if you can teach me how to make Red Wine next???

Sure Mike. In about 3 months, grab 2 cases of your favorite grapes and head down here. I still have my fathers press tucked away.

 

[MustangMike]

Well, I fired up that new little 026 Beast Al did for me today, and it did not disappoint. That little thing cuts wood nice! However, although it starts right up, it does not start like a little saw, you have better have a good grip on that recoil. There must be a lot of compression and timing advance on that little thing!

Very smooth in the wood through, very nice.

 

[Mattyo]

Wait till u get an actual bandmill.

Muhahaha

 

[MustangMike]

The problem becomes moving the log to it.

 

[Mattyo]

u r a big guy mike...go for it

or quarter the oak, you want quarter sawn anyway, and move the piece to the mill ... simple

 

[MustangMike]

I was thinking of doing something like that Matt. Was thinking of free handing the sides to a predetermined board width (maybe with a bubble level on the saw), then cutting across in the middle. It would still be big, but a lot easier. Hey, I picked up a 1" Oak Cookie today that felt heavy, that darn stuff has some weight.

Also gave my little 026 "Lightning Limber" a little workout today on some Oak and Hickory tree tops. I'm impressed with how the little bugger cuts, and in the tangles I was in today, often walking on logs or brush, it was nice to have a little light weight saw. But let me assure you, Al did not make it a low compression easy to start model!!! (and there is no CR) You would not think you would want CR on a little saw like that, till you try to start it while you are balancing on a log!

I think her chain will need sharpening before her next adventure, and that little 325 chain does not seem to let you use a square file (the straps on the opposite side get in the way). Luckily, I have a little 12V grinder all set up for her.

 

[Mattyo]

nice Mike... I'm w/ you

 

[Canadian farm boy]

Awesome stuff Mike. Sounds like your falling in love with your 026.
You're totally right about .325 chain being a pain to square file. It can be done but it isn't easy. I actually find picco chain easier to square file.

 

[MustangMike]

Al, any progress on your milling???

I did a little today with that unit you returned to me. Made the guide (8') out of treated decking (on bottom) and an untreated 2X8 for the vertical, that way I can tilt the saw a little if I want. It also gives you a 2" shelf on each side, so it is reversible, which is nice. The logs were not huge, but it is Shag Bark Hickory. Made 7 full 2" thick boards in 2.5 hours.

I agree with mdavlee's comment in the other thread, the square file chain (on a .063 24" bar) just eats the wood up and leaves a nice finish. Did all this with the Smittybilt 046.

CRAP! Took 9 pics, and they are all too big to load, just barely!

Is it necessary to strap the boards down after milling, or is just putting some weight on them OK?