I would like to build our new kitchen table from handmade lumber and am looking for a low cost chainsaw mill that I can use my 034 super with. Any thoughts or ideas ?
Granberg has their small log mill,for smaller saws with 16"-20" bars.Less than $150 last I checked.They weren't around when I bought my regular sized mill in late '92.Thinking about getting one sometime to have for stuff that's smaller yet still a bit too large to run through my delta bandsaw w/ riser block.They also work good as an edger I've heard. http://granberg.com/product/small-log-mill
Is it advised to use ripping chain with these? I could make use of one with all the medium sized Spruce and White Pine around here. Heck, maybe even some Oak. ETA: Never mind, according to the vids, they use ripping chain.
My buddy just bought a mini-mill, and for hobbying around, its really cool! He's making a bridge on his property out of oaks from his woods, not the fastest method in the world but it works good....... I may buy one to play around with someday....
If I remember correctly,my Alaskan mill was around $140 something delivered in late '92.But that don't include the $750 I spent on the 77cc Poulan a year later.Already had my first Mac PM610 with 24" bar for almost a year,great for regular felling/bucking with loads of power but was a bit sluggish milling logs over 18". White Pine or Spruce would be a breeze,my first log milled was a huge Red Elm that had only been dead a few months.It was quite the learning experience,I was younger & had loads more energy then. Woodmisers were 4 grand minimum back then,the ones I looked at very briefly anyway.
That was probably the base model too. The 15? It's been a while since I looked at 'em. I don't have the money or the energy to do that nowadays, so...moot point for me. I'll put up a couple pics of my little milling adventure back in '08 for those who haven't seen 'em. BRB. Just a small sample. I don't want to do this ever again. Very hard work, and I was 5 years younger.
Even. Granberg 36" is affordable. I myself have looked at the Mini on baileys. It is limited, but would probably do all I needed.
Chainsaw mills can't be too big... This is a granberg Alaskan mill on a 36" bar... I can only get about a 27" wide piece with it. There's been plenty of times I wished It could go 30" +... But it gets most of what I want done... Oh, and I use any chain I have on hand, but I've heard ripping chain makes a smoother finish..
Plus ripping chain is actually faster & less wear/tear on your saw....I have ripping chains from 24" to 42" for the big Husky's,but none for the Mac yet.Before long I'll get a 30".404 ripping chain for the Mac 125....the regular square chisel skip is quite the teeth-rattler I'll tell ya....
This piece was a full width cut... Had to nip some off the back side to get the mill to fit over the piece of Elm it came from.
Just an FYI, that's not me operating the Woodmiser. Local guy...I was manning the camera and doing the grunt work.
Maple from earlier. I ran the planer over them to smooth them some. Video of making them. If you don't think ripping is hard on a saw
Well I got the mill finished today. Total cost was $106 I believe or real close give or take a few $$.
