Built a poor man's sawmill today

Those homemade slabs look good to me!

I didn't consider that the bar might wander without a spacer. I was just thinking how to simplify your version (for my saw) and possibly gain 1 1/2" wide on your design. I only have a 16" bar, so it might not even be practical lol.

Did I read somewhere that slabs get a coating of latex paint or beeswax on the end grain to prevent cracks or checking while they dry?

 

I was just going to ask if that's what I should do.

 

Not bad for a start. Good job.

Waiting on Jesus

 

This is my first successful mill on a 3450.

Waiting on Jesus

 

Some cheap exterior werks well for end grain.

Waiting on Jesus

 

Do you have a photo of that unit from the other side?

 

By the way Muddsaw ...welcome to the FHC forums!

 

Saskwood.. I don't have a pic of the other side, but I will take one for you bud. I'll try to remember to do it after werk today before Church.

Thanks guys for the nice welcome.

Waiting on Jesus

 

Sorry sask was a busy afternoon, didn't get that pic for u. Off tomorrow will do it then.

Waiting on Jesus

 

Some spalled pine. It turned out nice considering the crappy and very primitive mill I used.

Waiting on Jesus

 

Very cool!

Can you tell us more about your setup?

 

I can tell u that u don't want one like I milled that with. U can't keep it together. But the pic I posted of the poulan is 1" x 1/8 angle frame MIG welded to a 14guage steel pice of sheet metal. With same angle steel for legs to mount to saw bar with pices for spacers and u bolts for the adjustment on thickness of cut. Which can be marked for different cuts. Oh and used a 3/8 thread bolt set inside angle steel and welded in place. 1/4 for tip end of bar same weld. When marking for thickness of cut allow 10% extra for drying (shrinkage) pine is worst those I cut in the pic were 7/8 and shrunk down to 3/4. Any more questions I can try to help.

Waiting on Jesus

 

No worries, sometimes real life gets in the way of the internet.

 

Here u go sask. Still needs a handle, ain't used it enough to decide exactly how I want it

Waiting on Jesus

 

Bottom edge of pic is front side of mill.

Waiting on Jesus

 

There is another thread, FHC starter kit that made me think that a short list of needed items for start up Miller's would be good. When I first started I did it and found out the hard way that I did not have everything I needed.
Outside of mill saw and ppe what are some things y'all know u need and maybe I can fill in the gaps.

Waiting on Jesus

 

I'm a book guy - and "Chainsaw Lumbermaking" by Will Malloff is excellent. Chain sharpening tools would be next on my list. There are some decent knockoffs of the Oregon 511 type grinders that can be had for under $100 - some times sold as "Laser" and a few other brand names.

 

They look cool and all, but I can sharpen a 20" chain while on the saw mounted in a vice in 15 to 20 min. With a good file and about 15 min with a dremel. That's like razor sharp. I can't justify the expense for 5 min faster.

Waiting on Jesus

 

When milling I touch up the chain after 2 to 3 cuts depending on what Im milling. Keeps it sharp. (Less stress on the saw.) Gives you a lil break.

Waiting on Jesus

 

Yeah I do my 20" chains by hand. Once you start to need longer bars, the math looks a little different. To each their own I suppose.