Decided to get started milling a couple doug fir logs that have been sitting in my driveway for a month of so. I cut them both to 10' long since that's the length of my extension ladder that I use for the first cut. Just getting the log onto my saw ponys is a major undertaking, but the butt log is now in a good position for milling. If anyone knows of a better way to elevate logs without heavy equipment, I'm all ears. Here I've got the butt off the ground a little and the saw ponys are lined up. Almost got er' high enough to slide the first pony into place. Is it as sketchy as it looks? Yep. Well, all's well that ends well. Took awhile but she's at a comfortable working height now. Was gonna start milling today, but may wait till tomorrow to tear into it. This will be milled into an 8x8 beam if all goes according to plan.
That jack looks like at any minute it could flip out......watch out! Maybe make a couple little ramps and just roll it up with your cant?
Yeah, I tend to trust those hi-lift jacks about as far as I can throw 'em. They're handy...but sketchy. Your ramp and roll idea is good, but given the weight of the log, I'd need to somehow get gravity working for me. Maybe a decent alternative would be to build the ramps then use a come-a-long to winch the log up onto the ponys. This is only the third log I've jacked up (I just recently got my mill) so all options are on the table, that's for sure.
I use a floor jack to lift mine. Just go slow. I cut lots of blocks that are around 16" square to use to support them. I would leave the end you're finishing on lower. It will help the saw feed itself and not work you as hard.
Engine hoist maybe. Pick one side at a time up if need be. Someone has pics of using one to unload their truck. Can't think of who it is but it looked like it works pretty good. Or on the cheap build a tripod and us a chain hoist.
Great suggestions folks! I really appreciate it. I had to look up parbuckling on youtube. That would be the ticket to sure. A winch and a snatch block are now on my list of items to buy. The new Northern Tool catalog should be in the mail box any day now...which is always a dangerous time for my wallet. Now for the bad news. I SCREWED UP MY BEAM!!! I'll get some pics posted up of the debacle in a bit. Gotta run down the road and feed my neighbors horses while they're out of town.
OK, here is a picture tour to Failtown. Here's my setup for the initial cut. I put the 2x4 block under the ladder to get it up to level due to the butt swell on the log. First cut made and things are looking good. Got cut to three sides and I'm liking it. Only one cut to go and it's, in theory, the easiest one to get right as I've got the flat top to ride the mill on and I'm not cutting through any bark. Easy Peasy...right? Wrong! As you can see, the first few feet of the cut was going just fine, and then, for some reason, the mill started climbing on me. By the time I noticed, it was too late. It felt like the milling equivalent of getting kicked in the fruit sack. I thought I might have hit some metal with the chain, but the chain still looks good. I don't know what happened. Any of you guys have any idea? I was pretty mad at the time, but after calming down, I think I can salvage a useable beam out of it. I figure I'll just snap a chalkline and make a smaller beam but still...very aggravating.
I've had the mill come loose and do that on my homemade jig. I did cut a 5/8" thick walnut board one time that was supposed to be 1 5/8".
Just got back from town. mdavlee, I'll check the bolts and measurements on the mill. I'll probably go ahead and put a sharp on the chain as long as I'm at it. It still looks good, but a few swipes with a file isn't gonna hurt anything. A buddy of mine stopped by earlier today and, after seeing the situation, asked if I was gonna start selling beams by the cord...real funny.
I don't know how long your chain will stay sharp. I got 2 cuts of good self feeding and then the 3rd cut gets slower and needs a little pressure. After that it sharpen or really try to push on it.
OK, this actually makes me feel a little better. If it's just a matter of sharpening the chain, then at least I feel like I have a grasp on the problem. Along those lines, here's a little more info for you. The chain I'm using is a loop of round file that I re-angled to approx. 10 degrees for milling. Any suggestions for chain? I usually get all my chain in loop form from Madsens in Washington state (the saw shop here in Plains, MT went under last year, unfortunately). I don't have a grinder and I've never filed anything but round chain. I appreciate your insight. Thanks for the reply.
I use what I have. Square filed has produced just as good of a finish as semi chisel at 10 degrees. Depending on what it is I'll just use square filed skip. The best finish I got was with semi skip square on a 24 or 28" bar.
the chain I'm using is a round file full comp Stihl since, as you say mdavlee, it's what I have. With the exception of my last wandering cut, its been performing just fine for my needs. I'll have to try some semi skip square next time I order some chain. I'm a little torn today. I might do some milling (I still have to fix the beam I screwed up plus I've got the one other log still to mill up). Or I might hop in the truck and head into the woods on a firewood mission. Or I might grab the fly rod and do some trout fishing. Or I might sit on the porch, drink beer and ponder the great questions of our time. Oh, one last thing. My neighbor is selling a welder for pretty cheap. Any of you guys do any welding? I'm thinking of buying it from him and learning how to use it whenever I get the chance. I think its an older stick welder. I know it runs on 220v, but thats all I know. Maybe I'll snap a pic this afternoon if I go down to his house.
Ha! No way! Man, bumping into you on this forum is awesome. Thanks! I'll head down this afternoon and take a look at it.
i use reg ripping chain for milling ,the rounded corner without the chisel point gives my softwoods a smoother finish ,i tried the square like Mike uses ,it is faster ,but i get more fiber tear and gouges in cedar with square than the ripping chain
