Hello! New here.

I am new to the entire milling thing and am wanting to get into it.

I have a few different options. I am wanting to get an Alaskan Sawmill set up. I can get a Husq 372 or 365 and rework it. I used to work in a small engine shop and my old boss said I could have a junker.

Will these saws do what I want them to do with a mill?


I have a Husq 445e X-torq I currently use for bucking and limbing and so on. It's served me well with alternating 16'' and 18'' bars and numerous chains I keep sharpened.


I know yall probably get this all the time, but any help is appreciated.

 

I dont know didly squat about mills and milling...

Just wanted to drop in and say hey, welcome to FHC!

 

Hey welcome to the family! I don't know how big the logs are that you are planning to mill but 372 might be a tad light , 395 would be a lot better. My experience is from noodling large rounds, power and oiling are important.

 

Welcome to the forum, ForestryMiller. This is a great place to ask questions. I suggest editing the thread title, if you can, to reflect your questions about milling. That'll attract more responses. Good luck and Happy New Year!

 

Welcome to the club, ForestryMiller !
I think your gonna like it here!

It's too late to edit (you have 4 hours) but don't be afraid to start another thread. Everyone is friendly here and always happy to help.
You have found the best forum on the net!

 

No Replacement for Displacement- with the Alaskan style mills you are going to need a bar that is apx 6" longer- maybe more than the width of the cut, for mounting purposes . A drip bottle on the far end is advisable, as well as skip tooth chains rather than full complement. It helps quite a bit to set the log to be cut with the starting end higher so gravity aids in moving the saw along.

 

Another hint make yourself a ton of small wedges/stickers- this to keep the kerf from closing behind your saw and pinching the bar.

 

Welcome forestry miller? I hope you had a great Christmas. I lived in SC for about 15 years. Down by Cross. Are you upstate? I agree with chris, having a ton of wedges ready will serve you well.

 

Welcome to the FHC ForestryMiller

 

Thank you everyone for the responses. I am looking forward to this project. I will see what I can do about a 395 but he mentioned that he had some 372s laying around.


Thanks again!

 

I am in the Lowcountry. Reside in Georgetown, SC but spend a lot of time in Hampton County on the Savannah River. Also spend some time in the upstate amongst the hardwoods.

 

Welcome ForestryMiller
Before you start with the 365/372, do a wee bit of research. I've heard multiple places that they have too small bottom end bearings to survive well on a CSM. I use the 394 and it's great for the task.

I have a sister near Beaufort. St Helena Island to be exact.

 

372 and a 32" would be the biggest bar I'd use on a mill. Gives you about 24" of cut with a 30" mill. If you're oh going to to slave 5 or 6 pieces it will be fine. If you want to do 1k bd foot then find something bigger.

 

Know many people on St. Helena. Wonderful place.

 

Ultimately, I am looking to mill some lumber from say 12-16'' dbh trees, nothing massive. I like to build cutting boards, and smaller tables and so on. Thought about beginning to cut some smaller diameter trees to begin with.

Going to see what I can do about a 394/5.

I have always run Husq. Used to work in a small engine shop that was a Husq dealer so am familiar with them. Sthil? I have no personal experience with them. Any tips appreciated on Sthils, I would be willing to make the switch, I guess.

 

Welcome ForestryMiller , I dont know squat about milling but you've come to the right place and you're gonna like it here, I guarantee it-We like pics, dogs and beer...and spending you're money on accoutrements to supply your addiction, er I meant hoard, whatever that may be----Nice to meet ya!

 

Have you visited the sawyer section yet? Some cool posts with lots of good pics in there. Here's some pics of some apple I milled a while back. How much should I charge?