Popular Post Art Posted October 12, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 So I've always wanted to try some milling, but living in the middle of a big city, the opportunities don't really present themselves a lot. However, the city of Vancouver maintains thousands of trees along city roads, and they occasionally them down if they are sick or otherwise dying. In these situations, the logs are left on the side of the road, and anyone can help themselves to them. Recently, I came across some reasonably sized logs: some Alder and some Red Oak. I realize they are not the most desirable species around, but for me it was more about the learning experience. Anyway, my wife and I went out and hauled them into the back of my truck, and today I went out and rented at chainsaw and an Alaskan Mill and went to work. I fully realize that I spent more money in renting the equipment than what the resulting wood is likely worth, but it was fun. I know also have a new appreciation for how much work this type of milling is. Here are some photos: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanky Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 All woodworkers need to sawmill a day or two! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanky Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 Art you need to try that on 8 or 10 ft long logs cutting 4/4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martym Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 Nice work. There is some thing special about milling drying and taking it to a finished piece. This hobby Is a VERY deep rabbit hole. Now get out and plant some trees for your grand kids to enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted October 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 1 hour ago, Spanky said: Art you need to try that on 8 or 10 ft long logs cutting 4/4. Those were oak logs about 14" wide and about only 3 1/2 feet. I can only imagine what it takes to mill up an 8 or 10 foot log. Just handling the logs is a challenge without the proper equipment. The largest was easily north of 150 lbs. I only milled them enough make them small enough to finish resawing on the bandsaw, so it it mostly 16/4. I will admit to spending several hours yesterday looking at Youtube videos about hobbyist sized bandsaw mills... I'd love to have the space to be able to do this regularly, but that sadly that won't happen anytime soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 28 minutes ago, martym said: Nice work. There is some thing special about milling drying and taking it to a finished piece. This hobby Is a VERY deep rabbit hole. Now get out and plant some trees for your grand kids to enjoy. I completely agree. The only thing better would to have planted the seed/nut. But it is neat about saying you cut that sucker down and later, much later, you made it into something, I’m at that point. But now, at my age, no way would I do that again. Now, I just call a stronger back than me, aka Spanky, and place my order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanky Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 You can get sawdusts in your blood! I have had it in my blood for years. If you get sawdusts in your blood you can’t get it out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmac Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 51 minutes ago, Spanky said: You can get sawdusts in your blood! I have had it in my blood for years. If you get sawdusts in your blood you can’t get it out. So true, milling is very addictive, I know I've got sawdust in my blood. It's a lot of work to do it with a chainsaw mill, but with a chainsaw mill you can take the mill to the log instead of hauling the logs around. If you are going to mill with a chainsaw you need to learn how to keep your chains sharp and your back in shape. I start milling soon, I'll put down a thread showing how I go about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 I'd love to do some milling as well and am tempted to buy a chainsaw to do it. My other thought is to make a trailer for hauling large logs and just take them to the plothera of sawmills in the area. I know next year one of my projects has to take down a really nice size honey locust tree probably 28" and a good 25' strait and clear. I want to ask for it and mill it really baddly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanky Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 Chestnut you need to get a man’s size chainsaw to mill with, the bigger the better for milling. Don’t get a toy chainsaw to mill with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmac Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 7 minutes ago, Spanky said: Chestnut you need to get a man’s size chainsaw to mill with, the bigger the better for milling. Don’t get a toy chainsaw to mill with. You know Spanky, buying chainsaws can get addicting also. I have 6 now and I find myself still looking at them. I got my larger saws used or bought refurbished ones. I learned to port the mufflers so they breath better and run cooler. 40 minutes ago, Chestnut said: I'd love to do some milling as well and am tempted to buy a chainsaw to do it. My other thought is to make a trailer for hauling large logs and just take them to the plothera of sawmills in the area. I know next year one of my projects has to take down a really nice size honey locust tree probably 28" and a good 25' strait and clear. I want to ask for it and mill it really baddly. Another option is to look for a mill that can go to the tree. If it's just one tree and it is accessible, that might be the easiest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanky Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 17 minutes ago, Bmac said: You know Spanky, buying chainsaws can get addicting also. I have 6 now and I find myself still looking at them. I got my larger saws used or bought refurbished ones. I learned to port the mufflers so they breath better and run cooler. Bmac you need to run one that has had the cylinder ported and the cylinder cut on the bottom with around 200 psi. At one time I loved to build them that way. I would ship chainsaws all over the US, hopped up to cut timber and racing saws. If you ever run one hopped up, you want have a stock saw anymore. Make sure you run 32:1 oil , 4 ounces of oil to one gal of gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmac Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 19 minutes ago, Spanky said: Bmac you need to run one that has had the cylinder ported and the cylinder cut on the bottom with around 200 psi. At one time I loved to build them that way. I would ship chainsaws all over the US, hopped up to cut timber and racing saws. If you ever run one hopped up, you want have a stock saw anymore. Make sure you run 32:1 oil , 4 ounces of oil to one gal of gas. No I've never run a saw with a ported cylinder. Maybe I should send you one of my saws so you can rebuild it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 1 hour ago, Chestnut said: I'd love to do some milling as well and am tempted to buy a chainsaw to do it. My other thought is to make a trailer for hauling large logs and just take them to the plothera of sawmills in the area. I know next year one of my projects has to take down a really nice size honey locust tree probably 28" and a good 25' strait and clear. I want to ask for it and mill it really baddly. If you want to try a chainsaw mill before you buy let me know...full disclosure some set up required LOL. I've had a Panthermill for a couple years but never put it together. I also have a Stihl 660 with a 36" bar which although not the largest Stihl should work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 16 minutes ago, pkinneb said: If you want to try a chainsaw mill before you buy let me know...full disclosure some set up required LOL. I've had a Panthermill for a couple years but never put it together. I also have a Stihl 660 with a 36" bar which although not the largest Stihl should work. Which one do you have? Not the pantherpro mill? I keep seeing these carriage chainsaw mills and the look promising. Takes the ease of using a chainsaw mill and portability but gives it a little bit better way to use it. The only downside to chainsaw milling is i feel like to keep costs low you really need to learn how to rebuild your own saw. I just bought a chains saw 2 ish weeks ago and i'd probably get laughed off the forum if i posed a picture of it. It was perfect for what we needed it for though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 8 minutes ago, Chestnut said: Which one do you have? Not the pantherpro mill? I keep seeing these carriage chainsaw mills and the look promising. Takes the ease of using a chainsaw mill and portability but gives it a little bit better way to use it. The only downside to chainsaw milling is i feel like to keep costs low you really need to learn how to rebuild your own saw. I just bought a chains saw 2 ish weeks ago and i'd probably get laughed off the forum if i posed a picture of it. It was perfect for what we needed it for though. Its the Panthermill II 42". I live on 5 acres and have oak wilt so I have a couple chainsaws and my son in law has several more My original thought was to make a mill and bought this as a starter but honestly I think I would rather be woodworking then milling but we will see... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanky Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 1 hour ago, Chestnut said: I just bought a chains saw 2 ish weeks ago and i'd probably get laughed off the forum if i posed a picture of it. It was perfect for what we needed it for though. Come on Chestnut post the pic of the Poulan Wild Thing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 34 minutes ago, Spanky said: Come on Chestnut post the pic of the Poulan Wild Thing. I have more dignity than that. I bought a Stihl MS170. Just a little under powered guy but my dad and i were using it from a bucket truck to trim trees and didn't want some thing heavy hanging halfway out of a bucket in a totally safe manner. Trimmed the 2 closest oaks in the picture below. Lucky me i don't have a picture of kiddie chain saw. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 1 hour ago, pkinneb said: Its the Panthermill II 42". I live on 5 acres and have oak wilt so I have a couple chainsaws and my son in law has several more My original thought was to make a mill and bought this as a starter but honestly I think I would rather be woodworking then milling but we will see... To the GIS maps to find all 5 acres lots with an owner named paul in Anoka county .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 10 minutes ago, Chestnut said: To the GIS maps to find all 5 acres lots with an owner named paul in Anoka county .... wrong county though...hint look for my wife's pool LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 Oh yeah sherborn! Awesome Anoka county GIS data stinks they seperate their land owner names from the parcel data and i have to merge them every time and i always forget.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 I'm not goign to find where your at but there are 145 Pauls in Sherborn county that own lots over 4.5 acres. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 Spanky, I watched one of those 'timber sports' competitions a couple weeks ago. Those racing saws are downright scary! Anything that can go from not running to cutting three cookies off a 24" log in less than 5 seconds deserves respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanky Posted October 13, 2018 Report Share Posted October 13, 2018 3 hours ago, wtnhighlander said: Spanky, I watched one of those 'timber sports' competitions a couple weeks ago. Those racing saws are downright scary! Anything that can go from not running to cutting three cookies off a 24" log in less than 5 seconds deserves respect. You need to feel the hp and the chain speed with a 14 tooth sprocket. Running alky and 30% nitro. You need big arms and a few big rocks in your back pockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted October 13, 2018 Report Share Posted October 13, 2018 Oh they do run nitro in those? I always thought they ran a bit too good to be on gas alone. Any of you have good resources for Sithl chainsaws their sizes and what would be good for milling. The whole chainsaw world is new to me. Yesterday i was talking to a co-worker and he wants to do some chainsaw milling as well has a few power heads but i'm not sure if they are big enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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