chainsaw mill

[plumbstraight]

I have an upcoming job cutting some logs for a cabin. I thought this up to take two sides off the log, then cut it down the middle to make two half rounds with a flat on each side. This way it would be semi finished on the inside with the round to the outside.
In this video I am just trying it out making several cuts vertically then going horizontal taking off several boards at a time.

Sorry video wouldn't load so another with the vertical

 

[plumbstraight]

vertical

 

[oosik]

When I built our cabin in Alaska I used a unit called an Alaskan mill. Not quite as fancy as what you have there and I was only removing the top and then the bottom of the log. Worked just great and I & wife & 7 year old son built a 18 x 24 two story cabin in '76 that is still standing and being used.

I used 2X the amount of 2-cycle oil in the chain saw as per the chainsaw dealers recommendation. Because the saw was always on its side I rotated the bar every four logs to keep the bar groove wear even.

 

[Jim Timber]

PS, that's pretty slick.

 

[Egon]

Nice.

I built a chainsaw guide that fastened to the log or on a little stand on which the log sat. Made it easy to get square balks.

 

[s219]

I have an upcoming job cutting some logs for a cabin. I thought this up to take two sides off the log, then cut it down the middle to make two half rounds with a flat on each side. This way it would be semi finished on the inside with the round to the outside.
In this video I am just trying it out making several cuts vertically then going horizontal taking off several boards at a time.

Sorry video wouldn't load so another with the vertical

Wow, that is a nice guide system! Did you build that yourself? Makes my Alaskan milling rigs look like toys!

 

[plumbstraight]

Yes, I did build this myself. Didn't take that long really. Is simple in reality. I did make a couple add ons after getting it set up. One was a gauge to clamp down on the crossbar to move over and lock down to keep the rail in place for the next cut. The other was to put rings on the uprights to let down for the next cut down. By moving them down for the next cut it makes for better evenness as you consume the log.

When cutting for cabin logs it doesn't matter so much as you only made three cuts. Being able to take the sides off by moving it the same distance at both ends for that then rotating the saw, one pass down the middle and you have two half logs ready to put in place.

 

[s219]

That's great, a real nice setup and it sounds like you have optimized it some over the years. What saw do you run for milling? I have been using a Stihl 461 (77cc).

 

[roadhunter]

I like you idea for how to cut the logs. Thanks for sharing.

 

[plumbstraight]

That's great, a real nice setup and it sounds like you have optimized it some over the years. What saw do you run for milling? I have been using a Stihl 461 (77cc).

A 461 is a great saw. Just bought one last year only to have it and several other equipment stolen. I resurrected a couple of jonsereds I had. I bought it because and 066 was stolen. Not near the power, but is doing the job. I really got cleaned out this time. My aunt was asleep in my place when they came in and took so many nice things that were my wifes. I did get one gold chain back and a box of .270. Now if they will just let me use it on them.

This mill is a prototype. Next one will be a bit different, but basically the same.

If anyone is interested and has a welder I might make up some plans.