Getting Started In Chainsaw Milling, What You Need To Know!

Ever wanted to mill your own number? In this video we go over everything you'll want to know before getting started in chainsaw milling. Including which saws will be ideal, which mill might be right for you and a few ways to save money so you can get started for less. Thanks for watching!

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The Chainsaw I use

Chainsaw Mill

Granberg Alaskan Mill

42" Oregon Bar

42" Ripping Chains

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My website

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[chrisdaniels]

I just started chainsaw milling from scratch a few months ago and have amassed about 1500 bdft of slabs and cookies. White oak, red oak, pecan and some spalted red maple. 2.5" to 3.5". I'm hoping to eventually turn this from a hobby into a business. And when I say "from scratch" I mean it, just a little 10'x12' work space in my barn. No heavy equipment or anything. So far I've been stacking it in my backyard, wrapped in a shade mesh (to keep the sun, high winds and some blowing rain off) with the tops tarped or topped with corrugated panels. End sealed everything, stickered and stacked as level as possible (found a weed trimmer works better than a shovel for getting through the grass to level blocks lol). I have a small 10'x10' kiln building in the works and a bigger workshop after that to level slabs in and store some of the dried material. Of course I still have to earn the money to build these things so it's going to be a process.

I started splitting firewood full time for an older fella that sells it commercially about 6 months ago. He has two different landscaping companies that bring him all their wood, and quite often they bring in decent sized logs of 6'-8' in length. He lets me pick out whatever I want and I come mill them on the weekends. My bar is only 36" (stupid me didn't get the 42") so I can only do about 30" unless I try your sprocket clamp method. Just yesterday they dropped off some huge white oak, it was probably 40" at the stump so I cant mill the first log but the second two are just under 30" so I'll get 500bdft out of that. Even if I only get $5 per bdft for these white oak slabs, that's still a $2500 haul!

[ptc]

Very good informative video showing THE WORKS of the components instead of blathering on about nothing .... thank YOU! We got the same unit, cant wait to use it!

[jamestillman]

Thank you. This is the best video on this subject I have found. After having bought the saw and mill after watching this video, I’m very certain that all advice in this video is good, especially about screwing the plank on top to get started instead of the jig. Great job

[LangeloScuro]

Somehow I missed one of the different mill attempts. In the end it doesn't matter because you found what works best for you and shared pros and cons with all of us. Keep it up and thanks!

[nickhawke]

Great videos thanks for making them. I have a Stihl 661 and mill attachment and I use a box section aluminium ladder to make the first cut. I have drilledc4 small holes in a couple of the rungs and screw it to the tree. This makes a very firm base to start from.

[micjam]

Top notch video editing and overall pace of your video. Thanks for posting!! 👍

[robertanderson-yxmo]

Lovely job I'm just getting into milling, I've got a big walnut, I was looking at band saw miling but seeing your video I realised I can do this with my husquvarnas

[robert]

I use 2 2x4s 1foot apart of each other. works great 💪💪💪

[RockymountainMike]

Thanks for the info! As a born and raised Pa boy who moved to Colorado I miss those hard woods! I am looking forward to milking our beetle kill lodgepole pines.

[longfellow]

Dont clamp the sprocket! The nails and string setup allows unlimited length cuts and a short guide board. Also when you get a ways in on the cut try sitting on the log and push with your feet. A string to the throttle holds it open. It was my wifes favorite way to mill😂

[markduykers]

Great video! Thanks for info. Considering something like this for our 3+ acre wooded property.

[UtmostOutdoors]

Those are some very nice slabs! Milling is so cool... Good job on the video!

[JonOleOlsen]

That does look easier than trying to pull the tree on to a trailer. I can't wait to see what you build next!

[jeffcameron]

Great video mate, you answered a bunch of questions I had. I will be buying one of these mills soon.

[exasperatus]

Good video. I'm doing my research before I buy one. Why is it when I see any of these milling videos from different creators, that the vast majority of them are doing thick cut slabs?

[danielgagne]

I got a holtzfforma g888 for 800ish with 48 inch bar. Stihl quality half price. Works great. Never thought of extersion bars. Like it!

[lawrencesaville]

Many thanks for the info, I have a clone of the MS660 as it was circa £400 here in the UK and not £1400 plus for the real deal. They (chinese clones) seems to be a love/hate (or Marmite as we'd say here) item but mine is fit for purpose and I like it, I've learned a lot about chainsaws and you need to be able to wield a spanner at times (and sharpen! ) I also have a clone Alaskan mill and would highly recommend the winch option. My kit came 'all in' with the first cut rails - use an aluminium ladder, I do now - and the bar end oiler. I run a 36" bar, with a rip profile chain, about to experiment with a skip chain. I've found lubrication a concern so I fitted the bar end oiler (as well as a 'performance' aftermarket oil pump) BUT you lose cut capacity drilling the bar for the oiler, unless you fancy doing so on the nose sprocket, one I shall investigate later as my trunks are maxing out at about 30" so not an issue. Currently cutting through and through but want to try to get into more quarter sawn. Your comments about taking the mill to the tree are precisely why I bought my rig and it's working so far. Not a pro just a hobbyist. Enjoy and be safe.

[colleens]

Great descriptions and information! I like that you pass on what you've learned.

[uydobeu]

I carry a pipe or fence post with me to help slide large slabs in my truck. Works

[SwoonMotionography]

This is great and I love your attitude.