How to Mill Dimensional Lumber with a Chainsaw - Alaskan Sawmill

How to Mill dimensional Lumber with a Chainsaw - Alaskan Sawmill

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Check out more of our Saw Mill videos here:

Rockhill Farm is a daily equipment and rural living vlog. We mainly focus on tractors and working outdoors.

I really appreciate you taking time to watch this video. If you enjoy this type of content Check out some of the following links to support our channel.

If you are interested in a rock Hill Farms T-shirt check out our merch store



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[jtrealfunny]

I live in central america and they cut all their building lumber here with chainsaws (in the countryside) and they mark off the widths with little sticks they cut and snap lines with cord and wet ink. They'll calculate all the different dimensions inside the log they are cutting, leave the ends attached so the wood doesn't warp while you wait to use it, and if the chainsaw guy is good it comes out super consistent. And if not so good it's still perfectly usable. It's just how every house gets built.

[marvindiamonjr.]

That cant would look really good sitting on my sawmill. I'll definitely have to get a chainsaw mill to cut any larger logs down to fit on my sawmill. And this time you won't be costing me as much money! Usually, you get me wanting something that costs thousands of dollars. I'm not a poor man, but I'm far from rich. I don't know how you keep coming up with such good video material, but I certainly appreciate it!

[Mr.SuperDuper-idk]

Bro you have completely NUKED THIS process

[TreDogOfficial]

Great explanations! You really do a good job of keeping the wood grains parallel with the edge of the cut! And keeping it square means very little is discarded.

However, I would favor speed over accuracy. Instead of raising the ladder, I'd just fix both ends to the log. And instead of marking a square profile, I'd just set the Alaskan mill to 1.5 inches and make several cuts until I run out of space.

Then I would take those planks to a table-saw and rip them into 3.5 inch boards of a certain length.

But it's nice to see a very formal approach to Alaskan milling dimensional lumber. This skill is easy to learn and very effective in terms of cost savings on lumber.

[romualdasmarcinkus]

just a tip for you, next time set the plane of your cut parallel with the center crack in the log.
that way, you get rid of the defect in one board instead of having multiple slabs with part of the crack in all of them.

[dustdevl]

That is a tremendous amount of work, but if you want something, it's worth it!

[NationMediaUS]

If I had your shop Id never buy furnature again. I had an opportunity to work in a mans shop I've knonw all my life for two whole weeks on vacation. Yes, my wife was not thrilled I spent most of my time in that shop, but delighted to see what I finally came up with. I made this love seat that set perfectly in our Breakfast nook that fully wrapped the entire space and left plenty of room to walk around, I mean it wrapped th whole thing which is bascially like a half of a gezebo inside. It was an all-natural esk, live edge look. Then I made our coffee table and sofa. Our storage unit burned down, long story. But the tools and equipment I had at my disposal was phenomenal. Now I was a straight-A student in school but Wood and metal shop I couldnt get enough of and made some really nice peices and for years longed for a shop that would facilitate my wants and needs. SO! I envy you greatly, and look forward to what you've got coming next. Well done, really enjoyed that.

[AaronTurnwald]

Nice job Brock. Doesnt matter if the boards are a little crooked or thicker in spots. I just posted my slab flatener sled video yesterday. You could easily make one like mine out of mdf boards and flatten those slabs when they dry.

[Tdale]

Brock, not sure if you’ve heard about this or not, but there is a special type of chain for milling lumber. It is a milling chain or ripping chain. It cuts differently, not wearing out your normal chains as much.

[patrickcorbett]

Good video Brock...getting it square is the key. I have been curious about these mills, I can see they certainly have a place in " Our " world . Looks like a 2 man operation for me.
Thanks for the hands-on demo !
pc

[Cowboy_Steve]

Howdy Brock! I'm impressed with how clean the cuts are using the Alaskan Sawmill. I was aware of them but never really saw one in use before. Very cool. Thanks for sharing 🤠

[mrflaxtv]

Amazing skills. Thanks for sharing. Learnt a lot. Love the vid

[justonlyme]

No need to turn the log, use a chalk line and straight edge with a circular saw for the edges, just follow it down as you go or do it after

[smisky]

I find using a couple of 6" square(ish) 1/2" pieces of plywood vs. wedges is easier, insert 1 on the end once you get a foot or so in to the cut and the plywood will hold the end up, then the 2nd piece goes in towards the end to keep it off the saw when you exit.

[TheSunRiseKid]

Just SUBSCRIBED to your channel!!😊 we take down trees for a living, so we have unlimited beautiful logs! We just got a chainsaw mill.
I really like the fact that you showed All parts of this project instead of just creating a picture perfect video like a lot of content creators do! I will be checking out your other videos!😊

[TonysCoolTools]

Brock, thanks for sharing, my mill is on its way and I can’t wait to start milling some logs once I can dig them out of the snow here in WI. Stay safe👍TCT

[papasbackyardgardenhavingf]

I have three version of the mill. I love using them.

It’s an extra step but I place tarps on both sides

Suggest getting a crank. I’m to old to push so I use a crank

[kevinfoster]

I'm late to the show. My suggestion is, , , ...let gravity be your friend. I use a jack-all, handyman, and sling and jerk one end.of the log as far up as I can, and secure as best as I can. Sketchy as shit sometimes but well worth the time and energy. You can then give those fancy kneepads to the wife for Christmas

[greenwoodsbushhogging]

Take the half round pieces and cut wedges from them. They seemed to stick better for me at least than a typical triangle wedge.