17 Super Tips for Chainsaw Milling (Make Better Boards!)
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- Опубліковано 31 лип 2024
- These 17 chainsaw milling tips show you how to put your Alaskan mill in action making logs into boards. They will improve the quality of timber you can make with your mill, and/or influence the design of your mill if you're thinking about making one. They are mainly a reply to your questions about various aspects of milling as well as being common mistakes I see being made and have made myself!
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If you are interested in CS milling, it's the place to start :)
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The tips:
ONE 00:18 Quality of cut can be improved greatly by easing the saw into the cut. Don’t go full throttle straight away, instead, both start and stop slowly. Same if you have to stop mid slab for any reason.
TWO 00:53 Don’t push the saw! Ideally, position the log on a slight gradient so the saw is a little bit 'gravity fed'. Winches get good reviews - I have never seen much need as a good sharp chain will pull itself into the cut.
THREE 01:22 Wedges. Talk about shape etc. Don’t hammer them into the kerf - it will change the angle of the straight edge and cause deep gouges.
FOUR 02:02 Angle the saw, nose first, and hold the angle consistently. Seesawing will leave a poor finish.
FIVE 02:27 Using the straight edge for cuts after the first again can aid accuracy and safety.
SIX 03:11 Wear Proper protective equipment, including a good dust mask. I'm now using an integrated face shield and dust mask which I got from ebay, and it's a complete game changer! I originally got it for all kinds of other workshop tasks like painting, epoxy use, and sanding. In the past, even when I wore a separate dust mask, I would get dry eyes - no more! For chainsaw milling it's perfect, giving good visibility and clean air, free of the cocktail of fumes you get from using a two-stroke engine. It's the 3M 6800 full-face equivalent which means it's a cheaper import ( see it here: ebay.us/MZpq5T ), but I use it with the genuine 3m 6001 vapor filters. My radio ear defenders I won in an Instructables contest.
SEVEN 03:47 Make a full checklist before you leave. You can see my full checklist here: www.floweringelbow.org/17-supe...
EIGHT 03:57 Use a brush to remove dust around the caps before re-fuelling. CS milling is much dustier than regular chainsaw use...
NINE 07:00 Enjoy yourself.
TEN 04:05 Check to see if you need to refuel between slab cuts. Don’t start a slab unless you have enough to finish it. Avoid running the tank dry while milling!
ELEVEN 04:42 Aux oilier talk.
TWELVE 05:20 Dampened handles!
THIRTEEN 05:39 Let the saw cool off with the engine idling after long cuts.
FOURTEEN 05:55 Slab moving is dangerous- assess the risks and make wise choices.
FIFTEEN 06:12 Play it cool when things don’t go your way. Something will not go according to plan (!) try and make the best of it.
SIXTEEN 06:34 Stash your gear up-wind of the saw site. Dust WILL cover everything.
SEVENTEEN 06:45 How much did the mill cost? The full build details and plans here: play.google.com/store/books/d...
DISCLAIMER: This video description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the e-bay links, and then buy it I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
Thank you for all those important tips. Seeing your older clips makes me milling with my MS 660 and you are right. Pure fun in the nature.
Just found your channel. I've just ordered a mill and have 65 acres to explore cutting my own lumber. This video shares a wealth of knowledge, especially some tips I wouldn't have considered. Thanks, and I'll be checking out your other vids!
Welcome Tim. Sounds like you have some satisfying but challenging learning ahead. Great to hear from you,,
Bongo.
Thanks for the advice friend! This made my first attempt at chainsaw milling a productive and enjoyable experience. I was able to get some very nice slabs out of some oak logs left by a recent forestry harvest on our land. Cedar shingle off cuts make very nice wedges you don't need to worry about breaking.
Hi Wehttam, great to hear that, thanks for reporting back :D
Absolutely the best video on the proper way to use the mill I've seen yet. And I've seen hundreds where they just talked about themselves. Very useful for me....
Reasonable and safe when using a really big saw out there by yourself. Will be using your tips on my more urban project cutting a very large diameter black walnut. Thanks!
Did you know we have written a whole book on Chainsaw milling?!?? If you got something out of this video and would like to take your milling knowledge to the next level you can get the book here: play.google.com/store/books/details?id=A15aEAAAQBAJ
Your support lets us make videos like this :)
If you're getting into CS milling check out our other videos on this playlist: page.video/chainsaw_milling
Great video you make if look so easy .Makes me want to have a go now i have some clear instructions and a good starting point .i enjoy building sheds and tree houses from reclaimed timber as i work in a skip yard,but this is the other extreme using freshly milled timber and a welcome contrast.just subbed and will be watching more.
I really appreciate your video. I just ordered a push type chainsaw sawmill from Norwood. All of your tips make so much sense. Thank you again. Tony
Hi Tony. That's really great to hear! Wish you lots of luck with it. Let me know how it goes.
Cool tractor vids BTW. Love the little dude with the demountable digging boom...
Peace, Bongo.
This was the most helpful tip video I have found about chain saw milling. Thank you
One of the best videos so far! I haven't seen them all, yet. Key word. YET.
all your videos are knowledgeable innovative and fun, thanks!!
Awesome demonstration thanks! Only tip I would add is to make sure that your walking path is clear. Don't trip over debris while you're cutting. I especially like the tip about shutting you're tool boxes while working! I've forgotten a few times and had to shake out the tool box . . . dumb! Thanks again FloweringElbow!
Hey Ryan, thanks for the encouragement and the point about having a clear working area - that's one I forget/ willfully ignore all too often, usually to my detriment.
I liked the tip nr. 9 the most! But actually all of them were really great! Thank you!
Entertaining and useful tips. I've ordered my mill and expect to benefit greatly from your experience. Thanks much.
Bryan Keeler thanks :D
Let me know how it goes...
Your tips are really good as most of them I have used.
That was a great video thank you. My Alaskan sawmill just arrived a few minutes ago. Really great advice!
Good evening Big Tuna. Thank you for your comment. It's a steep learning curve and quit addictive ;) good luck with your new mill :)
Hahah love the Starwars reference! thanks for the video!
Thanks, such a nice and informative video!
Great tips, thank you.
Thanks for the tips it's so important
Great job showing and telling, keep on sawing that wood, and loved those tips I’ll use them. So see ya on the next time have a great day.
Very useful, Thank you
Really great stuff. Thanks for this.
Thanks for the encouragement Tim :)
Very nice informative video! Thanks for sharing, and your good knowledge!
Best video I've seen on chainsaw milling so far. Thank you! Great cuts!
Hey thanks Seth, check out the more recent one's for updated tips ;)
Great tips for Alaskan chainsaw milling. I just got started with an MS660 clone and a 28" bar. My little tip is use a longer bar/chain. Sure it's more than I need for what I am milling but the advantage of the longer bar (as we see in your video) is that the chain is out of the cut for much longer time and the number of cutting teeth is much greater so each tooth is sharing the load much more than a smaller bar/chain. I am now ordering a 36" which should be better for cutting the 12"-18" widths I need from my current lumber.
I really liked this. Top milling.
Thanks Old School. Enjoyed some of your milling vids too ;)
Thanks for sharing, I think I am going to start milling as a light hobby.
LOL. Can't wait until you've bought 5 chainsaws and built yourself a log trailer and a kiln for your "light hobby". (or at least that's what happened to me when I said that...)
Great sharing of knowledge and experience, agree with everything you've said.. I hadn't thought about the slowing down on exit though, makes sense. One tip for your next video is to try and mill down hill, I learned that one very quickly...
Yep, always mill on a slight slope if possible. Very good advice.
Awesome awesome, thank you for sharing, love your videos.
You're a super great guy... bless you
Thank you for the info, greatly appreciated. I just built my first mill. Got a 36" bar for my saw, and plan to start milling my own lumber very soon. So thanks a lot!
Awesome! Let me know how it goes :D
@@FloweringElbow So I did get my mill workin. I fell a large spruce and milled 4 of 26" wide x 9' long, 3.5" thick slabs and a 7"x7"x9' beam for a family dining table. Along with a bunch of thinner slabs for future projects.
Your tips and info was extremely helpful. So thank you again!
I intend to go back and mill the rest of the tree. No sense in wasting any of it. It was a blast and I am totally hooked.
Hi@@blackflycanada4943, great! Heartening to hear :D
Thank you so much for sharing,great tips too mate.I'm hopefully going to finish my home made mill tomorrow and cut my first trunk down into slabs.You made it look so easy so I'm feeling confident tonight.Thank you brother
Best of luck friend! I hope it goes well for you. Any questions just ask.
I just liked and followed you on fb.Thank you again and yes I will have questions lol.
Great video, good tips, thank you
You are very talented
I paint my wedges blue. Nothing in my area is blue. In autumn, about half the ground is red and orange. Good tips. Subbed.
Lolita's Garden nice tip. If / when I get round to painting them I may go blue... Will see what scrap paint I have ;)
Paints wedges blue, next milling job - bluebell woods 😁😁
A colleague of mine set out about a hundred trenches one week with blue pegs. Next week they came to machine them and all the thistles were in flower
Thanks, Great Video.
Really useful tips. Thanks ;)
great tips man!! thank you so much
These tips sounds like good advice for first time a nal
Thanks for making this video. Looking to get started with my first slab harvester setup very soon here
Good luck!
Nice video, thank you.
Great tips thanks for sharing , love your hat, wishing you the best.
so much fun, thanks
You make awesome videos with this stuff.
Thanks!
I appreciate that, thanks Aaron!
Wonderful. Thank you.
Our pleasure!
Cheers man - that was brilliant.
Eli thanks and happy milling.
Great points when milling. Good video in the way it is put together. I plan on implementing some of your tips that I hadn't already been using. You have a new subscriber! I look forward to following your progress in your channel. I'll make sure and link your video in the description of my upcoming videos when I use your tips. Thank you
Blake Campbell Productions thanks! I hope to have another cs milling vid for you really soon. I checked out some of your vids - nice!
Thank you, I'm looking forward to seeing what's new!
Great video. I am milling my first logs this weekend....this is very relevant!!
Good morning Secretspy, thank you for reaching out, and good luck milling. Let me know how it goes?
Peace, Bongo.
Hey Bongo, it was great fun. Ended up with sixteen 6ft by 1ft by 1-1/2" cherry slabs and some other experimental off cuts. The logs cost $40 from a local fire wood cutter including delivery! Your tip about stopping to enjoying the experience of milling rings true.
Thanks for the tip on using the ladder for subsequent cuts. First time ever using a sawmill today, I did the first leveling cuts on two red oak logs (didn't wanna keep adjusting the height bar back and forth) and the thought of trying to maneuver a heavy mill while keeping it perfectly level until the second bar finally connects does not sit well with me. Very helpful!
Great to hear. thanks Scott :D
Great tips thank you for posting
Very welcome Red Dog. Thanks for commenting.
Awesome video Man, really learnt some good things. 😁
Excellent info.
Glad you think so, thanks for watching :D
Saw arrived yesterday ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and today I cut about 3/4 cord of wood with it. Make sure you get an extension chord that is at least 12 gauge wire, minimum. This is my first electric in about 10 years, and things sure have improved. The self-sharpener works great, and it just kept cutting through some pretty decent logs. Wear your eye protection, and ear protection. Excellent saw.
I milled my first slabs this past weekend in some 16" northern pine. After a few passes through a 4' long log and my saw was empty. I have cut down alot of trees in my younger days but I have never burned through fuel so fast. I do have a larger saw (stihl ms440 magnum) so I should have expected it but after only 20 mins of hard sawing my saw was dry. That was hardest I ever pushed my saw but it didn't bog down once. I do have to get a skip tooth ripping chain. It would make cutting alot easier and faster. I'm really enjoying this newfound hobby and cant wait to work my handsawn material in the shop.
Good morning Matt, thank you for getting in touch. Sounds like you're getting the cs milling bug ;)
Yeah, when you think about the amount of time actually running wide open throttle during ground work, you can see why the difference in fuel consumption. Milling is basically 100% WOT. I recon general ground work and cross cutting can be something like 10-40% depending on how full on you go, the rest of the time you are thinking, moving, unsnagging yourself etc.
If you're not bogging the saw down milling, then I'm not sure a skip tooth ripping chain will be a whole load better. Have you seen the vid on sharpening? It goes into standard vs ripping chains a bit. You might want to try filling the depth gauges a bit if the saw's not having any problems - one of the biggest differences between stock rip and crosscut chains is the depth gauge height (rip chains tending to take a bigger bite)...
Thanks again,
Bongo.
I just watched this video ua-cam.com/video/653fEhYC0SQ/v-deo.html about Granberg Ripping Chain which resulted in finding this one here. Someone in a German Chainsaw Forum recommended to file down a 10° chain like this. He claims to cut almost 2 times faster with a severe lower fuel consumtion. Link to his post: motorsaegen-portal.de/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=111932#p1732085
Might be an idea, I just ran through 2 tanks on my 064 (3/8", 1 meter) cutting a 1,6m, 45cm diameter Maple into 7 or 8 boards
Good job thank you 👍👍
Tip #9; My Favorite!!
Great tips. Thank you
Hey Jason, thanks for the encouragement, you're very welcome.
mate thank you so much for taking the time to put the mask info in the description, i lost my voice last week milling all day, and the masks from screwfix were close to £200 so thnk you!
Very welcome friend!
Oh yeah I learned about the wedges already. Murphy taught me. LOL!
Thanks for the tips! Proud owner of a big bad Husqvarna 395XP and I just ordered a ripping chain. About to order a grandberg sawmill.
Hey, thanks for watching. Good luck with the milling!
I bent my bar after only 10 cuts. 😳 I wish I had seen this video before I dived in. Learned lots. Thanks.
Thank you very much for the tips!!!
You're so welcome!
great cuts !
Richard Sunday thanks, they are getting there.
good video. some new information such as angle of attack very helpful.
Hi Gordon. Thanks for the encouragement. Peace, Bongo.
Well done
Great video. Thank you.
Thanks Nathan, appreciate the encouragement :)
I wish I could have given 2 thumbs up. haha...I have been logging since 1999, but am just about to start researching some chainsaw milling using my Echo CS-620PW with a 27" bar. Just to start. I've actually free-hand milled some 18" (green) red oak with a CS-400, but it took flippin' forever. It worked, though. I'd imagine the 620P should be a bit quicker, and I have a buddy milling some beautiful planks with a 590 Timberwolf and a $200 Granberg (?) mill setup, with really nice results. I'm loving this whole concept, so thank you for some good pointers ~ I'll be trying them soon!
Thanks man! means a lot. Hand milling is tricky, but possible - so much technique involved - am in awe of people that can do it well. Checkout some of my other vids on CS milling for more up to date tips. Best of luck with it!
@@FloweringElbow - thank you! I'll do that.
Thanks for talking me out of chainsaw milling.
Hi Jesse. Thanks for the comment. Haha. It's a lot of work ;)
Very helpful. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
Glad it was helpful friend :D Cool vids BTW, I had a quick look at your channel.
@@FloweringElbow Thank you! I plan on using my slabs for a workbench and a mountain bike trail. Really appreciate it!
Great video thanks
Thanks John!
thx for the video. got a bunch of great advice out of it
Great to hear! Why not consider the ebook too 😉
Thanks for watching Ben, peace.
Enjoy your videos
A brush is a good tip for me, since I usually use compressed air to blow everything clean. Not much option to get compressed air when you are in the woods.
Using the rail for every cut is a very good safety tip. Thanks for that.
I usually sharpen the chain with a 12v Granberg chain sharpener before long sessions.
I monitor the duty cycle of my Stihl carefully, and let it cool down for more time than the cut time.
I really appreciate your tip about 45 degree angle cuts, lubricating with cheap oil, and wrapping the bar with rubber. All things I had never considered.
I usually remember to put in the ear plugs, hearing protection and respirator, but often forget when other people are helping to have another set.
I wear heavy leather gloves, heavy coat and hard shoes when using a chainsaw. (Stihl chaps, for helpers)
I've been using plastic shims, but will change to the type you showed with a much longer taper.
I use a log dog to move logs. Moving logs and slabs is a headache, as is working in an environment with slopes, rocks, boulders and debris. A rope, nylon strap and/or even a come along can be useful.
If the bark is loose, I try to remove it before milling. Tools for that is helpful.
I keep a first aid box with bandaids, blood clotting powder, compression wraps, athletic tape & snake bite kit. (Especially for when someone else is helping me).
Hi Larry, thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. Are you running the saw at idle to let it cool, or just off? That duty cycle is very generous on the saw?
Thanks again for sharing and for watching. appreciate that :D
@@FloweringElbow Cool down means off. I'm very mindful to never overheat my chainsaws. It keeps them working like new much longer. Also careful to never run out of gas or oil while cutting. A little care goes a long way
Thanks!
Wow.. You are a very likeable bloke.
Got a new sub here :)
Thank you
I just subbed, it is real fun to watch your videos. There is a special kind of humor in them, wich I only found in channels from the UK. It´s sad that we poeple in europ are separiting in a way. Hope it stays easy to travle from and to the UK. For shure youtube will give us a great connection all over the world. Thank you for sharing and all the best from Germany ; )
Ma Wu Ho thanks for the encouragement! Means a lot 2 me.
Nice job 👍
Awesome❤
alot of good tips! ive saw several others on youtube recommending a winch on the mill,like stated in this video your saw should pull itself through the wood if the chain is sharp....
That's my feeling anyway. I imagine it would be easy to keep sawing long past when the chain should be sharpened... That and the fact it's all extra setup time and kit to transport mean I haven't ever actually tried a winch, so can't really comment ;)
Really good video thanks
Good Afternoon Rylan, Thanks for your encouragement :D
Hello my good old friend BONGO. Was such a great thing for me to run into your video Sir. Hope all is well and you keep on making great things for us all to see and learn from. You rock fella. Peace Vic
Thanks Vic 😊 always a pleasure 🙏
@@FloweringElbow Just hope I get a chance this year to visit the large island. Will surprise you fella. Peace vf
Just found ur channel and subscribed..great content and good presentation and ur not annoying as some presenters are 😄
Good evening Louel. Thanks for the encouragement, and for subscribing. I hope not to disappoint :D
Good job
Just subbed. Helpful thks.
Thanks nice video
Tip #1 should be “Warm up your saw before cutting.” This will help the piston and exhaust port to warm evenly and extend the life of the saw.
Nice tip Patrick, thanks for sharing.
You are absolutely correct. That saw is a precision piece of machinery built to close tolerances. Early grave if you don’t warm it up-
I'm still very new to chainsaw milling but before I ever made my first cut I let the saw idle for 1 minute and when I was done cutting I let it idle for 2-3 minutes. I definitely don't want to kill my saw.
No matter what you are cutting, a chainsaw should always be warmed up. If you plan on rebuilding your saw each year or two then do what you like.
Great clip, I would of liked to hear how you secure the ladder to the log prior the first cut, cheers
Good morning Darren. Thanks for your comment. Check out some of my other vids on CS milling for this... basically it is just screwed on from the end, and a couple of places along the length. Thanks again, bongo.
Enjoyed video and very helpful on several levels. Actually it’s the best video out there. Was wondering what size/brand bar you were using in about video?
D. Steven Parks am using 120cm 4ft bar. For the logs here that's overkill in some ways. But it makes it possible to cut at more angle = good. Also don't need to sharpen chain so often ;) Thanks for the comment.
Great tips, great video. I love expert, field tested epiphanies. I might never have thought to shut the box to keep shit from flying in it, not until after several cuts.
dethmaul haha I didn't think of it either!
This is cool and way helpful tip tip
Nice my boss..👍
Keep safe to your freehand mill 🙂
Great video, great tips, easy to listen to, all in all, I like it. I subscribed.
Welcome Robert. Thanks man :D If you're into chainsaw milling, hopefully you'll like some of our other vids. Peace, Bongo.
i've putten some rollerbladewheels on my millframe, to guide it along the tree. works a dream!
Cristijn de Vin nice tip. I actually had that on my setup but didn't get on with it when the log had uneven edges. The roller wheel would want to push the saw too much into the cut when 'rolling down' into nooks. It was very nice on straight trunks though..
FloweringElbow ; i recognise what you are saying; but if i dont use the wheels the saw can pull itself tight against the first stand of your mill. Nice tips! Tnx. And tip #18; use Aspen fuel!
The man
Since Ive watched this video Ive milled around 300 slabs. Im coming around to using the ladder on almost every cut now. Mostly because of the safety factor on starting the cut. I usually dont have the luxury of having the log elevated off the ground since they are big trees I mill. I wish there was a way to redirect the exhaust in a different direction since it kicks up a lot of dust and fumes on the last couple cuts. Maybe sthil can come up with something. I still swear by the winch.
Awesome! I recently started chainsawmilling. A lot of fun! Great tips. You earned a sub.....mmmm sub!
Thanks Patrick!
Sending my full support .....
... nice work brother 👍❤️
Nice video,thank You👍🏻One tip i would like to add:if you cutting lets say 18” slab,dont use 36” bar for this,use 20” bar instead.You’ll be surprice what your saw’s capable.It’s good to have a good variety of sawbars.Just my toughts.
Thank You👍🏻
Well even after taking the dogs off the saw (which you should absolutely do when milling) you are already going to lose 2 inches+. I'm about to go start up my 660 on a granburg and I couldnt do an 18in with a 20. Min 22.
That being said, Im running 28 to cut 22-24.
I want the extra chain out of the cut so the saw doesn't heat up as fast.
Good toturial...