Chain saw mills

[msteckel]

I've been looking into getting a portable chain saw mill. The one I've been looking at is the Alaskan MK III portable lumber mill. Anybody have one or used one? Thoughts or other brands or models you like?

[Deleted]

I've been doing alot of research myself on these lately. Woodmizer seems to be the way to go

Hopefully, some folks can chime in on this ;D

[wanttobetraping]

I got an Alaska chain saw mill last spring seems to work ok on softwood not that great on hardwood my saw is a little under powered tho I think if you have to buy a big saw and mill you would be better off buying woodmizers small mil ;D

[mrchicken]

If you only need to make a few beams a chainsaw mill will work great.

To really mill much lumber with one and not be under powered, you are lookin at $800-1200 for a monster chainsaw. (pricy and heavy!)

If you need to mill more than that, save your back and buy/rent/hire a bandsaw mill.

[msteckel]

the woodmizers are nice but the cheapest on I found was over 3 grand. I can't afford to spend that much on a mill, plus wife would kill me. I would mainly be using a mill for milling red cedar to make siding for my fur shed I plan on building, plus other projects.

[barkspud]

Ive sawed many beams and planks with a alaskan saw mill. The one we had bolted to the saw and we had to put a guide on the log like a 2x6 for it to slide on. We ran it on a old 58 stihl with a big bar and different chain. Running it by yourself was possible but slow going. What i did was hook a length of rope and handle to the bracket on thesaw. One guy ran the saw while another was up front pulling the saw along with the rope. It cut way faster and alot smoother and we just changed out as we got tierd. Cut timbers for a whole house and many camps since i was a kid and its still at my buddies camp and they still use it. Never cut hard wood but any softwood worked great. I did cut a couple short logs of cherry i guess. ;D ;D ;D for what it is and the cost

[remi]

I Have both a Alaskian sawmill and I also have a Johnsered chainsaw mill the, The one thing you will need is a big saw 60cc is a min, i run a 92cc johnsered on the big mill if you dop get a alaskan sawmill get a aluminum ladder attach two plates that can allow you to bolt it to you log and use this as your guide for the first cut, there great mills for building a cabin or such not for production of any kind. And don't forget to get a ripping chain or make your self one saves the saw and your back .

[swampcat]

Man I have been looking all over for a mill. found a band mill on harbor freight on sale.. under 2 grand.. was going to get it till I checked the join account..

its empty.. I ordered the small Alaskan chain saw mill going to get it sometime today..

[northwoodstrapper]

www.woodlandmills.ca/
Check this mill out I've been really looking at this one.

[mrchicken]

to further elaborate.....

If you have a small amount to mill, and will want to keep the mill to use occasionally a chainsaw mill will work fine.

IF you are planning on milling longer boards, or any volume, it will probably serve you well to either hire it out or buy a bandsaw mill to mill your logs, then sell the mill when you are done. The band mills keep their value pretty well if you take good care of it.

I built a mill from a kit because I couldn't afford a brand name mill that would mill a 36" diameter log.
Long story short, when factoring in time, labor etc.... I could have purchased a commercially available mill, milled every log in my pile, stacked and stickered the cut lumber, and sold the mill for close to what I paid for it by the time I had the mill built.

Using the band mill is pretty sweet. More than a couple hours and it will wear you out though. Lot of work moving logs, pushing the mill, stacking boards. Trying to mill up more than a few boards with a chainsaw mill would be a back killer unless you build a set of milling horses to exactly the right height. Kinda like pushing heavy lawn mower up hill with the handle too low.

Hope this helps.

[swampcat]

Thanks, I called for more information on the woodland mill. I sold my car so I think I can swing one about that price..

[northwoodstrapper]

Please keep us posted