Which is the best thread to follow for information on milling your own timbers?

thanks

Nate

this one, if you keep asking questions.

(That's funny.)

Ask your questions here...many will come.
Mark is a good one, for starters...

I run a Woodmizer bandmill. Ask some questions, and I will help you the best I can. Are you thinking of buying a mill?


Dave

Actually, rather than buy a mill, I was thinking of a chainsaw with a jig. I was looking around the site, and a gentleman posted some photos on his blog showing his chainsaw setup. I have a simple homeowners stihl 036 (?, so I am assuming I would need something a bit beefier? Any suggestions?

If you are thinking about a jig that clamps to the bar, the $40 dollar kind, I have used them and they are not great, IMO. If you want to chainsaw mill, I would recommend the Alaskan type mill, they are proven, and will make some very good lumber. An 036 is actually a pro saw, but a little on the small side for chainsaw milling. An MS660 is probably a better bet. There are other options as well. Raphael has a Logosol, maybe he will get a chance to tell you about it.


Dave

my first mill was the $40 dollar clamp-on-the-chainsaw thingy.
I loved it, even though it was a piece of manure....

The 036 is great for cutting down trees, but I am seeing people with some HUGE saws w/ 20 inch bars. I will look into a new on eint this area. Thanks! (more later when I get to the milling)

O36 will be too small for milling, I'd suggest at least a 066 (bigger is better...). A simple jig attachment will be labor intensive for using a chainsaw. I've got a logosol and it works well and gives true lumber if you set it up correctly and use decent logs. You are limited to just a bit under 16 ft but can add an extension to get close to 24 ft.

This is still a lot of work compared more automated band mills.

You should also consider how you are going to move/load logs. My 9N ford handles hauling the logs out of the woods and I built a ramp with lumber I milled to load the logs using a cant hook.

Besides this forum there are two others that have a great bunch of sawyers, The Forestry Forum and the Wood Web. The former also has a TF forum moderated by Jim Rogers (member here).

Another suggestion is to watch a sawyer at a local mill (or local portable mill). There is a "art" to sawing and getting the most/reading each log. I learned by working at a circle mill when putting myself through college.

Keep asking questions...........

The logosol looks terrific! It recommends either the ms660 or the husky 385xp(?, would it be worth the extra 1000 to get that particular saw? Also, I think that the 16 foot length will do for the short term, with the 24 foot extension for the future. How quickly could I mill one log?

As far as the timbers go, once they are down, should I mill them, sticker and stack them, or let the logs cure first? Obviously I am looking for the highest quality,rather than the fastest way.

Thanks for the help

Nate

The MS660 is much more saw, and can be bought in Canaan CT for about $950, maybe less. Fell the tree, saw asap and cut your joinery asap. That seems to work the best.


Dave

will do!

Don't want to hijack this thread, but since you guys are familiar with logsol....How does their mill work? I'm looking at cutting cants and milling 6 x 8 logs for log homes.

Got some information on a Pinerho, but that 80,000.00 for a 6 head rebuilt one.

I have some information from logsol, but all of the stuff they sent me was about sawing boards, with 2 pictures of some thing that looked like a big floor buffer. Their website claims they can cut all different kinds of log profiles.....I just can't seem to find the machine that does it.

Also anybody have any experience with D&L's double swing blade saw?. I think they are out in BC Canada.

Bosshaus,
What type of wood will you be milling? The 036 might get you by for a few logs (pine or hemlock) to see if you like using the chainsaw to produce timbers. Hardwoods you're undersized. I use an 066 with a 36" bar to break down large logs for the mill. A long log 14-24 feet in length might take a tank of fuel plus some. Have good chain sharpening skills. They are a must.In hardwoods I touch up the chain everytime I refuel when ripping logs.
Keep the eye on the end goal. If you want a frame a portable mill with an experienced sawyer can produce enough boxed heart timbers in a day for a couple of bents on your site. The alaskan mill and granberg attachement are great for making double D tie beams,cuved crooks as well as boxed heart beams. Like it was posted earlier watch others mill for a bit and ask questions. Its not rocket science but its easier to learn from others. The forestryforum.com probably covers this topic regularly (chainsaw milling).
Good luck and take photos.
Ray

I'll be working exclusivly with pine to start, though I would like to branch out (yuk yuk) later. Fortunatly I have a good deal of experience running and sharpening my 036, and I am hoping that I can find a good sawyer that might let me watch them @ work in W mass sometime this summer, give me some tips. I have settled on the husky for the saw, as it comes highly recommended by my collegues. I am also thinking of the july course at Heartwood on converting trees to timbers. Thanks for the interest, and I will certainly post pics, perhaps a blog of some type. When the time comes, I'll have LOTS of questions regarding rigging and the like, as I do not own a crane.

Nat

A few other things. As soon as you drop the tree and buck the logs, endcoat them with anchorseal, this wll limit/prevent end checks. This is especially important in some spiecies of wood such as white ash. Mill them ASAP to prevent both rot and infestation with insects. Stack and sticker them to allow drying and prevent mold/stain.

I note that you mention pine (white?). Pine left with the bark on will rot and also attract bugs, especially if left on the ground. It is usually felled/milled in the winter as it is very susceptible to blue stain if green logs are allowed to sit in warm weather.

I live in Williamstown and grew up in/have my mill in Lenox. Where are you? I might be milling some stuff in the next few months (flat sawn black cherry and maybe some Ash lumber/cants. If you might want to watch let me know.

I would love to watch! I am in CT, but I often spend time in Great Barrington/monteray, and if you were milling on a weekend, it would be terrific. Sounds like you have some beautiful wood to work with. As far as th epin goes, would late fall be a good time to fell the trees? Winter gets pretty gnarly in the Cold hollows, and It would be great to get them down and milled before the first big snowfall.

Nat

If you can find a copy of last weeks bargain news there was a logosol for sale in one of the sections. Old Saybrook area.

If your travels take you near the CT river down by the shoreline thats where I base my milling operations out of you're weclome to stop by. Travel often to MA with the mill usually west of I395 - to the NY border area have a place in Otis and a site I mill on E.Douglas.

I prefer frozen pine but mill it whenever I have an order. Falls fine for felling.

Notice Otis! Do you have any of those bumper stickers? It is kinda cool to have all these people in my neck of the woods for a change!


Dave