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Chainsaw Mini Lumber Mill

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by PeteL, Nov 9, 2016.

  1. Nov 9, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Lots of people sell these commercially, but I'm stubborn so I made my own some years ago.

    Amazon.com: chainsaw mill

    Has been pretty handy for small jobs, where the numbers mean axe-hewing might take too long, or where a unique bevel or taper is needed, such as on ridge-poles.
    With a little finagling it can also cut square timbers or dimension lumber, or re-saw large timbers into smaller sizes.

    Right now, I'm putting one flat side on a bunch of Hemlock purlin poles, to replace the roof framing in an 1800 barn.



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    Don't worry, I hugged it first.png
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2016
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  2. Nov 9, 2016
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    [​IMG]
    I like this (y)
    I always wondered how you made those joints . in that barn project you did not too long ago
     
  3. Nov 9, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Mostly with conventional tools… skilsaw, auger drills, large chisels.

    As I have developed my trade, I've come to learn that a sharp edge and a good eye can often equal a modern machine tool. It's mostly about technique.

    The "special" tools are nice for a professional, but not vital. After all, in 1810 not many people had power mortisers! Some of the tools I use are unchanged since pre-Roman times. The job shown above can be done just as well with a chalk-line and an axe. More skill/experience is needed, but that comes with practice.

    Great book on the basics… https://www.amazon.com/Build-Classi...976&sr=8-5&keywords=timber+frame+construction
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2016
  4. Nov 9, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    I want to do something like that. Got a bunch of pines around 6" diameter. Probably only get 1 2x4 out of each but i want to get some actual 2x4 lumber to match the shed i got from my dad
     
  5. Nov 9, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    So how does that attach to the saw? Just clamped onto the bar?
     
  6. Nov 9, 2016
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    Great job making your own mini mill! I own a Granberg Alaskan mill, and a Haddon lumber maker. The Haddon is very similar to yours. I actually have a large load of poplar drying in my garage right now from a tree I cut this spring, and am hoping to try my hand at timber framing a shed on my property using some of the pines that are like weeds in my woods.


    On an unrelated note, is that flatbed super-duty in the background of the last pic yours? What are your impressions of using a truck with a flatbed vs. a normal cargo bed? I'm thinking about adding a flatbed to my f250, but don't know if I'll actually like it (especially the thought that you'd have to strap EVERYTHING down).
     
  7. Nov 9, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Just a clamp with two bolts, padded out to clear the chain teeth. Another way would be to drill a hole in your bar for a single through-bolt.

    But frankly, buying a Granberg or Haddon "mini-mill" would be easier/cheaper.

    Regarding my truck, I guess I like the flat-bed okay - more versatile. I built it from plywood and 4x4. I don't care about looks and a standard bed is a PITA to keep up.
    Just add low stake sides to hold your stuff. Flush-mount tie-down rings on the deck are a big plus for anchoring long loads (especially if bolted through to the truck frame). Another plus is that by unscrewing one sheet of plywood I can fully access the frame, fuel tank etc.
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2016
  8. Nov 9, 2016
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    If you can dream it, You can build it. I have loved to see the old ways of building on the show Barnwood Builders.
     
  9. Nov 9, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    (y)
     
  10. Nov 9, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    I've always wondered... do you have to use a different style chain for cutting square against the end grain like that? It seems to me it would be really slow going with a standard chain.
     
  11. Nov 9, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Rip chains are available. Basically a 'full-chisel' tooth is filed at about 10º across versus 30º and it might be a skip-tooth pattern on large mills.

    But for a small job it barely matters, especially if you can attack with the bar at a slight slope to the end-grain.
    Of course different woods may require different set-ups.
     
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  12. Nov 9, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I chaperoned a trip to costa rica several years ago with my wife and 18 HS kids. One of the places we stopped at was Las Vueltas Eco Lodge

    There, a young man was building an addition with an old Stihl 090. He walked into the forest and cut his own lumber. Dimensional lumber, siding, flooring etc. I have often thought about making my own lumber with a big saw and some skip tooth chain.
     
  13. Nov 9, 2016
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    For the price of some small portable bandsaw mills-forget the chainsaw unless the location is really remote. The mill I have can be easily disassembled and moved via an ATV and yet I have 60' of track and can whittle 30" diameter. Guessing orders of magnitude faster than a chainsaw mill. At the price about 3x the chainsaw alone.

    I ran all the timber for my house through it along with cutting a lot of the clear doug fir trim. Even made the trapezoidal kitchen backsplash on it.
     
  14. Nov 9, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Agreed, the chainsaw mills are slow (and it's hard on the saw) for any kind of 'production' quantities.
     
  15. Nov 10, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Are you talking about the larger $3,000 type of dedicated bandsaw mill? Or something like the $300 milwaukee portable band saw?
     
  16. Nov 10, 2016
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

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    The 3K version.
     
  17. Nov 10, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    One decidnig factor might be determining if you want to bring the mill to the log - or the log to the mill…
    Log handling can be an issue with a stationary mill, and gets you into needing more equipment.

    At the extreme, for example, today I hewed what I needed with just an axe, since it was less work than setting up the log for the mini-mill.

    The barn I'm working on was 100% axe-hewn, other than the siding, and when it was built that was probably a lot more efficient than carrying logs to a sawmill, and then the timbers home again.






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    Last edited: Nov 10, 2016
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  18. Nov 10, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    What cool work.
     
  19. Nov 10, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thanks… I certainly feel it is a privilege.
     
  20. Nov 13, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Isn't it though? Awesome, awesome, awesome! :coffee::)
     
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