You must carefully consider the features peculiar to both the chainsaw mill and the bandsaw mill before you choose either of them. Both a chainsaw mill and a bandsaw mill are used to turn logs into lumber. If you have a portable sawmill that has limited cutting capacities in terms of length, you can add a chainsaw mill to your arsenal, use it to cut down larger logs into manageable sizes, before fitting the smaller log onto your portable chainsaw mill.
A chainsaw sawmill is actually quite different in that it is effectively the enhancement of a standard chainsaw to produce a viable solution for milling lumber. Because of that, bandsaw mills are admired for their low kerf rating, or the small amount of wood lost in each cut due to the thickness of the blade versus a chainsaw blade, which generally produces a rougher cut. Regardless of the wood’s size and density, one very important thing to remember with a bandsaw or chainsaw sawmill is that the blades need to be sharpened regularly.
Guys…. Im ready to get serious but…. Im debating on building a “Pro-Cut” chainsaw mill or buying a used band mill…. I want to saw when I can to start gaining experiance as well as collecting lumber to buiold a timber frame house of aprox 3000 Sq Ft. So Im open for all suggestions…. Home built mill – Milling logs to build a home for the family. If you have plenty of spare time and there is no rush to get things done, then the chainsaw mill will do the job, if you have plenty of time and no money, again the chainsaw mill comes into play again. If you have plenty of wonga, hire in a band mill to do most of the donkey work and finish off with a Ripsaw, which is a superb chainsaw driven band mill or get a medium sized chain mill and do the same, A procut mill is a very good alternative to a band mill, and afterwards you could add a band mill conversion to it with little fuss, check out the many different home made band mills on the WWW, which I have just decided to go down this path myself.
If you’re new to milling timber, you’re probably a little confused about some things – namely, the difference between chainsaw and bandsaw mills. Bandsaw mills are very popular these days, and chainsaw mills have maintained a niche in the mill world for their own unique advantages. You may decide between a chainsaw and bandsaw mill solely based on the portability factor, but there are several other factors to consider as well.
Moving the logs is a key consideration, so the fact you have the means to do that is important if you decide on a bandsaw mill. “I use a chainsaw mill because I have trouble moving logs. I minimize waste by milling everything 9/4, after drying I resaw on my bandsaw in my shop, this is one way I get around the waste factor. I also think I get less warping with my lumber while drying. Last year I milled well over 30 logs with my chainsaw mill, most logs around 7 feet long, but many of them well over 24” diameter. Another option to consider is to get a bunch of logs, move to a site you can mill them, and then hire a sawyer with a bandsaw mill.
Chainsaw mill will also cut you a more uniform board. If it’s a large amount I would look at a bandsaw, if it’s a few boards a year and you desire a nicer board then a chainsaw mill may be the thing. Chainsaw mill is for cutting oversize slabs …. that is all.
To rely on either a chain mill or a band mill as a complete production setup seems like mostly physical and mental abuse, from what I’ve seen. For the cost of a typical band saw mill, you can have a twin bar mill and a band resaw and both units do what they do best and, contrary to common thought, the kerf of the saw chain does not affect the cant – only the slab/side board. Comment from contributor C: I find statements about the wastefulness of band mills next to chain saw mills because of the environment to be ridiculous.
I am a chainsaw sawyer, Works for me but I don’t sell my lumber, csm it’s not for everyone. Highly portable, can cary the mill to the log and mill it where it was felled, instead of trying to move, load, and transport a large log. The cons, csm is very very slow and extremely labor intensive.
band saw vs chainsaw Related Question:
Is a bandsaw mill worth it?
A portable sawmill can be worth the investment. It can provide a source of wood for your own projects and give you a side business. For a source of lumber, as well as a profitable business, a portable sawmill can be a key piece of equipment on your farm.
How fast are chainsaw mills?
Cutting speeds can vary from 8 feet a minute in narrow softwoods, to 1-1/2 feet a minute in wide hardwoods.
What is a bandsaw mill?
A band sawmill is made up of a saw head with 2 band wheels. They have a flexible steel band blade that tracks around the band wheels. It has a frame with a track that guides the saw head through the log. The operator or sawyer pushes the saw head into the log to cut.
Do dead trees make good lumber?
Yep, it’s worth it. If you sell the wood, you will have to find or create a market. Most that I have sawed has been treated and the bugs killed. Buyers will want to be assured that the wood is bug free.
Are chainsaw mills any good?
A chainsaw mill is one of the most efficient and effective tools when it comes to converting wood into lumber. Lumber is a very effective raw material that can be used for a variety of purposes. Be it for firewood or be it for construction purposes, you can certainly utilize lumber for whatever you need.
What is a ripping chain?
Ripping chain is chainsaw chain designed specifically for cutting with the grain. Ripping chain is always micro chisel or semi chisel chain which features a re configured cutting angle of 10 degrees.
Is lumber a timber?
In the US and Canada, timber is typically used to collectively refer to trees—or the wood of such trees—that have yet to be cut or processed, while lumber typically refers to wood that has been processed as a building material (boards and planks).
What are 2×4 made of?
2×4 lumber is made from a variety of softwood species. Back in the day, each mill cut down their logs into boards that were roughly 2″ x 4″ (the nominal size) but the surfacing and drying process was different at each location, resulting in an assortment of actual finished sizes.
How much does a bandsaw sawmill cost?
Band saw mills start at around $4,000 for an entry-level model. A top-of-the-line machine, with a hydraulic loader and attachments for planing and sanding, can handle extra-wide logs. They cost as much as $70,000. Prices for a swing-blade sawmill can range from $6,000 to $40,000, with $20,000 about average.
Are Diablo blades worth it?
Diablo blades are available in a wide selection of sizes and styles and are easy to find online and locally at Home Depot. The consensus is that Diablo saw blades balance great quality with excellent value, and are a good choice when replacing or upgrading the OEM blades that are often bundled with new saws.
Can standing dead trees be used for lumber?
Dead and dying trees can be milled for lumber, but it has to be done within about two years before they rot or become infested with insects.
Can you mill old logs?
It is generally best to mill a log as soon as possible after cutting it. Sealing the end grain is the right thing to do but just as important is where the log lies.
How much does it cost to have trees milled into lumber?
Pricing varies by species and location but ranges from $0.25 to $0.50 per board foot of sawn lumber.
Is it better to cut wood wet or dry?
Wet Wood Vs Dry Wood But wet wood is actually much easier to cut than dry wood. With dry wood lacking moisture content, more friction is created as the chainsaw chain comes into contact with the wood fibers. This friction results in the chain slowing down.
Does a ripping chain cut faster?
Ripping chains are slower as the finer cut and surface takes more time than regular cutting.