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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
bandsaw or chainsaw mill Related Question:
Is chainsaw milling worth it?
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.
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.
Is milling wood worth it?
Milling your own lumber can produce quality material for a fraction of the price of a lumber dealer. In fact, if you purchase your own mill, like I have, you can actually make a profit off of it by selling lumber to other woodworkers and by offering to mill other people’s logs.
Can you cut logs with a band saw?
In addition, the blade should be as wide as your band saw will allow and have 2-3 teeth per inch. This way, the blade will cut straight without bogging down. Simple Sled. Before you cancsaw the log into boards you need to create a flat surface to ride on the saw table.
Are portable sawmills 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.
Can you use a chainsaw on lumber?
Yes, you can use a chainsaw to cut wet wood.
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 it cheaper to mill your own wood?
In the end, only you can decide if milling lumber from your own property is worth it. Because every job is different, we can not tell you the actual amount of money you would save or not save. Generally, it costs 5-10% more to have your lumber milled on-site.
How much does it cost to mill lumber?
By the Board Foot Pricing varies by species and location but ranges from $0.25 to $0.50 per board foot of sawn lumber. This pricing method places all of the risk of productivity on the sawyer since the customer is only paying for the lumber they receive.
How long do logs need to dry before milling?
Depending on the thickness of the lumber and where you live, weather and time of the year, it will take anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months. Most lumber is in the 1” to 2” thickness and the time above applies to thicknesses. Drying cants, timbers, posts will take considerably longer.
What size chainsaw do I need for chainsaw mill?
What size chainsaw should I use for milling? Go with a chainsaw that can handle a bar that is at least 3 inches longer than the width of the log you’ll be milling. Most Alaskan mills require at least 3 inches extra at the end of the bar for attachment.
How thick of wood can a band saw cut?
Band saws are the undisputed champ when it comes to cutting curves and slicing through thick material. Many small band saws can slice though lumber a full four inches thick, and bigger saws handle six-inch cuts.
How do you smooth rough cut wood?
The proper way to sand wood is to start sanding with a sanding grit coarse enough to remove the debris and expose the wood grain. Then, sand with a slightly higher grit to remove the scratches caused by the coarse grit. Repeat this process until you reach 220 grit.