The second cut is usually within log’s bottom when sawing into beams or lumber. Work with logs raising a bit higher than the ground, don’t cut in soil. You know how to cut logs into lumber with a chainsaw mill now.
When planning our homestead we’d done a ton of research on milling your own lumber, whether to build a DIY homemade chainsaw mill, using a homemade chainsaw mill and getting to try it out for the first time was both scary and exciting. Pick the right tress to fit your homemade chainsaw mill. “Every chainsaw mill design out there is a little different. Our DIY homemade Alaskan mill was designed to fit our Stihl MS660 92cc chainsaw with a 36” bar. We weren’t sure we’d invest in a commercial mill as we didn’t really know what was involved in milling you own lumber and whether it was a worthwhile venture. Though we didn’t mill up the butts of the trees yet we know that when we get to them we won’t suddenly have new problems with them not fitting our mill. We have a new mill on hand that is a Granberg mini mill that will help us cut larger trees as it’s designed to cut the sides of a log without rotating it. After a little trial and error we found that bucking up a few log sections at a time is the fastest way to mill as you only have to set your mill up for the first cuts once and then after that it’s just straight production.
how to chainsaw mill logs 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 long does it take to mill a log with a chainsaw?
In the world of chainsaw milling, the more powerful the saw the better. You can mill with a smaller saw; however, it’s going to be really slow. On average, it takes me about 10-15 minutes to make one cut using my saw, based on the size logs that I typically cut. Expect that a smaller saw will cut slower.
What is the best way to mill a log?
Financially, grade sawing is the best sawing method for medium and high-quality logs, even though it may be difficult to turn a log on some mills and daily production volume may be lower. There are several reasons to consider quarter sawing because the grain patterns in some hardwoods are in great demand.
Should you let logs dry before milling?
Summary: Logs should be milled for drying as soon as possible, and the ends should be sealed as soon as they are felled. A bandsaw mill will create less waste than a chainsaw mill.
How long should you let logs 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.
How well do chainsaw sawmills work?
A chainsaw has a saw kerf right around 3/8 of an inch, which means it is very inefficient and produces a lot of sawdust. For these reasons, a chainsaw mill is definitely not to be used for optimizing the amount of lumber that you can yield from a log.
Can you use a chainsaw on lumber?
Yes, you can use a chainsaw to cut wet wood.
Is milling your own lumber 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.
How long do you cut logs for sawmill?
Care should be taken to cut the felled tree into lengths of highest possible value. Standard sawlog lengths usually run from 8 to 16 feet, with intermediate cuts at two-foot intervals.
How do you seal a log before milling?
I often make a special custom mix of 1/3 exterior latex paint, 1/3 waterproof Titebond glue, and 1/3 water. The theory is, the glue penetrates the end-grain fibers and glues them together, resisting splitting (“checking”). The paint also seals and provides weather-resistance.
Is it better to mill logs green or dry?
Cutting the log green is best then sticker stack the boards to dry under a roof but open to the air for good circulation. At 4-8″ in diameter you didn’t start with much and what’s left is probably best used as firewood. However, I suggest you split or slice one of the bigger ones and see what’s in there.
Why do sawmills keep logs wet?
When logs must be stored for long periods at temperatures above freezing, it is best to keep logs soaking wet. Storing logs under sprinklers or in a log pond helps prevent end checking and slows deterioration caused by insects, fungal stain, and decay. However, chemical staining can occur under wet conditions.
Can you build with fresh cut lumber?
Building with green lumber for timber frame construction can save time, money and energy. With green timber, you can begin building right away without having to wait for the wood to dry, or having the added cost for kiln drying, which uses environmentally damaging fossil fuels during the drying process.
How long should wood rest after milling?
When I bring wood into the shop for a project I usually let it adjust for about two weeks before doing anything to it.
How thin can you cut with a chainsaw mill?
The Alaskan Mill Mark III Attachment can cut boards as thin as 1/2″ and as thick as 13″. Setup and make your first cut, remove this first slab, then use the Mini-Mill II to edge the log.