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.
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.
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.
Customers are regularly impressed with the quality of the cut from the chainsaw mill, imagining that the chainsaw will necessarily make a terrible cut with a nasty surface finish, which it does not. As far as I am concerned, any mill which uses a chainsaw chain and bar is a chainsaw mill, no matter the setup. If you didn’t own a chainsaw and decided that you wanted to cut some lumber, you could be making your own lumber for about $500, for a small chainsaw and the Alaskan mill attachment.
There is one situation wherein a chainsaw mill is clearly superior to a bandsaw mill. A chainsaw mill with a huge motor can handle a bar length of 48 or even 60 inches, thus allowing you to mill logs which are beyond the capacity of a more expensive bandsaw mill. Full disclosure: I have a Wood-Mizer bandsaw mill that cost a bit under $40,000, and for occasional use, I employ the Granberg Alaskan chainsaw mill with 48 inch bar that cost about 5% of the bandsaw mill.
bandsaw mill vs chainsaw mill 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.
What is the difference between a saw mill and a lumber mill?
As nouns the difference between sawmill and lumbermill is that sawmill is a machine, building or company used for cutting (milling) lumber while lumbermill is a mill for processing lumber and logs, a sawmill.
How slow is a chainsaw mill?
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. I use a Stihl 661 professional grade saw and love it.
How long does it take to get a WoodMizer sawmill?
And demand is high. “The lead time is 44 to 59 weeks right now for a sawmill,” says Kate Sebring, a sales representative for WoodMizer.
Is owning a sawmill profitable?
It’s true that owning a sawmill can be a very lucrative business venture, and in the right circumstances it is not only possible but very likely to earn you a significant profit on a regular basis. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that building a business with only profit in mind is not sustainable in the long term.
How much does a mill cost?
Generally, the less expensive the mill, the lower the production. New portable sawmills range in price from less than $4,000.00 to over $80,000.00 depending on the amount of production you need.
What do sawmills do with sawdust?
In the cold months, the mill uses the sawdust to power its own furnace for heat and to run its kilns that dry the lumber. But when the weather warms up, it sells its supply to dairy farmers for animal bedding and to plants that manufacture wood pellets that are burned in woodstoves and furnaces.
How well do chainsaw mills work?
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.
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.
Where are Wood Mizer sawmills made?
Wood-Mizer is a sawmill manufacturer that also produces sawmill blades. Modern manufacturing facilities in Indianapolis and Batesville, Indiana USA and Kolo, Poland guarantee maximum quality at an affordable price anywhere in the world.
How long should pine 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.
Can you make money selling rough cut lumber?
When you first get a sawmill, the primary ways to make money are selling lumber or cutting for people. However, cutting for people is kind of tricky, because you’ll want to have some experience before you start doing that. If you’re cutting by the board foot and you take your time it doesn’t really matter too much.
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 much does it cost to build your own sawmill?
The cost of a portable mill is about $1,500 for the base mill, plus an optional $500+ for a mechanical jack-hoist to get the logs up on the bed. A stationary mill, with all components but the engine bought new, would cost $5,000 or $6,000, and about half that used — and you still have to install it.