A chainsaw mill or PortaMill or Alaskan mill or Alaskan sawmill or Logosol sawmill is a type of sawmill incorporating a chainsaw, that is used by one or two operators to mill logs into lumber for use in furniture, construction and other uses. The mill attachment consists of a pair of guide rails which are attached to the bar of the chainsaw. The kerf of a chainsaw cut is wide, relative to the kerf of a bandsaw mill or circular saw.
Chainsaw mills are small sawmills designed to be used by just one or two operators to mill logs into lumber. More elaborate chainsaw mills consist of a track and frame system to which the chainsaw is mounted. 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.
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.
Choosing the best chainsaw for milling your own lumber will really come down to how large of trees you’ll be working with. If you’re clicking on links that take you to a big box lumber store or Amazon, then you’re not going to be buying a chainsaw capable of milling lumber. Almost anyone who has spent a decent amount of time milling their own logs will quickly tell you that this is the saw you should go with from day one if you’ll be milling with any consistency.
what is chainsaw milling 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 chainsaw mill?
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.
How fast does a chainsaw mill cut?
Cutting speeds can vary from 8 feet a minute in narrow softwoods, to 1-1/2 feet a minute in wide hardwoods.
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.
How big of a chainsaw do I need for an Alaskan mill?
Most Alaskan mills require at least 3 inches extra at the end of the bar for attachment. I also recommend going with a saw with an engine size of at least 60cc for smaller logs and softer woods. A minimum of 90cc would be best though.
Does a ripping chain cut faster?
Ripping chains are slower as the finer cut and surface takes more time than regular cutting.
Is a ripping chain full chisel?
Ripping chains are always micro-chisel or semi-chisel featuring a cutting angle of typically between 5-10 degrees, but more often 10 degrees. This low cutting angle means you will not achieve the best results when trying to use a Ripping chain to cut at a steep angle.
How do you cut wood without a chainsaw?
Even though a jigsaw is too weak to fell a tree or cut down large tree logs, you can use it to cut scrap wood like straight planks or pallets into firewood. The jigsaw comprises an electric motor and a reciprocating blade thus the better choice compared to using your hands or feet.