Dual headed Chainsaw Mill

PhilB · Jul 16, 2012

This is a video of my homebuilt dual headed chainsaw mill

[video=youtube;jhHPQAgm6j4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhHPQAgm6j4&feature=plcp[/video]

The power heads are Makita 6401's with 84 cc Big bore kits and opened up mufflers. This is the first time I have used a chainsaw mill and all went better than expected. My friend Jeremy is at the controls and I'm the helper.

Features of the Mill are: guide shoes that ride on the ladder rails, dual remote throttles with a magnetic latch in the full on position, and a winch with an adjustable elevation.

I'll be posting pictures of the details as time permits (probably next weekend).

Phil

sachsmo · Jul 16, 2012

Nice set-up,

ripping is not an easy thing to put a (two) saws through.

You need to post some pics of the cut.

hamish · Jul 16, 2012

Thats pretty neat looking. Any troubles syncronizing the powerheads or do the clutches just sort it all out?

PhilB · Jul 16, 2012

Hamish,

Once the saws come up to speed, the clutches are locked and both power heads run at the same speed. I experienced no problems running two power heads. With one clutch slipping I would expect to hear a beat note (one power head running at a different speed than the other).

Phil

jnl502 · Jul 16, 2012

Sweet setup. I like all the thought you put into the stuff most don't. I think that's why CSM's have such a bad rep. Your throttle and winch system is nice. Keep the wideo comming!

hamish · Jul 16, 2012

Phil,

Have you tached both saws in the cut? Thank god for clutches! Just got to pondering wear items with two powerheads used in line. Something new for me to figure out and maybe try one day.

What chain set up are you running?

BobL · Jul 16, 2012

Nice job!

At about the 4 minute mark of the vid I see the power heads jumping around a little. What does this do to the cut finish?

One to remove/reduce the bounce might be to the mounting the mill to the power head via the bar bolts rather than the bar itself.

Anyway, looking forward to some closeups of the mill.

Cheers

PhilB · Jul 16, 2012

hamish said:
Phil,

Have you tached both saws in the cut?

What chain set up are you running?

I haven't tached the saws.
I'm using WoodlandPro 33RP ripping chain 3/8" .063 guage.

PhilB · Jul 16, 2012

BobL said:
Nice job!

At about the 4 minute mark of the vid I see the power heads jumping around a little. What does this do to the cut finish?

One to remove/reduce the bounce might be to the mounting the mill to the power head via the bar bolts rather than the bar itself

Anyway, looking forward to some closeups of the mill.

Cheers

The jumping didn't effect the finish. The finish is very smooth with no ripples or any other marks.
I'm considering modifying the power head connection as you suggested. I should be able to do this with very little modification.

I've been reading your post's and others trying to design an efficient CSM. I've got a lot of pro's and con's from those posts.

PhilB · Jul 16, 2012

sachsmo said:
You need to post some pics of the cut.

full size image

closeup image

leeha · Jul 16, 2012

That was awsome.
Thanks for posting. What wood is it.
I'm no wood expert.

Lee

PhilB · Jul 16, 2012

leeha said:
What wood is it.
I'm no wood expert.

Lee

I was told it was red oak.

Phil

BobL · Jul 16, 2012

PhilB said:
The jumping didn't effect the finish. The finish is very smooth with no ripples or any other marks.

Good to hear. Now that I see your cut I wonder if it was just cutting through one of those knots at that point it was jumping?

I'm considering modifying the power head connection as you suggested. I should be able to do this with very little modification.

Keeping the mill and saw rigid helps reduce wear and tear over the long haul so I reckon it's worth it.

I've been reading your post's and others trying to design an efficient CSM. I've got a lot of pro's and con's from those posts.

Yep there sure is a heap of useful info in this forum.

With two power heads and a total of 172 cc you should experiment with dropping the rakers. I'd try an raker-cutter-wood angle of about 7º and go up from there.

Cheers

sachsmo · Jul 17, 2012

PhilB said:
full size image

closeup image

Wow,

great looking finish, like Bob I saw the saws "flapping" it sure didn't hurt the finish at all.

PhilB · Jul 18, 2012

Picture of Mill

PhilB · Jul 18, 2012

Another picture of the Mill

john taliaferro · Jul 19, 2012

I like the mill , that's some nice work . slabs look real heavy for this weather , i am sweating just looking . :msp_biggrin:

PhilB · Jul 19, 2012

john taliaferro said:
slabs look real heavy for this weather , i am sweating just looking . :msp_biggrin:

Ya, it was hot and humid (96 deg). We had some help with the lifting.

PhilB · Jul 19, 2012

Another picture

Cliffhanger9 · Jul 20, 2012

Really nice looking rig, mate! Well done

Dual headed Chainsaw Mill

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