Quick and simple milling rails

BobL · Jan 12, 2009

On my milling holiday I helped my host set up some basic milling rails using an aluminum ladder. We started with an ally extension ladder the two individual ladders being of equal width.

The 2 ladders were joined using a 3/16" x 2" steel strap like this.

The strap sits in the ladder C-channel very neatly.

The ends connect to the log using the commonly used angle iron method. 2" angle was used

Here is a close up of the way the angle is gripped to the ladder. A 3/8" bolt is welded to a short piece of angle and clips on as shown.

While we were at it we drilled a hole in the skid of my hosts mill so he can more easily adjust the chain tension on his 3120XP.

irishcountry · Jan 12, 2009

Hey looks sturdy!! How many cutters are on that chain on the saw?? seen a couple on the bottom. Good job take care. irishcountry

BobL · Jan 12, 2009

irishcountry said:
How many cutters are on that chain on the saw?? seen a couple on the bottom.

5 skip chain - He's using a 3120 on a 60" mill/bar.

dustytools · Jan 12, 2009

Nice work Bob. I have an 18' +/- section of aluminum extension ladder with the same angle iron set up as you have used. Im gonna re-work the way that the angles mount to the ladder to your idea, Im currently just clamping it with small cee clamps that are a PITA to use and adjust.

dancan · Jan 17, 2009

+1 for pointing out simple but effective mods .
:cheers:

MR4WD · Jan 24, 2009

I'm going to steal your idea and claim it as my own around here

Brilliant, actually. Just curious, if you had thought of any way to set up the clamps, in terms of adjustment so you could mill along the pith line of the tree, say for slabbing out a set of beams or what have you.

I went with 1/2" hardware, so I didn't have to carry extra tools. The spark plug end of my scrench fits on the nuts just fine and the bolts pass through the barrel.

Nice work!
Chad.

BobL · Jan 26, 2009

MR4WD said:
Brilliant, actually. Just curious, if you had thought of any way to set up the clamps, in terms of adjustment so you could mill along the pith line of the tree, say for slabbing out a set of beams or what have you.

Stay tuned - it's got to happen this year ;-)

I went with 1/2" hardware, so I didn't have to carry extra tools. The spark plug end of my scrench fits on the nuts just fine and the bolts pass through the barrel.

Good Idea - I wish I had done that. I have 5/16 nippers and 10 mm on the cross angle iron!

angstboater · Jan 31, 2009

nicely done

looks like a great design, trying to do the same for my mill.

bkn49 · Jan 11, 2014

BobL said:
On my milling holiday I helped my host set up some basic milling rails using an aluminum ladder. We started with an ally extension ladder the two individual ladders being of equal width.

The 2 ladders were joined using a 3/16" x 2" steel strap like this.

The strap sits in the ladder C-channel very neatly.

The ends connect to the log using the commonly used angle iron method. 2" angle was used

Here is a close up of the way the angle is gripped to the ladder. A 3/8" bolt is welded to a short piece of angle and clips on as shown.

While we were at it we drilled a hole in the skid of my hosts mill so he can adjust the chain tension on his 3120XP.

why cant i see the images?..i used to be able to

MarcusB · Jan 11, 2014

Site got hacked bud.

BobL · Jan 11, 2014

Darrin has kindly given me the editing capability to repost my pics - I will repost them. They may not necessarily be in the right order as I can't always remember what is what.

[EDIT] OK I think I got these right.

betterbuilt · Jan 12, 2014

Actually everyone can edit their own posts. I was adding pictures back the other day. The only issue I had was the pictures had to be put in at the end of the post. For some reason I was having trouble adding them in the body of the post.

betterbuilt · Jan 12, 2014

betterbuilt said:
Actually everyone can edit their own posts. I was adding pictures back the other day. The only issue I had was the pictures had to be put in at the end of the post. For some reason I was having trouble adding them in the body of the post.

Edit. I just looked back and it didn't work. I tried again and it seems to have worked. I might have tried too many pics at once.

bkn49 · Jan 12, 2014

BobL said:
On my milling holiday I helped my host set up some basic milling rails using an aluminum ladder. We started with an ally extension ladder the two individual ladders being of equal width.

View attachment 327135

The 2 ladders were joined using a 3/16" x 2" steel strap like this.
View attachment 327137
The strap sits in the ladder C-channel very neatly.

The ends connect to the log using the commonly used angle iron method. 2" angle was used
View attachment 327138

Here is a close up of the way the angle is gripped to the ladder. A 3/8" bolt is welded to a short piece of angle and clips on as shown.
View attachment 327139

While we were at it we drilled a hole in the skid of my hosts mill so he can more easily adjust the chain tension on his 3120XP.
View attachment 327140

thanks... i really appreciate the the reposting...going to do my first milling this week with any luck

BobL · Jan 12, 2014

betterbuilt said:
Actually everyone can edit their own posts. I was adding pictures back the other day.

That's great!

The only issue I had was the pictures had to be put in at the end of the post. For some reason I was having trouble adding them in the body of the post.

I found if you park the cursor at the spot where you want the newly updated photo inserted then hit the thumbnail or full image buttons and it inserts the pics where the cursor is located.

betterbuilt · Jan 13, 2014

BobL said:
That's great!

I found if you park the cursor at the spot where you want the newly updated photo inserted then hit the thumbnail or full image buttons and it inserts the pics where the cursor is located.

I'll give that a shot. Thanks BobL. Cheers.

groundup · Jan 14, 2014

5 skip chain

Where'd you find such an exotic chain?

BobL · Jan 14, 2014

groundup said:
5 skip chain
Where'd you find such an exotic chain?

I don't know where he got it from. My mate got it when he got his CS milling gear which I think he got from a local Husky dealer. 3 and 5 skip is not that exotic around these parts because the wood is so hard.

groundup · Jan 14, 2014

How does it perform in the mill?

Quicker, slower?

Smoother or more rough cut?

BobL · Jan 14, 2014

groundup said:
How does it perform in the mill?
Quicker, slower?
Smoother or more rough cut?

I didn't notice any difference in cutting speed or cut smoothness over full comp chain.
I think it would come into its own on really wide cuts in hard wood as it would ease the load on the saw.
Its very quick to sharpen but then I also reckon it goes blunter quicker than full comp.
I used regular skip chain for about 30 logs but since then I have stuck with full comp

Quick and simple milling rails

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