3/8 pico chain for milling??

[johnb]

Hey guys is it possible to run 3/8 pico chain on my 394XPG for milling. I got the Logosol video on milling recently and they show all 066's doing the job. Nothing against the o66 but that is why I got the 394 to begin with. I left voice mail for the Logosol US rep on this question but no answer in 5 days (must be busy). Is it as simple as a sprocket change?? I have heard a lot of different thoughts on milling chain, but this is the first time, I had heard about using the pico. Mostly they bicker over angle of the cutter. I havn't started milling yet but were getting closer!! The Hoosier!!




Sharpen your chain it's a jungle out there!!!

 

[user 2993]

It is definitely possible. Does logosol usually supply 3/8 lo profile (picco) ? If so, it ought to work just fine on the husky. You may have to get a 3/8 lo-pro sprocket and possibly a bar with the right sprocket tip. I havent used any 3/8 lo pro, but I understand some brands are actually .370 and require a different sprocket.
One thing you might look into is .325 pitch. I have used it for milling and like it a lot, cuts real smooth and quick. Also may be stronger than the 3/8 picco? You can get a 9 tooth .325 sprocket for the 394 which will give you great chain speed.
Good luck,
George

 

[johnb]

Hey George, I see baileys offering the .325 sprocket and chain but what do I look for in a bar?? I'm not well schooled in chain!! My plans are to run at least 24 inch bar on the 394. Thanks for the advise. The Hoosier








Sharpen your chain the endlaws just pulled in!!!!!!

 

[user 2993]

Yeah, that's the catch. .325 bars aren't available ( stock ) over 20" that I know. However, the sprocket tip on most good quality bars can be changed rather easily. Bailey's and such have them in .325. I got my milling bar from Fosters Sales. He special ordered a batch of 36 and 42 inch 50ga. .325 bars from GB some time back and may still have some. Apart from that, GB also makes a roller tip bar in 44" and up that will run any pitch.
What sort of mill do you have or plan to have?

 

[johnb]

milling

Well, I think I have narrowed it down between the woodbug and the logosol. I really like the woodbug design. I think it puts a lot less force on the saw and allows it to cut more naturaly in the vertical position. However the logosol looks light weight and user friendly. Everything is at your or above your hips less bending over. It might be easyer on the body at the end of the day. My biggest concern is the diameter log I can mill. We have some large timber. I just recieved 5 hickory logs 20 plus length at about 24 in across on the base (free). This was added to about 50 cherry and 10 black walnut logs I have been collecting. I figure get the logs and the mill will come. I you have anyother mills you think I should consider let me know. thanks the Hoosier!





Sharpen your chain the endlaws just pulled in!!!

 

[Jacob J.]

Howdy- If you're talking about PMN chain like stihl offers on their small saws ( picco-micro-narrow ) then I don't think that is going to be much good for milling. The reason being is that it has a rounded top corner on the tooth. .325 pitch chain is available in round chisel, which in theory works fine for milling when sharpened properly, however .325 chain have such a low profile tooth that you're sacrificing bite for chain speed. Your saw ends up working as hard either way I think.

 

[user 2993]

Jacob, you are right about the rounded corner of the picco chain, and I believe all low profile chain is that style tooth. Full chisel is definitely the way to go for milling.
I switched to .325 chisel full comp. from .404 full skip and noticed a marked improvement in the way the saw fed itself into the wood, altogether a smoother and quicker operation. I really feel that the less wood fiber you have to remove, the better. And if you take the rakers down to .035 or .040, even .325 chain takes a nice bite.

Johnb, both those mills look very interesting. Have you checked out Procut? http://www.procutportablesawmills.com/
You have to build it yourself, but it will cut bigger logs than the others. Other than that, theres the Granberg alaskan type. I cobbed together a homebrewed version of it and that is what my milling experience is based on.

 

[Sapwood]

I've got the M5 from logosol. came with an 066 and 16" bar and picco chain (3/8). I picked up a 25" for the big stuff but to tell you the truth I use the 16" the most. You don't want to pull more bar than you have to! You can cut up a 20" stem using the 16" bar. Square up two sides and all your cuts will be under 16". It can be a ????? to turn those logs...get a cant hook or peavey.

Sap

 

[user 2993]

That makes sense. I guess I'm used to the alaskan setup where there is at least 6" of bar that is not usable. I'm not that familiar with the Logosol, so it's interesting to hear details like that.
How do you like it overall?

 

[Sapwood]

I like the overall setup...the M7 upgraded over the M5 and looks like the better mill. No checking for square, longer cuts possible and a ratchet raising mechinism. I got the M5 on a closeout deal. The chains they sell are 63PMX...3/8 picco .050. You will not find them available anywhere else. What they are is stihl's 63PM1 chains ground at 10 degree's. Very light, fragile chains that really rip when sharp. I hope you can file in the field cause you'll need it. These cuts through 12 - 14 foot of hardwood really take their toll on the chain. A light touch up before they really dull works wonders...

The mill is light, only about 110lbs. All aluminum, no rust. Really a precision fitted machine. The b!tch is loading and turning 25-30" hardwood. Without some kind of machanical advantage you will need two people to rotate the log. I have had a 30"dbh, 12ft log on the thing and it didn't crush it. Very strong for its weight.
If you want to know more, send a PM.

Sap

 

[johnb]

Hey Sapwood, Is there any binding with the vertical mill. I got the video from Logosol and the video dosn't show any but I wondered about the actual cut. With the bar only supported on the one end do you get any flex in a good piece of hardwood. As for filing, ya gotta be able to file if ya cut the wood. I developed a style for it, I'm not a pro but I think I can keep it cutting. On average how many passes do ya get before filing. The heavy logs were another concern. How much can it take. I moved some logs today with a Ford loader and had to put 1000 pounds of counter weight so I could steer.

The Picco chain they sell 63pmx does it come at 10 dgree's or is it ground by Logosol? Thanks for the information the Hoosier!


Sharpen your chain it's a jungle out there!!

 

[Sapwood]

John, Binding is not a problem...at least not in my experiance. There are times when you may have to back up and take another run at it. I think kerf wedges would be nice and I wish logosol provided or sold them. You get to the end of a 12' log you need some support on the other end. I use wood scraps. I have noticed that you can get alot of vibration when you start the cut on long logs. The log supports are about 6.5' apart so when you put a 12' or 14' log on the mill and start your cut the end of the mill vibrates back and forth. This goes away after a foot or so and I try to lean a hip against the mill to minimize it. As far as weight capacity goes I'm not sure how much the logs I'm milling actually weigh! I can tell you that I have had a 28" red elm that was 12.5' long on the mill and it didn't crush it. I wasn't so sure about it at first.

Since most the wood I have been milling was dead on the stump
(mostly red elm that recenly died) I have to sharpen the chain after every log. You can see the edge of the cut ripping the fibre when they start to get dull...the edges get ragged. When I see that I finish the cut then file or put on a new chain.

I hear you about the sharpening skills...I think I get a little better each time. I did pick up a Maxx grinder from Jeff Sikkma (another Hoosier)

They sell alot of chain and I think Stihl factory delivers it with 10 degree on it. Must be propriatary though because you won't find it at any Stihl dealer. They get about 30 cents a dl for it and they won't sell you bulk, just loops.

I'm pleased with it although I kind of wish I had the M7.

I got a boy who lives in Indy. You anywhere near there?

Sap