Anyone milling with an 80cc dolmar/makita?

[KiwiBro]

I own one, and wouldn't mind another. but I just want to check what others think? Should I instead just look out for a good used 100cc+ saw? I know of one such beast the owner may be persuaded to part with.

I've got a heap of big old hard nose bars and was wondering if milling might go better if I double ended one of 'em and used two x 80cc dolmars. But then the biggest bar I can run on those saws when dropping trees is about 32" and I'd quite like a bigger bar at times, so it's a bit of a trade-off. Although, if I get into enough trees where 32" won't be good enough, that alone would justify a bigger saw anyway.

Just kicking about ideas here, trying to figure out what my best option would be. essentially, I'd just be milling biggish logs where they drop to either break them down or completely slab them up. 5' DBH or so.

thanks.

 

[PhilB]

I have two Makita 6401's with 84 cc big bore kits on my homebuilt mill. I like how mine is working out.
http://www.arboristsite.com/milling-saw-mills/203876.htm

 

[KiwiBro]

I have two Makita 6401's with 84 cc big bore kits on my homebuilt mill. I like how mine is working out.
http://www.arboristsite.com/milling-saw-mills/203876.htm

Thank you Phil. That is one heck of a mill build of yours. thanks for sharing the details and the pictures.

How many logs have you milled with that set-up, did you ever try the wider bar you wrote about?

Thanks again. Great work. I think I'd have to find a machine shop friend before contemplating such a build though, and hang off a few mills for a few days at least, just to get my head around the requirements a little better.

 

[PhilB]

I've only milled up a couple of logs. I haven't needed the longer bar yet. I have two big (maybe 40"+) white oak to have taken down on my property, it's too much for me to fell. For this I'll need the longer bar. The neighbor just had a 30" walnut taken down that I can't wait to get at.

Phil

 

[KiwiBro]

Looking forward to the photo's.