Bar Length Question

[JLB-MT]

I am considering buying a Granberg 36 inch MK III mill. I have logs up to 32 inches to mill. It says I need a 42 inch bar length in order to mill a 32 inch log. Is that true? I thought I read somewhere that a 36 inch bar would be suitable for around a 31 inch log.
Other than ripping chain what else do I need in order to get set up properly?

 

[BobL]

I am considering buying a Granberg 36 inch MK III mill. I have logs up to 32 inches to mill. It says I need a 42 inch bar length in order to mill a 32 inch log. Is that true? I thought I read somewhere that a 36 inch bar would be suitable for around a 31 inch log.

You lose about 6" of bar cutting length to a standard Alaskan type mill so you can't cut anything bigger than 30" with a 36" bar.
So to cut 32" you will need the next size up in bar length which is a 42"

There are ways of getting more cutting width by drilling the bar nose and putting a short 1/4" or 5/16" tensile bolt thru the hole and then modifying the mill to bolt the nose direct to the mill. This will gain an extra ~1.5" of cut. You can also do the same on the inboard end which does not generate any more cutting length but has the BIG advantage of being able to remove the chain without removing the saw from the mill. All my mills are able to do this and it is well worth it.

There are alaskan mills out there that do not connect to the inboard section of the bar but instead connect to the bar bolts, but I have not see one of these available commercially for some time. Both of my bigger alaskan mills use this feature and it gives me a 39.5" cut from a 42" bar.

Other than ripping chain what else do I need in order to get set up properly?

You don't need ripping chain even to get setup properly. I buy regular chain and slowly migrate the top plate cutting angle down to 10º over successive sharpenings.

 

[flashhole]

Bob is a pro at chainsaw milling and I learned a lot just by reading his posts. He's very helpful.

I picked up a 30" mill and use every bit of the 36" bar on my Husky 394. Yes, going to a 36" mill you will need the 42" bar.

 

[IanB22]

42" bar

I have to say, that the 42" bar and 36" mill is an absolute pleasure to run, if you need the full 'available' width of the mill, it really does work nice.

I wouldn't hesitate to go with the longer bar. You can always go shorter if you need too, and mine is a dream to run.

 

[john taliaferro]

My 36" will only cut 27 with wiggle room . When you get the 42 " cover the exposed end with a guard , even with the saw not running it will cut ya . Iam on blood thinners so i dont quit leaking easey and it screws up my day ,helps keep chain out the dirt to .