Chainsaws - small mills

[thompson1600]

I am looking for a general purpose chainsaw that I can use to with a small mill; ie, the granberg small log mill (saws under 20" bar for smaller logs), and maybe for anything a little bigger use the granberg mini mill to square it off first.

I would like opinions as to what chainsaw to get. This would be used around the house mostly for light stuff and maybe once a month with the mill (or less depending on how hard it is). I have been looking at the Stihl 026 Pro, Husky 346XP and 357XP. I could go larger with the $$$ amount I've allocated, but would rather spend that on a good helmet/ear protection and chaps system.

Let me know what you think. Thanks

Tom

 

[Newfie]

Tom,
I would cross the 346 off the list for milling. This saw really wasn't designed for a long constant high RPM cut like milling involves, but more for limbing. My gut feeling is no smaller than a 372xp for milling. The two saws you mention are great saws for general all purpose around the house/backyard. I run a 3120xp for the regular 24" mill and my 288xplite for the mini-mill. Milling is hard work on a saw and as Dennis says"no replacement for displacement. This can be a pricey investment for a saw but much less expensive than the other options out there.
Get a good helmet/ear muff/ visor combo for $35-$40. I don't personally wear the chaps but maybe some of the other guys might have a different opinion on that. Milling with an alaskan Mill is hard and dusty work but it's fun to actually build something out of a pile of lumber that you cut yourself!

I've been milling almost a year now and enjoy it. There are some other guys on the forum who probably have quite a bit more experience than me and will probably offer some better insights. Happy Milling!

 

[thompson1600]

I do understand about the "there is no replacement for displacement" thought. However most of what I do with the saw will be normal around the house stuff. I should have said in my first post that milling will be about 10% of what this saw is used for. I am looking for a combination of a good capable saw that is light enough for every day use 90% of the time and powerful enough for cutting up a log 10% of the time. Maybe with that 10% I need a bigger one, but want to make sure before I get a heavy saw and spend the bucks on this when I really want all those other things that have yet to be bought. That list could go on a long time.

Tom

 

[treeclimber165]

The 026 is an excellent saw, but milling with a 20" bar might be a heavy load for a saw with less than 3 C.I. displacement. Any saw big enough to mill with will probably be too big and heavy for light work around the house.

My thoughts for a good setup would be a 038Magnum (another guy got one from Canada for $460 including U.P.S.) on the mill and a small Echo or something for around the house. You could always pull out the 038 for big wood, but most stuff you would want a lighter saw for ease of use.

 

[Newfie]

Hi Tom,

I hear where you are coming from. It would be nice to find a nice light all-purpose saw with the balls to rip lumber. I wasn't trying to steer you into spending tons of $$, just pointing out the fact that you could be headed that way in order to have an arrangement that makes your cutting experiences as enjoyable as possible.(or at least spending more than hoped) Nothing sucks more than trying to do a job with the wrong tool or an underpowered tool.(or overpowered for that matter). I wouldn't want to rip boards with my 346 any more than I would want to drag my big saws around cutting 4" saplings. I hate getting 12mpg in my truck every time the gas bill gets paid but I just can't find a way to fit a cord of wood in the trunk of a VW beetle. Using the beetle 10% of the time to haul cord wood won't change the fact that it isn't designed for the task even though it is great for the other 90% of the time. Life is full of choices. Just trying to help out with some info. keep researching and collecting opinions and hopefully you can come to a educated decision that will make your experience a happy one in the long run. Good Luck!

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi Tom, the 357 modifided for wood is a universal saw if kept well filed. I have used it for making boards out of largish Apple trees.
Saws of any type are not good for high production milling, but you can have fun trying. The beam machine works well with a large or small displacement saw.

 

[thompson1600]

Don't mean to sound too neophite but what does "beam machine" mean? Is that the kind that you clamp on the bar and square up a log? Like a granberg mini mill? Would the 357xp work good with that type of setup? The type of trees I will be milling will be maple, cherry, walnut and oak in the 24" round and less arena. Once squared up they will be, well you know better than I, but about 14-15" square. Would the 357xp work ok with a granberg small log mill and an 18 or 20" bar in this type of setup? thanks

Tom

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hey Mike, old abandoned vehicles are also great for drying wood. Just load ere up and the wood is about as dry as your gonna get in 2-8 weeks, assuming the vehicle is reasonably air tigh.
John

 

[Newfie]

You could market that as the "gypo portable solar kiln". A couple of hot summer days and you can probably even set the pitch in pine. how did you ever discover that abandoned cars work well for drying wood. (I dare ask)

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hey Tom, you took the words right out of my mouth. The Beam Machine clamps on the bar and is guided by a 2x4 nailed on the log, but I modified mine by extending the bolt that runs thru the channel iron. This method gives a nice rough sawn look.