curious about milling

[hack bushman]

just curious about milling. I have a friend coming to mill some cherry i got but he lives 3 hours away. so, I am thinking, i will most likely get more wood and would like to try this myself. I am wondering what type of mill is good to start out with? I am pretty hesitant on a chainsaw mill - ease of use and amount of waste. what do you folks recommend? thanks.

 

[PineFever]

I just started milling myself. I have an Alaskan MKIII 36" mill. Very easy to use.
It's a blast, you will be hooked easily.
I am sure some of the experts will be along to assist you better.

 

[discounthunter]

what kind of mill does your friend have? portable band saws have less waste but a greater price plus less portable,chainsaw mills are extremely portable, less expensive but alot more waste.these are just generalizations.

 

[jimdad07]

If you are interested in trying to mill yourself, you may want to start with a small chainsaw mill, you can get one for bars less than 20" on Baileys for well under $200.00. If that is more than what you want to spend and you are good with your hands, you can make one easily enough to try it out. I don't recommend going with a saw under 60cc, will be much harder to cut with and may turn you off quickly. It is a great hobby and nothing feels better than making your own boards.

 

[BobL]

just curious about milling. I have a friend coming to mill some cherry i got but he lives 3 hours away. so, I am thinking, i will most likely get more wood and would like to try this myself. I am wondering what type of mill is good to start out with? I am pretty hesitant on a chainsaw mill - ease of use and amount of waste. what do you folks recommend? thanks.

A chainsaw powered portable band saw generates very little waste. Trouble is they are usually restricted in size (14") so you will also need something else to split up bigger logs.

 

[Popeye1]

A chainsaw powered portable band saw generates very little waste. Trouble is they are usually restricted in size (14") so you will also need something else to split up bigger logs.

Are the chainsaw powered band saws faster than a regular chain? How much are they?

 

[mtngun]

Are the chainsaw powered band saws faster than a regular chain? How much are they?

AS frowns on linking to non-sponsers, but search the net for "Ripsaw Portable Sawmills." A couple of our members have a ripsaw. Yes, they are much faster than a chainsaw mill and require less power, too (that's a big deal, since milling saws cost $$$$$). Dunno about price, but not cheap.

 

[gemniii]

AS frowns on linking to non-sponsers, but search the net for "Ripsaw Portable Sawmills." A couple of our members have a ripsaw. Yes, they are much faster than a chainsaw mill and require less power, too (that's a big deal, since milling saws cost $$$$$). Dunno about price, but not cheap.

On another forum, several months ago, or here, perhaps I detailed my call to the Ripsaw mfg.

It boiled down to there is like 1 guy making them, he was far behind in production, and may not get more out.

BUTT - they were going on CL for about $1K PLUS powerhead, You can get a Hud-Son 18" for about $2300 http://www.hud-son.com/bandmills.htm.

TRADEOFFS!!

 

[Hillbilly3995]

Go to ebay and look at something like the haddon lumbermaker, cheap, comes with instructions and works pretty well FOR THE MONEY
very cost effective to see if this is something you want to pursue. Good Luck!


PS. cut half the clamp off and drill your bar, per instructions or else be surprised when it breaks.

 

[BobL]

Go to ebay and look at something like the haddon lumbermaker, cheap, comes with instructions and works pretty well FOR THE MONEY
very cost effective to see if this is something you want to pursue. Good Luck!

PS. cut half the clamp off and drill your bar, per instructions or else be surprised when it breaks.

If the bar has to be drilled and money is an issue a cheaper more satisfying solution than the haddon is a basic alaskan which can be made with a few pieces of 2 x4 and some all thread rod like this.