Dedicated milling saw (milling noob)

[TRWTech]

First off, WOW what a great forum for infomation. I wish I knew half of what you guys have forgotton! Simply amazing :jawdrop:

Well I recently added a 066 to my now growing collection of saws which has freed up my former felling saw (Stihl 051) and I'm ready to take the plunge into milling (I need a new addiction ) I'm thinking of a 36" Alaskan and dedicating the 051 for solely milling purposes.

My question is: Should I run the 051 as it is, or look into converting it to 111cc using a 076 jug/pistion? I've got access to a full machine shop here at work, so completing the conversion isn't a problem. Would this extra displacement make a big enough difference performance-wise to justify the cost?

I plan on running around a 32" bar on the 051, using it to mill mostly cherry, black locust, and occasionally oak (largest diameter 28" or so).

I haven't bought a mill yet, so my setup is still really flexible at this point. What would you guys do?

 

[BobL]

Firstly welcome.

First off, WOW what a great forum for infomation. I wish I knew half of what you guys have forgotton! Simply amazing :jawdrop:

Well I recently added a 066 to my now growing collection of saws which has freed up my former felling saw (Stihl 051) and I'm ready to take the plunge into milling (I need a new addiction ) I'm thinking of a 36" Alaskan and dedicating the 051 for solely milling purposes.

My question is: Should I run the 051 as it is, or look into converting it to 111cc using a 076 jug/pistion? I've got access to a full machine shop here at work, so completing the conversion isn't a problem. Would this extra displacement make a big enough difference performance-wise to justify the cost?

That will depend on the cost of the upgrade - you should be able to buy a good quality 076 for between $300 and $400 so if it going to approach this to do the conversion then buy the 076. They are great milling saws and then put the 051 on a smaller mill.

I plan on running around a 32" bar on the 051, using it to mill mostly cherry, black locust, and occasionally oak (largest diameter 28" or so).

A 32" bar on a conventional "clamp to bar mill" with a sprocket nose bar will only leave you with 26" of cut. And have you taken into account the occasional wide crotch and the need to maneuver around lumps and bumps on trees? For an 051/076 I would go for a minimum of 36" bar to give you 30" of cut.

I haven't bought a mill yet, so my setup is still really flexible at this point. What would you guys do?

If you have access to a shop you can make a CS mill that is better than any commercially available mill.
eg
- attach saw to bar bolts
- chain removal/swap out while saw stays on the mill
- better handle placement
- easier depth adjustment
- wheels
- remote throttles and aux oiler controls
Have a look around on this site to see what people have made.

Cheers

 

[BlueRider]

I used to run a 42" bar on my 051 and have milled some 20" black locust. An 051 will pull .404 chain in 36" hardwood. The extra 22 cc's make a big difference in milling speed on the big stuff. In 18" logs you will not see a big differnce in milling speed between the two saws. And just as an aisde the 051 has a much better sound than an 075.

Bailey's lists the 075/076/tc760 P&C for $388 you will also need an intake (that phelolic block) and a muffler as well as cylinder studs and nuts. The carburator will work on both saws just fine. The machine work is really simple as all you need to do is redrill and tap the existing holes. You will also need to fabricate some spacers for the muffler guard and get some longer bolts, but you can find that stuff at a local hardware store.

I probably should have mentioned up front that it is an easy conversion on a late model 051 if you have an early model 051 it is more involved. You can tell the difference by the crank seal on the flywheel side.

If you can get the parts on the cheap it is a worth while project. If not the 051 will get the job done.

 

[TRWTech]

This is more of the long-term goal. I figured if I started with an "off the shelf" unit and got the hang of it, it would be easier for me to figure out how I could improve the design to fit my style/usage. BTW, the BIL mill looks great!! Good to see such ingenuity isn't being wasted!


BlueRider - Thanks for your reply, good to know a stock 051 will get the job done! I've read up on the 051/076 conversion in the CS forum, but didn't see any being used for milling afterward. I know felling and milling are two completely different worlds, so I wasn't sure how much I'd gain from converting.

Great info guys!

 

[BlueRider]

I also have an 038M and the difference in torque between the 038M and the 051 is about the same as the difference between the 051 and the 075. but you will eally only see the full extent of the difference on the larger logs.