Husky 55 on a mill?

[bump_r]

OK, we've been through oil mix, chaps and PPE, and other favorite topics of late; now it's my turn to bring the discussion full-circle on another perennial favorite. Yes, I ran a quick search and came up with not-quite-what-I-was-looking-for, so anyone willing to offer real input, rock on!

Good guy from another site I frequent is considering chainsaw milling. I'll direct him to this thread for replies, perhaps he'll join here.

Fellow wants to get an Alaskan saw mill to which he will affix his Husky 55. Also, he's considering upping bar length to 24" to get the reach. Me, I would not and have not recommended such a combination. I don't think I'd put my MS460 to a mill, much less my 290, which is more in-league with the 55 Rancher.

Opinions? No, this is NOT coveredinsap asking (I don't think...)

 

[computeruser]

Sure, it'd work great if he's trying to make 2x4s out of 4x4s. An 066 gets a good workout on hardwood larger than 20", so I'm not quite sure what he's expecting to get out of milling with the 55.

 

[Pablo26]

I thought you needed a 455 Rancher for the most effective milling?(C.I.S.lives on)

 

[rb_in_va]

I thought you needed a 455 Rancher for the most effective milling?(C.I.S.lives on)

 

[Binford]

I'm the guy bump_r knows with the Husky 55

So what would I need in the way of a chainsaw to make use of an Alaskan mill?

 

[rb_in_va]

So what would I need in the way of a chainsaw to make use of an Alaskan mill?

066 and up.

 

[computeruser]

So what would I need in the way of a chainsaw to make use of an Alaskan mill?

Depends what you're milling. But if larger material (>15") is going to be encountered on a regular basis, go with the largest saw you can find or afford. Bear in mind that since you're going to have to detune it for the prolonged full-throttle operation of milling, you're going to be running at less than 100% of potential horsepower, too.

Good choices:
Stihl 066, 075, 076, 084, 088
Husqvarna 394, 395, 2100, 3120
Dolmar 9010/Solo 694

You can do it with a smaller saw, but it will work you silly AND will work the saw to an early death. Milling is tough on even the largest of saws.

 

[rb_in_va]

Good choices:
Stihl 066, 075, 076, 084, 088
Husqvarna 394, 395, 2100, 3120
Dolmar 9010/Solo 694

Like I said...

 

[flht01]

I agree with everything computeruser and the others had to say, the bigger the saw the better. The thread listed below will give you several opinions and possible solutions with the saw you currently own until you decide on the right saw for you.

Milling with a small saw

Welcome to the site.

 

[Binford]

Thanks, guys....

I had a feeling my saw might not be up to the task. Too bad....

I think I'll just have to talk my neighbor into getting the Alaskan! He's got a saw big enough.

 

[Freakingstang]

I've used my 55 Rancher in the past with the beam machine type mill making 6" slabs of oak. It worked ok, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone....

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Thanks, guys....

I had a feeling my saw might not be up to the task. Too bad....

I think I'll just have to talk my neighbor into getting the Alaskan! He's got a saw big enough.

Why not buy the Alaskan, use his saw, and you two can share time?

 

[oldsaw]

So what would I need in the way of a chainsaw to make use of an Alaskan mill?

If you are going to mill much of anything, you would want to get at least a 70-80cc saw. A couple of reasons. First off, a saw like that is made to take a bit more abuse. Milling is tough on saws and the dimbulbs who like to mill with chainsaws (Yes, I'm one of them). Second, you need a lot more power than with crosscutting.

You could mill with a 55, but it won't go fast and the saw won't last long. 55s are nice little saws, but are for much lighter duty use than milling.

When you buy your Alaskan, you also want to buy a 36" model, you will need it eventually. For a saw, look for a Husky 372, Stihl 044/046 (440/460), or a Dolmar 7900. If you find a deal on a 395 or an 066/660, even better for milling, but the smaller saws will make better all around saws.

Mark

 

[stonykill]

OK, we've been through oil mix, chaps and PPE, and other favorite topics of late; now it's my turn to bring the discussion full-circle on another perennial favorite. Yes, I ran a quick search and came up with not-quite-what-I-was-looking-for, so anyone willing to offer real input, rock on!

Good guy from another site I frequent is considering chainsaw milling. I'll direct him to this thread for replies, perhaps he'll join here.

Fellow wants to get an Alaskan saw mill to which he will affix his Husky 55. Also, he's considering upping bar length to 24" to get the reach. Me, I would not and have not recommended such a combination. I don't think I'd put my MS460 to a mill, much less my 290, which is more in-league with the 55 Rancher.

Opinions? No, this is NOT coveredinsap asking (I don't think...)

if you search my threads, in particular "yesterdays milling" in the milling section, you will see how my small saws are set up. I have never used a 55 , so I can't answer how that will work. My 48cc stihl 031 runs a 24 inch bar, baileys lp chain and I have milled birch as large as 22 inches in diameter. My main milling saw as of late is an old Pioneer Holiday, 58 cc's, old school torque. It mills better than my 66 cc husky 266xp. If your milling 20 inch logs or smaller normally, a small saw properly set up will work, and work good. Again see the thread"yesterdays milling" and see what one guy can get done in one day when prepared, and has his small saws properly set up.For the record I also mill maple and cherry with the same 031 and Pioneer. The little stihl doesn't like cherry, but the Pioneer eats it right up. here's the link to yesterdays milling: http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=47500

 

[Binford]

Why not buy the Alaskan, use his saw, and you two can share time?

You're reading my mind!

That's actually an arrangement he might be interested in, to tell you the truth.

He's a serious woodworker (cabinets, furniture, etc.--got an amazing woodshop). The other day I asked him if he'd heard of the Alaskan. This morning he came over to drop off a couple woodworking magazines in which he had marked an Alaskan ad and another brand (Logosol). He's got just about every tool ever made, save for a mill, and gets genuinely torqued if I go out and rent one when I could have asked to borrow his!

So yeah...I may do just that for now and later get my own saw.

 

[bookerdog]

I have used a 365 to mill with. It is a slow process with 3/8 chain with anything above 16 inch. Now put bailey's LP chain on and it will chew pretty good up to 24 inches. Having said that though I bought a 3120 for milling and am more then happy.