Just ordered a mini mill, any pointers i need to know>

[066blaster]

I would like to make some 4x4's or 5x5's , I will be buying an Alaskan mill soon. but will the mini work for now?
i will be milling smaller logs for now, also it is getting cold here does it make it harder to cut if the logs are green and froze?

 

[BobL]

Fresh gas/mix, well tuned saw, sharp chain and go for it!

I don't know about frozen wood as we have the opposite problem here as it never gets cold enough to freeze anything.

 

[john taliaferro]

calling Mtngun He doesn't mill unless its frozen and the bugs are asleep .

 

[Boon]

Buy an extra set of bar nuts & make sure all nuts and bolts on the mill are tightened....hard to find in all that saw dust.

A strong magnet like what comes out of hard drives may also come in handy. Enjoy!

 

[onegunsmith]

I've been practicing with my mini mill a bit and have learned a few things. I was having trouble getting my board level so I decided to take my small saw and run it down the top of the log knocking off all the stubs and such. Seems a no brainier now. I also use long screws instead of nails as you can suck down the board better than nails. Hex head screws work better than drywall screws. Make sure they aren't in the way of the mill shoe. I'm defiantly a rookie but these are some things I've learned.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

[Dave Boyt]

A strong magnet like what comes out of hard drives may also come in handy. Enjoy!

Great idea. I've got a magnet pick-up tool, but those hard drive magnets are something else! Also Permatex makes a thread holding compound that I use on nuts and bolts on my band saw mill. Works really well. Just be sure you use the BLUE (temporary holding) and NOT THE RED stuff, if you ever plan to remove the nut or bolt.

 

[jrhannum]

another helper for those vertical mills (board-makers):

JB-weld a bullseye level to the slider and watch it to keep yer saw from leaning.

 

[mdavlee]

I was using screws and fastening to the end and then a 2x4 on top to slide down. You can use a square to make the board level to the last cut. You don't have to be perfectly level to use that method.