Milling in Yellow Pine Timber no more than 24''...

[Nik_Danger]

Do you guys think the 660 will handle that or should I opt for a 3120 or 880? I've almost got the green for the 660 but I am compelled to just buy the 3120 or 880 if I really need it for the milling and just use the 460 I have for felling and bucking...thoughts? Personally I don't want to stick a stihl in a mill. But that is just my opinion.

Keep in mind the only reason I would opt for the big ass saw is because I want my saws to last. I know the 660 will handle it but in your opinions would it be abusing it???

 

[WRW]

Abusing it? No, but you could get a lot of lumber milled for you for the cost of a 660...or 880...or 3120.

 

[Nik_Danger]

Abusing it? No, but you could get a lot of lumber milled for you for the cost of a 660...or 880...or 3120.

how, where? Local saw mills? I don't see many of those around here...what are your thoughts? I have thought about building a band saw mill...but the 3120 in an Alaskan sawmill is just so much more convenient...minus the bigger kerf.

 

[WRW]

Most sawyers advertise, and some sawyers will come to your site. Some of the bandmill manufacturers will direct you to owners of their products. Just food for thought. It is neat to own your own, though, whether it is a chainsaw setup or a bandmill.

 

[Nik_Danger]

Most sawyers advertise, and some sawyers will come to your site. Some of the bandmill manufacturers will direct you to owners of their products. Just food for thought. It is neat to own your own, though, whether it is a chainsaw setup or a bandmill.

so do you think the 660 would give out quicker than normal using it in the mill and felling on 24'' timber or do you think I should opt for the bigger saw just for mill work? Money aside...which is hard to say...what is the best route?

 

[andrethegiant70]

Hi, Nik, I have milled a fair amount of yellow pine (Ponderosa around here). I have milled bigger than 24 inches with a 2100 and the saw does a pretty nice job. I have not run an 066, but based on what other's say, I think I've developed a decent idea of where that saw falls in the "milling saw spectrum." I think the 066 would do a very nice job with yellow pine. Yellow pine is not that challenging to mill, but it is challenging to dry.

The other saw you might want to consider is the Husqvarna 395, it seems universal that the 394/395 has the "right stuff" also.

There is another section of this site dedicated to milling and it has some terrific information. I have gotten a lot of useful lumber from yellow pine, but also some mixed results. PM me if you'd like to chat further.

 

[Chopwood]

You can buy a 3120 new for less than a new MS660.

 

[rreidnauer]

Milling is the toughest task for a saw. Doubt anyone would argue that.

I originally bought the 395 for milling purposes, but after some thinking about it being heavily loaded and shortening it's life expectancy, I decided to go up to the 3120 so I don't have to work the saw as hard, and will hopefully make it last a lot longer.

You could go with a 660 or 395, as they'll work, but I recommend an 880 or 3120.

 

[WRW]

Yes, there is a milling section of this site with a lot of useful information.

If you are milling a lot, no, there is no replacement for displacement.

 

[DarylB]

You can buy a 3120 new for less than a new MS660.

You sure about that? I priced one at Lowes (my father in-law works there). I want to say their cost is around $1100ish +10% for an employee order. Please correct me if I'm way off on that figure.

 

[Nik_Danger]

Milling is the toughest task for a saw. Doubt anyone would argue that.

I originally bought the 395 for milling purposes, but after some thinking about it being heavily loaded and shortening it's life expectancy, I decided to go up to the 3120 so I don't have to work the saw as hard, and will hopefully make it last a lot longer.

You could go with a 660 or 395, as they'll work, but I recommend an 880 or 3120.

was milling with the 395 bogging it down??? Thats a huge saw! When you purchased the 3120 did it fly through the same material as the 395 or did you just want a purpose dedicated saw for milling?

 

[sILlogger]

i dunno wear u can buy a new 3120 cheaper than a 660???? bought my 660 w/dual port for $900

 

[Nik_Danger]

At my local Stihl dealer a 660 with 24'' bar is $1069.00. SummitPowerTools.com has 3120 power head for $999.00 or with 30'' bar for $1099.00. So its pretty close.

 

[sILlogger]

yea a 660 w/ 24" retailed for $1019 they were gonna sell me one for $940 w/o even asking them about it. i think the powerhead retailed for about $950 and they sold it to me for $890 then i swapped some parts around and ended up with $900. the 3120 might be cheaper on that website but what would it cost to ship it? but, if they are that close and milling is the saws main mission then the 3120 would prolly be the better choice

 

[rreidnauer]

was milling with the 395 bogging it down??? Thats a huge saw! When you purchased the 3120 did it fly through the same material as the 395 or did you just want a purpose dedicated saw for milling?

No, bogging isn't an issue, just that the 3120 doesn't have to work as hard for the same task. It really won't go any faster, as it's not a screamer saw. Yes, the 3120 is dedicated to milling only. I probably would have stuck with the 395, but I got the 3120 for a price I couldn't pass up. The 395 is now reserved for large crosscut ops. (anything the 028 can't handle) I'd still like to get something in the 60cc range to round out my collection, but for now, I lug around the 395.

 

[rreidnauer]

You sure about that? I priced one at Lowes (my father in-law works there). I want to say their cost is around $1100ish +10% for an employee order. Please correct me if I'm way off on that figure.

A 3120 at Lowes? And in Arkansas? Am I missing something?

 

[oldsaw]

how, where? Local saw mills? I don't see many of those around here...what are your thoughts? I have thought about building a band saw mill...but the 3120 in an Alaskan sawmill is just so much more convenient...minus the bigger kerf.

I'm a big CSM proponent. Find 'em, mill 'em, haul away the boards. Any time, any place.

Chopwood is right. The more time your saw spends horizontally, the better the 3120 looks. Mine is a dedicated milling saw, but I really love my 066 for big tree work. In soft wood, the 3120 is a bit overkill, but you could always use a bigger sprocket to speed things up a bit.

Mark