My curiousity is peaked......I'm a newbie to this.

[Jon1212]

I was helping the Caretaker at our church's girls camp(my wife is the director for our area), and he ran out of 6x6 PT timbers for some backfilled steps. So me being one to never go into the mountains without at least one saw, I drove up a couple miles out of the camp, and found a suitable storm damaged tree which I dropped, and proceeded to rough cut a couple of timbers out of it. As I was doing this I got to thinking, "man a different chain, and some sort of mill attachment would make this easier." So I ended up with two slightly "wonky" 8x8 by 10 foot timbers that worked just fine for the purpose, but I am seeking some advice for entry level(read as inexpensive) milling attachment(s).
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Jonathan

 

[mtngun]

For making timbers with a 60 - 70 cc saw, try a Granberg mini-mill.

 

[jimdad07]

Looking at your sig Jon, I would say you have saw enough in there to run a decent Alaskan mill. It's not too bad to make one yourself. I made mine for free with scrap unistrut, it's heavy but it works well. mtngun is right about the mini-mill setup, with a very strait guide board you can make some great cants.

 

[john taliaferro]

I have a store bought and a home made ,if you can fab make your own its more gratfiying to use.

 

[Jon1212]

Thanks for the advice fellas. I was thinking of using my MS 390 (25" bar), or my 288XP (28" bar) to get started. I guess I'll have to look at a couple of new chains (ripping) then. Even though the ones I cut were pretty rough, it was fairly gratifying, and fun to do.
Is there a used mill market, or should I just stick with buying new? Making my own isn't really feasible at this time, maybe once I figure out which end is up I'll give it a try.
Jonathan

 

[gemniii]

Thanks for the advice fellas. I was thinking of using my MS 390 (25" bar), or my 288XP (28" bar) to get started. I guess I'll have to look at a couple of new chains (ripping) then. Even though the ones I cut were pretty rough, it was fairly gratifying, and fun to do.
Is there a used mill market, or should I just stick with buying new? Making my own isn't really feasible at this time, maybe once I figure out which end is up I'll give it a try.
Jonathan

Keep an eye on Ebay, the Alaskan Mark III is always there for full price but used ones often pop up for half price. Get at least a 36" one.