New to Chainsaw Milling

[catdog]

So sure this question has been asked before but any tips for this before I pour the pork on some trees I got around here? Got a few white mulberry trees I wanna make into plank boards. So any tips would be appreciated. I know I am gonna tear something up regardless but I always try to get some advice first lol

 

[Mad Professor]

Let us know what sort of setup/mill you are using. Hard to give advice without that.

Have a place to stack, stick and cover the boards. Cut up or get some stickers.

 

[motolife313-2]

If using an aluminum ladder make sure it’s straight by eye. If using a wood board make sure it’s straight by eye also especially after nailing or screwing it in place. I’ve only ever used boards myself. Seen a lot of tweaked ladders tho. Sometimes I get a hip lip at the end of the cut and u should take it down with a sharp axe, planner or you’re smaller saw. Lot of tricks

 

[DGTIII]

https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/cs-milling-101-hints-tips-and-tricks.93458/

 

[catdog]

Thank yall for the replies! I know I could easily look up a guide but nothing beats hearing actual first hand knowledge from people from beginners to experts i believe everyone has something I could learn from. I was going to use boards and i bought a zozen chainsaw mill and one of those holzforma gs 660 it was cheap as s**t and big as s**t i was told milling is hard on a saw and for the price point and the fact you can put oem stihl parts on it i figured it was a pretty good middle of the road saw to use since I want be doing it every single day and not on a huge scale. What do yall think?

 

[catdog]

Let us know what sort of setup/mill you are using. Hard to give advice without that.

Have a place to stack, stick and cover the boards. Cut up or get some stickers.

So i have access to a good bit of white mulberry. Pretty decent wood? I googled it of course but google ain't actually done it so I don't immediately just go with what it says.

 

[catdog]

If using an aluminum ladder make sure it’s straight by eye. If using a wood board make sure it’s straight by eye also especially after nailing or screwing it in place. I’ve only ever used boards myself. Seen a lot of tweaked ladders tho. Sometimes I get a hip lip at the end of the cut and u should take it down with a sharp axe, planner or you’re smaller saw. Lot of tricks

Would a ladder or boards be better? Pros cons for both?

 

[catdog]

https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/cs-milling-101-hints-tips-and-tricks.93458/

Thanks! I will check this out appreciate you posting it!

 

[buzz sawyer]

I personally use a ladder, screwed to the log in a few places. Make sure the screws don't reach inro the depth to be sawn. After the first cut, I use the surface from the previous cut. Lead the cut with the tip of the bar so you are cutting on a slight skew, makes it a little easier on the saw. Don't rock the bar in the cut, it will give you uneven cut surface.

 

[DGTIII]

Would a ladder or boards be better? Pros cons for both?

Weight and size are the main things. A board can be had in just about any dimension you please, a ladder is light, stiff, and easy to deal with.

As far as the chinese saw goes, they might be a cool deal if youre handy and have the time to get/keep it running right. But no shop will take it - maybe a shadetree man if youre lucky.

But I say use whatever you've got on hand, you'll figure out if you need to make a change.

 

[Coralillo Lo Pro]

So i have access to a good bit of white mulberry. Pretty decent wood? I googled it of course but google ain't actually done it so I don't immediately just go with what it says.

Never worked with it - if it's similar to red mulberry it's extremely hard, getting up toward pecan. Very low water content and doesn't shrink much, so should dry well if stacked properly.

Whatever you use for rails (ladder, wood, etc) just get it level and let it rip. Show the results and people can tell if you're doing anything wrong. Basic milling info is on this site in endless detail as well as on youtube, so best just to have at it and see what results you get.