New to milling, have a few questions

[CTdan19]

Hey guys I recently started using a granberg Alaskan mill that my dad bought about 10 years ago and never used. It's the 48 inch model with a 50 something inch canon bar and the saw is an 046 with about 5 hours on it. It also has the roller handle and aux oiler kit installed.

I wish I had read the milling 101 thread before I started because it would have saved me a lot of hassle and a smoked chain. I had the bar slide in the bracket system and cut into one of bolts holding it together. Well after some messing around I figured out how to use the file and joint and got the chain back in working order. I followed the specs on granbergs site and filed the cutting teeth to 20 degrees and the clearing teeth to 5. It actually cuts pretty well considering what it's been through, and I can sharpen the 167 drivelink chain in about 20 mins these days.

I'm currently slabbing several 26+ in diameter Norway spruces that came down in hurricane sandy and am finding (no surprise to me) that my saw is underpowered for the bar. Luckily my friend has a thing for buying unnecessarily large saws for what he uses them for, and I was able to get my hands on his 084. It's currently 404 pitch and I want to convert it to .375 so I can run it on my mill.

I'm wondering if the bar that fits on my 046 will even work on this bigger saw, and if so what
parts do I need to complete the conversion? Also, am I going about sharpening the chain in the wrong way? It cuts nice and smooth, just a little slow. I'm sorry for the essay, just trying to he thorough. Thanks in advance!

 

[BobL]

Hey guys I recently started using a granberg Alaskan mill that my dad bought about 10 years ago and never used. It's the 48 inch model with a 50 something inch canon bar and the saw is an 046 with about 5 hours on it. It also has the roller handle and aux oiler kit installed.

I wish I had read the milling 101 thread before I started because it would have saved me a lot of hassle and a smoked chain. I had the bar slide in the bracket system and cut into one of bolts holding it together.

Good reason not to use bar clamps.

Well after some messing around I figured out how to use the file and joint and got the chain back in working order. I followed the specs on granbergs site and filed the cutting teeth to 20 degrees and the clearing teeth to 5. It actually cuts pretty well considering what it's been through, and I can sharpen the 167 drivelink chain in about 20 mins these days.

Is this a full sharpen, rakers as well?

I'm wondering if the bar that fits on my 046 will even work on this bigger saw, and if so what
parts do I need to complete the conversion?

The bar slot will be too narrow. Your options will be
- find someone who can turn up some bar bolts that fit the 084 on one side and the smaller bar slot on the other.
- grind out the slot in the bar - if needed you can still use it on the 046 by placing bushes on teh o46 bar bolts.
Before you do anything make sure the chain oil hole lines up with the oil pump slot on the saw.

Also, am I going about sharpening the chain in the wrong way? It cuts nice and smooth, just a little slow. I'm sorry for the essay, just trying to he thorough. Thanks in advance!

Post a direct side on pic of one of your cutters including the rakers - I'll bet the rakers are too high.

 

[mtngun]

I followed the specs on granbergs site and filed the cutting teeth to 20 degrees and the clearing teeth to 5.

No need to follow granberg specs. Both teeth can be sharpened to the same angle, the important thing is that the skinny teeth benefit from a more aggressive raker angle.

I was able to get my hands on his 084. It's currently 404 pitch and I want to convert it to .375 so I can run it on my mill.

Assuming the 404 bar has a sprocket nose, just swap in a 3/8" nose and put a 3/8 rim on the 084 and you're in business. The number of 3/8" drive links may or may not be the same for the same length bar compared to your 046.