Point me to your mill info

[Andrew96]

Guys, there is so much stuff here that I'm spending more time searching than reading..only gaining 1/2 the knowedge at best as I stumble upon it. After a taste of milling with the antique setup, I've now purchased a good used 660 and would like to build a good mill for it this winter. I'm in the design stage but there are so many good concepts out there..I'd like to review them all and make a versitile rig. Do you have design details of yours that you can point me too? What would you make if you made another?
Things I'm thinking of:
Channeled or bolt on rails so the mill is not bar dependant (not a fixed location bolt through design) extendable with different length rails/bars.
I like the idea of supporting the power head by the mill (plate bolting to bar mount area as front side of actual mill).
The length wouldn't exceed 36" or so, so aux oiling isn't in just yet.
Alumimun to keep weight down.
Rather than fire ideas..can you point me to yours and tell me what you like/dislike?

 

[BobL]

When I joined this forum I had already made a small (16 - 24") steel CS mill. I then studied the mills on this forums for about 3 months before I started to make the BIL mill. It really pays to bite the bullet and read - read - read.

Have you read the sticky?

Next, check out the links in my sig.
The Original BIL mill build thread is here.
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=48517
If you do a search for BobL and BIL mill you will get lots of leads.

What would I do if I make another - stay tuned!!!!!
I never really plan anything too far in advance - my plan are organic - sort of grow as they go.

 

[Andrew96]

BobL, thanks for the links...that was what I was after. Some other names or posts to read about home built mills, modifications. I've searched lots but seem to miss things. I haven't fully read everything from your links as I can search the contributors names and follow their progress. I'm more of a research it to death during a design/then build kind of guy. There are so many good ideas here...I didn't want to miss reading about them. I'd rather learn from for example, your oiler leak problems rather than start from scratch inventing something others have had problems with. What you taught me this morning. When to use a brake on a mill (I never use them intentionally...stumbed across that tidbit), directing exhaust away from the operator, Oiler leaking problems, Bar stud locations so a mill will be easily converted to other saws (adapter plate). Handles that incorporate anti vibration. Geez..that's a lot and I haven't even finished fully exploring/measuring raker heights yet. So much to learn. I've read the sticky but knew there was more out there. Thanks so much. Once up to speed I'll be better able to undestand your BilMill Rev 2 dreams.

 

[mtngun]

When I got serious about getting a CSM, I read every thread on this forum, starting at the beginning. You may have to fiddle with your forum settings to get it to show you the old threads several years back.

 

[gink595]

There is all kinds of good ideas here, but I agree finding it in a timely manner sometimes is difficult. I'm a newb to milling also, I've milled about a dozen tree now, and after the first couple I decided I have to come up with something to help make cants with out buying a mini-mill setup (which I bought later anyways) Here is a fixture I made for setting up the first couple cuts of a log. all adjustable and if you wanted to you could make a 8 sided cant, which I'm going to try

 

[BobL]

BobL, thanks for the links...that was what I was after. Some other names or posts to read about home built mills, modifications.

I read just about everything that Aggiewoodbutcher and Woodshop posted. CaseyForrest has also posted lots of info about mills and milling. It's a pity Railomatic has gone as have most of his images. There are lots of others that have posted bits and pieces

I've searched lots but seem to miss things. I haven't fully read everything from your links as I can search the contributors names and follow their progress. I'm more of a research it to death during a design/then build kind of guy. There are so many good ideas here...I didn't want to miss reading about them.

It will be impossible to read it all so you will miss out on stuff. There are also other forums to look at too

Once up to speed I'll be better able to undestand your BilMill Rev 2 dreams.

It's still a dream but getting closer.

 

[Andrew96]

BobL..thanks...I haven't even finished reading this forum. I have a few more names to search now though.
Mtngun....How do I start from the beginning...I'll spend a month (or more) reading everything. I don't know how to find the start. I only see the current stuff. I'll try to figure that out though. Good idea.
Gink595 (Frank). Nice photos. Your setup is more of a "move the tree to a good spot" type setup. I like that though. I get 'given' trees that are in bad places, or blow downs in poor locations/hung up. Usually if people cannot get to it with their tractor/equipment, or it's too big for them..they just give it to me. I've been cutting free hand with my 361 into slabs I can move. At these remote locations with only my Land Rover/trailer...I salvage good wood..in OK shaped slabs, out of wood that would be left to rot. As sometimes I can only get my Rover 'near' the tree, I need a portable setup. A mill will help me get better results (way better). Free handing on the side of a hill is...well...hard. I get tired...then have to carry everything back out(I'm not 19 anymore)...more times than not..up the hill. Portability is key for me. If I can move the whole tree...I'll either free hand it at home...or take it to a BSM.

 

[BobL]

Free handing on the side of a hill is...well...hard. I get tired... .

You should be getting the hill working for you. Roll the log so that it points downhill and then use a mill down the slope. If you get everything working right for you the mill will almost go down the log by itself.

 

[gink595]

Sounds like you need to get a 4-wheeler, I can haul all of my milling stuff on the racks and strap them down with bungy straps. Only if I'm hauling it 500 feet from the barn


But you are right I haul of my logs home first. I haven't milled in the "field" yet.

 

[Andrew96]

Ya, a Quad would be nice. I've got a few too many motorcycles to add a quad right now. So far, I've been lucky enough to be close enough to the trailer. I have been able to get the rover pretty far into nowhere a couple of times. While playing with the antique setup, I thought about being able to mill downhill. Milling on level ground is so much easier than freehanding, results were fantastic. More crawling around but less swinging the saw around. I can't wait to try milling downhill.