Think I'm finally getting CSM

[Evanrude]

I've always been kinda interested in milling. I stop by this part of the forum every now and then to see what you guys are finding underneath all that bark. I'm seriously starting to consider a CSM at this time. Any tips or suggestions? The only experience I have milling is with a band saw type rig on White Pine when I helped a friend (also first time milling) for a couple days. Right now I'm looking at the Granberg 24" or 30". Always been intrigued by the Logosol Big Mil system, however, I don't see you guys using it on here. Why's that?

Here's why I'm looking at getting a mill:
My neighbor has tons of pines behind his house and a bunch of them uprooted in a storm we had earlier. Most of those are 12-18" dbh and around 60' tall. Also, my other neighbor who lets me cut on his property had some Black Cherry's come down in the same storm. I absolutely love the look of cherry! Not sure on how much Cherry there will be. I'm hoping to find a few good pieces rather straight of that to mill. I've been thinking about building some benches and maybe even some little out door tables with the wood. I would like to see some of your guys' benches and stuff, maybe borrow some ideas.

What size mill would you recommend? I've got a 660 so I believe the saw dept is covered. Should I look into a chain setup other than 3/8"? How large of a mill starts requiring an aux oiler? I would like to avoid that, which I'm sure I'll be able to do with what I'm cutting.

Can you mill green wood or do you have to let it dry first? What do I use or how do I go about sealing them if I need to do that? Also, storing the boards once milled...

Sorry for the long post and tons of questions. I just wanted to be thorough as possible. Thanks!

 

[mikeb1079]

I'm seriously starting to consider a CSM at this time. Any tips or suggestions?

yep, do it.

Right now I'm looking at the Granberg 24" or 30".

get the bigger one.

Always been intrigued by the Logosol Big Mil system, however, I don't see you guys using it on here. Why's that

it's expensive.

I would like to see some of your guys' benches and stuff, maybe borrow some ideas.

check out the "what are you building with your milled wood" thread.

What size mill would you recommend?

36" alaskan.

Should I look into a chain setup other than 3/8"?

for me 3/8 mill chain from baileys works great but mtn gun has had some success with the lo pro chain. do some searches on that if you'd like.

How large of a mill starts requiring an aux oiler?

most guys will run one over around 30" or so.

Can you mill green wood or do you have to let it dry first?

mill em green if you can, it only gets harder as they dry out.

What do I use or how do I go about sealing them if I need to do that?

anchorseal is the best but latex paint is better than nothing. just paint the ends after you buck the logs to the size you'd like or you can paint the ends of the boards after you mil them.

Also, storing the boards once milled...

stack and sticker about 1" apart every 2ft or so. can be outdoors, keep out of direct sunlight. cover top to keep off rain.

Sorry for the long post and tons of questions. I just wanted to be thorough as possible. Thanks!

no worries, that's what we're here for!

did i answer em all? :biggrinbounce2:

 

[Evanrude]

Jeeze Mike, I think you've got it covered!

But, there's more now!

Since I've already got a 36" 3/8 bar for my 660, should I get the 36" mill instead of the 30" even for the size stuff I plan on doing now? I thought it would probably be easier to start with a smaller mill, thats why I was thinking the other two sizes.

Do you recommend getting the guide bars for the first cut, or just use an aluminum ladder or 2x4's?

I can store the milled wood in my pole barn, so don't have to worry about rain/sun.

 

[mtngun]

What size mill would you recommend? I've got a 660 so I believe the saw dept is covered.

No right or wrong answer. 36" is very common, though.

Should I look into a chain setup other than 3/8"?

3/8" is the most common and readily available. The smaller kerf chains like lo-pro cut faster but the bars and sprockets are harder to come by. I'd suggest getting a 0.050" x 3/8 bar regardless, because 0.050" gives you the option to switch to a narrow kerf chain down the road.

How large of a mill starts requiring an aux oiler? I would like to avoid that.

There is no law requiring you to use an aux, and I milled for a year without one, but an aux helps even on small logs.

Can you mill green wood

yes

What do I use or how do I go about sealing them if I need to do that?

Anchorseal, Bailey's Seal, or even a thick application of latex paint.

 

[mtngun]

Since I've already got a 36" 3/8 bar for my 660, should I get the 36" mill instead of the 30"

No right or wrong answer. I run a 36" bar in a 36" mill. Bear in mind that a 36" bar will only cut 28" - 29" of wood due to the bar clamps.

Do you recommend getting the guide bars for the first cut, or just use an aluminum ladder or 2x4's?

Many types of guide bars, they all work, see BobL's sticky thread at the top of the forum.

Choice of guide bar will depend in part on how long of a log you plan to cut. Guide should be about 18" longer than the log.

 

[Evanrude]

Thanks MTNGUN

All my std mount bars are 3/8" x .050, so we're good there!

I may start another thread once I get everything and ready to mill asking about the furniture building, got a couple questions there... I'm in no hurry, probably be mid of August before I get my CSM ordered.

 

[burningwood]

Mill Size

Jeeze Mike, I think you've got it covered!

But, there's more now!

Since I've already got a 36" 3/8 bar for my 660, should I get the 36" mill instead of the 30" even for the size stuff I plan on doing now? I thought it would probably be easier to start with a smaller mill, thats why I was thinking the other two sizes.

Do you recommend getting the guide bars for the first cut, or just use an aluminum ladder or 2x4's?

I can store the milled wood in my pole barn, so don't have to worry about rain/sun.

I have the 660 with the 36 inch ACM, you can always use a smaller bar with the 36 but if you order a smaller mill then want to go bigger your screwed.

bw

 

[Evanrude]

That's what I confused about. So I don't have to use the long bar for a larger mill? How does the mill fasten to the bar? I thought it clamped down on the tip. Does the vertical support on the tip end of the mill adjust to bar length?

Forgot to mention: I'm aware that a 30" mill will not cut 30" wide planks.

 

[burningwood]

That's what I confused about. So I don't have to use the long bar for a larger mill? How does the mill fasten to the bar? I thought it clamped down on the tip. Does the vertical support on the tip end of the mill adjust to bar length?

Forgot to mention: I'm aware that a 30" mill will not cut 30" wide planks.

I think you lose 2-3 inches off the width of the bar.

So I don't have to use the long bar for a larger mill? Correct

How does the mill fasten to the bar?I thought it clamped down on the tip. Yes it clamps down.

You can adjust the width and the depth on these mills. I did get the aux. oiler, you'll need it for your bigger bars (36)

bw

 

[smokinj]

That's what I confused about. So I don't have to use the long bar for a larger mill? How does the mill fasten to the bar? I thought it clamped down on the tip. Does the vertical support on the tip end of the mill adjust to bar length?

Forgot to mention: I'm aware that a 30" mill will not cut 30" wide planks.

It is all adjustable shorter bars work but you can only go so wide a 36 inch mill with a 42 inch bar maxes it out, but you can always run a shorther bar than max!

 

[burningwood]

Alaskan Chainsaw Mill

That's what I confused about. So I don't have to use the long bar for a larger mill? How does the mill fasten to the bar? I thought it clamped down on the tip. Does the vertical support on the tip end of the mill adjust to bar length?

Forgot to mention: I'm aware that a 30" mill will not cut 30" wide planks.

Here are some pictures of the 36 inch ACM without the bar.

View attachment 192182View attachment 192183View attachment 192184View attachment 192185View attachment 192186

bw