Very very noob.

[Woody Harlson]

Greetings All!

Amazing there is a forum for everything nowadays!
So here is my very brief story/question. I'm in the process of setting up a pretty sweet garage shop and getting in the zone for building furniture, doors, etc. I want to mill up slabs for my own use, and I wouldn't mind doing a lot of slabbing since I will have the storage for it. It seems like a great way to spend time outdoors, not to mention the workout!
I went chainsaw slab milling with a few people over a year ago. I just watched, but I think I get the the basic idea. (enter in with tip (thats what she said), hammer in wedges to avoid bar pinching, wear chaps, visor, etc.

I plan on cutting 2"-4" slabs from 10' to 14' long logs. Mostly soft/medium woods, occasionally hard.

I've only briefly researched, but I'm inclined to buy the Panthermill2. Unless someone can explain to me that the Alaskan III is better. (the rails you mount the log for the first cut, what size should I get? panther sells 8" rails but does not say how long they are, or if they inter-connect with each other.)

I will need a 40-50cc minimum chainsaw. I plan on getting a Stihl forestry chainsaw with a 24" bar. I'll buy used and imagine it will be at least $5-600

How much should I expect to pay for a good carbide tipped ripping chain? And which company makes the best ones? (also what angles would be good? and what exactly does angles have to do with cut? I assume the steeper the angle = better for hardwoods, shallow angle = softwoods?)

Is a 1K budget too much for a newbie? or should I expect to be paying more?


Sorry Guys, I know these are a lot of questions,but I won't make it a habit, and I will greatly appreciate any help!

Thanks!!!

 

[mikeb1079]

firstly, welcome woody. there's a ton of info here. sounds like you've got a great plan.

I will need a 40-50cc minimum chainsaw. I plan on getting a Stihl forestry chainsaw with a 24" bar. I'll buy used and imagine it will be at least $5-600

do yourself a favor and make that a 70cc saw minimum. you won't regret it. there have been several saws in the classifieds here recently that are 70cc+ and under 600. if you like stihl look for a used 044/440 or 066/660.

How much should I expect to pay for a good carbide tipped ripping chain? And which company makes the best ones? (also what angles would be good? and what exactly does angles have to do with cut? I assume the steeper the angle = better for hardwoods, shallow angle = softwoods?)

i wouldn't worry about carbide chain. from what i can tell it's more for a special situation/circumstance. most of us here run woodland pro milling chain carried by baileys. it's cheap and performs well. i have milled a bunch with it. the difference is the top plate angle of milling chain is typically 5 or 10 degrees vs 30 or 35 for regular cross cutting chain. this reduced angle of attack gives you a smoother finish. trust me it does. i've milled with regular chain and it's much more difficult to get a nice smooth finish. some guys buy regular chain and then gradually regrind it back to 10 degree top plate angle. milling chain will work fine on both hard and soft woods.

Is a 1K budget too much for a newbie? or should I expect to be paying more?

i think that is just about right actually. good luck! :msp_smile:

 

[woodchuck357]

Welcome aboard

:msp_thumbup: I'm new to the site, but old in age and woods time. I use the method shown at this thread to saw gun stock blanks out of walnut stumps and crotches. http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/222332.htm

 

[Woody Harlson]

:msp_thumbup: I'm new to the site, but old in age and woods time. I use the method shown at this thread to saw gun stock blanks out of walnut stumps and crotches. http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/222332.htm

are you trying to tell me if I cant cut slabs freehand I'm a wuss? :msp_sneaky:

 

[Dave Boyt]

are you trying to tell me if I cant cut slabs freehand I'm a wuss? :msp_sneaky:

Only if you wear shoes (flip-flops = 1/2 credit)

 

[BobL]

enter in with tip (thats what she said)

I'm not sure what you mean about the tip?

I plan on cutting 2"-4" slabs from 10' to 14' long logs. Mostly soft/medium woods, occasionally hard.

What Diameter are the logs?

I've only briefly researched, but I'm inclined to buy the Panthermill2. Unless someone can explain to me that the Alaskan III is better.

I assume you mean the Granberg Alaskan MkII, (Alaskan is a generic name for a portable CMS mill).
I've not seen a Panther up close but they appear to be similar in design. I believe panther make theirs when the order is placed so if you want one in a hurry that is not always possible.
Both designs are very basic and can be improved by modification.

(the rails you mount the log for the first cut, what size should I get? panther sells 8" rails

I think you mean 8'?
I reckon rails should be ~12' long so that a CSM can sit and be started on the rails, cut an 8' long log, and then have a couple of ft for the CSM to sit on while it cools off. Both my sets are only 10' long and that is at least a foot too short to do this. A 14' log will need at least 17' rails. When I join my two 10' sets together I just manage 17'.

I will need a 40-50cc minimum chainsaw. I plan on getting a Stihl forestry chainsaw with a 24" bar. I'll buy used and imagine it will be at least $5-600

I also suggest a minimum of 70 cc. 50 cc is only really OK for short logs
A 24" bar will restrict you to about 18" diam logs. And even if you only currently have this size of log you WILL want to cut larger than this.

How much should I expect to pay for a good carbide tipped ripping chain? And which company makes the best ones?

As mike 1079 says forget the carbide and learn to sharpened, and to file early (well before the chain gets too blunt) and often. Carbide still eventually goes blunt and sharpening costs a leg and maybe half a testicle.

(also what angles would be good? and what exactly does angles have to do with cut? I assume the steeper the angle = better for hardwoods, shallow angle = softwoods?)

I will draw up an FAQ on Angles and post it in the MILLING 101 sticky.
Here it is - http://www.arboristsite.com/milling-saw-mills/93458-8.htm#post4107285

 

[TreeGuyHR]

Welcome!

Somehow, the first thing I thought of when I read your screen name was this:

You can skip to the 1:54 mark, or just enjoy. i might get spanked again -- but this movie was PG!

Austin Powers - It looks like a huge ..... - YouTube