Want to Buy a Mill

[bower4311]

I am looking to buy a mill and want suggestions. I have a MS 441 that I will use to start, then either get it ported, or sell it to get a bigger saw. The sky could be the limit with the new saw, but for now, it's going to be a stock 441. What size/brand mill should I get? I have a brand new 28" bar that I could use. My brother and I are just looking to get started on some smaller logs for starters. I have no idea how the mills work, if you can always use a smaller bar, or if it is worth it to just get a bigger one for future use, I just don't know.

Thank you for any help.

 

[bower4311]

I haven't looked into mills much, but for example, this is what I'm looking at from Bailey's.
http://www.baileysonline.com/Forest...K-III-Alaskan-Chainsaw-Mill-with-36-Rails.axd
This has a max cut of 32" which is about the max we would want ever at this point in time.
Thing is...we're using a stock 441 to start, with a 28" bar that we already have. Will this be a problem with this size mill? Bailey's states: "Small logs are more difficult to mill with the larger mills." Will running a 28" bar be too small to run effectively?

 

[Grande Dog]

Howdy,

The size of the mill has less to do with power requirement than the size of wood you're dealing with. The mills can be collapsed to do smaller sizes but, can only be expanded to the length of rails you purchase. If you plan on feeding that saw a steady diet of large wood, I would try to keep it in the 20" to 24" max width of cut. Depending on how much, and what species of wood, your current saw could be at the small end of what you need. If you were to put the basic mill on your current set up, you would be able to do about 22"- 23" max width of cut.
Regards
Gregg

 

[Pfin]

Check out the milling 101 sticky at the top of the forum. It is extremely helpful, with input from some brilliant long time sawyers. I recommend you buy a bigger mill than you think you'll ever need. They'll work fine on smaller bars (for the most part), and as the addiction takes hold, your going to want to get into bigger saws and bigger wood. I have a 42" panther mill on a 28" bar right now. Yes it's a bit heavy, but if you're doing it right the weight is an advantage. I have both a Panther (steel) and Granberg (aluminum) CSM, both work great. Good luck, be safe, and enjoy!

 

[mdavlee]

A 30" will work with the 28" bar and be able to go bigger if you got a bigger bar and saw. I have a 30" and 56" to go with my 088. I use the 30" mill with my 385 and a 28".

 

[bower4311]

A 30" will work with the 28" bar and be able to go bigger if you got a bigger bar and saw. I have a 30" and 56" to go with my 088. I use the 30" mill with my 385 and a 28".

Do you think the granberg 36" will be fine with the 28" bar?

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[mdavlee]

Do you think the granberg 36" will be fine with the 28" bar?

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Yes it will. You'll have a little extra mill sticking out but won't be a problem. I run my 30" with 24-28" bars. An aux oiler won't be a bad idea or at least the HO oiler upgrade if you're saw doesn't have it.

 

[bower4311]

Yes it will. You'll have a little extra mill sticking out but won't be a problem. An aux oiler won't be a bad idea or at least the HO oiler upgrade if you're saw doesn't have it.

Already looking into an extra oiler. Is the Granberg a good mill? Are there other brands that I should consider?

 

[mdavlee]

Already looking into an extra oiler. Is the Granberg a good mill? Are there other brands that I should consider?

I like the granberg fine. The panther mill is a little cheaper but heavier. Not sure that matters much if you can get logs on a slope as the extra weight will let it feed itself.

 

[bower4311]

I like the granberg fine. The panther mill is a little cheaper but heavier. Not sure that matters much if you can get logs on a slope as the extra weight will let it feed itself.

Free shipping with a Panther. The 36" is only 140. Should I go bigger than 36"?

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[mdavlee]

Free shipping with a Panther. The 36" is only 140. Should I go bigger than 36"?

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I would get 2 instead of trying to do one big one. There's some places that do free shipping on granbergs also.

 

[bower4311]

I would get 2 instead of trying to do one big one. There's some places that do free shipping on granbergs also.

But, if that 36" is alright for a 28" bar, then I always have the option of going up in bar size if this hobby continues and I get bigger saws (always the goal really).

 

[mdavlee]

True. I ended up with a big difference in mine. I've used the 30" with a 20" bar once. A mini mill is a good addition to it also.