Which csm to buy GB or Grandberg ?

[4492011]

I am thinking about buying a csm and I can get a GB double end mill fairly cheep but they are no longer being brought in to the country. Or just buy a Granberg ?

 

[oldsaw]

I haven't seen the "double end" set up for the GB mill. I've run an Alaskan for 6 years and have been very satisfied with it.

Would you have to rig a clamp on the bar end side of the GB? Both are good units, but you may want to see how much work the GB will be to run on one powerhead on it, if any. As I said, not familliar enough.

 

[BobL]

When you say a double ender do you mean;
1) It comes with a double ended bar and helper handle
OR
2) the mill is already set up to take two saws? If so then you need to make sure it comes with the helper handle so you can use it with one saw otherwise you will have to hunt one down or make one.

If the GB is one of the models than mounts to the bar bolts then I would go with that because
- it gives you a couple of inches wider cut.
and to a lesser extent;
- on the granberg, if you forget to tighten the clamping bolts up enough your chain is toast
- the bar bolt mount is a bit stronger/stabler than a bar bolt mount.

 

[woodsrunner]

When you say a double ender do you mean;

2) the mill is already set up to take two saws? If so then you need to make sure it comes with the helper handle so you can use it with one saw otherwise you will have to hunt one down or make one.


Bob, this isn't correct. I have 2 of the GB double powerhead mills. You can easily run one powerhead with a "regular" bar, ie NOT a double ended bar.
You simply need to drill a hole in the tip end of the bar and bolt thru that hole. GB does include a bar tip cover to shield the tip end of the bar and it is designed to bolt onto the second powerhead mount with a couple of carriage bolts. If you elect to use a double ended bar with a single powerhead the procedure is different. Both of my GB mills came with an 8 pin sprocket with a bearing inserted into the sprocket and a carriage bolt thru the bearing. this is designed to bolt onto the powerhead mount and serve as an idler for the chain. Then the bar tip shield bolts on over all of that assembly. Unfortunately the idler on both my mills was a .404 pitch sprocket and I only run 3/8.

To the OP i really like my GB mill. I think it is a more robust mill. The thing I really like is the ability to run one powerhead or two. I do both and it gives me more options on power. However, the Granberg looks to be very satisfactory also.

Scott

P.S.
Bob, hope I didn't misunderstand your reply.

 

[WesternSaw]

Not into milling,but........

Fellas, I'm not into milling but I have acquired an old small Alaskan Jr. that came with two Pioneer 650's attached to it.I may or may not keep it as a friend on AS has expressed interest in it. Could you guy's post some pics or drawings of what your talking about.I can't see how you could run one powerhead on the bar that can take two, as one end looks just like the other and how the heck would the chain be able to go around the opposite end if it is cutout like it is fit for the sprocket end.
Thanks in Advance
Lawrence

 

[BobL]

If you elect to use a double ended bar with a single powerhead the procedure is different. Both of my GB mills came with an 8 pin sprocket with a bearing inserted into the sprocket and a carriage bolt thru the bearing. this is designed to bolt onto the powerhead mount and serve as an idler for the chain. Then the bar tip shield bolts on over all of that assembly. Unfortunately the idler on both my mills was a .404 pitch sprocket and I only run 3/8.

P.S.
Bob, hope I didn't misunderstand your reply.

No problems, I called it a helper handle but what I meant was the idler sprocket. If it doesn't have that he would have to change bars or make/find a suitable idler.

 

[woodsrunner]

Could you guy's post some pics or drawings of what your talking about.I can't see how you could run one powerhead on the bar that can take two, as one end looks just like the other and how the heck would the chain be able to go around the opposite end if it is cutout like it is fit for the sprocket end.
Thanks in Advance
Lawrence

Lawrence check out this link. Bailey's has a pretty good picture of the Granberg helper handle which will work on either a double ended bar or a "normal" bar. there are 2 types of helper handle available from Granberg. One type has the roller included which acts as an idler (or the "sprocket tip") and this type would be used for double ended bars. The other type is exactly the same but it does not include the idler so you can use it on a regular long bar.

Scott

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=46975&catID=9877

 

[WesternSaw]

Scott

Thank you for the link and the explanation Scott.So if i have this right then the drive links of the chain you are using would be going in the groove of that round wheel towards the stinger.The other little piece would go in one of the holes of the bar.Am I correct on both these points?
Thanks
Lawrence

 

[woodsrunner]

Yes that is correct.

Scott

 

[WesternSaw]

Information found

Thanks Scott! Have to rep ya!
Lawrence

 

[irishcountry]

I own a GB never ran a alaskan. To me the alaskan looks like a simpler setup and sturdy. The complaints on the GB mainly for me are the locking mechinism it tends to rattle loose often I have put the incredible hulk grip on them and they still have to be watched and I have had them loosen and make a tapered cut slab that is waaaay off on end to the other, that said it is very sturdy too with 4 posts instead of 2 and I like the way it mounts to the saw.

 

[BobL]

I own a GB never ran a alaskan. To me the alaskan looks like a simpler setup and sturdy. The complaints on the GB mainly for me are the locking mechinism it tends to rattle loose often I have put the incredible hulk grip on them and they still have to be watched and I have had them loosen and make a tapered cut slab that is waaaay off on end to the other, that said it is very sturdy too with 4 posts instead of 2 and I like the way it mounts to the saw.

Just to keep our terminiology straight, a GB mill is a variant of an alaskan type mill. Anything portable that holds a chainsaw at both ends of the bar and makes lumber is an alaskan type mill.

An alaskan can be as basic as this

Through to custom made stuff like the awesome mill 820Wards put together.

 

[irishcountry]

Correct I own a griffith's berrens alaskan style mill-- never ran a granberg.

 

[woodsrunner]

yes the locking bolts are the only problem I've had with mine. But I learned pretty fast and after one screwup i double check them and tighten them gorilla tight. I don't find this to be a real problem since I generally set the mill once for whatever thickness i desire on a particular log and don't change it until I am ready to mill another log. I think all in all the GB is a pretty good mill and it allows me the ability to run a twin powerhead setup or a single which I really like. I'm very satisfied with mine and recommend it.

Scott

 

[4492011]

Thanks for the replies I will be running with single end bar and 1 power head. I have a bunch of dead ash trees can I use the ash as dimensional building lumber? I know it rots pretty fast laying on the ground.

 

[irishcountry]

I have heard the same about ash we have alot of borer killed ash too I have left some milled "test" peices out and really it is still solid I wanted to see if it rotted really quick but its been 2 years on the ground and still looks usable. Obviously the quicker you mill it the better but just thought you'd want to know it won't turn really quick I still have one to take down and i'm pretty sure it will still be just fine for lumber. Getting them off the ground will help I left one up and one board down to see what happened both are fine. Just passing it on.