Chainsaw Mill Question ?

[Jim Ignatowski]

Hello Everyone,

Hope all is well. I was lucky enough to receive three large truck loads of firewood over the past few months. It's mostly oak. I've been wanting to make some shelves and I was considering cutting boards out of some of these logs that I have left. I figure if I screw it up, it will simply end up in the stove.

Question - has anyone used a chainsaw mill and do you have suggestions on what to buy ? I see portable mills on Amazon for about $150 but no idea if they're good. I'm not going to be doing long boards - I'm thinking 48" tops.

Next question, I have an MS360 - if I buy the right chain, will this saw be capable of doing to cuts ?

Appreciate any thoughts or suggestions. Thank you

 

[Highbeam]

You can buy a lot of perfect shelf lumber for 150$.

 

[Jim Ignatowski]

No doubt - but I figure could probably buy a cheap mill for $100 and give it shot. I've been shopping around for something

appreciate the reply

 

[EbS-P]

My cheap one worked fine. It been modified now to be longer. Point of reference, I’m hoping I can get a 32” wide cut in oak with a full skip milling chain with my 92cc G660. Yes you can but it will need dried then planed (got a planer?) then held wil split and warp. It will take many hours to get one board. Mill stuff you can’t buy.

 

[Jim Ignatowski]

I have a box planer - I've been reading about drying, looking at 1year per 1". Not sure if there is a kiln around here that offers to dry slabs. Worst thing would be having a bunch of slabs drying. I'm always looking for lumber to work with, and if I totally screw it up, I'll feed the stoves

 

[Pinesmoke]

For a few years I cut and sold slabs. I started with a chainsaw mil and a 36" bar ending up with a mil I built with a 6' bar and Honda motor running it.

Some things I learned along the way.
Basic chainsaw mill will do the job though it's not fast, just cruise it so the saw wanders less.
A hand planner for 50 bucks will do wonders to clean up your cut. WEN is cheap and really pretty good. I roughed it before drying the slab. It's easier to cut.
Buck the logs a foot or so longer than you need for finished length (your shelves) so the splitting can be cut off the ends.
Paint the ends with any latex paint to slow the end grain drying, reduces splits.
When that's all done stack the slabs with 3/4" x 3/4" between them and ratchet strap them together tight. It will help cupping
Run a fan to circulate air between them early on. When fresh cut they can mold due to high moisture.

ETA
I could push the drying by tenting the stack of slabs with a tarp supported with some 2x4s and put a dehumidifier inside the tent.

 

[EbS-P]

For a few years I cut and sold slabs. I started with a chainsaw mil and a 36" bar ending up with a mil I built with a 6' bar and Honda motor running it.

Some things I learned along the way.
Basic chainsaw mill will do the job though it's not fast, just cruise it so the saw wanders less.
A hand planner for 50 bucks will do wonders to clean up your cut. WEN is cheap and really pretty good. I roughed it before drying the slab. It's easier to cut.
Buck the logs a foot or so longer than you need for finished length (your shelves) so the splitting can be cut off the ends.
Paint the ends with any latex paint to slow the end grain drying, reduces splits.
When that's all done stack the slabs with 3/4" x 3/4" between them and ratchet strap them together tight. It will help cupping
Run a fan to circulate air between them early on. When fresh cut they can mold due to high moisture.

ETA
I could push the drying by tenting the stack of slabs with a tarp supported with some 2x4s and put a dehumidifier inside the tent.

Very good info.