Need Ideas for DIY Rail guides for Alaskan Mark III

[SilverKing]

I will be purchasing an Alaskan Mark III mill 36" and wanted to setup my own rail guide system.  Any ideas?

[Dan_Shade]

an aluminum ladder works great

[zopi]

Good straight two by six..
I used that channel stock they hang conduit on...forget what they call it...

Channel iron would do too...

I sawed five logs with the mkIII....then bought a bandsaw mill...too bloody much work.

[JV]

 



I used two 2x4's on edge with the t-slot channel from Granberg.  You have to drill through the edge to attach the bolts.  I used 3/8" all thread to space and adjust the 2x's.  I nail the channel to the face of the log with duplex nails as they are easy to pull.   I let the ends of the 2x's stick out about 18" so I can hang the saw on them. 









I used a 2x6 on the far end to either level or cut a taper.  I have a 52" mill with a Stihl 084 with a 60" bar and this rig handles it fine.  I used 16' 2x's to cut longer timbers.  Makes a cheap rail system.





A 3" x 46" x 80" slab I cut for a customer.

[Dan_Shade]

I have some square tubing with holes punched in it.  I lag screw this to the log, and zip tied it to the ladder.

I don't have any pictures.

[Banjo picker]

zopi I think you are talking about unistrut..Tim

[mikeb1079]

i made mine out of two 10' pieces of unistrut with cross pieces welded in between.  if you put the slotted side outwards you can slide the end pieces ( i used angle iron) to adapt to different lengths of log.  heavy but works well.

[SilverKing]

Thanks for the ideas and pics.  They were very helpful.  Zopi would you be interested in selling your Mark III?

[zopi]

Yep..unistrut...works well..I made a pair of angle iron end clamps with holes to nail the assembly to the log..worked out well..

[zopi]

Well...I suppose so...lemme think on it a bit..not sure what to ask...it takes up to a thirty six inch bar...