Best vertical chainsaw mill???

Jfalcon8411 · September 22, 2021, 01:06:20 PM

Hurricane ida dropped a bunch of trees on my property!
I'm ready to start milling.
I need to know the best type of (Mill chain) guide chain for hardwoods(20"Bar/50cc Saw) also I need a vertical chainsaw mill and need suggestions. Please and thank you..

VB-Milling · September 22, 2021, 02:04:15 PM

Why a vertical CSM setup over the traditional Alaskan style horizontal setups?

What diameter of trees are you looking to mill? With a 20in bar, you'll be limited to about 16in of actual cut with most setups.

Have you looked into ripping chains that fit your chainsaw?

What is your powerhead? You said 50cc. What brand? Few, if any, 50cc powerheads are up to the challenge of milling. I wouldn't even consider trying unless the hurricane dropped a bunch of 8in diameter trees. Hardwood to boot? You definitely like a challenge.

sawguy21 · September 22, 2021, 03:01:04 PM

What he said. You won't last long trying to rip with that saw. Your best bet is a bandsaw mill or if it is a one time job hire a portable sawyer.

longtime lurker · September 22, 2021, 06:56:52 PM

Westford Rail Mill is the best chainsaw milling setup I've ever seen, availability in the US might be an issue (or not, never know, its only an email to find out right?) Way superior to an alaskan style setup.

http://www.westfordmills.com.au/home.htm

But like the other guys have said, you'd need about double the amount of saw than you currently have to get anywhere.

SawyerTed · September 24, 2021, 04:02:31 PM

What is your goal for the product you want to produce? A chainsaw mill has it's uses and at times is clearly the right tool for the job. Producing some hobby lumber, turning blanks, live edge 8/4 and up, mantles or producing beams are the type of things a CSM will do well enough.

BUT "a bunch of trees" isn't very descriptive of the trees and leaves us needing more information. You mention hardwood - you are going to need a bigger ~~boat~~ saw.

If you have more than a handful of logs and you intend on producing much 4/4 or 5/4 or dimensional lumber, a CSM will do it but it will be laborious and time consuming. I know, I started out with a CSM and quickly found it didn't meet my purposes.

doc henderson · September 24, 2021, 04:10:44 PM

at least a CSM is available now and not touting a 1 year + wait list. I hope you are in your 20s. you can give it a try and can see how it goes. to do it "right" meaning not ruining a smaller saw bar and chain, you will have several thousand wrapped up in a saw. I bought a chainsaw mill for my 046 mag and a 36 inch bar 30 years ago. how does it work? I do not know, it is still in the box. We have a Christian school nearby. they dropped some oak trees. and I stopped to inquire. another parent had already asked for them. every night after he got off work, he was there till dark milling slabs off the 2 logs. It took him 4 nights to mill two logs.