Log wizard chainsaw debarker

[Patrick NC]

I've never tested my theory, but I would think a chainsaw with a junk chain (or a new chain that would quickly become a junk one) would work as well as a Log Wizard for clearing a cut line in front of the blade. Once the cutters were dull it would work more like an abrasive tool😁

I keep a ms170 at the front of the mill just for that. It works OK but is slow. I bought the log wizard and tried it this past weekend on some SYP and  chestnut oak. With properly set sharp blades it gets it done 3x faster than a chainsaw alone.  I'm sure once the blades get dull it won't work as good,  but it's the best thing I've found so far. Anyone who can debark a strip down a piece of chestnut oak with a wire brush and scraper faster than this thing is a much better man than I am.

[jpassardi]

Barbender: I considered similar but using my 20V/60V cordless circular saw. The new ones have enough power. This would give the benefit of a cheap carbide blade at the flick of a switch.
Pretty darn sure I could make it work well mounted to the carriage with a spring tensioned arm with reasonably close geometry & pressure. I can't justify the time investment / benefit at this point though. Maybe fab it up when I retire...

[bigblockyeti]

I was thinking of much the same but a pair of super cheap 7 1/4" blades on the arbor would give a little larger target.  A more powerful 12V saw would be even better as most mills already have 12V available.  Looking at how WM has their debarker set up, I've seen some that appear to shoot the dust (& dirt & rocks) into the band while others it appears the blade spins to spray the swarf away from the band which makes far more sense.