The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: TexasTimbers on September 13, 2007, 03:24:33 PM

Title: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: TexasTimbers on September 13, 2007, 03:24:33 PM
I was going to post this a long time ago but just never did, because my camera would not record for more than one minute at a time. I was going to try and find out if any of my software would allow me to string all the vidoe segment together but I have played around with it for a while and can't figure it out. Here is a little clip of the final pass to drop the first slab off of it. I just now upload it to youtube so i don't know oif this will work yet or not.


youtube slabbing vid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia9Hls0wnGI)
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: TexasTimbers on September 13, 2007, 03:37:02 PM
I keep calling it a slab but it isn't a slab until I make the second cut. Maybe I will upload the final pass on the secon cut next.

Here is another clip that gives you a good idea of how a 395XP turns 60" of chain around the long bar. You here me say how I feel about it in the first 2 seconds of the clip.

More Slabbing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W9b0-vLcDE)
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: metalspinner on September 13, 2007, 04:35:05 PM
Hmmmm...
I think I wnt a bigger saw. :)
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: beenthere on September 13, 2007, 04:43:51 PM
kevjay
The first cut you make gives you the slab. The second cut in gives you a flitch.... ;D ;D
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: TexasTimbers on September 13, 2007, 04:57:36 PM
You are right of course. It's just that when I think of thick slabs for table tops I don't think of it as a flitch because everyone calls them slabs, so I don't feel like I have a slab until I cut out that first real thick flitch. :D
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: breederman on September 13, 2007, 06:05:41 PM
 Are you using a ripping chain?   Nice slab. :)
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: Ianab on September 13, 2007, 06:28:06 PM
You can call them slabs, it's the Southern hemisphere term for them. 

You dont see Peterson or Lucas selling flitchers do you  ;)  :D

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: KGNC on September 14, 2007, 08:41:46 AM
When I try to do that I always end up with "twist" in my cut.
A few weeks ago I was cutting a white pine log in half for a couple of benches by the pond.  My wife tried not to, but laughed at my not so flat benches.
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: beenthere on September 14, 2007, 09:54:07 AM
Can't say for sure why that happens, but some things come to mind...

...chain not sharp and with equal cutting angles left and right...

...forcing the saw to cut, rather than letting it cut on its own...

...cranking (see-saw) down through the cut...


Maybe none of the above... :) :)
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on September 14, 2007, 10:03:12 AM

Down here, they use the walk back and forth method. Use the end of the bar to keep scoring deeper, then sawing some out, then end of the bar , etc. etc.  They get some pretty even cuts, most of the time. I've seen them go too far with the chain dull, and finally quit and file. By then, the damage is done.  ::) ::)
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: TexasTimbers on September 14, 2007, 12:48:46 PM
breeder yes its Woodsman Pro 38RP 10° ripping chain from Baileys. I think when you use crosscut chain to rip you make french fries instead of sawdust so that's one way to tell when you are watching ripping with a crosscut chain.

I did use "see-sawing" as part of my technique because I didn't know any better. The slabs are not as flat as what I would like but they came out pretty decent. I do not have any twist just rough spots where the chain was being see-sawed. I think a single pass with the router might take care of them but certainly 2 at the most.

I have a whopper of a crotch still lying on a trailer in Winnsboro that i still have not gone back for. I don't think the 6' blade will go all the way through it.  :-\
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: samdland on October 18, 2007, 04:31:40 PM
Yep I would have to have a bigger saw.

Like this V8 powered chainsaw.
V8 Chainsaw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOGJLoVi-Bg&mode=related&search=)
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: TexasTimbers on October 18, 2007, 04:36:40 PM
CRIKEY!  :o  :D  8)
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: submarinesailor on October 18, 2007, 04:48:28 PM
LOOK OUT, Texas has moved to Aussie land.  Or the Aussies have invaded Texas. :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: ljmathias on October 18, 2007, 07:52:32 PM
How's that old saying go- too much money, too much time, not enough sense?  So here's my question- when do they put a diesel on a chain saw, maybe one out of an old Freightliner- that's what I'M talking about!

LJ
Title: Re: Freehand Chainsaw Milling
Post by: customsawyer on October 18, 2007, 08:55:16 PM
Some times there is a fine line between brave and stupid. I am not sure which side them guys are on.