Someday I might get to do some milling!

[teacherman]

Well, it was good to find this forum. Ten years I have been hoping, preparing, waiting, and this summer we plan to move to Concord NH, and once settled, I want to do some milling. I have a little mill that bolts to the bar and pivots the saw while riding along a 2 x 6. I managed to make a surprisingly clean 12' long 6 x 6 from a hackberry I dropped in our yard a couple of years ago. I used an 038 Mag to do this, and it performed pretty well, though 2 yrs later that saw won't start... I did idle it to cool for five minutes after, so not sure what that's about.

Anyway, I figure chainsaw milling will be the way to go, mostly for reasons of space and cost, as this is only for old man hobby purposes. I have several big saws, and it seems a big Granberg Alaskan mill is the consensus I have seen thus far. What I'd like to hear is some opinions on the saw I should use. I have collected over the years: a beat-up but functional 084, a good 088, a good 880, a near-new 880, and specimen-grade 051, 075, and 076, all electronic ignition. All runners. Common sense  :D dictates I shed a few saws before we move, and I want to not regret selling one I should have kept. If this should go in the saw section of the forum, let me know. Thanks in advance!

[Nebraska]

Don't sell the saws, you almost always need another one. ;)  unless you are financing an entry level manual bandmill which is light years faster and handier(read physically easier) than a chainsaw mill.  Chainsaw mills have their place defiantly, likely this may progress into wanting hydraulics on ones mill as this process moves along.  Welcome to the fold enjoy your adventure.

[WDH]

Chainsaw mills have their place defiantly

Now that is a very true statement.
 
I thought the words, "Old Man" and "Chainsaw Mill" were mutually exclusive .

Selling a couple of the saws and using the proceeds to buy a small bandmill will be a whole lot more practical and less defiant on the body. 

[SawyerTed]

You will want the most horsepower and torque you can get, so the higher hp saws are what I'd look to keep for chainsaw milling but with the provision that parts are available and will be in the future.  Chainsaw milling is just plain hard on saws and operators.  Others with more experience with Stihl will have to comment on the different models regarding longevity and parts availability.

Chainsaw milling and "old man hobby" are not compatible concepts in my life. :D  Especially now that that on the Forestry Forum and according to policy here I am officially an "old timer." :D :D  I used to think old timers were old guys......

[Nomad]

     I started out with a chainsaw mill many years ago, as a hobby, and it was fun for the most part.  But that was many years ago. 
     If you really want to try chainsaw milling as a hobby, go right ahead.  I think you'll be changing hobbies soon,  though.  It won't take you long to start looking for a hobby type bandmill or decide it's just not for you.  I wish you the best of luck, but believe your current expectations are unrealistic.

[terrifictimbersllc]

I would use the 880s.  Save the others for when these burn up. 

[alanh]

If you were to decide to part with one of those 880`s.... I`m sure you wouldnt have a problem, something every guy should own and I dont have one,  yet