Chainsaw mills

[Justyh]

Does anyone have experience of using chainsaw mills for cutting logs into planks on-site. I have started to look around and there appears to be a vast difference in the quality of some units. I am currently thinking of getting the Logosol Big Mill TimberJig, http://www.logosol.co.uk/_sawmills/bigmillsystem/, as a starting point, to see how I get on.

Any advice before making my final choice would be good.

Cheers

Justyh

[mikepepler]

I\'ve wondered about getting one of these too. There\'s some info here:

http://www.agroforestry.net/pubs/Chainsawmilling.pdf

Mike

[Justyh]

I don’t want to spend thousand, I just want to make use of some of the timber and a rail system seems to make sense, at the right price. I\'ll let you know how I get on with the Timberjig.

Justyh

[tracy]

Hi Justyh

I have just seen this advert in Woodlots magazine. Jonathan Latham sells used woodland stuff. Here is his website. You might find something there

http://www.kent-tractors.co.uk/

Tray

[Justyh]

Thanks Tracy,

Had a quick look and them seem to be mobile sawmill type, a bit out my price range. I\'ve ordered a Timberjig now, so wait it\'s arrival with the excitement of a kid at Christmas.

Justyh

[mikepepler]

Here\'s one:

http://www.haddontools.com/lumbermaker.html

Pretty rough-and-ready, but looks like it will fit any chainsaw. Has anyone heard of it? Is it any good? They sell it on ebay:

http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=haddon+lumbermaker

and it looks like the cost (including postage) to the UK is under £60.

Worth a try? I\'m seriously considering it...

Mike

[Richards]

Bear in mind that the waste factor when using a chainsaw is quite a lot higher than a conventional band saw because of the width of the blade. This may not be a particular problem if sawing 8x8 gate posts but does become more serious as one tries to saw thinner planks. Also it is imperative that the saw is sharpened evenly and accurately because otherwise the cuts will not be straight and true.

[tracy]

Thanks Richard, do you know - or anyone else - who has one of these? We would love to have a go, or see one in action!

Tracy

[Justyh]

Quick update:

It’s arrived and I’ve tested it on a couple of trees over the last few weeks. I decided upon the Logosol Timberjig which is there very basic kit but you are able to purchase the additional items to build it up as required. The Timberjig comes flat packed but was very simple to build, there is a DVD that comes as well taking you through the assembly step by step. Once completed your chosen chainsaw is very quickly and easily installed onto the jig. This is one reason I preferred this product as the chainsaw installation is so simple and there is no need to drill or modify your chain bar in anyway. The only other thing you need to do is make up a guide rail for the first cuts.

So off I went to find that old piece of chestnut that had been lying around for some time. After a few minutes fixing the guide rail and check the chainsaw and jig I started the first cut, shortly later the second, third and fourth. Wow, it worked and worked well!

Since then I have changed my chain bar for a solid 0.050 gauge bar I had and got a ripping chain to suit, which doesn’t cut any faster but cleaner with less waste.

As Richard states the chain needs to be sharp and the bar needs to be solid construction with a minimum engine size of 50cc recommended. Chainsaw mill aren’t as efficient as a mobilesaw mill but with the results I have achieved so far after just a few weeks (and I’m sure my technique will improve) with both chestnut and oak I would highly recommend a chainsaw mill to anyone.

[mikepepler]

Sounds good. What was the total price and what did you get for your money? Will it fit any saw?