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Re: Pictures: this moment

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:12 pm
by RoamingGnome
Looks good @Eugen, how was it to set up and use?

Re: Pictures: this moment

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:27 pm
by JSinMO
@Eugen That’s something i have thought about trying. I’d like to hear your thoughts on it and how well it works. :thumbsup:

Re: Pictures: this moment

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 10:28 pm
by Eugen
@RoamingGnome and @JSinMO , I'll follow up with a longer post about this. The mill attachment I got might be of lower quality, the thickness setting mechanism is a little awkward. Four nuts that need to be loosened and tightened again. The chain is a new ripping chain from Stihl, yet after the the first cut it went pretty slowly. I tried for 1" boards, the log is ash and about 1 foot diameter and 5 feet long. It worked but after three boards it got dark and my back was complaining. I cannot say this was easy. :33:

Re: Pictures: this moment

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2024 4:28 am
by Toolslinger
I'll jump in a bit on this...
The chainsaw mill rigs are good and bad. (like everything right?)

Obviously, they work. You end up putting an awful lot of work in to makeing boards, and turn a bunch of tree in to dust. I'd say, they're as hard on the operator, as they are on the saw, and log. Getting the first cut takes the longest, because you really want to make sure you get your guide setup right. Mess that up, and all the following boards will have the same defect since you ride on the previous cut. If you're working on something short enough, you can setup with the log on an angle so you get a little help from gravity pulling the saw along. Not much help on beams, but worked for my projects.

They are, however, about the only choice in some situations. I've only used mine a couple times. Those occasions involved slabbing out the very bottom of the trunk, and the root ball. Nobody in their right mind would try to run that through their sawmill. Apart from the terrible shape, the amount of dirt, and rocks makes that horrible. It's murder on the chain too, but that's a fairly easy thing to sharpen. On the other hand, the end result grain is amazingly good looking.

If I was really out in the boonies, it would make sense for planks too I guess. Making beams would be fine, particularly if you don't need them square, just flat on top, and bottom.

Few shots of some end slabs, and a little cocktail table I made from one piece for my other half's patio umbrella.

Black Walnut
IMG_20150828_101004_797.jpg
Honey Locust
IMG_20150910_151615_536.jpg
IMG_20160612_1114552.jpg
IMG_20160717_1401268 (Medium).jpg

Re: Pictures: this moment

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2024 5:45 am
by DavidBarkey
@Toolslinger :O :thumbsup: , That umberela table is really nice .

Re: Pictures: this moment

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:57 am
by Harry
TS that table is gorgeous a project to be proud of. :highfive: :cool: :peace: Harry

Re: Pictures: this moment

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2024 8:24 am
by RoamingGnome
@Toolslinger Thanks for sharing some finished work - that umbrella table is very nice - a firm 2 :thumbsup: from :wife:
And thanks to @Eugen and you I think I might be able to put one of these on the :gift: wish list... :))

Milling

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2024 11:30 am
by Eugen
Guys, I thought I open a new thread on this subject and continue what we started over in the Pictures the moment thread. I got a few logs I want to mill as I need planks. I just tried a last night an ash log and cut a couple of planks, it was hard. I might not be doing it right, I'll try again. But I do appreciate any input you guys might have. Here's the ladder half I used for making the first cut. I used deck screws to fix it to the top of the log, and adjusted the thickness to accommodate the ladder thickness and another 2" approximately.
IMG_1889.jpeg
IMG_1888.jpeg

Re: Milling

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2024 11:48 am
by Toolslinger
I haven't cut ash with the mill, so no idea if applicable. I'd think ash would slice up pretty nicely.

When I got setup, I remember reading that you want the oiler running basically wide open. The type of oil you run, and the temps can play havoc with those systems, so you'll have to play around a bit. Cut a bit, then pull it out and see if you're running dry. They do sell auxillary oilers for the Alaskan Mills.

I never read this, but kinda found it accidently... My setup tended to cut a little easier when the saw was cutting a little diagonally across the trunk. That could be due to the chain, or the grind on mine, but something to possibly try.

I expect you were using wedges to keep the slab up and avoid pinching?

That's about all I got. Looking forward to a stack of lumber!

Re: Milling

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2024 12:29 pm
by keith
Another awesome masterpiece. Like the talent you have, Tooslinger :cheers:

Re: Milling

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:04 pm
by Eugen
@Toolslinger indeed, cutting a little diagonally or moving between straight and diagonal tended to feel like the chainsaw was going easier at it, I could year it in the sound too. I did use wedges, yes. Oil is original Stihl from the dealer. One of the few times I didn't rebel against the grain and get the cheapest. Something interesting you said, about the oiler being run wide open. I don't know if this chainsaw has an adjustable oiler, I'll try and look for the manual, thanks for mentioning it. After the first cut it did seem to me that it maybe was kinda dry so I filled up the oil tank to the brim.

Now that It snowed again this'll be delayed until the snow is gone. Thanks for the tips! :cheers: