small log mill set up

[Mark.a]

Hi all.

i am contemplating buying a small log mill to cut up some boards for my woodturning hobby.

i was planning to get the small log mill and and i have an old 029 super lying in the shed so i was gonna get a rip chain for an 18 inch bar.

my lathe is small and will take a maximum of a 12 inch blank so i wouldn't be cutting any boards over 16 inches by 3-4 inches deep.

i wouldn't be cutting multiple logs per day it would be more of a when i need it basis.

the wood types i'll be cutting is ash,sycamore,beech,elm mostly.

my questions are will i need to buy a different sprocket for the saw and do you guys think the saw will handle it ok or will i end up killing it.

this is just for my hobby so i am trying to keep the spend as low as i can.

 

cheers

Mark

[agg221]

The set-up you suggest will work absolutely fine for what you propose. The saw is slightly smaller than would normally be recommended, but I would guess you would only want fairly short lengths too, so it won't stress the saw (just rest it for a bit after every couple of feet of cut). If the saw is older I would recommend that it has a thorough going over before being put to work - milling is the hardest thing you can do with a saw, so I would want to know that the rubber parts are still supple and not cracked, and there were no air leaks (pressure and vacuum test). These risk killing the saw by running lean - nothing to do with age or size.

 

Since it will be occasional use, I would also run on Aspen as it will stay good in the tank and you won't throw loads away.

 

The small log mill is slightly less accurate than the Alaskan, but not enough to worry about and you won't need precision.

 

You won't need a different sprocket, just the ripping chain. You will need to keep this very sharp and all the teeth even in length and angle though - given the scale of what you are proposing I would go for an Oregon chain and a precision hand filing jig.

 

Have you looked at the chainsawbars.co.uk website?

 

Alec

Edited October 11, 2014 by agg221

[se7enthdevil]

unless you are hell bent on making planks i'd suggest you don't need a mill set up.

 

i manage without one quite easily and simply cut logs to length and slice accordingly with my chainsaw.