Today's milling

[topchippyles]

2 minutes ago, trigger_andy said:

Get a grip of yourself Leslie. 

[Johnsond]

1 hour ago, AndyO said:

 

Rob is good to deal with. It’s cool they are still refining and evolving the design.

 

I’d definitely say that’s true, I’ve a pair of Alaskans and whist changing the thickness of cut is a pain they are pretty simple well put together bits of kit. I bought a brand new panther 60 kit and had is sitting in the shed waiting  to be set up with the 880, but after watching a mate build and use his I pretty much made my mind up to selll it there and then and stick with the simple proven design. He has had issues with the grub screws on the height adjustment grips coming loose so not gripping the bar  and the cogs going out of synch along with a number of other things  He is a good machinist and fabrication type so will no doubt stick with it and probs sort out the issues himself but for me it seemed like a fair bit of work to get it where I’d want it to be. 

[trigger_andy]

I’d definitely say that’s true, I’ve a pair of Alaskans and whist changing the thickness of cut is a pain they are pretty simple well put together bits of kit. I bought a brand new panther 60 kit and had is sitting in the shed waiting  to be set up with the 880, but after watching a mate build and use his I pretty much made my mind up to selll it there and then and stick with the simple proven design. He has had issues with the grub screws on the height adjustment grips coming loose so not gripping the bar  and the cogs going out of synch along with a number of other things  He is a good machinist and fabrication type so will no doubt stick with it and probs sort out the issues himself but for me it seemed like a fair bit of work to get it where I’d want it to be. 

I get a good supply of half empty bottles of Loctite. Just as well really. 🤣

[Rough Hewn]

I’d definitely say that’s true, I’ve a pair of Alaskans and whist changing the thickness of cut is a pain they are pretty simple well put together bits of kit. I bought a brand new panther 60 kit and had is sitting in the shed waiting  to be set up with the 880, but after watching a mate build and use his I pretty much made my mind up to selll it there and then and stick with the simple proven design. He has had issues with the grub screws on the height adjustment grips coming loose so not gripping the bar  and the cogs going out of synch along with a number of other things  He is a good machinist and fabrication type so will no doubt stick with it and probs sort out the issues himself but for me it seemed like a fair bit of work to get it where I’d want it to be. 

Ok, let me explain.
Panther mills are at the cutting edge of chainsaw milling.
All mills will need correct assembly and calibration.
Then you will have teething issues.
But after a while you will have the best mill available.
I had issues with everything above, but all got sorted in a few days.
Never had an issue since.
And I push the limits of all my kit….

Chilaskan mills are great for beginners and hobbyists or woodworkers.
They just don’t last though with heavy use.
I’ve got a box full of broken Alaskans.
Probably burnt through 3-4 in 2 years.
The aluminium wears on the rails so that the bolts lose grip, the uprights crack and break,
The welding is ****, don’t trust the height markers….
Etc.

That’s why there’s also a massive difference in price.
I’ve had my panthers for over 2 years of harsh work, still going strong.
[emoji106]

[Rough Hewn]

And I wouldn’t bother getting a replacement bottom skid.
You can change the chain now without unbolting…
[emoji106]

[Rough Hewn]

Wasn't that big Oak log was shared on the fb arbtalk page?
The general consensus from the pictures provided was it looked rotten as hell, and that picture of you stood in front of the end seems to confirm that?
 

Yes it is on FBarbtalk,
There is some rot, but it’s getting much smaller up the log. I expect it to be fairly solid after another 4-8’.
Sadly though we have had to cancel the job as there were too many complications with the site.
Gutted…
I have said if he can crane it onto a lorry I’d take it.
But I’m not holding my breath.

[Johnsond]

8 hours ago, Rough Hewn said:

Ok, let me explain.
Panther mills are at the cutting edge of chainsaw milling.
All mills will need correct assembly and calibration.
Then you will have teething issues.
But after a while you will have the best mill available.
I had issues with everything above, but all got sorted in a few days.
Never had an issue since.
And I push the limits of all my kit….

Chilaskan mills are great for beginners and hobbyists or woodworkers.
They just don’t last though with heavy use.
I’ve got a box full of broken Alaskans.
Probably burnt through 3-4 in 2 years.
The aluminium wears on the rails so that the bolts lose grip, the uprights crack and break,
The welding is ****, don’t trust the height markers….
Etc.

That’s why there’s also a massive difference in price.
I’ve had my panthers for over 2 years of harsh work, still going strong.

No need to explain Saul, I don’t own the Chinese copies my chainsaw mills are genuine and whilst they probably don’t take the beating yours do they have not had an easy life. To sort out one of the issues would of necessitated in my view drilling the top bar and using pins to lock the handles etc rather than relying on grub screws and friction etc. That’s just an example. I use precision engineered eqpt in a sub sea environment on a daily basis so maybe my standards are very high. The technology involved on the  Panther mills is far from cutting edge rather just basic engineering. I’m well aware of how to build and fettle a bit of kit and any of the fixes that are done on my mates Panther 881 set up I’ll easy post the outcome. End of the day I was looking forward to the ease of use etc hence buying it in the first place but for me there was basic things that could have been better for the price. That’s my opinion and it was my money my choice etc etc not a criticism of the concept or any individual. 

Edited September 1, 2021 by Johnsond

[spuddog0507]

7 hours ago, Rough Hewn said:

Sadly though we have had to cancel the job as there were too many complications with the site.
Gutted…
I have said if he can crane it onto a lorry I’d take it.
But I’m not holding my breath.

I Take it this is the big Oak log you have been on about ?

Thought it was in the middle of a field ??

[trigger_andy]

No need to explain Saul, I don’t own the Chinese copies my chainsaw mills are genuine and whilst they probably don’t take the beating yours do they have not had an easy life. To sort sort out one of the issues would of necessitated in my view drilling the top bar and using pins to lock the handles etc rather than relying on grub screws and friction etc. That’s just an example. I use precision engineered eqpt in a sub sea environment on a daily basis so maybe my standards are very high. The technology involved on the  Panther mills is far from cutting edge rather just basic engineering. I’m well aware of how to build and fettle a bit of kit and any of the fixes that are done on my mates Panther 881 set up I’ll easy post the outcome. End of the day I was looking forward to the ease of use etc hence buying it in the first place but for me there was basic things that could have been better for the price. That’s my opinion and it was my money my choice etc etc not a criticism of the concept or any individual. 

They are a well built bit of kit but certainly not that well built. Cutting edge is taking it way to far IMO. As you say plenty of small changes could be made to make a good design better.

I guess we’re too spoilt with the standards a real harsh environment requires equipment to be built to. 🤣

[Rough Hewn]

No need to explain Saul, I don’t own the Chinese copies my chainsaw mills are genuine and whilst they probably don’t take the beating yours do they have not had an easy life. To sort out one of the issues would of necessitated in my view drilling the top bar and using pins to lock the handles etc rather than relying on grub screws and friction etc. That’s just an example. I use precision engineered eqpt in a sub sea environment on a daily basis so maybe my standards are very high. The technology involved on the  Panther mills is far from cutting edge rather just basic engineering. I’m well aware of how to build and fettle a bit of kit and any of the fixes that are done on my mates Panther 881 set up I’ll easy post the outcome. End of the day I was looking forward to the ease of use etc hence buying it in the first place but for me there was basic things that could have been better for the price. That’s my opinion and it was my money my choice etc etc not a criticism of the concept or any individual. 

I banged a tiny dent in the bar where the grub screw goes with an old nail.
[emoji106]