MS881 chainsaw mill- .404 or Low Pro?

[AHPP]

2 minutes ago, AJStrees said:

I find it quite satisfying to be fair. Yes its hard graft if you are moving the boards on your own without any machines, etc.... But the process of doing the milling IMHO is quite rewarding, especially when you are getting through a big old log. 👍

Yeah. Satisfying ish. More

like relief. Means to an end.  

[lux]

Chainsaw milling has its place. He's already got a Bandsaw mill so anything regular sized Im sure he will put through that and just mill oversized stuff with the chainsaw.  

 

I agree - its a long and tedious process but it is what it is.  

 

@doobin I would say you are welcome to try my lo-pro set up on your new saw. I leave  the bar attached to the mill etc so its a quick swap over when i want it but mine is running on my MS660's and im sure Ive been told the bar mounts are different on the 880 / 881 - Im sure someone more learned than I on the topic will confirm or allay that.

 

lo-pro is more efficient and ive not snapped a chain but they do stretch a hell of a lot and you need to take a link out after a while as the chain adjuster is maxed out. Thats even with running an auxiliary oiler. timber species makes a big difference on this too

 

GB bars are good for milling. 

 

I re milled three largish boards yesterday that are 4 years old. needs must and it was enough for me to put the chainsaw mill away for another few months and forget how tedious it is 😆

 

 

 

[Bob_z_l]

23 hours ago, lux said:

 

 

@doobin I would say you are welcome to try my lo-pro set up on your new saw. I leave  the bar attached to the mill etc so its a quick swap over when i want it but mine is running on my MS660's and im sure Ive been told the bar mounts are different on the 880 / 881 - Im sure someone more learned than I on the topic will confirm or allay that.

 

 

I don't think you can swap up 661 to 881 as bar nuts are larger diameter on 881  so the slot is bigger.

 

You could go the other way and run an 881 on a 661 but you'd need a fancy adapter off RobD at chainsawbars

 

Bar Adapter Turns D025 12mm Medium Stihl Studs to 14mm A031

WWW.CHAINSAWBARS.CO.UK

---

Use this adapter plate in order to fit 14mm Large Stihl type bars to the mid size Stihl mounting studs which are 12mm.

 

Edited April 8, 2023 by Bob_z_l

[AJStrees]

On 07/04/2023 at 09:12, lux said:

Chainsaw milling has its place. He's already got a Bandsaw mill so anything regular sized Im sure he will put through that and just mill oversized stuff with the chainsaw.  

 

I agree - its a long and tedious process but it is what it is.  

 

@doobin I would say you are welcome to try my lo-pro set up on your new saw. I leave  the bar attached to the mill etc so its a quick swap over when i want it but mine is running on my MS660's and im sure Ive been told the bar mounts are different on the 880 / 881 - Im sure someone more learned than I on the topic will confirm or allay that.

 

lo-pro is more efficient and ive not snapped a chain but they do stretch a hell of a lot and you need to take a link out after a while as the chain adjuster is maxed out. Thats even with running an auxiliary oiler. timber species makes a big difference on this too

 

GB bars are good for milling. 

 

I re milled three largish boards yesterday that are 4 years old. needs must and it was enough for me to put the chainsaw mill away for another few months and forget how tedious it is 😆

 

 

 

Don't get me wrong. When I can afford a bandsaw I will be getting one. But then you also need to either get the bandsaw to the log or get the log to the bandsaw. I don't have the lifting capability either at present so I think a mini loader or  something bigger is also on the list. But that's talking a fair chunk of cash. That's why chainsaw milling is pretty handy in that way as regards milling up big logs. But a bandsaw mill is certainly on the list.  👍

 

 

[Welshfred]

Four things have improved my chainsaw milling experience over the last year, each pretty much as significant as the other, each a massive step change for the better.

1. Handcrank winch

2. Lo pro bar and chain

3. Battery powered respirator

4. Aspen fuel

This is on a relatively small setup, ms 660 with 30" bar. I keep the ladder on for all cuts too to reduce friction and avoid cumulative errors.

 

 

[openspaceman]

On 08/04/2023 at 08:39, Bob_z_l said:

I don't think you can swap up 661 to 881 as bar nuts are larger diameter on 881  so the slot is bigger.

 

You could go the other way and run an 881 on a 661 but you'd need a fancy adapter off RobD at chainsawbars

 

Bar Adapter Turns D025 12mm Medium Stihl Studs to 14mm A031

WWW.CHAINSAWBARS.CO.UK

---

Use this adapter plate in order to fit 14mm Large Stihl type bars to the mid size Stihl mounting studs which are 12mm.

 

I would make sure that the oil holes match up with a bar adapter like these as the bar for 14mm studs will have a higher hole