Mill drop off at end of board....

[Big J]

Been milling cherry today and might have a daft little solution for that perennial issue of mill droop at end of plank.

 

Simply start the cut at the end you will be milling towards, cut 4 inches in, take the saw out and mill as normal from the other end. This way, the front bar of the mill has full support all through the cut. Be careful to not hammer the wedges in too far as you can sometimes end up with a small raised burr where the two cuts meet (trims off fine with small saw).

 

It was just a thought, as it seemed to fully solve a problem I've had for some time, resulting in probably my best milling today.

 

Jonathan

[Rob D]

Great idea Jonathon! I'll give that a go on some cedar I'm doing this week!

 

 

I know what you mean about the wedges - tap them in too hard when you're near the end of the log and the plank snaps off leaving a little raised lump that you hit with the rails the next plank

[Big J]

Whacking the wedges in too hard, especially at the end, seems to drive the saw on a downward path too - something to watch for. Regarding the little raised bit, I just have my little Makita TH saw handy and wizz off the burr.

[tommer9]

Use crappy shed cladding which is the same thickness as the chain in place of wedges, and you can also avoid drop off by using the bar between the two rails that holds the handle in the middle of the mill.

[Rob D]

Ditto above - I find pushing down hard on where the bar with handle on meets back rail is enough to keep the mill flater as it exits.

[Ian Flatters]

If the timber is near max width of my mill i'll stick a ladder on top and put a large chog of wood in the middle to keep it still then start cutting. Change sides as i get closer etc. Gives a good overhang and i've had no problems so far.

 

On smaller diameter stuff i will get the mill bar to run at 45 degree ish so it cuts half the logs diameter, return it to level then take the handle end round to finish the cut. Kind of like cross cutting a log.

[Bob Slade]

i find the best way of coming out of the end is to bring the far end of the bar through to half way, then pull it back then push the drive end round to meet the cut. that way you will always keep two rails on the wood. KISS:thumbup: