Mini Mill chain?

[woodyguy]

Thanks Morten. Fascinating when you start comparing notes.

Two things I do which most others seem not to.

If I need more length, I put the chainsaw in "backwards" and cut with the top of the bar.

Secondly I use two layers of exterior ply, glued and screwed, for mounting the straight edge. This reduces the thickness from using a 2x6.

So you are right. I just measured it and its not 2inches but 2.25 inches of bar lost.

Different technique cutting with the top of the bar but if you need the extra length, it works. Does anybody else have experience of cutting with the top of the bar?

[muttley9050]

I don't own a mini mill, but thinking of making one, I'm struggling to see how cutting with the top if the bar gives you any more length though?

[woodyguy]

Basically the handle that you guide and pull it along with interferes with the chain brake. So fitting the other way around puts the flat bottom of the saw against the handle. If you look on Robs site you'll see a picture of a blue Makita mounted with at least 6 inches of bar "wasted" to stop the chain brake fouling.

[muttley9050]

Can't see the picture you refer to, but get where your coming from, my milling saws have no brakes so wouldn't be a problem for me.

[woodyguy]

That would help a bit but the handle that you grip still gets in the way.

alaskan mill I home of the portable chainsaw mill then select mini mill to see the Makita I mentioned.

[muttley9050]

I see what ya saying, I was looking on chainsaw bars, forgot about that site. Will have to make sure when I make one I consider this issue. What's the maximum bar length you have used in you mini mill. I only have a 30" and don't really want to buy a shorter one.

[Rob D]

A few things with the mini mill:

 

 

• I know you can get more cutting length with the top of the bar (the actual other side of the bar) not not recommended as much more chance of the saw catching and jumping up.
  
• You loose around 6" of the bar
  
• 25" is the max length bar although people have used longer...
  
• You can bury the tip but like normal chainsawing work makes things harder... In the quarter sawing vid I have wedged the log up an inch and the tip just clears through and into this space
  
• It's dusty hard work!