first boards on the small log mill

[Mark.a]

I ordered a small log mill and ripping chain from Rob D's site which arrived today.

initially i was planning to use it just to rip up some boards for my woodturning but after seeing the results it looks too good just to cut up for bowl blanks so i think i'll be making some nice garden furniture from the hardwood and maybe a new bigger workshop from the pine and i'll use the offcuts for bowls .

this is a lump of willow its 18" at its widest and i cut it to 4" depth for bowls as you can see from the ripples i need a little more practice . but i was amazed at the result from my first attempt and that ripping chain went through it like butter.

 

 

 

 

cheers

Mark

[Rob D]

Thanks for posting Mark - remember that 'like butter' feeling as that is what milling should always be like...

 

 

Nothing like your first few planks

[sandspider]

Nice work - good to get something usable and long lasting from the wood (rather than just firewood). Can I ask roughly what all the kit cost, and how long it took?

 

Cheers.

[geoff]

Result!

I'm waiting for my saw to be run in completely before I use my little mill, can hardly wait, I have some nice spalted beech, yew, & laburnam to get planked up.

[Mark.a]

Hi all.

Rob i am trying to keep that like butter feeling and keep the chain as sharp as possible i have one of those sharp boy grinders but to be honest i end up finishing it manually because i don't feel that i get such a good edge with the sharp boy. i think as soon as finances allow i'll be paying another visit to your site for the Granberg precision grinder.

 

sandspider i already had the saw but the mill and chain and postage to the Scottish highlands only cost £200 which is not a lot of money. if you look at the price of woodturning blanks the mill payed for itself in the first day of milling and i have enough really nice wood to build a pick nick table and other garden furniture.

i wasnt pushing the saw as its only a 029 super but i was milling a 18"x 4"x 6 foot board in under 5 minutes.

iv'e only had the mill just over a week and i already milled over 400fbm.

as well as turning blanks and garden furniture its also going to allow me to build a nice big workshop late next spring .

 

Geoff the milling does seem to be a bit harder on the saw so running in is a good idea. i usually take it easy and give the saw a few minutes rest between boards i also opened the chain oil screw fully because i felt the chain wasn't getting enough oil but other than that the little 029 seems to be milling away quite happily

 

cheers

Mark

[sandspider]

Thanks Mark, that's useful. I was wondering about the coats of hiring in a mill for the day vs buying one. Depends how much wood you have I suppose!