New here

[Andyhope1977]

Just gone in with a mate and bought a 880 and alaskan mill. And spare bars and chains. Looking forward to having good a go at some planking up. Any tips for milling newbies?

 

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[Forest2Furniture]

Having been milling for over 10 years it's difficult to know where to start with the advice, so I'll stick to just these two bits.

 

Keep the chain sharp and buy the winch kit

[shendy]

Take your time and the first cut is the most important

[Andyhope1977]

Thanks guys. I just looked at a winch kit. Am sure with a bit of creating I can knock one up.

 

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[adamelder]

You've opened a fantastic can of worms! It is tremendously addictive.

 

As the other guys have said, the first slice is vital to get right. If it's wrong in any way, the rest of your cuts will be too.

 

Make sure to keep the cut open using wedges.

 

Check everything twice.

 

Keep the chain very sharp. Maybe invest in the Granberg Precision Grinder.

 

Try to never run out of fuel in the middle of the cut.

 

Don't stop during the cut. It tends to leave an edge on the surface.

 

Stack your wood as soon as you can after cutting.

 

Consider getting an auxiliary oiler if you're using a bar over 36-40 inch. Oil is your best friend, especially with a long bar, on a long cut, in dry hardwood.

 

Think about what you're doing before you do it. You've kind of got to talk to the tree, see the possibilities in it, look at it from every angle before you decide where to make the first cut.

 

Watch out for foreign objects in the tree. Nails, wire, bullets, golf balls, stones, all sorts of things get buried in trees during their life. It's a real bummer hitting a nail and having to regrind the chain. It happens more often than you might think, especially with garden or town trees. If the bark is muddy give it a clean with a stiff brush or even a pressure hose. Grit really dulls the chain quickly.

 

A ripping chain generally leaves a better finish.

 

The more you do, the longer you do it, the less problems you encounter. I've been milling for about 10 years though and still screw up sometimes but the cockups get less and less.

[Gerbutt]

There a couple of good videos on here by a chap called blaisey or something, someone may be able to put a link on here for you? He explained the setting up real well.

 

 

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[Lazurus]

Blaise in Trees – We Love Trees

 

Best videos on milling I have seen, I too am new to milling and started the "Chilling" thread as I am playing with the "Chilaskan" mill and an Chinese saw. The forum members are a great source of knowledge, of and ribbing to.

 

S.