Chainsaw Milling - The Dreaded First Cut

When chainsaw milling, the first cut is by far the trickiest part. If you get that wrong, you can't really expect anything else to go right for the rest of the log.
The entire exercise is centered around creating a flat surface to guide the Alaskan chainsaw mill. Logs are naturally unhelpful in this regard. Not only are they more-or-less cylindrical, but they also tend to be not perfectly straight and have these annoying knots sticking up at seemingly random intervals. Three out of five stars.
So in this video I go through the process that I've been using to set up an aluminum extension ladder on top of a log and get it true before making my first cut. It's not terribly difficult, but it is very time consuming, and critical to getting good results so it behooves you to spend it.
Music: Spots Action by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/

[@kokines1]

Thanks for putting this up. I needed some advice to avoid ruining more boards.

[@stiddsixty91]

You need to invest in a cheap 2x4 mill attachment for first cut. Been using mine for years and so much simpler.

[@morgan79347]

What are you using for a chainsaw? It looks like you’re controlling it from what looks like a old motorcycle

[@longfellow5276]

I use the nails and string line method. Only a short board you slide along is needed. I once cut a 72 ft 6×18.

[@davehanna1557]

Maybe I wasn’t paying attention, I didn’t see what kind of chainsaw you are using… are you using the motorcycle some how?

[@mikehiney4164]

How long did this actually take

[@vinimarshall7301]

I allways have one end at least a foot higher so im going downhill

[@williambarker7571]

do we realy need the music??????????????????