Cheap AND Effective Chainsaw Milling - What you need to succeed

[@lfabich]

I found this to be the most enjoyable chainsaw mill video I have watched. And I have watched a lot lately. Your explaination on chain was very helpful insight. As well as some other tips. Topshelf BB

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thanks! Thats great to hear and I’m glad you found it helpful.

[@simonmasters3295]

Lol "top shelf" comment

[@mountainmanmike8383]

Can’t get enough of this video. Just did a 300 year old maple it was 6 feet across. Had the same frustrations 23 nails on that thing. Finally gave up cut off about 6 feet of the stump. But still had 30+ slabs 12 feet long. But i destroyed two chains. 7 foot mill so that was a lot of money. But we’ll worth the Fight. Every piece was a wrestling match. Love this Birch wow !!! Magnificent.

[@chrisroberts6860]

try a wand or hand held metal detector to run along the tree before milling. for future...

[@davecampbell8281]

c😂

[@in.der.welt.sein.]

A suggestion to throw into your kit. A small neodymium bar magnet. If you drop a metal piece you don't have a spare of, it can make finding it much easier.

[@nicholassimmons4960]

I've been chainsaw milling for a few years now. Got about 300 slabs under my belt. I've watched a lot of chainsaw milling videos. This is one of the better ones. Well done! You deserve way more views!

[@backstromwoodwork566]

I really appreciate that! Nice to hear that from someone with a lot of experience as well, thanks.

[@mkson1978]

Yeah! Seen quite a lot of american videos on the subject, but little did I know that on the right side of the big pond, came this, and it has to be one of the most informative I’ve seen so far 🙂

[@kevinpavitt4288]

Excellent video! Thanks. That old growth birch brings back memories. I used to cut up stuff like that in Alaska for firewood. Wish I could go back and mill some of that. I used to see incredible curly and Birdseye figures, but it was already firewood. I'm on Hawaii island now getting ready to mill some giant ohia trees. I got a ms661 magnum with a 36 in bar. I hope it's big enough!

[@freetorobandloot]

Your videos are some of the best chainsaw milling I have seen and they remind me how much I miss chainsaw milling.

[@HIKETOGRAPHER]

Very helpful and well directed and edited! Makes my ideas about milling my own lumber very valid. Thanks and happy woodworking!

[@jeffreyharrington5057]

I wish saw this video awhile ago I love the adjustable set brackets for the first cut.

[@SOLOTREESERVICE]

Awesome video! Learned a lot from it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and God bless!

[@thewoodsmanstickmakero.c.w7862]

Absolutely brilliant video. It was so informative and a pleasure to watch. Its amazing what one man accomplish alone. I am hoping to start myself in Ireland and this was a great motivator. Thank you and keep up the amazing work.

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Wow thank you for commenting and i very much appreciate your positive feedback! That’s awesome, hows the timber in Ireland?

[@michaelwillson6847]

Dude really appreciate this just starting up my own mill set up and this has been really helpful

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Hey Michael, that’s awesome, thanks for your support 👍

[@michaelwillson6847]

@@backstromwoodwork566 no worries. In your experience am at basic stages gonna look at trying sell the wood to joiners furniture makers and as decorative in the UK. Have pretty good options for species any you would highly recommend or recommend staying away from. Any knowledge from experts would be greatly appreciated. Gonna be going through all your videos. 👍👍

[@michaelwillson6847]

@@backstromwoodwork566 were are u based??

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Cool! My favorites among our domestics are elm, maple, oak, birch and ash, but honestly i try and look at individual logs and judge them on size and character. Logs with a big crotch for example tend to yield very interesting grain regardless of species. Im located a few hours north of Stockholm, Sweden.

[@michaelwillson6847]

@@backstromwoodwork566 that's great many thanks. That's the kinda thing am working towards got few done so far looking at a horse chestnut with 2 big kicks coming from the main trunk should look really nice. Would u be willing to send me your email and a can drop couple pictures to you once a get started thanks again for all your advice only other thing ad ask is saw?? What u using. Am having run a 24 inch bar just now till a get some cash coming in for investment in new one things bit tight just now but that's why this venture is coming about. 👍

[@jacplacek]

Dude, this is one of the best videos I've seen on the topic. Really well done!

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Awesome, thanks for your support!

[@enriqueharper6270]

I know Im quite randomly asking but do anyone know of a good website to stream newly released movies online ?

[@warrenharley6322]

@Enrique Harper i watch on Flixzone. You can find it by googling =)

[@mountainmanmike8383]

This is a great composed and edited video thanks so much

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thanks Mike!!

[@darrelloliver9921]

Excellent video. Im just starting out. Bought a 661 and a 36" Alaskan mill. Your info is invaluable to me.

[@backstromwoodwork566]

That’s awesome Darrell! Great to hear.

[@rikertvonfulton16]

Hey Darrel how are you liking that setup? Especially the 661.

[@skipbickford3970]

You will definitely see me on the next video. It’s amazing how much more you learn watching your videos multiple times. Thank you very much for your videos.

[@helenokane7517]

Thanks I appreciate your down to earth manner, I'm actually in two minds about a bandsaw mill as I need to mill posts not slabs !

[@arnauddejean229]

A Real pleasure to watch, thanks for your precision and will to share 🙂

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thank you Arnaud! Happy to share and glad to have you commenting 👍

[@treverjones2921]

I agree with the other comments. I've been milling now for over 18 years and really like your end bracket system. T slot extrusion is awesome stuff! I will be converting some of my equipment in the near future!!

[@jeffenglishsetter8339]

Great work. Thank you for the information about the gear in the bags.

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thanks! Happy that you found the video helpful.

[@garymcmullin2292]

well presented video, thanks. I am always amused by the invariable comments from some who claim chainsaws are not for milling, cannot withstand the high performance demanded. They are not paying attention. A good power head that is run properly will endure for a long time. I milled in the 80's and 90's, used a 36 inch mill with a Jonsereds 910E so I can speak with credentials to back it up. The excitement of chainsaw milling, well any milling for that matter is the discovery of beautiful wood, it is a compelling force on a guy. If you are capable of turning that wood into value added products then it can be a lucrative occupation, even being just a supplier of raw edge slabs can be highly rewarding. The thing about the chainsaw mill is that it flat tuckers a guy out, it is taxing work and the constant challenge of equipment maintenance extracts a price in physical labor and cost$. I view it as a younger mans activity. I have a friend that bought a Lucas mill about the same time I was milling, looking over his experience with the Lucas, I would recommend it over chainsaw milling, the thing that put me off for one back then was the higher up front cost, but that mill has proven durable and much more productive than the best chainsaw mill you can find and it is easier on the body.

[@michaelalley4609]

Great video. Great information. And, mostly, a GREAT attitude and philosophy.

[@smigletat9634]

Subscribed my man!😁 Genuinely Love your style/ passion... Very much like myself.. Sometimes feel like I am one in a million comparing to everyone else that has no idea what I talk about when it comes to trees- figure- etc... Jeep up all you are passionate about FOR SURE!!

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thank you!! And welcome to the channel, happy to have you as a subscriber my friend! Your enthusiasm is awesome, i love it when more people are passionate about this!

[@TripleLRusticDesigns]

Incredible video! You are very talented. This helped us a lot!

[@bigwilderness3006]

Been watching your videos.Very nice! Calming music,educational,very interesting . And I am not new to any of it. Thank you!

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thanks man, I appreciate that a lot :)

[@Nanogrip]

Wow! Absolutely well done video and very enjoyable to watch. Just one video and I will be subscribing, greetings from the tiny Pacific Islands of Palau!

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Super grateful man, thanks a bunch for your positive comment. All the best my friend.

[@erikahardy9576]

Oh my goodness this was so helpful!! This is what I’ve been wanting to do for years now:)

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thanks! I’m glad you found it helpful :)

[@peterellis4262]

Both kinds of mill have value. I've been chainsaw milling for a couple of years and just ordered my bandsaw mill.

[@jolox.]

Really good video! I'm just starting and found this helpful! Going to subscribe and thumbs up!

[@abengtebaran5346]

Great amazing job saw mill👍👍👍👍😳😎

[@DanielBelzil]

These are great tips. I never bother to sharpen in the field though and do not bother to bring files. I find it is better to just bring extra sharp chains. Only downside to this system is that my Granberg has a clamping system . . . better to have a mill that drills through the bar if you are changing chains I think

[@ejsocci2630]

Awesome awesome thanks for sharing

[@jeffreyharrington5057]

I bought a Holtzfforma g888 clone to the stihl 880 and I also have a g660 clone to the stihl 660. I bought a 74" bar & chains for the 888 because I have an 8' long 4' wide at the butt and 5' 6" wide at the crotch Silver Ambrosia Maple trunk to mill. I hope it's not to much of a struggle for the saw to pull through that log.

[@ISOSAILING]

cool video, next on the to do list lol going to make a mill for my saw, and try some milling as i'm inviolved it making a medeavle village and nead to split a few small logs although the logs are a bit on the small side so may well have to come up with a ingines way to mount the log to the ladded that or make a frame to hold the saw and use the ladder as the runners, but we will see!!

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Sounds pretty cool! Wish you all the best and hope you get to mill some nice logs 👍

[@tomjones4318]

Very nice work.

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thank you!

[@MrThenry1988]

I've been chainsaw milling. It's addictive for sure. I jave a video showing some hickory I'm working on. I'm making saw dust. Good show man.

[@backstromwoodwork566]

That hickory looked good! Glad to have you on board Tim, keep up the good work!

[@MrThenry1988]

@@backstromwoodwork566 Thank ya. Keep at it.

[@marlonvite4152]

Buy a metal finder, like those used on beaches, I am sure you have seen, it will help you scan trunks for nails too, metal straps etc before you mill and also if you drop a nut, bolt or bits on the ground, and buy a very strong magnet to find and pick up quickly lost tips, bits and bolts, and never say again that you have lost a needle in the haystack

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Those are some great tips, thanks Marlon for sharing!

[@robintaylor-mockingeemill8223]

I think yellow birch is under rated . It is tough to get a solid big tree but the heart wood is full of color . great video . thanks

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thank you! Spot on my friend, I’m always excited to mill some birch :)

[@justincarter7687]

Very informative man thanks I'm thinking on buying a 7300 makita for sawing lumber

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thanks Justin, thats awesome man 👍

[@XXLRomania]

Did you find a factory made Hyperskip , 3\8 1.3mm ? or did you make it yourselfe

[@catmandont100]

For those struggling with large slabs and smashed fingers......Use a "Froe like" tool to lift slab up, for sticker positioning. Rollers work well too....a piece of old broom handle will do.

[@TheHarleyhillbilly]

I just cut some pine into 1”x 30” slabs I am new to this. I had a lot of rain over the last few days so I covered the wood with tarps and I checked on them this morning and just about every board had black mould in the grain how do I keep my wood dry and not mold ? I have them spaced with 1-1/2” sticks between every layer

[@Wildwwill]

You need lots of airflow. I do believe there is a borate that can be mixed with water then sprayed on. Bugs won't like it and I believe it acts as a fungicide.

[@redskapsboden8882]

Riktigt trevlig film att se! ;) Lycka till i framtiden

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Stort tack!

[@cameronb76]

Do you run a bar tip aux oiler on the long bars? I'm getting a double ended cannon 66"bar going and was curious.

[@calummacpherson8550]

Do you have a guide for how you made your ladder mounts? Looks like a great solution

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Hey Calum! I’m currently making more sawmilling videos, and i will make a segment about the mounts. Thanks for asking

[@calummacpherson8550]

@@backstromwoodwork566 that would be great. Just took delivery of a 48” panther mill and looking for inspiration for a mounting system

[@johnmoran168]

Love your channel, very informative . I would like to get into some milling in my holiday home in Cuba , my question is , would a double ended bar running 2 echo 630 p power heads be effective. I understand I need decent power and good chain selection. Would these 2 power heads combined give me similar cutting speed to say a stihl ms881, I would like to have a 48 to 50 bar , would I cook the clutch if both units were working together. Finding it difficult to justify buying a $2000+ saw for milling when I already have 1 echo 620 p at this holiday home . Would appreciate your thoughts on this . Keep up the great work 👍

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Hi John! Sorry for being late to reply, I have been off youtube for a while, but I’m happy to see your comment here, and your question is a littly tricky to answer but I will do my best. First off so much of the performance of your setup will depend a lot on the type of timber you are cutting and also sharpness of your chain. But in general two powerheads will increase your performance, and you should expect some faster cut times as long as you keep your chain in good shape. However i dont have any experience at all with echo chainsaws, so im sorry but i cant say for sure how well they will perform. But a lot of times i have used a 48” bar on my 661 which is 90cc with good success, cutting through oak and ash without a problem, using a lopro bar is nice because it makes a smaller kerf and that alone does wonders on cutting speed.

[@johnmoran168]

@@backstromwoodwork566 . No problem . I went ahead and purchased a barley used 880 last week in Ireland., have to ship it to Cuba on my next visit , that will be fun . I have also purchased the Granberg 56 inch complete kit with their specific chain type . I expect Granberg are long enough at this game to know what works. I will keep you posted as to how I get on . My main issue in Cuba is they have almost nothing there so if you need it you got to bring it . Best regards. Keep the content coming , especially the more basic stuff for guys like me .

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thats awesome, I’m happy for you. 880 is a really nice saw with lots of power, should serve you very well. Thanks for supporting my channel, i will keep making content and let me know if there is a certain topic you want me to discuss in a video. Best of luck to you

[@alessandrorodrigues8083]

Olá sou do Brasil, muinto bom seu vídeo, um trabalho fantástico continue valeuu abraço.

[@backstromwoodwork566]

obrigado meu amigo, eu realmente aprecio isso! 👍

[@alessandrorodrigues8083]

@@backstromwoodwork566 Estou usando uma Sthil 661 com sabre de 30 polegadas, pretendo por um maior mas penso que póde forçar o motor, qual tamanho e q modelo de Stihl vc usa ai?

[@WayneMarion]

What is essential with almost every chainsaw milling video is that the video maker utilizes the fast forward option when the actual cutting takes place so that other potential buyers of milling attachments are deceived into thinking it's as easy as cross cutting a log.

[@tonygriffiths2654]

Great videos you are making. Have you tried using .404 pitch instead of 3/8th? I have been chainsaw milling for some time and use .404 pitch and have never had a chain break, even after hitting many metal objects in the timber and milling with a 120cc saw!

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thanks Tony! Yeah I use mainly 404, and I agree they do hold up a lot better than lopro 3/8. I’ve only had 404 chain break a couple of times, and only when hitting something really hard like screws for example.

[@Jessewren1968]

​@@backstromwoodwork566 The .404 cuts a larger kerf?

[@marktcso]

Please tell us what you think about the hyperskip Oregon chain. There’re only a few comments out there. Thanks!

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Its a great chain, and the only one i use when milling reallt big timber. I have a lopro bar that is 48” long, so whenever i can use it, i prefer that over a 404, just because it makes a smaller kerf and you really do notice much faster cut speeds, but, theres a trick. The 3/8 lopro is not available in skip, so i make my own by removing the cutter by hand with a grinder. I make my 3/8 lopro chain have roughly the same skip pattern as the oregon chain. I got a little sidetracked right there as your question was about the oregnon chain. However my point is that the secret is in the skip ”pattern” and that is what makes them work very well for sawmilling. The space between each pair of cutter makes room for sawdust to build up. If the space between the cutters fills up with dust, it pushes the chain back on the bar and the teeth dont cut no more, thats why you need the space. The reduced number of cutters on a hyper skip chain also reduces some of the strain on the motor, resulting in a little more even load and high chain speed. They do need to be sharpened more often though. But again, a hyperskip chain only gives benefit when the timber is really big.

[@elvercastillo822]

Your videos are Movie quality What do you use to film and edit

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Thanks man! I shoot with a black magic pocket cinema camera 4k, and edit using davinci resolve.

[@grigorydymov8058]

Har du några tankar om Logosols Big mill? Det ser ut som att din Alaskan är snabbare då den inte kräver montage av skenorna efter varje snitt, men är det stor skillnad i precision?

[@torque9889]

My opinion is that for €3000 you can buy woodland mills bandsaw mill. Where as a large Sthl like the 881 or something similar is about €2000. Plus the Alaskan mill price and extra fuel from the slowness of using one. Seems like a no brainer just to save another €1000 and buy the bandsaw mill. Only two factors which win out for the chainsaw mill is the length of piece you want to cut is indefinite and you can cut wider than the basic bandsaw mill. And also moving larger logs is no easy task unless you invest in a forklift or quad bike to move logs. I still drag by hand but it ain’t easy.

[@roelex144]

Are you running a 661? I am looking to purchase a 42 inch bar but want to be sure it will pull it.

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Hi Aaron. Yes, and i sometimes run a 78” bar and it works fairly well. The secret is to use a hyper skip chain, takes the load off the saw compared to full comp chain. 42” should be no problem when using the proper chain, even though the 661 is slightly underpowered, it just takes a little bit longer :)

[@joshdillingham1598]

In other videos I've watched where they use a ladder for the first cut they shim the ladder, it doesn't look like you do that. Is the ladder rigid enough that it doesn't bow under the weight of your saw? I like your method better as it doesn't require shimming and drilling the ladder rungs to the wood which could introduce twisting.

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Well I would not trust it to stay flat on logs longer than 3 meters, for long logs I like to put some sort of support in the middle between the end brackets just to keep it from sagging. Just like you say, twisting of the ladder is what to look out for.

[@kurtism9040]

Since you have the ability to roll the logs, why wouldn't you consider taper sawing?

[@jamesward5721]

Chuck in a Dewalt laser level - it can go on your camera tripod when you need it to, erm, "level" stuff & then go back in the bag. Ping the laser, get the log level (ish- you know yourself which planes are important) & then viola, setting up your end blocks becomes a 10 second no-brainer instead of a "let's stare at bubbles for ages" yawn-fest. :-) Just my 2c.

[@pechinma]

ovärderligt! har fortfarande inte kommit till kritan, eftersom jag inte fått tag i lämplig såg än. men när jag kommer igång kommer dessa tips vara av stort värde. spelar det någon roll om stockarna inte legat länge, eller snarare inte varit av rot länge? dessa ser ju ut att ha legat ett tag. någon tanke bakom det?

[@backstromwoodwork566]

Underbart! Kör så det ryker :) De flesta stockar som jag sågar har legat i minst ett par månader, men oftast längre. Ingen speciell tanke bakom det utan mest bara för att jag inte hinner såga upp det som ligger på lager, för än det dyker upp nya. Vissa träslag som björk, poppel eller andra mjuka träslag tappar ofta kvalite mycket snabbare än tex ek eller ask, så dessa försöker jag inte låta ligga längre än ett år. Ek kan ligga 3-4 år utan problem ofta.

[@tacticalbacon8064]

In my opinion, Alaskan chain saw mills are only valuable in short cuts and small diameter logs because of the stress being input on the Saw . Chain saws ,though they are made for cutting wood, they are not designed to be at max RPM for extremely long periods of time. Otherwise, we would just use the same engines on out push mowers. The chains are not designed for long cutting sessions there designed to cut through a tree or limb against the grain and in short bursts of high RPM, which is why they need to be sharpened constantly In my opinion, it is a better option to save enough to get an actual mill that uses a band saw and motor intended for long-term high rpm similar to a lawnmower engine or a horizontal shaft engine. The amount of money you spend repairing a chainsaw doing this long term is equal to just buying a harbor freight mill for 2k But i will say for a small lumber project where all you need is a few 6' boards or you need to chop the top flat to build a bench an Alaskan mill is perfect

[@jeffreyharrington5057]

I noticed you have very big sprockets in your chainsaw. You must have an older saw.