FIRST CUT GUIDE RAILS Chainsaw Milling Slab Wood using Aluminum Ladder

FIRST CUT GUIDE RAILS Chainsaw Milling Slab Wood using Aluminum Ladder
Everyone always wonders how you get a straight smooth first cut when using a chainsaw mill! I used an old aluminum ladder for the first time. It worked very well in helping cut slab wood. - Stihl Chainsaw and a Granberg Alaskan Mill
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[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

Chainsaw milling is great... check out the whoe playlist about turning logs to lumber here ---> kzbin.info/aero/PL23jBXXUVAAxfU2Bmqvrf82R37SdSAUyR

[@jackdawg4579]

looks like you got a good result, I have just done my first couple of logs. I thought about using a ladder for my first cut, in the end i made a frame from angle iron, gave me more options.

[@opalnut9211]

I use 4 foot long, 1" square aluminum tubes, as winding sticks to check for twist. I also use self tapper to screw 2x6 flat blocks at about every 4 ft. to use for attachment to the log. Depending on situation I use the washer head 1/4" spax screws thru the block to the log. I like your angle idea.

[@paulherman8961]

Outstanding Achievement!!

[@user-js4uq6fd7w]

Just got my chainsaw mill. Thanks for the informative video it was very helpful

[@Rednecknitsuj]

Love the honesty and the learning curve. I too am learning so I love the positive attitude. Thank you!!!

[@skipbickford3970]

I do like your sawhorses for cutting logs

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

thank you!

[@joesinakandid528]

Everyone seems to choose to take the thinnest initial top cut possible, always contending with screws. I understand why - however - making the cut 1/3 +|- down leaves two half logs with two (sort-of) flat sides on them. Pull the ladder and remove the top (too thick) piece of "slab wood". Put it aside using that grand tractor there. Then bring the saw and mill back to the lower piece and use that straight and flat surface to cut lumber thicknesses of your choosing. When finished bring the (too thick) piece of top "slab wood" back and "chock" stabilize it on the 2 saw horses with the cut side up. Continue cutting lumber until done All you have to do is hit a ladder mounting screw once and only once, and the tiny bit of 'saved time' from top slabbing as you did evaporates (and chain repair is in your future). Most mills orient a curved log to be initially cut with the """valley""" up and the """mountain top ends""" also up. The 'chocking' on the saw horses is fast and easy while the ends of the ladder are able to sit pretty firmly if the top and bottom of the upper log (on top) is flattened with a saw or axe. That wood directly under the top and bottom of the ladder is firewood at the ends so a little removal is of no consequence. In addition, you can easily visualize where the uppermost "run-out' of the wain will be in the middle, top of the log. - Joe -

[@hupka3145]

Nicely done. We're just about to start milling and this was very helpful. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

Wow... thank you!! Every cut I continue to learn and truly enjoy sharing what I've learned along the way. Best of luck with your milling adventures!

[@Suzraggio]

Thanks Glenn, that gave me some confidence and a few ideas!

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

so glad it helped... nothing builds more confidence than getting out there and doing it! happy milling!!

[@ButlerMillWorks]

Nice job, seems the ladder made things go easier for you! Thanks for the video.

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

it's no Logosol... but yes, it is working wonderfully on the big logs! Thanks!

[@GlennSwitzer]

the ladder works well... nice log and slabs!

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

they are very nice slabs... already on the slabskids drying racks!

[@kennethperian4370]

Good job showing telling, of what you know that helps I just got my chainsaw mill got the 48” wish me luck. And thanks for showing telling have a good one and see ya by.

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

Hope your milling is going well!

[@artpimentel5244]

I was running this saw for about 2 hours at about a 30-50% duty cycle kzbin.infoUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and it did a great job. I used the lever for the built in sharpener to clear chip buildup out more than to actually sharpen the chain. It managed to cut some hardwood stumps much larger than it's size without bothering the neighbors with hours of 2 stroke noise.

[@timdoyle3028]

New to the chainsaw milling thing here, but just a thought (that probably is already in the comments below). What if you do your best to level the log and then you clamp the ladder to a pair of sawhorses that are slightly taller than the upper surface of the log? No screws in the wood to worry about, ladder should be nice and level that way. Just me thinking out loud.

[@TWALSHmaker]

This sounds pretty cool too. And would be great in a log yard like this.

[@suryodayanthyagarajan9207]

Thank you so much, pal.. That's a brilliant idea.. in a couple of days, I'm gonna be re-sawing boards from a log for the first time.. your idea seems cool.

[@DmitriIvanov]

Nice! I've always wanted to try to resaw a whole tree like this, but I dont have the space at the moment! Cool video!

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

Thank you... I do like the space i have available in the log yard to work with the big logs.

[@blacknight3146]

Merci beaucoup j'ai beaucoup aimer jai le même équipement je vais faire mon premier arbre bientot et tes explication vont beaucoup m'aider

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

Great! Thank you for watching the video. I hope that it goes well for you. Enjoy your efforts! Cheers!!

[@JohnCzuchro]

I use strap all banding. Yes your duct band & go over my ladder runs. This looks great for a cheap set up. you’ll like to find a few ladders & cut them to 2 or 3 different sizes for your needs

[@guidanceaccounting9999]

nice saw horses! saw the video on when you made them at North House Folk School

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

They are… they were enjoyable to make and have been a handy addition around the workshop! Thanks for checking out the videos!

[@mrblungorn]

Great video and presentation. Ive watched alot of vids that are in this vein and youve got a knack for it. I have a carmyra mill jig (poor mans granberg) and am having fun with it. Tried wood rails and fought with them not to mention they warped. Got a ladder today and excited to try it out. Do you always do the end brackets like that? Or was that just because of the nature of that log. It would be nice to finish your cut on the end

[@user-ii3rn9rk1i]

Change the design to where u screw th ladder to the end of the log not on to. No worries about hitting the screws that way.

[@tasmedic]

I found this very useful. You're obviously very clever to get this working so well first time, using such simple materials. I think your chunky saw horses were part of the reason this worked so well. They could support a blue whale! How long did it take you to make that first cut (not counting the rail setup)?

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

Ha... the mic's windsreen fell off half way through that segment... if you ever wondered if the actually work... well! What a great piece of slab wood and the ladder worked so nicely!

[@skipbickford3970]

Take a look at Backstrom Woodwork video first cut

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

I'll give it a look... thanks.

[@lloydr.6271]

Just starting on my second tree. Two problems. First, the end screws under the ladder dont get enough bite in the sap wood. Second, having problems getting the log high enough to stop back pain from bending over controlling the 661. Drilled holes through two rungs at each end and put vertical screws down through into the log. Had to make a deeper first cut to avoid them, not perfect. Ladder stayed still and log slabbed but first cut takes too much time to set up. Can't get Granberg EZ Rails in UK , probably Covid problems with shut down in US.

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

Thanks for checking out the video... sometimes I use a piece of scrap wood as a spacer/riser from the log up to the ladder. I've also over cut the first cut and turned it over and cut that board down. Luckily I have a skid to lift up the logs to a good working height. Planning on adding a winch sood to help with the milling. Keep on milling and best to you!

[@gordoneigner7565]

How about uni strut for hanging mechanical components would that work in place of easy rails.

[@markheintz1878]

You could also use 2 pieces of 2x2 inch thick wall tubing and flat end plates with notches to hold them. If the steel is available at a decent price for you, that is. I just priced thick walled tubing here 2 days ago, it has really gone up even in the US.

[@beebob1279]

Question: When you set up the ladder or rail for the first cut, don't you want it so that when you mill you end up milling down the same number of rings on each end of the log? I've heard this and was wondering. I'll be milling for the first time in the next week or two and want to get it as right as possible.

[@necrojoe]

Not really. Ideally, you'd start with both ends of the cut being the same distance from the center of the log. If you try to target the same # of rings, it seems like you'd be cutting through the middle of the log at an angle, or you'd have to adjust the angle of every cut and ending up with wedge-shaped slabs (assuming the log you are cutting is wider on one end than the other.

[@stihlnz]

Earmuff's? Sorry mate didn't see them. Need glasses. Great vid, have a big Doug fir to slab, will copy your ladder 🪜 💡 idea.cheers

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

I use in ear hear protection… better when wearing eye protection.

[@iamdarkrider4]

I liked the video but the music is distracting while you are talking.

[@ronalves9118]

trying to talk over music just turned me off I can not watch something when I have to separate music from talk.

[@johnressman2205]

That music is.....annoying...!!!! I want to hear the chain saw motor working!!!!

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

Sorry... I'll try to make a video with a roaring saw just for you... stay tuned!

[@landrover4757]

Background music while trying to speak.....

[@letthechipsfly7620]

Milling is about reading the log not just a ladder and saw set up...............hope you learned something from this debacle.

[@joemendyk9994]

My.........aren't we special.

[@jasonmancini9108]

Wow, who pissed in your Cheerios this morning?

[@qdogbenson3112]

What a DH or DB take your pick.