How to Start Alaskan Chainsaw Milling | Milling a Figured Walnut Tree

Are you wondering how you can start chainsaw milling? I'm milling an INSANE figured walnut tree and figured I'd explain my process for Alaskan chainsaw milling in case you are interested in learning. I show my milling techniques and my chainsaw gear. Plus, you get to see some beautiful walnut!
--⏱️Timestamps⏱️--
0:00 Chainsaw milling 101
00:36 Guide rails for the first slab
00:49 Trick for cutting slabs
01:44 Using spacer blocks when saw milling
02:33 Granberg chainsaw mill
03:30 Using wedges when chainsaw milling
05:02 Milling a walnut crotch section
07:09 Ripping chain for chainsaw milling
I have been Alaskan chainsaw milling logs for a few years now. When I first decided to try it, I watched a ton of videos to learn how to do it and figure out what gear I needed. I thought that this video might help people who are thinking about jumping into the chainsaw milling game. I show my process and explain the equipment that I use. Plus, you get to see some amazingly figured walnut slabs!
Jake ( / disbros.designs ) and I got word that some homeowners had a walnut tree cut down in their yard. We were lucky enough to keep it from becoming firewood. We owe a huge thanks to the owners who were gracious enough to allow us to save it. And thank you to Marino Casadei for all the help cutting the logs up!
We packed up my milling gear and spent the entire day cutting slabs. There were two main sections to cut. One was a trunk that was about six feet long and 30+ inches wide. The second was really wide crotch section that was about four feet long.
We tackled them, rotating duties from cutting to gassing up the saw to stacking slabs. There were three of us working that day and everyone was awesome about rolling up his sleeves and lending a hand.
Overall, we got 18 really nice slabs and then some extra pieces. And surprisingly, we didn’t hit any metal while cutting!
If you are looking to start chainsaw milling, here is a list of my tools so you can see what I use. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Stihl chainsaw: www.stihlusa.com/products/cha...
Ripping chain: amzn.to/30vn2pA
Saw mill: granberg.com/product/g778-36-...
Chainsaw wrench: amzn.to/3cOMatJ
Chainsaw chaps: amzn.to/2zpw2Bo
Chainsaw safety gloves: amzn.to/2BTIc6q
Wedges: amzn.to/3dThtVB
Makita drill: amzn.to/2U6DJnP
Dust mask: amzn.to/2O4x3Tx
Eye protection: amzn.to/37F5M1N
Hearing Protection: amzn.to/31JRpHa
•• My Links ••
My Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/newtonmakes
Website: newtonmakes.com
Instagram: / newtonmakes
Facebook: / newtonmakes
Esty: www.etsy.com/shop/GenWoodworker

[@WorkshopatTheGardens]

always so much fun opening up a log to see what's inside for grain... the 661 is nice saw. nice cutting!

[@justinbyers1441]

Man that is awesome score brother love some walnut, really looking forward to seeing what you use them for after they dry... i enjoy milling my own logs, great video

[@Keough709]

Dude, thanks for the tip setting the height!

[@kennethperian4370]

Good job showing telling, see y’all next time have a great day.9

[@interiorsmartdesigner]

Very very good job

[@micahjobbins7041]

Cool video!

[@ejsocci2630]

Awesome awesome thanks for sharing.

[@tonytribisonna9886]

Thankyou for sharing- great presentation and very informative. Love the walnut- would make beautiful table tops.

[@sinaTonewood]

nice job👏👏👍

[@bustednutcreations9946]

Very cool thanks!

[@charlesmckenna6164]

Thanks for the tips, I’m just getting into it. Remove your saw dogs “spikes” and you will get another inch or two for your cutting length.

[@kulaksikulak]

Thank you 👍👍👍

[@Jpella88]

Do you feel like when you mill the wider logs you need an auxiliary oiler? How many passes do you usually get before having to sharpen the chain? We have the same set up.

[@MrThenry1988]

Good video men.

[@NewtonMakes]

Thanks

[@alexandersangster7137]

Good video dude! I got into slabbing last year, I like to use the ladder for ever cut I am usually alone and I have a 661 as well. I have had trouble with securing the ladder to the log, what do you do with the lag bolts exactly if you don’t mind explaining?

[@NewtonMakes]

I carry multiple 1/4" lag bolts from 3-6" long because the log may not be flat. I like to have two bolts in one ladder rung so the ladder doesn't move. And I'll put a few more in a rung in the middle and at the end of the log. Ultimately, I may have six bolts or so holding it down to the log. If need be, I will put wedges or scraps under areas were there are gaps between the ladder and the log.

[@UA---rb9je]

Hi What type of saw you using for milling? Stihl MS 661? Carb version or M-Tronic version?

[@imliozu6875]

Hello sir I'm from india can you suggest me which chainsaw I'll buy for milling

[@PaulHarristrinity]

Thank you for this video. I realized it takes more than one person to balance and push the saw mill. I'm not as diesel as you two, so...

[@erickk1992]

Just ordered a mill off of Amazon wondering if ai’m gonna regret it, but this video has me hyped now.

[@vskjarvik]

How did it go? Are you using it?

[@erickk1992]

@@vskjarvik unfortunately I held off on using it until I found an old ladder for a rail system and only recently used it. The ladder was too wide for my bar so I broke down and used some trailer ramps for some short slabs and couldn’t be happier. I managed to get some great cuts from some walnut.

[@vskjarvik]

Nice! Which chainsaw are you using?

[@erickk1992]

@@vskjarvik Stihl 661

[@phil7654]

How do I set the granberg Alaskan chainsaw mill to cut different thicknesses?

[@TrapDaddy65]

I'm in MI and I just picked up an MS 440 with a 36" bar and the same mill. AND I have some large downed walnut trees that I really don't want to turn into firewood!

[@milesabove5259]

How’s the 440 going with that length bar? I’m looking to turn a now problem tree into timber once it’s felled. My dealer pointed me to the 462 as a minimum. All our wood in aus is hard, so that might be the reason.

[@TrapDaddy65]

@@milesabove5259 The 440 is a great saw, but doesn't have enough power for a 36" bar. The real issue is the oiler doesn't get oil to the far end of the bar. I've since put a 28" bar on it for when my 18" Echo just won't do. But I may still use the 36" bar occasionally.

[@jerryrogers5233]

Great Job! Why water the logs?

[@NewtonMakes]

Just shows the grain so I can see how cool it looks. Sometimes, it's hard to tell with saw dust on them.

[@rhound50]

Just curious about the chainsaw you are using. Was considering getting a chainsaw mill but the stihl 661 is pretty cost prohibitive. Is such a nice saw required. My $75 16 inch electic saw isn’t going to cut it but is there something less expensive than the Stihl that will still work?

[@NewtonMakes]

Sure. You can use several types of saws. The brand doesn't matter. The limitations are speed and capacity. If you want to cut a 20" wide tree you need a saw capable of holding a bar longer than that. You can use a less powerful saw but it'll make things slower. Still doable though.

[@New_user-hm4ug]

how long do the ripping chains last? how many feet of an 8 inch wide tree can I do before I have to sharpen it, or if I can even sharpen it?

[@New_user-hm4ug]

@@NewtonMakes thanks for the info, i just ordered a guide for my chainsaw to make boards out of our foresty back yard, gonna learn a new skill and get amazing wood in the process.

[@JeremyB8419]

Been looking into this lately. Loved the video quality. Most of the videos on the subject matter haven’t been modern in their level of production as far as current KZbin content creator standards go. We’re you using a tipping chain? And if so, what brand?

[@JeremyB8419]

Never mind. Shoulda waited until end of videos lol

[@kevinmilner1521]

I’m about to start milling up some lumber in the woods stihl 362 and don’t really have anywhere to dry the wood and it will have to stay outside i guess I’ll have to make a makeshift shelter any advice ?

[@NewtonMakes]

Make sure you use thick sticker boards so air flows between the slabs. Your slabs will likely get to a certain moisture content and then stop. Before you use a slab, bring it into the shop and let it acclimate. In Michigan, a slab will get to about 15% outside. It'll get to 8% in my shop.

[@kevinmilner1521]

@@NewtonMakesthanks I hope it doesn’t mold lol

[@gvente87]

How long did it take to mill the first (6’) log seen in this video?

[@titansofthepentagon]

Please tell me how much the cost of everything is. I just bout a property in Costa Rica and I want to send one mill saw there.

[@NewtonMakes]

I have links to the items in the video description.

[@Z71Ranger]

You can use cheap vegetable oil for chainsaw milling...

[@dtw111able]

Did you pay for the log? And if you don’t mind how much did you pay for it?

[@NewtonMakes]

No, I didn't.

[@michaeldestories3412]

Why do you wet the wood after its cut?

[@NewtonMakes]

To see how cool the grain looks

[@michaeldestories3412]

@@NewtonMakes ty brother!

[@revealthelight]

Why are they splashing water on slabs? Don’t we want to dry it out?

[@NewtonMakes]

So I can get all of the saw dust off and see how cool the grain looks. They'll dry anyway. It doesn't hurt them.

[@jessedoty3466]

What type of mask were you using?

[@NewtonMakes]

A 3M respirator with dust filters.

[@user-sp6dz8it3z]

Текстура красивая а спилы плохие ,цэпь заточите под 10 градусов

[@twagner6155]

Remember to have a Dodge Ram.