Chainsaw beam guide from wood (DIY mini mill)

Videos in this series~
(part 1) Chainsaw beam guide from wood
► • Chainsaw beam guide fr...
(part 2) DIY Chainsaw Mini Mill Counterbalance:
► • DIY Chainsaw Mini Mill...
(part 3 ) DIY Chainsaw Mini Mill Quick Clamp:
► • DIY Chainsaw Mini Mill...
(part 4) Log Prep & Procedure for DIY Chainsaw Mini Mill:
► • DIY Chainsaw Mini Mill...
Chapters:
0:00 ►Useful introduction
2:49 ►Dimensions of jig
3:40 ►Installing jig
8:57 ►Limitations
11:29 ►Milling
20:25 ►Finishing up
After watching a ton of footage for this project, and after having spent a fair amount of time both thinking about this thing and playing around with it, I've reached a few conclusions. First of all, don't buy one of these; make one. The design shown in this video is solid. A steel one will perform no better, and it'll just be heavier. The limits in its performance come down to user error and/or application, not from any shortcomings in the gizmo itself.
Getting it straight: my earlier cuts would tend to allow the weight of the saw to slightly plunge the nose of the bar sideways, which resulted in a beam that was a little wider at the top. You can see this in the footage by looking at the uneven gap between the jig's 2x4 and the guide rail. Noted-and no big deal-but let's think about some ways to improve. One way is to just use feel: consistency follows from practice. Another way would be to introduce a counterweight, and I did consider that, but after toting it around for a day I've ruled the idea out. Right now, the best idea I have to offer is to add a slot/key feature. Imagine a removable pin, probably made of high-density plastic, that would insert through the jig and into a groove (dado) that had been cut on the outside face of the guide rail. This pin would act as a training wheel; it would ride along and prevent those occasional pauses and slips that cause gouges, and it would train the user to compensate against the weight of the saw.
Note about paste wax:
There have been tons of comments suggesting to lower friction against the guide board by using a lubricant. Although I didn't mention it in the video, I did use white bar soap before cutting. However, this is really not necessary; like, really, really, not necessary. The speed of the jig in use is almost 0, and the chainsaw's vibration keeps it from ever becoming close to stuck. Far more important is to ensure that both the board and the jig have been properly sized and sanded.
...
FloweringElbow has a great set of vids on chainsaw milling, not to mention a great channel. This video alone should get you hooked:
► • Why DIY Chainsaw Mill ...

[@pocket83squared]

Check out the following channel: #FloweringElbow Great content that's all over the place, but it's quite often chainsaw-esque. ... Sorry about the re-upload. The audio has been fixed. Here's a link to the original video, in case you were involved in discussion there: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opnJmIOHfNZ6o8U

[@RealRuler2112]

What was the cause/fix of the audio issue?

[@twiswist]

RealRuler2112: A tiny section of video/audio toward the end corrupted/skipped and made a super loud pop, which KZbin compensated for by making the pop (and the rest of the video) quieter. It's near 20:32 in the unlisted video; that particular second was cut out of this video.

[@RealRuler2112]

@@twiswist Interesting... didn't know youtube normalized audio when you upload. Thanks for the info.

[@FloweringElbow]

HAHA "all over the place"... You got that right! Thanks again for the plug. I love you approach to making things!

[@lyndelllyon7779]

It looks good and works good awesome

[@garrettlamb9916]

Your mill is actually way better then the one I don’t have!

[@NSHomestead]

Hands down the best DIY chainsaw mill on KZbin that I’ve seen. Great job, thank you! And don’t let the haters make you salty. When you respond to nonsense you feed the beast. 💯

[@aaronfranklin324]

Not sure if it's synchronicity, but Advoko Makes has an almost identical system. But automatic pulled by bunjy cord, and with a counterbalance shelf to match the chainsaw weight. It's outrageous how well it works and the perfect 0.66inch planks over two feet wide it does without the operator going near the saw when it's cutting.

[@henrywolkers1914]

You made a simple jig that others have spent hundreds or thousands to make, and it works every bit as well. Thank you for sharing this. Pure genius.

[@jimmywhitlow2012]

They sell simple guides for less than $100.

[@rickbosak8861]

Perfect. Now if I can just find a straight 2x4 at my local big box store.

[@daved1823]

As long as its reasonably straight. Doesn't have to be perfect. how you dry it probably matters more.

[@randybobandy9828]

@@daved1823 no..it needs to be straight otherwise the log will be crooked to.

[@jewelhome1]

Plenty of propeller and canoe grade stuff, though.

[@joefunsmith]

What about trex? Or run your 2x4 through a planer? Or use a steel framing stud?

[@randybobandy9828]

@@joefunsmith steel framing sucks for alot of reasons.

[@lukeinkson]

"Even if it fails I'm still gonna post this and then you can learn from my mistakes." *Liked* & *Subscribed* 👍

[@TheCaphits]

Holy moly! That was the most amazing and thorough, yet concise explanation of the dimensions of the jig at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="171">2:51</a>. Very helpful in understanding how this is put together and how the pieces are easily made.

[@madelinealdred5152]

❤love it

[@budgillett9627]

I wish I could give 83K squared thumbs up! So insanely simple and practical! The commercially built chainsaw mills are IMO prohibitively priced for hobby use. You, sir, have made my day! THANK YOU! Bud in Nebraska.

[@lacarpinteriadelucas]

The way you explain things is awesome, you never give us the step by step, just the knowledge to think about what we wanna do, I think it’s a better way to teach

[@ArbitraryLifestyle]

150% agree.

[@geomeynet]

9

[@botchvinik8668]

A big thumbs up to you sir for keeping it simple and low cost, yet practical and effective. I would be curious to see how your little saw and bar would perform with a ripping chain. Really well done...great video.

[@jimgriffiths9071]

I have been searching for the best chainsaw mill jig for years. This is the most reasonable design I've seen. Good job!

[@pocket83squared]

Thanks. Low commitment. Made from scratch!

[@JamesCouch777]

I watched a few videos of people in foreign countries doing basically the same thing only freehand and were producing incredibly accurate slabs of wood. I like your jig, excellent design 👌

[@1013Andrew]

Sure it aint "rocket science", but this is still pretty damn smart. Giving me lots of ideas, thanks!

[@LifeOfIvyQuinn]

Getting ready to fell a few trees on my parent's property and want to mill some lumber to make a (future) table top for my mother, and this video is absolutely invaluable to me! Thank you for the wealth of information, as well as sharing your guide design with us!

[@davidross6478]

Loved the video. I did something similar to this in the late 1980's when I was a teenager living in the mountains of northern California near the border with Oregon. Over time I got good enough to mill without the jig as well.

[@markshark7235]

Given today's Lumber PRICES this is quiet timely and simply genius in my book.👍👍👍👏👏👏 Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@danimal46835]

Not sure if it’s been mentioned, but have you thought about applying paste wax to the guiding surfaces?

[@doughoist]

Believe it or not, Ivory Soap, the solid kind, not the liquid. Would work better. I have moved many tons of heavy equipment by sliding it across the floor on two pieces of plywood slicked down with ivory soap between them. Keep the soap dry, no water. Counter intuitive but water will cause the boards to sieze up.

[@pocket83squared]

@@doughoist Yes, I used Ivory soap in this first video, but I didn't mention it. After milling many more times, I've determined it to be pointless. And the paste wax idea has been mentioned here dozens of times. It's also totally unnecessary. Note that now my 2x4 guide rail has been given a coat of polyurethane, though. It's quite smooth.

[@DeanTheDoctor]

Thanks for sharing your experiences you guys. Polyurethane can make for some slick surfaces! 😊🌎❤️

[@bobbrenna9507]

​@@doughoist Carpenters used to carry a piece of soap in their pocket, to slicken screw threads mainly.. but that was back in days of Armstrong :) Soap on the jig would work well in this application, just like ski wax, and inexpensive.

[@bobbrenna9507]

​@@pocket83squared I'm glad you went to a bigger saw, watching this vid was somewhat painful. There is no substitute for experience. Good jig idea, Thanks buddy.

[@premnas651]

Heck, I just enjoyed watching you mill successfully in unconventional ways. Seeing those big, straight maple slabs (I love maple) was oddly satisfying.

[@jewelhome1]

I’ve been using the commercial version of this (Beam Machine) for years. Cut lots of beams for wood sheds, etc. Simple and works well but there is a learning curve to keeping square and parallel, blade offset, and not wrecking your back. Good video, for a first go you thought things out well.

[@locoken]

Fan-clucking-tastic! I love the simplicity and ease of use. I agree. If it works for you, who cares what someone else thinks. Great video and nice job!

[@Wedget]

Brilliant, love the down to earth simplicity, and yes hell yes,definately worth it👍👍

[@bradleydepatie3375]

This is the first video I've seen of yours but I think this is exactly what I never knew I needed in my life. Definitely going to build a set of 4",6"&8" and make some use of some of the older trees around me.

[@robertvezina3669]

Excellent piece. Thank You for Your Skill, innovation, humor and thoroughness Brother.

[@MarkConwayTheBurgerKing]

I'm a Medically retired treefeller. Also hold a Certificate of Timber Technology. 10/10 for Sawlog conversion to timber. Also 10/10 for Timber engineered product, that is using wood jig and rail coupled to chainsaw for mini timber milling machine. Great job and share👍

[@twoweary]

I love your attitude man, “ here it is, if you like it great, if you don’t, that’s okay too”. Most of us think it’s a great idea. Now I’m gonna make this and go mill up some cherry. Thanks for the post.

[@BryanHemedinger]

Props to you! You did a damn good job with that setup!!

[@jim1528]

Video and tutorial are both EXCELLENT! A++! I will absolutely build one! Thank you!

[@JohnJohnson-sf9xh]

I like that statement: and what gets you through cutting wood is tenacity 👍

[@joshuabledsoe5572]

I appreciate your honesty and confidence.

[@EiGhTfT]

this dude. his attitude is gold. subbed!!

[@RealRuler2112]

I had watched the low audio version & was glad you posted it, even with audio issues - VERY good video! (I'm more than willing to turn my volume up to watch a video like this. =) ) I've watched several videos of chainsaw mills & have not (before now) found one that's 'low commitment' enough for me to try. I live in the city and therefore have very little space, plus only own the one chainsaw. This looks awesome - ingenious & elegant design! Looks like it'll go on/off the saw easily and not take up much room in my shop when not in use. Thank you so much for posting it.

[@tbuc2920]

I agree with James. I have watched many many video`s on a homemade jig. This is the one I will build for my logs come the fall. Great build.

[@marctrossbach6560]

Right on, appreciate the time and effort you took to create this video. Personally I will use steel for mine, but that's just my comfort zone

[@kngshzt5308]

"This a success but not ideal" i think that's the most accurate assumption of ANY situation ever.

[@emiellambrecht3663]

Simply the best I have seen so far!

[@conradsutton]

After watching numerous videos on milling from raw cuts, yours has been one of the most informative by far. I have a couple of dead oaks in my lower yard that I need to cut down, and I wanted to salvage some 2" lumber from them. This is a cheap, accurate, and clean way of getting the cuts I want. Thanks so much!

[@pocket83squared]

Thanks a bunch. Be sure to also watch the other two videos, because I really made some improvements. Good luck with it, and use a new chain: dry Oak is tough!

[@Jared_Albert]

Thank you for the thorough yet concise design explanation

[@davepelfrey3958]

This was a really good and informative video. I have a project coming up that I'm going to use this technique on. Thanks for posting.

[@manoharsagunthalla9215]

It's really simple and wonderful idea thanks for sharing!

[@dwaynecain5608]

I’m glad you did film it. And thanks for using the smaller chainsaw. It’s all I have. I’ll be giving it a try.

[@bigviper64]

One of the BEST Video-Tutorials I've seen! and Perfect Timing too. I have a Boat Load of pre-cut logs out back and I wanted to "Split" them for firewood...I'm too old and too weak to do that, I used to do it when I was younger etc. Now, on the Long 2x4, I plan on putting it across two Saw Horses, to keep the 2x4 from bending, I will put 2 more 2x4's vertically beneath the top piece, counter sink the holes for the screws. This will add stiffness to the guide bar (the top 2x4). I will create a 2x4 "X" Cradle to support the logs to be split..This is a most Wonderful presentatiion, your voice and patience is much appreciated!

[@jimplantinga6288]

Thank you. This has got to be the simplest way, I've seen yet. I think it all takes time and patience, no matter how it's done. I like your way best and look forward to more cool stuff 👍👍

[@thomasyerbey337]

What a great idea I am so glad that I found this video I will be making one of those thank you for sharing 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@hotmimi666]

Simple, no cost build. I love it. So small it will fit in my 1980s fanny pack!lol. Going to build one tomorrow. I have 3mi x 100ft of property with loads of downed trees. Too difficult to bring a large mill and my property is mostly hills and mountains. This DIY mill will be perfect for what I need. Thanx so much.

[@pocket83squared]

Thank you. Be sure to watch the other videos too, because the upgrades really, really help.

[@tawakerakarawa1064]

Just ripped two boards from a rosewood log freehanding and they look like wedges! Your invention is priceless to my knowledge aquisitions! A thousand thankyous friend.

[@therealsparkman]

Ingenuity. How to adapt with simplicity. A very rudimentary guide to cutting your own logs. Good job! The thing about this instructional video is that somebody can always improve on the basics that could make things easier and more accurate. Nevertheless, good on you for taking the time to put this out there. Cheers!

[@davepelfrey3958]

Love these chainsaws. I do have a larger also. This is my favorite, I got on sale for $159.00.

[@oldscout7]

It just goes to show...one can never have too many saws..... Very nice idea and presentation...gonna have to try it for myself!

[@alanm3438]

I love it. It is so basic and doable. I will be working with pine. I want to try it myself. Once I get some slabs out, I will let the table saw and plainer clean it up. Thanks!!!!

[@EricWaterTruck]

Thanks for sharing! I just tried freehanding a log with my plug in electric chainsaw and I was surprised. Like holy cow it works! Unfortunately I hand cut most of the tree up already before I thought about turning it into lumber.

[@stevencrane3590]

Extremely impressed! Gives me some great ideas. Like your 2x4 guide being straight, and maybe your guide splines, or tapered, to avoid kickback. I have some flat teflon material. Might help if I glued some to the guide. I think I must use your ideas as soon as I can get a rip chain Toy with possibly a longer bar.

[@pocket83squared]

Rip chains are better suited to mills that have attachments on both sides of the log. With a single attachment (like this one), you'll need a normal chain for correcting the cut once it starts to go 'off.' Think about this: low angle chains aren't as sharp on the sides of their teeth, so they have trouble coming back once they go astray. ... A longer bar is also ill-advised; a longer bar means further projected error, so a little off becomes lots more off. If you have a really thick log, you might get better results by first making a defined cut on each side before you plunge through--that's how I did the larger of the two. Don't mean to try to shoot you down here, but I've put quite a bit of thought into this simple gizmo. Thanks and good luck.

[@johnsine7154]

I love this idea,at first chance,I Will try this out for future builds.THANK YOU SIR!

[@davidhuckaby832]

A genius idea for a simple do it your self mill. Im with you all the way. Great idea. This is outstanding for out in wilderness bush plane carry mill. I have no complaints. I always wondered how I would do the simple wilderness log cutting ability. A big THANKS for the idea!!!!!!

[@david.perrip4316]

That was awesome man!!! I'm definatly going to make, and do this!! Thank you

[@thalivenom4972]

im impressed. you have skills, and i wanted to thank you for sharing them. you do great work

[@PhillipShockley]

Very well thought through and awesomely explained. Thanks!

[@greensfarmland]

Where I live I only have smaller trees, and this will workout perfect for the few times I will use it. Thanks for the awesome design.

[@Nik-xw3kv]

Отличная работа!!!!!

[@GregRosolowski]

Awesome technique! For the bandsaw, consider a resaw blade in the future. Makes a massive difference for long straight cuts.

[@raystarky3896]

I Love the attitude! it gets the jobs done many of times and sometimes you dont need the special tooling made from metals

[@niklar55]

Superb! Just what I need. Simple and effective. Thanks a million. (If two pieces of board were fixed to each end of the guide rail, it could be fixed like an outrigger, and the remaining log could be divided., and the outrigger removed to complete the ends.)

[@leefortune3351]

Dude if it works go with it. I enjoyed your innovation. I have 1 of the small chain saw mills and they are what they are . A new perspective is always a good thing. Thank you for sharing

[@luissilva1228]

Muy elegante pero no entiendo el idioma

[@storludde]

I made one of those in steel, will test it whan spring comes, i will try to use it to cut off 2 sides of 9 5m logs to replace logs on a barn and also to make a heavier kind of log puller. Hope it works. Anyway great video!

[@isaacclay126]

Great content! I think the idea behind a bigger chainsaw is they out out more bar oil so you don’t end up burning you’re chain. Great for someone trying it out.

[@andreperait]

For any purpose at all, your jig is just simply fantastic and am going to make myself one. Tqvm for the bright idea friend.

[@Jeremy_810]

Considering the price for large timbers and slabs, in just a few cuts, you've already saved hundreds of dollars.

[@ashu9493]

Enjoyed the video. I had a couple of thoughts that could possibly improve the rig. Of course I am theorizing as I have not used it myself. I thought that you could put a handle on top of the rig so that you could push down on the rig as you pull it down the 2x4. Also I thought that if you put a ballast extending off the other side of the rig and weight it to counter the weight of the chainsaw it might help in making smoother cuts.

[@ehengle]

your description of the process is outstanding - clear and concise. Thanks!

[@frednot809]

Thank you for this awesome video. I have been looking for a solution for square cutting large 6 x 6 and 8 x 8 beams and I think I have found it. Again, thank you for sharing your simple yet effective solution

[@efrancis19]

I bought a commercial version of this that attaches to the bar with set screws. Problem is, the set screws loosen and the guide slips, allowing the chain to contact the metal bracket, immediately dulling the chain. Bottom line: your design is better.

[@NS-uw7jx]

My experience too, and agreed.

[@elementalspark]

Odd. I seen one video that the comments were disabled that said the same thing. I then watched another video where a man was using the same setup for 3 years without issue. He used a "drum tuning" technique. You could also drill out the bar but you're not wrong. This design is better.

[@shadowdemon13]

Cool idea. Excellent video. I think that using a metal 2x may help ensure that you get a consistently straight cut as opposed to any board warp.

[@mistere1478]

I didn't come here to criticize your method. I came here to learn. Thanks for teaching.

[@stephendbartlett]

I have the same saw and made a jig from some angle iron welded together. Worked fine. I was milling spruce so a little easier to mill. And like you said, the bark dulls the chain. I used this often while building my remote cabin. Cheers

[@JCarlosXJ]

This has been a "deja vu" for me (something has changed in the matrix) ;D . Interesting content as always .

[@Carpythesharky]

I've always enjoyed how you give us your thought process and updates as you learn more about how your idea/tool/creation works. Your conclusions are realistic which allows me to decide in the end if I think I can pull it off. Also it's just fun to see your ideas for things I probably will never need! Makes me want to make it just for the heck of it though :) Keep it up Pocket.

[@johndeeter9522]

Very well done video. Interesting that you showed some methods that didn’t work well for you. Much more interesting than to present it as the only way to do it. I have a granbergs beam machine which I haven’t had the time to experiment with but intend to do soon. I have recently bought some Oregon RO ripping chain and installed it on a poulan wood shark. I intend to try milling some pine. Your video has been very helpful

[@danielrincon314]

I ll give you an A-plus, thanks for teaching me.

[@steveaspen6773]

I saw over 500 thumbs down for this video at today's March 28, 2021 but!.. I'm convinced that it's because "they" wish they came up with your design which is extremely simple. Good results, can it be made with steel or aluminum? Yes but the fact that you made it so easy in a pinch, that makes you a better Inventor. don't give up, make a better version.

[@geneticdisorder1900]

Love it, don’t have to spend lots of money to get something’s done. Home made ingenuity, as long as you are happy with the results.

[@JesemanuelRamirez]

LOL "some see a video like this as an invite to give me advice" that is so true

[@starcarrier1874]

An innovative way to process raw material with the equipment at hand. Patience and planning produced a great result. Nice.

[@thomashanner4172]

I have for a long time tried to figure out how to solve the issue with my large pine that was cut down some time ago, thank you for your workable ideas, I will try these.

[@VagabondTE]

I enjoyed it and I'm pretty sure I'm never going to do my own milling. I love the plastic washers and I might be able to help with that. Laundry detergent bottles are a lot thicker and smoother since they have to be bigger. Some cat litter containers as well, but you probably don't have cats. Plastic buckets are labeled as HDPE but they're a completely different viscosity so they wear away much faster. Or at least I assume they would. I also recommend fabric scissors for cutting plastic. Just separate them from actual use fabric scissors or seamstresses will materialize out of thin air and stab you with them. Crap, I think I told you some of this before. Anyway I had an idea while watching. I know absolutely nothing about milling so it's just a thought. Could you make a floating rail for when the log gets down to a certain size? I don't know if you do this enough to where you would have a little milling station, but it might make those subsequent cuts a lot easier.

[@darinmorgante7200]

Held "Stihl" as long as I could 👀

[@saradolphin3242]

Simple Affordable and Worked Thanks!!!

[@davidward3991]

This is very good. You have created a much more safer use for performing the Wood cut. Thank you!

[@loafandjug321]

You seem angry.

[@timpeel-wickstrom5739]

Love the saltiness at the start. Perfect seasoning.

[@roflcopterkerman4589]

Minimill is now my favorite word. Thank you.

[@nj1639]

Inspiring! I've a mess of standing Virginia Juniper that I want to mill into 6X6 posts for post and beam projects. This vid and your counterbalance add on vid is the kick I needed. Thanks!

[@kevinbarber3208]

Best woodworking home invention for 2022,,thank you

[@tjacksonwoodworker3726]

Excellent..simple and effective. I started milling my own lumber in late 2018. Using it now. I have 3 to 5 trees that die each year and I try to mill them. I tried many methods and ended up making a chain saw sled based on Izzy Swan's design. Started with a Husky 440, then a 460 and am now using an old 272XP. I mill mostly white and red oak. I have found more power the better. With the sled, weight is now a negative. When I mill it is still a good workout. I like your videos.

[@jerrylittle8922]

How did your 460 work out for you?

[@driftingwild455]

Brilliant idea, so simple. I have a few big logs that I need to cut into boards. This is going to save me so much time and money. Thank you!

[@snteevveetns]

Brilliant! And a LOT cheaper than a store bought. Great video

[@joerepella2160]

For a simple tool made with a small saw and a few sticks. ... great idea a thanks for sharing

[@bobralph5072]

Dude I give you an "A" for honesty. I've freehand milled logs for projects and for friends for several years. I've been too cheap to buy a an Alaskcan Mill. Your guide jig has my attention. Go video man

[@davidsherman6398]

Best jig for this application that I have seen so far. I will probably be making one of these soon. Will buy me some time before I need a real saw mill.

[@1muddonna]

This is brilliant, thank you. I'm adding to the top of my projects list :)

[@ralphwalter6j]

Great simple jig. Can't wait to make my own! Nice presntation thanks for the show.

[@sourisnathan3747]

Thanks for the video. Look forward to more of your projects

[@larryfinfrock4857]

I would like to have your brain scanned; you take creativity to a whole new dimension. Thank you for another engaging video.