Chainsaw MILL | How to Slab a Log | Simple Cheap Portable

In this video I’ll share with you my initial experiences with chainsaw milling. I’ll be showing the mistakes I made, as well as the lessons I learnt.
I’m using chainsaw mill from a Chinese supplier (TOPQSC). It’s an affordable jig, and easy to put together and use. You can watch how easy it is to assemble on the bottom-right corner. I’ll link to a video on my secondary channel of the full process.
Before milling a log, it’s best to remove all the bark and dirt you can. Neglecting either will increase wear on your saw, and dull it faster.
I’m using split firewood as wedges to prevent the log from moving sideways while milling it.
I recommend mounting the chainsaw with the jig facing down and partially supported by the log.
For this job I’m using a Husqvarna 266xp with a 20” bar, my first petrol chainsaw.
Once the chainsaw is securely attached to the milling jig, we can fasten some planks to the log to create a flat reference surface. Here is my first mistake. As you will see, I attached those too far from the top, so I couldn’t support the jig. I was on a bit of a rush, and the top of the log was flat enough to try it freehand. The results may have been better had I not pushed too far the plastic wedges during the cut. This lifts the whole slice and pushes the chain away from its natural direction. After the first cut, I had a ridge at the end of the cut, which caused issues on the second cut. I also made another mistake using a regular cross-cut chain, which leaves a pretty rough surface and cuts slower.
At the end of the second cut you can see how the cut started to go crooked and how the guide stopped running by hitting the ridge from the first cut. I solved this by flattening the surface by hand with a hatchet.
On the remaining cuts the chainsaw is outfitted with a milling chain (10deg cutting edge) which makes the cut faster and leaves a better surface finish.
The third cut and beyond were pretty straight forward, without any other issues. You can see how I make a full cut, without rushing, in 76 seconds.
This log is from a European Chestnut that was felled on February of this year. Chestnut is considered a hardwood and, compared to oak, is nearly as strong but lightweight and half as hard, so it’s a really great wood to work with. The heartwood is durable but, as you may see during the footage, the sapwood is vulnerable to insect damage.
For chain sharpening on the job site I used an appropriate file size for the chain (in this case, a 7/32” or 5.5mm diameter round file) attached to a file guide to maintain the correct angle.
I got 5 90x35x4cm (35x14x2inch) chestnut boards of decent quality out of that milling job. Overall I’m very satisfied.
I hope you like this video. Leave a comment with your thoughts, I'll be glad to answer you.
Support me on patreon: / wwb
Follow me on my social media:
/ woodworkingbarcelona
/ woodworkingbarcelona
TOPQSC Chainsaw Mill: www.amazon.es/dp/B07F8ZWVGZ?r...

[@deltoid77-nick]

Most beautifully edited Hardware demonstration video I've ever seen no minute is wasted there is information everywhere jam-packed I love it

[@davetobias3788]

Nicely done; love the "no talking, just watch and learn" approach.

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

I'm fully agree. Thanks Dave.

[@keefardin612]

AT LAST A VIDEO WHICH SHOWS THE SAW SHARPENING PROCESS AS WELL AS THE CUTTING ETC GOOD VID AND GOOD VISUALS,%100

[@josephcoyle8126]

The mill was a little unintuitive at first glance but your video clarified how to use it. Thank you!

[@lal2627]

Thanks for the video. I was looking into getting something like you got. Didn't want to spend a fortune on one and wasn't sure the cost vs. hassle would be worth it. Looks a little fiddly, but not terrible with some practice. Thanks dude!

[@Fishin_Fixin_things]

I love it when KZbinr's show their Fails. I fail quiet often, but we learn more from our mistakes than our success. I recommend leaving the text u a little longer, trying to watch everything you do and read the separate text was a little work. Not impossible just harder. Still great video. thanks

[@stevefrench652]

Great vid, incase you haven't corrected yet your bar clamp at the saw head end is the wrong way around. The flat plates should ride along the log making it move smoothly. Also the whole unit seems to be set up wrong, the handle should be leaning away from you. Keep up the good work, there's no better feeling than milling your own timber.

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Thanks Steve for sharing your thoughts. I always thank all constructive recommendations to improve my work.

[@vincentmichaels7495]

Yes, it would slide more easily if that bar clamp was turned around. It should look like a sled going along the side of the log...

[@robertalcanter1166]

Clamps wrong way round it's not criticism it's a fact 😊

[@bradkelly1601]

Hey mate great job, just a tip, try not to see saw the blade so much, you will get a better finish, also try out a skip tooth slabbing chain, you’ll notice the difference straight away. Keep it up🤘🏼

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Thanks for all your tips. I tried to find a local dealer for skip chain but I couldn't find one...

[@offgridsweden]

Awesome video. Got a Logosol chainsaw mill. Its a lot bigger but I love it. Have an amazing weekend, Andreas 🇸🇪

[@floyd1986]

Thanks this looks like a very honest video. I say that with sincere gratitude.

[@sutashiku]

your video is extremely useful. thank you a lot

[@BlackCat_2]

Looks neat. :) I found my preferred ASMR at the end of your video when you were working on the chainsaw chain. The sound of the water running in the background combined with the lovely scraping noise really calmed me. :) I haven't been able to enjoy any ASMR yet so glad I found something that worked for me. ;) - Heidi

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

lol, that was not my intention but I'm glad you can enjoy those sounds. Regards!

[@BlackCat_2]

@@WoodworkingBarcelona Yes I will have to come back to listen to the end whenever I need to relax. ;)

[@jfdesignsinc.innovationsid1583]

Dude way to give input that’s so much different and better than anyone else out there inputing ..... I look forward to your suggestion

[@maineman152]

I bought one on these cheap China made mills and it works pretty good on short hardwood logs up to 16 inches in diameter. / I had to make some modifications to it because form the factory it would not clamp down on the bar at the guard end, the guard was to wide where the bolts went through and had to be ground down about one quarter of an inch, I also added one eighth inch thick rubber pieces to the clamping blocks because they would slip on the bar when cutting. / The handle is pretty cheap and bent on the fourth cut I made so I made my own out of steel pipe which hoops up and over the slide bar of the mill and bolts to the other side of the mill as well as the push side, it made a big difference in how well I can push the mill as well as controlling the saws side to side swing motion. / All and all the mill was a good investment and I got my moneys worth on cutting the first log which was a 14 inch x 5 foot spalted maple which I used to make a table with.

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

I full agree. For that price you can't expect better. I take notes of all your homemade upgrades. Thanks to share with me!

[@montarctica]

I’d love to see some pics of your modifications

[@maineman152]

@@montarctica It wouldn't be worth the effort but when you buy one of these mills you should know beforehand your going to have to do something to it to get it to work right for you.

[@iguanapete3809]

I have a Husky like that. Beautiful machine.

[@ottofumbler7267]

Good to see an honest first attempt using one of these cheap jigs. The pro's make it look too easy, and use expensive kit. Was curious if the average DIY'er could create something with one of these mobile mills. 👍

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Indeed. That was first time milling. I improved my technique. It's true, with better chainsaw, chain, and jig will be much easier but hey, I've turned into slabs more than 6 logs in a year. Plenty of wood for my projects.

[@danielrincon314]

Nice done, ill buy it for sure

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

For its price it delivers a good performance

[@jsmythib]

Sold! ...Wish I had one back in 2009...Turn some dead downtime into something useful. :)

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Indeed

[@petrhrbek4585]

excelent video :-) thank you

[@chadwicked1]

Great video 👊

[@arteotroworkshop]

Vaya filetacos!!!! Enorme vídeo 🤩🤩

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Gracias compañero! Hasta el momento he "filetado" roble, castaño y cerezo. Ahora a esperar a que sequen...

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Great info nice video

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

I'm glad it is useful for you. Regards!

[@jdram58]

I guess theres a learning curve for everyone what kind of chains if a milling chain or normal n Ive seen different ways of starting using boards or ladders or steel tube or ALUMINUM with end plates depends on your needs or situation n how many logs you need to cut n where you are in a remote location or a place you can buy supplies.

[@PIHERCLAMPS]

Impresionante. Un gran avance para tu taller. Esperando a ver que vás a hacer con esos tablones de castaño ¡Preciosa madera por cierto!. Debe de ser como cocinar las hortalizas de tu propio huerto.¡Enhorabuena Lluis!

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Muchas gracias! La verdad es muy interesante cubrir todo el proceso, desde la caída del árbol hasta el acabado del producto final. No he trabajado antes con castaño y espero no perder mucho material durante el secado por los movimientos de la madera. Habrá que tener paciencia pero en un año y medio aprox. ya podré trabajarla. La veta me pareció preciosa. Gracias por pasar a comentar. Un abrazo!

[@TigaPutraWoodworking]

I want this❤❤❤❤❤

[@MakingHuertasstuff]

Una pasada poder sacar esos tablones. Me das mucha envidia Lluís. Gran video. Un saludo

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Gracias compañero, me alegro que te haya gustado. El resultado no es perfecto pero ese fue el primer tronco que aserré. Y aprendí bastante. Ahora toca esperar 1-1.5 años a que haya secado la madera ;D. Saludos!

[@CanadianCombine-Buck]

Nail (2) 2"x4" boards one each end of the log minimum 3' long each. Stabilize the log, then slow ,steady straight push forwards. Can put you n an old aluminum ladder with rolling wheel rail system. Use a bicickle brake handle as your throttle. Use rear brake of BMX,mountain bike. It will also have a recyclable throttle cable.

[@zedacruja681]

the way a se it,put your wedge in ,in that link you do not need to pound it much just to keep de bar free because you kind twist the Lumber so the next one its not gone stay straight

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

You're right. I noticed that while I was editing the video. In further mills I've done it better 👍

[@Uncle_Buzz]

Nice first run. Might consider a ripping chain :) Cheers! Chris.

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Thanks Chris! I did use ripping chain (10º). You may turn on the captions ;D. Regards!

[@Uncle_Buzz]

@@WoodworkingBarcelona Sorry, I missed that.

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

No problem at all. Regards!

[@eliancienthealing6682]

Nice recovery from your first failed cut. Wanted to let you know your setup is a bit wrong. The top middle guide with the handle is 180 wrong. Also, you are cutting forward with the back of the housing of your unit. Turn it around and the handle would be correct and the inside height bar closest to your saw is flipped 180 as well. The flairs on the ends of that clamp on the saw are supposed to face away from the log. This way they can help guide you along the log edge. As you have it right now in the video, they would hang up against the log edge and cause you to fight the cut more. Someone also mentioned a milling chain. It would help with the cuts, but if you have a planer as well, that will do the trick also. I firewood a lot and decided that some of the logs I have been chopping up for firewood were way to good to be firewood, but I didn't have anything to cut them into lumber with. I decided to buy one of these chainsaw mills and will use it on my Husqvarna 460 Rancher saw. May have to buy a bigger bar for it as well as chain, but it would be worth the purchase for all the wood I could make from these hardwoods I chop up.

[@jfdesignsinc.innovationsid1583]

Question. Would a medium size C-clamp on the tip area of the bar and another guy holding it wearing some super beef leather gloves work also?

[@Sascha_LB]

Nice review, I'm looking for something like this for a while. What do you think, how thin can you saw a board? Thanks for showing Greetings Sascha

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Hi Sascha! Thanks for comment. I guess you can set the jig to the thickness you want BUT I do not recomment do try with thin slabs because during the drying process wood tends to move so you will need to count about loosing some thickness during the machining to obtain S4S board to work with. Regards!

[@benhuffington8482]

this was a more of a what not to do video

[@MrThenry1988]

I've used both. Get the granburg.

[@tprudden]

I was curious how thin of a cut you can make with this guide? Also, in regard to the person who said to attack the log at 15-20 off of 90 degrees, how would you do this with the guide on?

[@mattvegas808]

Do you need to dry the wood first before slabbing?

[@syckboy]

That loose wingnut was giving me anxiety the entire time. Good video though. I may need to try one of these.

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Well, I've been using this chainsaw mill for monts without problem.

[@chanke20]

Can someone explain to me what's wrong with that first cut

[@mikemerc74]

is there a specific chain you are suppose to use for ripping slabs?

[@EloiMelich]

Bona feina!

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Gràcies Eloi!

[@DB-um1ij]

I stopped using my mill jig and started slabbing free hand, I seem to do pretty well that way.

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

I'm not that experienced to do it freehand

[@MrThenry1988]

What do you do with them D Brown?

[@harritoivonen7478]

chain saw teeth in splitting, 10 degrees? when cutting 30 degrees

[@krishankumaragarwal4790]

Sir i want to ask.. Instead of Oregon we have supra log cutting machine... Can this machine be fitted in this frame if we just purchase the frame.. Pls do reply🙏

[@xMrBlack]

Looks like you've got some stuff on backwards. Like the skid plate on the engine side should be working like skis to help glide smoothly over uneven wood. It looks like yours are hooking toward the log.

[@wdb1932]

Wow

[@mrshoeguy2477]

I think your handle is on backwards. I think it and the two short nuts that hold it are supposed to go on the other end of that short bar so that you'll be pushing down and forward at the same time. I think they put the grip on backwards at the factory.

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

I just changed the handle position and milled 4 more logs. Couldnt tell the difference in ergonomics.

[@jansirisingkhala4125]

ต้องการเครืองแบบนี้ซื้อได้ทีไหนคะ

[@Music_Musica-Sounds_Sonidos]

:))). Thank You

[@litoboy5]

cool

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Thanks man!

[@donnamalinski5780]

how long did the blade last?

[@kylebates416]

What's the bar length and diameter of the round in this video?

[@paulstiller6239]

The inside post of your mille needs to be flipped 180* so the smooth part touches the log.

[@michaeldez102]

Not bad atol my man...thinking about giving that little gadget a try... I'm sure as hell not gonna be on the ground like that... lol my body doesn't work like that anymore

[@davidgagnon2849]

That appears to be a regular crosscut chain. Have you tried using a ripping chain?

[@seangillespie4601]

RIP headphone users.

[@efrainarroyo1071]

Me gustaría comprar ese equipo para mi motocierra

[@danielspooner845]

How do I slab a log when my chainsaw blade is too short?

[@summitSask]

Your skid plate on saw side is backwards thats why you have to seesaw. First slab should be flatter than that, it your initial guide.

[@user-ie8st5qr3y]

Nice sawing. Do you sell any of these slabs? LMK.

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Hi Raul! No I don't. I only mill for my own lumber stock. Regards!

[@manuytofficial4776]

Can i buy this...??? How much price....fantastic awesome,👍👍👍👍👍

[@ict4ekenyamathematicscount953]

From where can I buy this? I am in Kenya.

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

You'll have to search for it. I bought it on Amazon

[@jeremysizemore6155]

Hey buddy got a link to assembly video

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Sure. Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXm3lpVjq6p2aq8

[@andrewbrastrup2355]

Hi. You've got the upright bar/ guide closest to the power head the wrong way. Its ment to run along the log

[@joshpoinsett1972]

Are we going to ignore the Bigfoot sound at 1:17

[@nathanm2419]

Was that a 266 you were using?

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Indeed 266xp

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Indeed, a 266xp

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

You can support my work subscribing to my channel here: kzbin.info

[@jagmohanchauhan1441]

How many prince? Please tell me. Thanks🙏

[@timeforbobal6647]

What is the price of that handle

[@marvingutierrez1478]

Maybe, I think, The wood should be the one moving not the guide of the chainsaw itself.. So that, the operator can manage the first wood imperfection. In short, it needs a one big frame with a wood sliding on the bottom or the guide having adjustable height.

[@pouguangreipanmei8974]

Can you please help me to get the vid?

[@user-rx4po1lf9s]

you have the guide section of the milling jig the wrong way around.

[@lugun1994]

Where will get in India

[@dlewisa]

If I had to guess I’d say the handle on your mill rig is on backwards.

[@cholmgren4420]

Either your rakers a but high or that chain wasn't very sharp. Even new out the box it needs a few licks to get through big logs like that. Thanks for the no nonsense video

[@keshabbeshra1154]

What is the name of this part?

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

It's a chainsaw mill (a cheap one from Chinese manufacturer)

[@ambienteyenergia0728]

Donde se puede obtener

[@dfbra4377]

Is possible to use a electric chainsaw instead of gas

[@dfbra4377]

?

[@alexjohnward]

yes, need to be a big one

[@nakramthakur5252]

Helo sir issashan ka Kay rath h aji

[@timeforbobal6647]

Sir what is the price

[@djrtime1398]

I think you need a new or sharper chain. It should’ve that hard

[@cliffordpayne4795]

Seemed like the milling chain cut slower to me.

[@iamdiane7677]

it would be nice if people can make the chainsaw sound a bit quite.. that's so noisy even the corpse also goin to wake up again u know haiyaaa

[@behindthewoodshed3042]

Am i hearing a sasquatch at 1:26?

[@efrainarroyo1071]

Mándeme la direccion

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Yo lo compre por Internet, en Amazon.

[@zedacruja681]

i see you made a mistake at the beginner ,,,but that the way wee learn ty

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Indeed

[@phulcandkashyap4251]

Machine kharidna hi muje

[@sarabear1238]

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.

[@chrisstaylor8377]

Bit rough

[@thepadahanga2085]

High price kyon hai

[@mahmudsaidych5731]

Выбрось эту приспособу. Крайне неудобная. Одно мучение с ней. Посмотри побольше роликов на эту же тему. Есть более простые и удобные.

[@ScoredPiston]

It would have cut in half the time and gave you a better finish if you would have just sharpened the chain before you made all the cuts…….🤔🙄

[@RowsOffice]

That was painful

[@jordanblack2250]

Dullest chain to show up on KZbin

[@scottlowther7698]

Somebody didn't watch a couple KZbin videos before this attempt 😅

[@chrisstaylor8377]

That’s not how it’s done

[@davechaisson7808]

Shouldn’t this be how not to slab a log lol

[@JS-dn2mm]

Secure the log next time and use a guide bar or 2x4 to create a flat surface. It moving around isnt helping. Watching you "sharpen" the chain at the end was the most painful part of the video. Do some homework.

[@nasarazam]

This looks dangerous !

[@deltoid77-nick]

Real man's work is not for the faint of heart you should check out Roughnecks on offshore oil rigs real dangerous real man's work. That should vulcanize you to understand that what he's doing is not as comparatively dangerous as what other men are doing

[@user-jj8yt4gr2t]

Painful to watch

[@georgedurden9835]

That looks like more trouble than it’s worth

[@BobDaughtry]

Are you kidding me? You stick your hand onto a chainsaw bar with the engine running at 5:57 into the video.... You didn't start out with a FAIL... you ended with a FAIL, and it could have been a WHOLE LOT WORSE....

[@jpallen719]

How to not mill a slab……

[@jamesnotter4535]

Looks to me like a piece of junk