Thread: First time milling with home made chainsaw mill (Redgum)

Originally Posted by ian

so you didn't think to take the photo till after your thirst was properly slaked

There was a recycling bin fun of empties about 100m away, the fridge was 200m further on.

Originally Posted by BobL

There was a recycling bin fun of empties about 100m away, the fridge was 200m further on.

good to know that you recycled the empty, and that you got a bit of exercise fetching the coldie.


in the photo you have the satisfied look of a tired man who has just enjoyed the last of a cold one -- good for you !!

Originally Posted by ian

good to know that you recycled the empty, and that you got a bit of exercise fetching the coldie.

in the photo you have the satisfied look of a tired man who has just enjoyed the last of a cold one -- good for you !!

or maybe I'm a good actor?

Jokes aside ...
I understand the theory behind a chain saw mill,


but how to you prevent the kerf closing towards the end of a cut and tilting the last few inches?

Originally Posted by ian

Jokes aside ...
I understand the theory behind a chain saw mill,
but how to you prevent the kerf closing towards the end of a cut and tilting the last few inches?

wedges are added to stop the kerf closing behind the bar and if you look closely you'll see the metal rails on top of the log extend further than the log so the mill does not take a dive while completing the cut.
These rails are not essential but they are part of reducing the friction on the mill so that the mill can auto saw even on a slight slope. The cross rails on the mill are lined with polyethylene which makes the mill even slipperier.
The log rails also help correct any twist and remove the transfer of cut defects fron the previous to the next cut.

Good job guys
So the ladder is for the first cut only?

Originally Posted by slim

Good job guys
So the ladder is for the first cut only?

some millers do that others like me use ladder/log rails for every cut.
I reckon it's worth taking the time to use them to ensure better finish and more consistent dimensions.

Going to pick up some of these slabs this weekend to see how they dried. The moment of truth so to speak! Will slab up another log whilst we are there

redgum bench.JPGredgum closeup.JPGredgum moisture.JPGredgum thicknessed.JPG

Hi All, Here are some photos of what I did with the redgum. I am pretty happy wiith the bench and the timber itself is quite beautiful. There is some fiddleback in there and various features which I like. I finished it with some waterbased stuff that doesn't have a lot of sheen but its meant to be good outdoors. The timber was machined into 50mm slabs and it was 12% moisture after about 15months of drying. It has been very stable since I machined it. I did all that work about 6 months before I finished the bench and the timber didn't move at all. Christ its hard compared to the rubida that I slabbed for my second effort. I broke off several screws when fixing the bench together.

Excellent results, I’m sure you are chuffed with the seat. Looks fantastic! It’s nice to know that you’re in it from start to finish, I like that about milling and creating the piece. Keep it up!

Originally Posted by ian

Maybe we should pin this pic under the heading
The hard working BobL

BobL and his amazing powers of telekinesis.

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My faith in Australia is now restored....


All this talk about honest cricket players, no alcohol, and conservation efforts aimed at restoring Kangaroo populations had seriously made me question the state of "Progress" in The Lost Continent... But no more... All is back in it's right place now... The only thing missing in this pic is the SMLE propped up next to the chair.. No doubt it's in the Ute...

That is a very interesting setup there... Where do you find a saw chain that will self-feed enough to make this work... Most of them are designed not to self feed to any appreciable degree..

No doubt there is significant experimenting with the setup of the chain so it self feeds just enough and doesn't over-feed and bog the saw or run off track..

That surface finish is also impressive... That cut looks better than what I get from the bandsaw in my shop....

Originally Posted by truckjohn

My faith in Australia is now restored....
... But no more... All is back in it's right place now... The only thing missing in this pic is the SMLE propped up next to the chair.. No doubt it's in the Ute... .

The only weapon in my vehicle is an axe.

That is a very interesting setup there... Where do you find a saw chain that will self-feed enough to make this work... Most of them are designed not to self feed to any appreciable degree..

Years of practice sharpening - I started when I was bout 9 years old - dad was a timber faller. It doesn't look like it but the log is on a significant slope. The mill also has 4 wheels on the inboard end, the 2 uppers are white teflon and 2 lowers are black PE.

No doubt there is significant experimenting with the setup of the chain so it self feeds just enough and doesn't over-feed and bog the saw or run off track.

Correct - slightly more hook and much lower rakers than usual.

That surface finish is also impressive... That cut looks better than what I get from the bandsaw in my shop....

Most folks are impressed by the finish I get with a big chainsaw. A few years back I was milling/cutting and carving at a local park in the suburbs for a nature playground installation. Two of the workers hired to install the log fences came over and asked me how I got such a nice finish. I told them how I do it and they said, "Crikey we're from Manjimup and we've never seen such a good finish with a chainsaw".
Manjimup is a small town in the edge of the tall timber forests about 3.5 hours south of Perth where they think they know about all things woody
Then I replied.
"It's OK, I'm originally from Pemberton".
Pemberton is another smaller, town near Manjimup deep in tall timber forests. A great rivalry exists in all matters sport and timber between the two towns.
I don't know what them off worse, being outdone by a "city slicker" or a woodie from "Pemby".

Here's a close up of what I can do if I'm careful.
Nicefinish.jpg

Originally Posted by Cal

Excellent results, I’m sure you are chuffed with the seat. Looks fantastic! It’s nice to know that you’re in it from start to finish, I like that about milling and creating the piece. Keep it up!

Thanks Cal. I certainly will. I have some iron bark drying now that I am itching to get into. The hardest part is the long lead time! Especially when you are unorganised like me. Ive got another log down there waiting to be milled that I should have done months ago.

I am happy with the seat but would put more recline on the back next time. Its a good piece for the spot though, out the front of my house under a porch. Its nice sitting on something you made for almost nothing whilst drinking a cold beer.