Thread: alaskan small log mill

Haven't used one but know a few people with one and they have no probs with them, easy to use and adjust.

Main criteria really is the CS and type of chain, get yourself a ripping chain. Milling with a CS is hard on the CS. Let the CS do the work, don't force it.

As we've said before, most of us have made our own. I think the Alaskans are a good thing. Have you checked out GB, basically the same thing, however they attach differently, so you lose a little less bar length. No idea on price difference.

As dj said, the big variables will start once you try and mill, then you have all the problems of the saw not big enough, crooked cutting, sharpening, too slow, too dusty, too hard.

But my oh my, they are nice slabs when you have milled them yourself. Good luck, if you can't buy a mill, either the Alaskan or Gb will serve you well.

Originally Posted by djstimber

Haven't used one but know a few people with one and they have no probs with them, easy to use and adjust.

Main criteria really is the CS and type of chain, get yourself a ripping chain. Milling with a CS is hard on the CS. Let the CS do the work, don't force it.

Do you mean the Granberg small log mill?

If yes, I can convert my small mill to act as such. I was attracted to it because it offers the advantage of lighter weight which over a long milling day does add up!.

I've only tried slabbing one small red gum log with it (running a 16" bar) and one thing I noticed is that since the bar is only attached at one end, the bar can bend slightly through the cut and the thickness of the slabs I cut were not as uniform as the slabs cut using a mill that holds the bar at both ends. I may simply have been pushing a bit too too hard and as DJ says this mill will work best (as do all CS mills, but especially this one) with a really sharp chain. The other difference is I was using it on some bone dry redgum and it would work much better in green or softwood. I would be interested in hearing about anyone who has used one with either of these.

I note the Granberg mill is recommended for bars up to 20" but I reckon they are a bit optimistic and I would be wary about using a bar/cut above 16" in dry Aussie hardwood.

From a safety point of view I think they are potentially more dangerous than 2 point bar hold mills with the nude bar/chain poking out the side of the log for an extended period during milling. While this is no different from some other mills , at least with a 2 point hold mill it's possible to add a guard onto the outboard end. For this reason (and the fact that I will soon have a bigger mill) I am not considering operating mine in this way again in the future.

If you are going to buy one, have a look at Westford.

Okey Dokey, I thought you meant a full size Alaskan mill, if you were talking about the type in Bob's link, then I'd suggest upsizing to the full size Alaskan.

I'd be interested to know how much the Westford is worth, and their rail mill, looks pretty simple, and effective.

This week I purchased a Stihl MS380 (3.6Kw, 72.2cc, 20" bar) along with the Alaskan Small Log Mill. This morning I tested it on a small camphor log. Except for a small amount of aprehension associated with my first cut it went like a dream. Will be interesting to see how it goes on hard wood.

The 36" Westford goes for about $483 +GST.

Originally Posted by outback

... interested to know how much the Westford is worth, and their rail mill, looks pretty simple, and effective.

As Bob says the 36" Slab mill is about $500, the Rail Mill is around $1500 to $1800 from memeory depending on the options you get with it.
There is a basic unit & you can add extention pieces to it for longer logs & you can also add an optional winder to it, bit like a boat trailer winch to pull the rig along while it is cutting.

I have a 48" Westford with 56" Titanium Bar and Stihl 95cc saw - it is a great setup - very happy with it.

Westford was about $450-500

I went Westford as it is Australian made.

OK, Thanksh guys, that's shwell. I've always been impressed wih their rail mill. Oh well one day.

Originally Posted by weisyboy

i am thinking of buying an alaskan small log mill

any coments?

dose anyone have one?

I've got one, and am very happy with it.

As BOBL has stated they do struggle with dry hardwoods, like redgum stringer posts that are almost pertified, but with a freshly cut tree they have no problem. I milled down an Oak that I couldn't get anybody to mill because it was considered too small.

A sharp chain is a must for all milling.

H.

I bought a 48" Westford about 12mths ago about $500 then, I also run a stihl magnum 088 with a 42" bar

Originally Posted by BJP

I bought a 48" Westford about 12mths ago about $500 then, I also run a stihl magnum 088 with a 42" bar

Doesn't sound that small to me:

Still to small for the log in djstimber`s thread,

just orderd an alaskan small log mill and got a new chain for my sthil 034 with a 20"bar that i will be using with the mill, should get the mill tomorow cant weight.

thanks for all the coments it helped me make up my mind

nice slabs bob

thanks again

p.s. love the rain

we have had 45mm since last night.