My first cut

**Barterbuilt** · 27th October 2012, 06:01 PM

Hello to all.

This website is addictive. Now the kids call me TERMITE because Iv'e got the wood bug.

I built a cs mill this week, here are some pics.
A big thanks to BobL for all his posts, I think I've just about read them all.
It is just a prototype to see how it goes. Yep, now I need a bigger chainsaw.
The saw is a ms390 with a 25 inch blade.
The chain is a 3/8 rip skip.
I've been on the lookout for an aluminium ladder to use for the guide but I couldn't find one, so I made one.
The log is a red stringy bark (I think) It's been lying around for at least 12 months and it's as hard as a bulls borred.
I cut one up and used it for firewood a while back and noticed it had a lovely red colour so I thought it was too good to use as firewood.

I must say that I was a little apprehensive to start with, but it was very satisfying.

Anyway....

**BobL** · 27th October 2012, 08:05 PM

Cute Dawggy! And welcome to the CS milling club

Tip for you next upgrade.
Even on a small CS mill it pays to have a(n adjustable) perpendicular rail near the middle of the mill like this.
My first cut-sam_0552-1-jpg

This makes it easier (and safer) to start and end a cut when the ladder is not being used. Relying on the front mill rail (to start) and back rail (to finish) can lead to problems.
Also on you next model consider not welding the whole mill to a fixed length because there is no question you WILL want to mill bigger logs.

Also drilling drilling the bar instead of clamps - if you have read my posts you will know why.

More pics please.

**dai sensei** · 27th October 2012, 08:09 PM

Off to a good start

**MBM888** · 27th October 2012, 08:43 PM

Best looking homemade CS mill I've seen.

**tassietimbers** · 27th October 2012, 10:19 PM

Nice work there with the mill, and now that the timber bug has bitten, you will never look at trees the same!

Before my Lucas mill days I used to slab with CS mill, home made just like yours. Milled for years with a 038, then an 090. I used a range of different length 250mm C-section purlins as milling rails for years. Drilled holes in them and screwed them to the logs, using wedged packers where needed to get it dead flat. Was very easy to handle and could mill in 6m lengths if required on special jobs.

And as mentioned, you will soon start eyeing off logs larger than the mill, so think about building a bolt on or slip in extension that joins to your current mill to accommodate these logs with a longer bar.

Happy milling!

Cheers

James

**Barterbuilt** · 28th October 2012, 06:32 AM

Thanks for you kind words.

Yes bigger logs. mmmm

Funny you should say that.
You will notice there are only two slabs on the ground.
I built the mill with this log in mind for the test cuts.
As I got to the center of the log the bar clamps fouled on some lumps and bumps. Bugger

So it looks like mark 2 will need to be made sooner rather than later.
Bob, can you tell me how the nose of the bar is designed. Can I put a hole right in the middle of the sprocket?
If I can then I should get another 50mm or so from the bar that I have.
Iv'e got a heep more questions, but I will leave them for another time.
When I sit in front of the computer I can't remember them. Notes me thinks. That craft thing.

Regards
Andrew

ps the pooch is new. stumpy tail cattle. loves to chew on chunks of hardwood, just wish it wasn't my fresh slabs

**Christos** · 28th October 2012, 07:28 AM

Interesting read. Well done on the saw mill.

**pjt** · 30th October 2012, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by BobL

Cute Dawggy! And welcome to the CS milling club

Tip for you next upgrade.
Even on a small CS mill it pays to have a(n adjustable) perpendicular rail near the middle of the mill like this.
My first cut-sam_0552-1-jpg

This makes it easier (and safer) to start and end a cut when the ladder is not being used. Relying on the front mill rail (to start) and back rail (to finish) can lead to problems.
Also on you next model consider not welding the whole mill to a fixed length because there is no question you WILL want to mill bigger logs.

Also drilling drilling the bar instead of clamps - if you have read my posts you will know why.

More pics please.

I added 2 cross bars to mine for the same reason as Bob points out, with the extra bars you can maintain a level/flat start/finish a lot easier when milling without a ladder, also good when milling with too....

creates a slight angle.jpg extra cross pieces.jpg
setup for end grain ripping.jpg

Pete

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