Here is a DIY chainsaw mill project for the homesteader, farmer, prepper or anyone that enjoys wood working. I had first heard of a chainsaw mill in the early nineties while reading the latest issue of Mother Earth News and we bought one several years later after we moved to Maine with the intent of building our own remote cabin.
Here are a couple of things I have learned about chainsaw mills over the years.
- Make sure the chainsaw is up for the job, my little 14 inch McCulloch was not.
- Make sure you have the right chainsaw mill for the job, even though they sell a cheap unit for under 100 dollars, do not buy it. Spend the extra 100 dollars.
- When they recommend getting a ripping chain and you decide you really don’t need it, smack yourself in the back of the head.
- When you’re wife asks you if you have enough gas and oil before you leave the house and you insist you do, smack yourself in the back of the head. It is very fuel intensive.
- When you’re wife asks you if you brought the wedges and you insist you did, smack yourself in the back of the head.
- It can be physically demanding, especially if you ignore the first five steps.
Even with those mistakes we did get quite a bit done before it was getting too late in the season and were forced to have a portable sawmill come in to finish the job for us. If I had known about the first three points we never would have had to use them.
For those with welding and metal work knowledge, you can build one that is comparable to a commercial unit for a fraction of the cost as seen in the overview below.
1Sketch out your design
2Cut your square stock to length
3Lay out the design
4Make you welds
5Attach it to your chainsaw
6Let her rip!
7A cheaper method for smaller projects
To see the complete materials list and instructions; click on the link below.
…Chainsaw Mill
Last but not least, this is not where you want to be skipping on safety; chaps, helmets, eye protection and gloves are a necessity. Stay safe people!
Alaskan MK III Portable Lumber Mill
This versatile heavy-duty lumber mill converts rough logs into beautiful slabs in thicknesses from 1/2in. to 12in. No bar drilling is necessary; the MK III clamps onto the chain bar. Saw not included. Easy rail system sold separately.
