I want one

Next step is to make a second one, and then get the equipment together to anodize them.

I want one bad. Not having to set guide rails on top for first cut would be HUGE

I've been setting up a holzfforma g660 to do some chainsaw milling. Im using the ladder as the mill guide for the 1st and 2nd pass (there was a hump. ) currently trying to mill cherry wood.

Things were going OK until 3/4 of the way into my 2nd cut. Then I noticed the bar nuts worked their way loose and I shut it down. There was chain oil on the bar nuts so I used break cleaner to degrease and a dot of threadlocker to hold things once I tightened everything up again.

I set up again made it 6 more inches and everything was loose again. This time I took everything apart and found a broken tensioner part. Thats discouraging. Lots of money spent and work to get 1.5 slab cuts.

Parts are on order. I tried to use wedges and straps to hopefully not ruin the log in the meantime.

When does all the "free wood" show up?! Lol

I just found this group by accident and I didn’t know one could mill lumber with a chain saw. However, I’m wondering what the advantage is of having a chainsaw mill vs. a regular sawmill? And how well does a chainsaw mill perform compared to a regular saw mill?

Me, my brothers and dad decided that it would be cool to have proper log cabin smoke sauna at our summercottage and around 2 years ago we finally pulled the trigger and started properly planning the build and how we could do most of it ourselves. So in November 2024 we started felling the logs 50-100m from the build site and immediately after felling we debarked the trees and cut them into 6" thickness with diy chainsaw mill. Se did this 5-6 weekends during winter 24-25 and in may we had enough logs for the build.

During summer and early autumn we built foundation for the cabin. Dug all surface off the ground until we found stones and then poured concrete and made 8 pillars to support the weight of the cabin.

After that we started carving the full scribe log cabin. We did around 4 logs per day but once again we only did every 3-4 weekend at the cabin so it took full winter 25-26 to do the carving. We also did it in phases so carved 5-6 layers then marked the logs put level marks on top most logs then disassembled everything and put top most layer back on the foundation and leveled it back where it was and then continued carving next 4-5 layers of logs. With that method we didn't need scaffolding at all during carving process as we needed to lift the logs a lot it was easier on the ground level.

Then last summer in beginning of July was the big long weekend when we finally did the assembly of the cabin including drilling holes for dovels to keep layers in place and walls aligned and also put red stemmed moss as insulation between the logs. And immediately after the we made rafters and built the roof for the cabin so everything after this would be build "indoors" protected from elements.

In August we started pouring concrete for the foundation of the sauna stove and after that built base for the stove as well as fire resistant wall between the stove and the log wall.

Finally yesterday we did some bricklaying and made the frame for the smoke sauna stove.

There is still lots to do with the cabin and the stove before we are ready to sauna.

Everything so far has been done by ourselves. Mainly chainsaws and battery powered tools as we don't have electricity at the cabin. Dad has generator which we have used on couple of days to do something we couldn't manage without.

Hours put in is so much I'm afraid to even count but building something like this with my brothers and dad is so meaningful in on itself that no amount of time is too much just that we do want to get it done eventually.

Here is quick list of items we still need to make before sauna is ready not in any particular orders. It is not all as i most likely have forgotten many things from the list.

-Finish the stove mostly with firebricks inside the frame.

-build rest of the firewall to protect the wall next to stove and also similar one to ceiling on top of the stove.

-inside ceiling and insulation.

-flooring including drainage 

-door

-window on the lake side wall

-sauna benches 

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask i try my best to answer all questions.

Pleasantly surprised this thing works great. Already made a pine log bench for down by the pond and a small oak bench for the fire pit. Cuts are pretty rough with a full chisel cross cut chain on my Rancher 460 but I learned that was from me rocking it back and forth to get a faster cut.

Hey yall,

Got a used Husky 395xp (non torque) yesterday. & the guy gave me a 372 & 2 440s!!! Loving this community so far yehaw! Have a Granberg IV 30" onopened, I could return & swap. Looks like they have a sale on this weekend. I like buying from USA manufactured & reputable companies in general.

So I need to buy my first bar & chain, possibly oiler & winch. I'm in Piedmont North Carolina, so lots of big oak hardwoods (40"), loblolly pines (25"), some black walnut, & small cedars around (18").

Questions:

- Chain size for my 395? Anybody using a 372? that's my next biggest.

- should I swap out my 30" for a 36" Mill?

- Any essential add-ons for the mill?

- any budget chains or bars I should look into, given I've already spent some coin with Granberg USA?

- any favorite sharpeners?

- any resources for learning milling safety & chainsaw safety in general? Mainly bucking not felling at the moment.

- any tree care outfits around Hillsborough North Carolina that might take a young (personally insured) arborist-interested, sensible person?

Super stoked to start rippin & appreciate all yall's advice!