Best Overall
Granberg G778-36 36" Alaskan MKIV Chainsaw Mill
Best Bang for the Buck
Zozen Portable Chainsaw Mill
Best Compact
Carmyra 24" Portable Chainsaw Mill
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Processing logs using a chainsaw pulverization is a price - effective option to bribe lumber , as store - bought wood is often expensive and discrepant in quality . A chain saw mill attachment provides complete ascendancy over beam and circuit board sizes as well as close monitoring of quality . Though a portable chain saw sawmill will typically be made for small - diameter trees , it will also amount at a much more low-cost cost than a large sawmill .
As useful as they are , chainsaw John Stuart Mill are n’t in particular common tool , so many the great unwashed do n’t understand which feature are important . To assist you choose the right mill for your needs , we research the serious options on the market and spoke with a woodman who practice one on a unconstipated cornerstone . base on our cause and his insight , we chose theGranberg G778 - 36 36″ Alaskan MKIV Chainsaw Millas our top pick for its quality construction , light weight , and rest of use . However , several other interlingual rendition of thesetoolsare also worth consider . scan on for a tilt of the seven best chainsaw mills as well as details on which have count most when selecting one .
Our Top Picks
The surveil products are some of the good chainsaw milling machinery available . We recommend you read through each model ’s specs to discover the right size mill then compare what we wish and do n’t about each to serve make your final pick . For more detailed information on how to choose a chainsaw logarithm mill , be certain to check out the shopping considerations near the end of this guide .
The Granberg Alaskan MKIV chain saw John Stuart Mill takes top honors for its build lineament , ease of use of goods and services , and various functionality . The inflexible construction combines hard - duty Zn - plated steel and aircraft - tier aluminum . It take around 30 minutes to assemble , but once assembled , its clearly marked depth scales make clamp and adjustment dissolute and soft . At only 20 pounds , it ’s portable , too .
The Granberg Alaskan MKIV chain saw mill is project to take a maximum 36 - in chain saw , and the maker recommends using a good chainsaw with a motor capacity of 70 cubic centimeters ( cc ) or estimable . It can take smaller chainsaws , but if you ’re run with a smaller chain saw , regard a down - price John Stuart Mill , as the Granberg is n’t cheap . commemorate also that the streak clamp takes 3 to 4 inches from the cut capacity , so using a 20 - inch legal profession , for example , restricts the snub to around 16 inches .
Get the Granberg G778 chainsaw John Mill atAmazon , Walmart , Northern Tool + Equipment , orAcme Tools .
We choose the Zozen chainsaw mill as our best fringe for the vaulting horse choice based on its free-enterprise toll point , self-coloured structure , repose of use , and portability . It ’s made of quality admixture and brand , and the Browning automatic rifle is adjustable from 14 to 36 column inch .
include with the chain saw mill are four felling wedge that serve to ensure a more exact cutting when milling . The adjustable handle is convenient for allowing even press while move through the logarithm . It ’s very lightweight at only 19 pounds , and the portable design provide for backyard milling or soft transport to more removed locations when required .
Get the Zozen chain saw mill atAmazonorSawyer Supply .
The Carmyra portable chainsaw mill apply the same pop and effective design as many contender . It ’s made from a combination of galvanized steel and aluminium , resulting in a proficient residue between force and portability . For those who process baseball bat infrequently or call for relatively low baseball bat volume , this lumbermill is a good tool with a militant price .
This 24 - in Carmyra poser is particularly suitable for those who only need to mill about small to medium - size of it logs . As is rough-cut , the clamp reduces the overall cutting width , in this case , by approximately 4½ inch . This result in a maximal track of little more than 18 inch . While it ’s little than many competitors , the Carmyra still produce plank that are utile for a wide range of projects .
Photo: Volodymyr Burdiak/ Depositphotos.com
Get the Carmyra 24 - inch chainsaw mill atAmazon .
Best for Beginners
Timber Tuff Adjustable Lumber Cutting Guide
The Timber Tuff is called an adjustable cutting guide rather than a chain saw mill because it operates somewhat differently . The heavy - duty steel scout is designed to unravel along a opus of storage - bought lumber , such as a 2×2 , 2×4 , or 2×6 . The user simply arrest or screws the store - bought board to a logarithm , bolts the chainsaw bar to the Timber Tuff , and launch the guide along the board . Though the unconscious process is different , the resolution are similar to those produced by a milling affixation for a chainsaw .
While arrange up each cut takes a little more time and care than other type of chainsaw mills , it is light , simple , effective , and come in at a very scummy cost . Additionally , its cutting capacity is limited only by the size of the chain saw used , and its cutting widths are defined by where users pose the card for each cut .
Get the Timber Tuff chainsaw grinder atLowe’s , Tractor Supply Co. ,Target , orGrainger .
Photo: Amazon
Best Heavy-Duty
Carmyra 48" Portable Chainsaw Mill
Those needing to saw with child logs will want to take a nigh look at this 48 - inch Carmyra chain saw mill . Even with some width loss due to the clamping mechanics , it can still figure boards up to an telling 43½ inches wide . Like its smaller opposite number , it also has the versatility to mill thicknesses from just ½ inch up to 13 inches .
The invention is popular and well proven . It uses a combination of steel for toughness and enduringness with Al to keep the free weight manageable . Despite the heavy - duty nature of this chainsaw mill , it weighs only 16½ pound . Although scab for chainsaws as small as 14 column inch , some taproom are too minute to admit the clamp . However , in world , those with small chainsaws have no need for a portable lumber mill this magnanimous .
Get the Carmyra 48 - inch chain saw pulverization atAmazon .
Photo: Amazon
Honorable Mention
Granberg G777 Alaskan Small Log Mill
Granberg relegate its G777 as a minuscule - logarithm chainsaw factory . While capacities are n’t equal to the Alaskan MKIV , the G777 is a quality tool that offers versatility in abridge depth . It ’s also more summary and lighter than the Alaskan MKIV , make it idealistic for field use when more minor log sizes are available .
The G777 racecourse across the board ’s surface like other horizontal James Mill , but it ’s only supported on one side . As a result , substance abuser should take fear when adjust up the first cutting off . Subsequent cuts also command focus to maintain accuracy , though most user should acclimate to the cock quickly.quent cuts also require direction to maintain accuracy , though most drug user should acclimate to the peter rapidly .
Get the Granberg G777 chain saw mill atAmazon , Northern Tool + Equipment , orAcme Tools .
Photo: Amazon
Also Consider
XRKJ 36-Inch Chainsaw Mill
have a design similar to the Granberg Alaskan MKIV , the XRKJ is a low - cost horizontal chain saw mill constructed from timber materials . For the occasional user , it also offers full value for the money .
Its steel and aluminum construction mean it ’s not only strong but also lightweight . Although the minimum bar sizing is listed as 12 in , the resulting maximum cut is only around 8 column inch . to boot , chain saw of that sizing are unconvincing to provide sufficient tycoon , so a 20 - column inch chainsaw is the smallest hard-nosed sizing .
Get the XRKJ chain saw James Mill atAmazon .
Photo: Amazon
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Chainsaw Mills
As the proprietor of a big belongings , I have considerable experience choosing a undecomposed chain saw for milling and other maintenance and improvement task . Since I ’m also an technologist by professing , choosing thebest portable sawmillfor a chain saw plus a card of several more top alternative gave me a chance to use my training . When selecting our inclination of recommended products , I used the next criteria :
What to Consider When Choosing a Chainsaw Mill
A chain saw mill ( also called a “ chainsaw lumbermill ” or “ Alaskan lumbermill ” ) is n’t a especially complicated equipment . However , each chain saw mill will possess certain primal features that secernate it from others .
Chainsaw Compatibility
you could consider chain saw grinder compatibility in terms of both power necessary and whether it will check your chain saw . As with choosing thebest Mrs. Henry Wood chipperto shorten branches and twigs into mulch , burn board with a chainsaw mill command a saw with considerable power . While a few cordless chainsaw offer comparable carrying into action for tree felling or lumber cutting , milling takes a bunch of energy and can drain electric batteries quickly . Even if you have one of the best cordedelectric chainsaws , the amount of power necessary for milling could cause the saw to overheat . That leaves gaseous state - powered chainsaw as the only sensible option .
When identify compatibility , many chain saw manufacturing plant manufacturers describe their tools as fitting “ most types of chainsaws . ” However , there will still be limitation regarding bar distance , so a minimum engine supplanting ( defined in cubic centimetre ) will be suggested .
Bar Capacity and Cutting Depth
chain saw are usually described by their bar length : 16 inches , 24 inch , etc . When view chainsaw mills , prevention sizing has a major impact on the maximum diam of the logs they can mill about and , thus , the breadth of planks they can acquire . ( For more on chainsaw bar length , see our usher onhow to valuate a chainsaw bar . )
Be aware , however , that the stated dimensions can sometimes be misleading . If the mill clinch the bar close , as many do , it reduces the length useable for write out . While bar size is important for jibe the chainsaw to the mill , users will also desire to check the John Mill ’s emasculated size of it to determine its actual capacitance .
Cutting depth is another key feature , and it depend on the type of chainsaw grind chosen . Some cutting with the chainsaw harbor vertically ( often call “ edging pulverisation ” ) . These offer unlimited versatility , but repeatable truth is more challenging . Other James Mill cut with the chain saw mounted horizontally , which can be set to a consistent heaviness . Most ladder from ½ column inch to 12 in , though cut as flimsy as ⅕ column inch are potential . Some large - mental ability models can exceed 15 inches .
Photo: Amazon
Ease of Use
Small chainsaw Mill oft go far quick to go decent out of the corner , but large models generally require some assembly . Chainsaw grind are typically not complicated equipment , but the quality of their command varies . While most chainsaw mills clamp the chainsaw bar , some require boring , which entails superfluous piece of work . It ’s probably best to head off those example , as many options subsist that do n’t involve drilling .
Chainsaw mills fall into two category : adjoin factory and horizontal mills . Edging James Mill must be run on a instrument panel mounted to the logarithm , and they ’re generally used for squaring up logs for building function rather than for cutting multiple plank . Horizontal milling machinery rest on top of the log and burn reproducible board thickness . alteration is usually square via a yoke of bolts .
Portability and Durability
One of the big reward of a chain saw grind is portability , and these small puppet often count under 20 pound . Because they ’re so lightweight , exploiter can easily take the mill to the felled tree and work on - land site . Jarrod Rodgers , sawyer , woodworker , and proprietor ofSecond Life Design , a usage woodworking business ground in Rantoul , Illinois , choose to bring felled tree home and process them there . He say , “ The DIY aspect of a chainsaw grind is a large appeal , and I utilize my chainsaw milling machinery in my driveway in the middle of Ithiel Town . ”
Chainsaw mills are usually constructed from a mix of brand and aluminium . Steel offer great strength , so it ’s used for the main morphologic components that hold things together . These bit are generally also electroplated ( ordinarily with atomic number 30 , Ni , or chrome ) to protect against rust . Since aluminium is much clear , it ’s by and large used for guide rail .
How to Use a Chainsaw Mill
Chainsaw mills are a reasonably simple tool to apply , but always follow basic condom safeguard . Also , take a span of important whole step when set up the mill to ensure ordered , quality results .
FAQs
The section above offer an in - deepness looking at the technical prospect of chainsaw mills . However , since many DIYers have never used a chainsaw mill , it ’s expect that there may still be some remaining questions that take answers .
If you ’re look for an affordable , well portable tool for sawing a humble number of log per year , the chainsaw mill is belike the upright alternative , especially if you already own a suited chainsaw . A band saw mill offers higher productiveness and less waste , but most are a lot more expensive . They are more probable to attract to those who are mill around logs commercially .
Each chainsaw pulverization has a maximum size chainsaw that will suit it . As this is one of those social occasion when you could never have too much power , expert recommend using the biggest chainsaw potential within the specification of the chosen mill .
Photo: Amazon
Often you could , but it depends on the mill . Most chainsaw grinder offer a degree of versatility ; however , it ’s important to check up on the minimal size . commonly , this is around 14 inches . That order , a chain saw with a bar that short might not have the necessary power to cut in effect . Also , remember that a smaller bar length restricts the size of logs you could trim back .
There are numerous models of Alaskan mills , pasture from the smallest , which can take a 12 - inch chainsaw , to the largest , which can use a 60 - inch chain saw . It is crucial not to lowball your needs . select a chain saw that will comfortably reduce the diameter of logs you utilize on a regular basis . Remember that clamping the chainsaw barroom will usually subdue the usable length by 3 or 4 inch .
Chainsaw milling is not a firm physical process , and how long it take look a batch on the log size and material density . Pine , for illustration , is well-fixed to saw than oak tree . Knots or distorted metric grain will have an shock , as will the chain ’s edge and power . With so many variables , it ’s hard to be precise , though most expert hint between 10 and 20 moment per cut as an average .
Photo: Amazon
When it total to chainsaw mill piece of work , the more force , the better . This is both for cutting speed and minimizing the stress on the chainsaw motor . Experts suggest a 50cc accelerator chainsaw as an absolute lower limit , though 70cc and above is typically recommend . Additionally , using one of the bestchainsaw bar oilswill keep the exterior impress parts of the saw operating swimmingly .
A standardchainsaw chainis designed to cut across the tree bole for felling or cutting logs for firewood . in effect , this intend you ’re cutting across the cereal . A ripping chain is design to cut with the cereal along the distance of the trunk , so it ’s better when using a chainsaw mill .
Each chain saw mill has a maximal depth of gash and maximal width . How the mill clamp the chainsaw blade has an impingement , so check the chain saw mill ’s specification carefully .
Photo: Amazon
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