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The only really pro for a chainsaw mill. Is that it’s easy too take the mill too the log.

If you have equipment too move the log to an actual mill. Don’t even try a chainsaw mill.

If you can’t move the log than a chainsaw mill is the best option.

A few years ago, I tried to rip a couple short power poles in half for a neighbor with my small band mill. The blade didn't make through the second cut. I agree. Best not to try it.



I hear you there. I spent more on lumber last fall to build a 225 sq ft deck than I did the previous year for the lumber to frame and sheath nearly 600 sq ft of house.

The payoff in owning your own mill can also depend on your application. If the lumber you need can be put together rough, then added cost post-milling is minimal, but if you're looking for finish quality wood, then make sure you consider added time and effort in processing your rough cut lumber. The hours of work at the jointer and planer can add up quickly, as can the cost of planer knives, especially working with something like seasoned oak. Personally, I enjoy the work, the look of the finished product, and the ability to do things for myself, so I don't mind the extra effort. The payoff for owning the mill, for me, is in the process and the product, not just in my pocketbook.[/quote]

Yeah I can see where it would start to get pretty labor intensive. I was thinking it would be great to have just for lumber for framing things like barns and sheds and fence posts and stuff like that. Those wouldn’t have to be nice, finished lumber. Personally I kinda like to look of rough lumber anyways, even though it’s not practical for a lot of things

My father had a bandsaw one.Worked slick.

No matter what type of mill you have, you need to move the logs. I think that's a fifty footer in the pic. Tractors make things a lot easier.

Don't forget, that price isn't for rough sawn lumber, you're also paying for grading, planing and drying. When you get set up to plane and dry lumber, your cost per board will go up a smidge

How many times I've wished I had a tractor! Every cabin you see on our website was done by hand. All of it, and that includes moving the logs. We used log tongs. These are a two man torture device. One guy gets on either side and you skid the logs out. We did use a chainsaw winch on some of the longer stuff, but it was so slow we used tongs most of the time. I've moved a lot of logs on the trapline with snowmachines and atvs over the years too. I have a log arch now, and that makes moving logs much easier.

Yup I realize that, but a guy doesn’t need #1 grade lumber to frame a goat barn or build corrals, things of that nature. sure would save a lot of money on stuff like that, especially since a lot of livestock likes the chew on boards, they won’t look nice after a week anyway lol

I've tried it. They are slow. My 72 cc saw runs a 82 inch board in 5 minutes. That 880 is for the big stuff. Takes 2 to hang on to. I habe done it alone.

If you have the saw, your way past half way.

I have not as I am using and repurposing a lot of stuff I have on hand. I cut up an old boat trailer for the engine and saw support frame. I have V- Twin gas engine out of a ATV I am making the rollers and shafts myself out of an old boat prop shaft etc. In my world, there is not such thing as scrap. Only a lack of imagination.

But at a rough estimate I should have it up and running with a 24' bed for under 2000 bucks