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{{Short description|Type of sawmill incorporating a chainsaw}}
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[[Image:Alaskan chainsaw mill.jpg|thumb|An Alaskan chainsaw mill]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
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[[Image:Alaskan chainsaw mill.jpg|thumb|A chainsaw mill in use]]
[[File:Milling Birch on a Logsol F2 plus chainsaw mill.jpg|thumb|Milling Birch on a Logsol F2 plus chainsaw mill]]


An '''Alaskan mill'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://granberg.com/|title=Home - Granberg International|author=|date=|website=Granberg International|accessdate=9 April 2018}}</ref> or '''chainsaw mill'''<ref>Gehring, Abigail R.. ''The back to basics handbook: a guide to buying and working land, raising livestock, enjoying your harvest, household skills and crafts, and more''. New York, NY: [[Skyhorse Pub.]], 2011. Print.</ref> is a type of [[sawmill]] that is used by one or two operators to mill [[Trunk (botany)|logs]] into [[lumber]] for use in [[furniture]], [[construction]] and other uses.
A '''chainsaw mill'''<ref>Gehring, Abigail R.. ''The back to basics handbook: a guide to buying and working land, raising livestock, enjoying your harvest, household skills and crafts, and more''. New York, NY: [[Skyhorse Pub.]], 2011. Print.</ref> or '''PortaMill'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.norwoodsawmills.com/en_us/portamill-pm14|title=Norwood Sawmills PortaMill PM14|website=Norwood Sawmills|access-date=30 August 2019}}</ref> or '''Logosol sawmill'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.logosol.com/store/sawmills/chain-sawmills/f2-plus-chain-sawmill/|title=Logosol F2+ Chain sawmill|website=Logosol|access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref> is a type of [[sawmill]] incorporating a [[chainsaw]], that is used by one or two operators to mill [[Trunk (botany)|logs]] into [[lumber]] for use in [[furniture]], [[construction]] and other uses. Although often used as a generic term, '''Alaskan Mill''' is a registered trademark of Granberg International.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALASKAN MILL Trademark of Granberg Pump & Meter Ltd. Serial Number: 88299397 :: Trademark Elite Trademarks |url=https://www.trademarkelite.com/trademark/trademark-detail/88299397/ALASKAN-MILL |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=www.trademarkelite.com}}</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
The mill attachment consists of a pair of rails which are attached to bar of the [[chainsaw]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://granberg.com/|title=Home - Granberg International|author=|date=|website=Granberg International|accessdate=9 April 2018}}</ref> The rails ride on a plank and then a previously cut surface and guide the chainsaw blade through the log at a consistent depth so that planks of a predetermined thickness are cut. The distance between the rails and the bar determines this thickness and it can be adjusted by moving the rails along a post at each end of the mill attachment. During use it is important that the rails extend out past the ends of the so the cut has support the entire time. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://gardenknow.com/how-to-use-a-chainsaw-mill/|title=How to Use a Chainsaw Mill|author=|date=|website=Gardenknow|accessdate=1 January 2019}}</ref>
The mill attachment consists of a pair of clamping brackets connected to a rectangular frame which is attached to the bar of the [[chainsaw]]. The rails ride for the first cut on a guide system, plank or on a metal ladder which is screwed to the log (but not so tightly that the guide is pulled out of plane), and then on the previously cut surface of the log, and guide the chainsaw blade through the log at a consistent depth so that planks of a chosen thickness are cut. The distance between the rails and the bar determines this thickness and it can be adjusted by moving the rails along the depth posts at each end of the mill attachment. During use it is important that the rails extend out past the ends of the log so the cut has support the entire time. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://gardenknow.com/how-to-use-a-chainsaw-mill/|title=How to Use a Chainsaw Mill|website=Gardenknow|date=15 October 2018|access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref>


Small mills use a single chainsaw and can be handled by a single operator. Larger mills use two chainsaw power heads, one on either side of the attachment and these require two operators. This larger style of mill requires a special bar which allows the two chainsaw heads to be attached at either end. The width of the plank that can be cut is determined by the length of the bar, up to {{convert|34|in|cm}} so for logs having a large diameter, the longer bar is necessary. Also a special chain is designed to make [[rip cut]]s rather than the usual chainsaw chain which is for [[Crosscut saw|cross-cutting]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=jAAAAAAAMBAJ Lopez, Barry. "Mill Lumber With Your Chainsaw". ''Popular Science'' Vol. 212, No. 6 Jun 1978, Page 89]</ref>
Smaller mills use a single chainsaw and can be handled by a single operator. Larger mills use a double ended bar, powered by either a single large chainsaw (typically ~120cc) and a helper handle or stinger, or two chainsaw power heads, one on either side of the mill apparatus. These typically require two operators if the bar is over 48 inches. This larger style of mill needs a special bar which allows the two chainsaw heads to be attached at either end. The length of the bar decides the maximum width of the plank that can be cut, up to {{convert|34|in|cm}}, so for logs with a large diameter, the longer bar is necessary. Also, to waste less wood due to the [[kerf]] width, a special chain is designed to make [[rip cut]]s rather than the usual chainsaw chain which is for [[Crosscut saw|cross-cutting]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=jAAAAAAAMBAJ Lopez, Barry. "Mill Lumber With Your Chainsaw". ''Popular Science'' Vol. 212, No. 6 Jun 1978, Page 89]</ref>


For the first cut, a pair of rails or a plank are usually attached to the log to give the mill attachment a reference surface to guide it or other commercially made jigs are available such as a [[timberjigs]]. Subsequent cuts are made using the surface of the previous cut as the guide.
For the first cut, a pair of rails or a plank are usually attached to the log to give the mill attachment a reference surface to guide it, or other commercially made jigs are available such as a [[timberjigs]]. Subsequent cuts are made using the surface of the previous cut as the guide.


The [[kerf]] of a chainsaw cut is wide, relative to that of a bandsaw mill or circular saw. This is no problem when cutting a single beam or large timber from a log, but would represent significant waste if used to saw many thin boards.
The kerf of a chainsaw cut is wide, relative to the kerf of a bandsaw mill or circular saw. This is no problem when cutting a single beam or large timber from a log, and would only represent significant waste if used to saw many thin boards. Most chainsaw chains produce a kerf that is approximately 1/4", so one inch of wood is lost for every four cuts with a chainsaw mill.


Alaskan mills are relatively cheap to purchase compared to other types of [[portable sawmill]] and are the most portable type of powered sawmill. They are therefore popular with hobbyist woodworkers who have access to felled timber.
Chainsaw mills are relatively cheap to purchase compared to other types of [[portable sawmill]] and are the most portable type of powered sawmill. They are therefore popular with hobbyist woodworkers who have access to felled timber.

Logosol is a Swedish based international company, they started making chainsaw mills in 1989. They currently offer several models of chainsaw mills. F2 sawmill, F2+ sawmill, Timberjig and Big Mill Wide Slabber.


==See also==
==See also==
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{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Sources==
== External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjVzvlsJPsE Youtube video] showing a big chainsaw being used in a chainsaw mill to cut a fallen [[walnut tree]] into boards.
* http://granberg.com/catalog/granberg-chainsaw-mills


{{Forestry tools|state=collapsed}}
{{Forestry tools|state=collapsed}}
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[[Category:Timber preparation]]
[[Category:Timber preparation]]
[[Category:Sawmill technology]]
[[Category:Sawmill technology]]


{{tool-stub}}

Latest revision as of 00:56, 7 December 2023

A chainsaw mill in use
Milling Birch on a Logsol F2 plus chainsaw mill

A chainsaw mill[1] or PortaMill[2] or Logosol sawmill[3] is a type of sawmill incorporating a chainsaw, that is used by one or two operators to mill logs into lumber for use in furniture, construction and other uses. Although often used as a generic term, Alaskan Mill is a registered trademark of Granberg International.[4]

Description

[edit]

The mill attachment consists of a pair of clamping brackets connected to a rectangular frame which is attached to the bar of the chainsaw. The rails ride for the first cut on a guide system, plank or on a metal ladder which is screwed to the log (but not so tightly that the guide is pulled out of plane), and then on the previously cut surface of the log, and guide the chainsaw blade through the log at a consistent depth so that planks of a chosen thickness are cut. The distance between the rails and the bar determines this thickness and it can be adjusted by moving the rails along the depth posts at each end of the mill attachment. During use it is important that the rails extend out past the ends of the log so the cut has support the entire time. [5]

Smaller mills use a single chainsaw and can be handled by a single operator. Larger mills use a double ended bar, powered by either a single large chainsaw (typically ~120cc) and a helper handle or stinger, or two chainsaw power heads, one on either side of the mill apparatus. These typically require two operators if the bar is over 48 inches. This larger style of mill needs a special bar which allows the two chainsaw heads to be attached at either end. The length of the bar decides the maximum width of the plank that can be cut, up to 34 inches (86 cm), so for logs with a large diameter, the longer bar is necessary. Also, to waste less wood due to the kerf width, a special chain is designed to make rip cuts rather than the usual chainsaw chain which is for cross-cutting.[6]

For the first cut, a pair of rails or a plank are usually attached to the log to give the mill attachment a reference surface to guide it, or other commercially made jigs are available such as a timberjigs. Subsequent cuts are made using the surface of the previous cut as the guide.

The kerf of a chainsaw cut is wide, relative to the kerf of a bandsaw mill or circular saw. This is no problem when cutting a single beam or large timber from a log, and would only represent significant waste if used to saw many thin boards. Most chainsaw chains produce a kerf that is approximately 1/4", so one inch of wood is lost for every four cuts with a chainsaw mill.

Chainsaw mills are relatively cheap to purchase compared to other types of portable sawmill and are the most portable type of powered sawmill. They are therefore popular with hobbyist woodworkers who have access to felled timber.

Logosol is a Swedish based international company, they started making chainsaw mills in 1989. They currently offer several models of chainsaw mills. F2 sawmill, F2+ sawmill, Timberjig and Big Mill Wide Slabber.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gehring, Abigail R.. The back to basics handbook: a guide to buying and working land, raising livestock, enjoying your harvest, household skills and crafts, and more. New York, NY: Skyhorse Pub., 2011. Print.
  2. ^ "Norwood Sawmills PortaMill PM14". Norwood Sawmills. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Logosol F2+ Chain sawmill". Logosol. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  4. ^ "ALASKAN MILL Trademark of Granberg Pump & Meter Ltd. Serial Number: 88299397 :: Trademark Elite Trademarks". www.trademarkelite.com. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  5. ^ "How to Use a Chainsaw Mill". Gardenknow. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  6. ^ Lopez, Barry. "Mill Lumber With Your Chainsaw". Popular Science Vol. 212, No. 6 Jun 1978, Page 89
[edit]
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