Chainsaw mill review

The chainsaw mill was purchased with the idea of using it to turn logs into lumber for use in table and décor constructions.  Additionally, the plan was to plank out some old barnwood beams for use as fireplace mantles, shelves, and tabletops.

The Alaskan Chainsaw Mill is a small, portable chainsaw powered wood mill.  The mill itself is simply a chainsaw attached to a framework that allows the framework to slide along a surface while holding the saw below, cutting a plank that can be varied in thickness.  First cuts can be accomplished by using a metal track bolted to the log, or a homemade track such as a plank or even ladder.  Once the first cut is accomplished, the track slides along the flat surface.  This is continued until the log is milled.

The Chainsaw mill has a few pros and cons compared to a standard bandsaw mill.  Pros include portability and low cost.  Cons are wood wastage, limit to the size of log, and some safety concerns.

After assembling and using the mill it became clear that it was a very cheap alternative to milling logs at a sawmill.  Wood I would not have been able to mill became available after my purchase of the chainsaw mill.  However, my idea of using the mill as a possible option for a disabled person to use as a side business has enormous limitations.  First of all, the physical requirements for using the mill are enormous.  Even if you have mechanical means of moving the logs, it still requires a great deal of energy to set up the cut and actually cut the slabs.  The simple act of pushing the mill and saw along the log takes a reasonable amount of strength.  Additionally, the log is frequently on the ground or low to the ground which requires kneeling during use.

As someone who has energy and endurance limitations it took numerous attempts to completely plank out a simple log.  While I’m sure I will learn how to use the mill quicker, it still will cause a great deal of energy.

However, the idea of using a chainsaw mill for a side business is not completely lost for disabled workers.  For those physically able to handle the amount of work needed for a chainsaw mill and you have wood on your property, it is a good alternative for supplemental income, especially in the crafting market.  If this is an option, I would recommend a larger chainsaw than the one I used, which had a 20″ bar.  The actual diameter of the log which can be milled is considerably less than this, allowing planks only 16-17″ wide.  A larger log is much more difficult to mill and takes numerous cuts.

Purchase the chainsaw here:  Neotech chainsaw

Purchase Chainsaw mill here:  Chainsaw Mill