stihl 880 for milling

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hazard

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I kind of got a thought in my head last night about selling off some lumber to buy a stihl 880. This saw would be used milling only.

One question I have is is there much difference between the 066 and 880 as far as milling time per board. Say in a 20" oak log. I am looking for anything that will make the job alittle easier. I could buy a bandsaw mill but I don't have a place to store a mill and I like running the chainsaws.

Also what is the price tag on a new 880. I haven't called the stihl dealer yet and I haven't been able to find prices on the net.

Thanks
Chris
 
Around 14 to 1600 find a leftover they don't sell like hotcakes. Big difference buy the 880 if your only going to mill with it, however the 660 will work fine to
 
Depends how much milling you do. A 660 will mill fine (you sig suggests you already know this!) - in big wood (say 24") an 880 will go faster, but if you have a 24" log, there aren't many cuts to be done at the max width.

880s are rarely sold - and they come up second hand quite a bit. People want to get a "big one", then realise they can't carry it more than 100 yards!
 
Depends how much milling you do. A 660 will mill fine (you sig suggests you already know this!) - in big wood (say 24") an 880 will go faster, but if you have a 24" log, there aren't many cuts to be done at the max width.

880s are rarely sold - and they come up second hand quite a bit. People want to get a "big one", then realise they can't carry it more than 100 yards!

Yeah the 066 does a good job but I am looking for something noticeably faster. As it is it takes me a few hours to mill a log. Say 7-10 minutes a board on the wider stuff. Cutting 8" boards all would be easy with the 066 but I am usually cutting +20" logs

I like you comment about carrying the saw. My rig probably weighs 30 plus pounds with the saw, bar, mill and fluids. I don't carry that far.

Chris
 
I love my 088, it is big and powerful. Worth its weight and expense.
We use it more for splitting big logs for my mill, or tipping over the big trees.
We are going to buy a couple of 044's or 066's for logging.

Have an old J-red 920 for milling. Loud and proud saw. (needs a new muffler)
Most milling will work just fine with a 066, and it weighs less.

Good luck

Kevin
 
In 20" and under I dont think you will see much if any difference between the two saws. 24" and up is when the 880 will begin to show its stuff ( and it has plenty to show). I have found that my 395 pretty much hangs right with my 084 in the 20" and under range and is a little less weight (not that weight is an issue on the csm) and uses a little less fuel.:cheers:
 
Well... I disagree... the 088/880 is much better than the 066 in 20 inch wood... I use both the 066 is pretty much maxed out in 20 inch wood. Yep.. you can cut bigger wood but if you lean on it, it will dog out..

Yes, it's heavier, but it is a lot easier to mill with in big wood; tthere is no subsitute for torque...
 
Well... I disagree... the 088/880 is much better than the 066 in 20 inch wood... I use both the 066 is pretty much maxed out in 20 inch wood. Yep.. you can cut bigger wood but if you lean on it, it will dog out..

Yes, it's heavier, but it is a lot easier to mill with in big wood; tthere is no subsitute for torque...

+1

I use a MS 880 and my old 084 they are great saws for milling. I used to say I liked my old 084 better but after using the 880 for awhile it's starting to grow on me I think it is my favorite saw for milling now. Sold both of my
3120s to my brother and son for their mill setups they are good saws to but don't compare to the big stihls when you get right down to it.:)
 
Thanks for you input guys. Now I just have to sell 400-500bf of lumber to get the saw.

I also breed tropical fish, I will have to play some Barry White for the fishes tonight so I can sell enough babies by fall to get the saw

Thanks again
Chris
 

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