Thinking about it.....

[CaseyForrest]

I had a GB mill back some years ago.... 2008 or there abouts. Had a blast with it and learned alot. I never really had the space to do it where we lived but I did anyway. Now I have the space, and want to get another CSM.

Sadly, it doesn't look like GB makes mills anymore. So I'm left with Granberg or Panther..... Or?

Ive read about the Panther mill here. Seems that they work for what they cost, but there is some left to be desired on a few fronts. Mainly the height adjustment. Looks like there are some consumer level fixes, but not sure I want to tinker......

The Granberg has history..... And just works.

If I could find a GB mill, Id have it bought already.

 

[BobL]

Given the problems I would avoid the Panther.
Why don't you get someone to make you a GB style mill?

 

[CaseyForrest]

Bob, I have neither the patience or gumption to facilitate something of the sort. My desire to fabricate as waned, or be involved in commissioning someone to do it for me. I do realize we aren't talking about the space shuttle or a nuclear bomb....

Are there other options out there besides the 2 mentioned?

 

[BobL]

The only things I can think of are the Chinese Granberg knock offs.
There's also an Australian Granberg knock off called a Westford http://www.westfordmills.com.au/home.htm
It's nothing special and the shipping cost to the US would make it even more expensive than it is.

 

[CaseyForrest]

Thanks Bob. I’ll have to make a decision and keep looking for a GB in the process.


Sent from a field

 

[Brian72]

I have the Granberg. Works well for me. Just a simple design but it's well built.

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[CaseyForrest]

Yeah, that’s what it’s looking like. They seem to work well.


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[Marshy]

Don't overlook the Granberg knockoff being made by Hultzforma. I think Northern Tool sells them under the name Timber Tuff. From everything I've read the quality is on par with an actual Granberg just cheaper. Northern Tools sell the Granberg Alaskan MK mills for $230 for a 36" mill, $200 for a 24" mill. The Timber Tuff mills are $140 for the 16-24", and the 18-36" mill is $175.

 

[ZachAK]

I think the new milled aluminum end pieces are a significant upgrade on the Granberg. The depth lines are just perfect, I no longer measure depth. My 36" mill paid for itself in its first hour of milling, seems like a heck of a value to me. I would avoid cheap knock-offs.

 

[Husky Man]

I have been seriously thinking about a basic 36" Granberg mill to learn on and see how I like milling, thinking Tables, not lumber.

Depending on how that works out, I plan on getting a 56" complete mill package for doing dining size tables.

I Already have a Husky 3120XP to use for milling.

CSM is new to me, but I have been running chainsaws for over 40 years.
Any comments about the Granberg mills? From what I have seen and read, they seem to be Good tools, especially the G778's with the new extruded ends.

Thanks for any comments or advice, those of you in the know may have,

Doug

 

[Brian72]

I have been seriously thinking about a basic 36" Granberg mill to learn on and see how I like milling, thinking Tables, not lumber.

Depending on how that works out, I plan on getting a 56" complete mill package for doing dining size tables.

I Already have a Husky 3120XP to use for milling.

CSM is new to me, but I have been running chainsaws for over 40 years.
Any comments about the Granberg mills? From what I have seen and read, they seem to be Good tools, especially the G778's with the new extruded ends.

Thanks for any comments or advice, those of you in the know may have,

Doug

I have the Granberg 48" mill. I run my stihl ms661 with a 28" or 36" bar and I'm very happy with it. Two things I recommend are going bigger than your longest bar as you lose some length with the mounting and an auxiliary oiler is pretty much a must on longer bars. Getting the first cut is the hardest part.


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[Husky Man]

Thanks Brian, I have a 36" bar on the 3120, maybe I should think about a 42" mill for it?

The 56" complete mill package does come with the auxiliary oiler included, as well as the double ended 66" bar helper handle and one milling chain.

The 56" mill will slab up to 52" wide, which should be plenty for the dining tables I have in mind. Besides any wider than that at dining table length and 3" or thicker, it might take myself and all three of my Step-Sons to move, and getting all three of them together in the same place, at the same time can be a challenge,

The 36" basic mill, will slab up to 32" wide, which will let start with coffee and end tables, to try out a few ideas I have, and start the learning curve before I tackle a dining size table.

I Have a lot of ideas to tryout, but there is a Big difference between IDEAS and an actual TABLE with a Thanksgiving Dinner on it.

Doug

 

[Brian72]

Thanks Brian, I have a 36" bar on the 3120, maybe I should think about a 42" mill for it?

The 56" complete mill package does come with the auxiliary oiler included, as well as the double ended 66" bar helper handle and one milling chain.

The 56" mill will slab up to 52" wide, which should be plenty for the dining tables I have in mind. Besides any wider than that at dining table length and 3" or thicker, it might take myself and all three of my Step-Sons to move, and getting all three of them together in the same place, at the same time can be a challenge,

The 36" basic mill, will slab up to 32" wide, which will let start with coffee and end tables, to try out a few ideas I have, and start the learning curve before I tackle a dining size table.

I Have a lot of ideas to tryout, but there is a Big difference between IDEAS and an actual TABLE with a Thanksgiving Dinner on it.

Doug

I always run the smallest bar possible but I recommend the bigger mill simply because you'll always have the option to run longer bars when needed. My personal experience is it's always best to have 2 people even with smaller bars. It can be done solo but it's a pain. Starting and finishing the cut are so much easier with 2 people and the longer mill actually helps as the helper has something to grab hold of and even help push the mill along.

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[Albert Beerstein]

 

[Albert Beerstein]

 

[Albert Beerstein]

 

[SeMoTony]

I had a GB mill back some years ago.... 2008 or there abouts. Had a blast with it and learned alot. I never really had the space to do it where we lived but I did anyway. Now I have the space, and want to get another CSM.

Sadly, it doesn't look like GB makes mills anymore. So I'm left with Granberg or Panther..... Or?

Ive read about the Panther mill here. Seems that they work for what they cost, but there is some left to be desired on a few fronts. Mainly the height adjustment. Looks like there are some consumer level fixes, but not sure I want to tinker......

The Granberg has history..... And just works.

If I could find a GB mill, Id have it bought already.

Amazon has a replica granberg for $120 (US$) w/24" length. I'm thinking about getting it for the small work from time to time. The first is set up long, up to 72" .
Just thought I'd mention. A custom fab one as BobL said can be more sturdy and better fit your needs.

 

[CaseyForrest]

Ended up with the granberg mark IV 36" looks like it'll suit my purposes just fine.

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[Brian72]

Ended up with the granberg mark IV 36" looks like it'll suit my purposes just fine.

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Congrats! Hope it serves you well. I don't know how much you looked into it but if you decide to go bigger you can just order the longer rails separately.

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