Oldtoolsnewproblems
ArboristSite Operative
So I like any hobby with power tools and keep thinking about milling. But I made the mistake of joking about it with my dad and now he's interested to. Retirement will do that to you I guess.
Anyways I don't want this getting out of hand, so I plan on making use of the power heads I already own (ignoring I need to rebuild two of them still) and want to make sure I'm not being dumb. So I have 2 266s (67cc) and a 61 that needs a new topr end, so I think I can rebuild it into a third 67cc saw.
So I'll be buying a dual power head bar, 50" looks like it will work out to 30-32" max slabwidth once assembled. Most of what I cut will be smaller, but having the option is nice. 3/8 chain so I don't have to swap drive hubs, the husqvarna are all outboard clutch. I already have a cable which for pulling it and I'm thinking I might build the mill frame instead of buying the granberg one. Sounds more fun and I'm good at this kind of stuff. Is that a stupid plan, or is the granberg mill frame super nice and worth he money? I probably have all the materials on hand so making my own will cost me a weekend. It's not that the frame is too expensive. If it's actually that nice I'll probably buy it.
Last question, gb only says the smaller double bars <50" can use 3/8 and .404. everything bigger is 404 only, yet they are all .063. that makes no sense to me. I get that 3/8 might be a little dainty for a mill that big, but if I plan on only using it on anything bigger than 24" like once or twice, what's the harm in having say a 60" bar with 3/8 on it? I'd hate to have to buy a whole new bar for a single log someday, it's just not worth it to me, but I like the idea of making one nice giant table some day.
Reading thru the sticky and random threads here to learn something, any advice/input welcome
Anyways I don't want this getting out of hand, so I plan on making use of the power heads I already own (ignoring I need to rebuild two of them still) and want to make sure I'm not being dumb. So I have 2 266s (67cc) and a 61 that needs a new topr end, so I think I can rebuild it into a third 67cc saw.
So I'll be buying a dual power head bar, 50" looks like it will work out to 30-32" max slabwidth once assembled. Most of what I cut will be smaller, but having the option is nice. 3/8 chain so I don't have to swap drive hubs, the husqvarna are all outboard clutch. I already have a cable which for pulling it and I'm thinking I might build the mill frame instead of buying the granberg one. Sounds more fun and I'm good at this kind of stuff. Is that a stupid plan, or is the granberg mill frame super nice and worth he money? I probably have all the materials on hand so making my own will cost me a weekend. It's not that the frame is too expensive. If it's actually that nice I'll probably buy it.
Last question, gb only says the smaller double bars <50" can use 3/8 and .404. everything bigger is 404 only, yet they are all .063. that makes no sense to me. I get that 3/8 might be a little dainty for a mill that big, but if I plan on only using it on anything bigger than 24" like once or twice, what's the harm in having say a 60" bar with 3/8 on it? I'd hate to have to buy a whole new bar for a single log someday, it's just not worth it to me, but I like the idea of making one nice giant table some day.
Reading thru the sticky and random threads here to learn something, any advice/input welcome