stevegriffin
New Member
I have a Husqvarna 550XP Mark II 50cc. Sprocket is a .325 pitch. Std bar length is 16 and 18. Max is 20.
I am new to milling. I have ordered a Granberg 36" Mark IV and their edging mill. The Mark IV will use up 6" of bar length. Granberg tech has said that there would be no problem with a 24" bar thus 18" of usable cutting area.
My preference on ripping chains is from granberg due to various reviews where the half cutter alternating with a full 10 degree cutter produces good clearing and cuts longer without dulling. I can get a custom chain in .325 pitch in .063 or 0.05 gauge from Granberg.
My challenge is that I have been unable to find a 24" bar that is a .325 pitch in any gauge.
So, my options seem to be, in no particular order:
1. drop down to a 20" bar and thus have 14" of useable cutting area, or
2. change the drive sproket on the chainsaw to a 3/8 so that I have more options in 24" bars.
3. Return the mark IV mill and get Granberg's small mill, which uses up only 2 inches of the bar but requires a solid bar (versus laminate) and is limited to to bars up to 20", ie effective cutting length of 18". My preference is the mark IV for safety given the end of the bar is enclosed, but I could deal with the open end, given I will be dealing with that on the edging mill.
My goal is to cut up trees on my property which tend to be cedar, poplar and some oak to use for various outdoor building projects. Most of the trees are of size that either mill would work. If its too big then I would cut it off and burn that for firewood to get down to a diameter that I can cut with the mill.
I'd appreciate any pros/cons from those with more experience milling.
Thanks!
I am new to milling. I have ordered a Granberg 36" Mark IV and their edging mill. The Mark IV will use up 6" of bar length. Granberg tech has said that there would be no problem with a 24" bar thus 18" of usable cutting area.
My preference on ripping chains is from granberg due to various reviews where the half cutter alternating with a full 10 degree cutter produces good clearing and cuts longer without dulling. I can get a custom chain in .325 pitch in .063 or 0.05 gauge from Granberg.
My challenge is that I have been unable to find a 24" bar that is a .325 pitch in any gauge.
So, my options seem to be, in no particular order:
1. drop down to a 20" bar and thus have 14" of useable cutting area, or
2. change the drive sproket on the chainsaw to a 3/8 so that I have more options in 24" bars.
3. Return the mark IV mill and get Granberg's small mill, which uses up only 2 inches of the bar but requires a solid bar (versus laminate) and is limited to to bars up to 20", ie effective cutting length of 18". My preference is the mark IV for safety given the end of the bar is enclosed, but I could deal with the open end, given I will be dealing with that on the edging mill.
My goal is to cut up trees on my property which tend to be cedar, poplar and some oak to use for various outdoor building projects. Most of the trees are of size that either mill would work. If its too big then I would cut it off and burn that for firewood to get down to a diameter that I can cut with the mill.
I'd appreciate any pros/cons from those with more experience milling.
Thanks!