Boogedy_Man
ArboristSite Operative
Thought I'd share a couple pictures.
Here's what I started with (just a few weeks ago), a Granberg small mill with a Husqvarna 460. A lot of misinformation out there on the internet would make you think a saw this size is ok for milling.. It's really not, IMO. The motor, I think, faired ok, but I'm pretty sure the clutch is on it's last legs (the part where you're learning to how to sharpen a rip chain and learning a steady feed rate is probably the toughest time on a small saw). I made the oiler for the mill from some 4" sewer PVC, and a 3/8 NPT brass valve. It just dribbles on the bar tip and and gets sucked into the chain. Running veg oil in it now.
It's pretty underpowered, but it worked to mill a bunch of Cherry that my wife stumbled on while looking for free bowl blanks.
Of course, that led directly to the purchase of a used Granberg MKIII, and a new 661. The day I brought it home...
So far it's been a great setup...milled some 34" Hickory for a neighbor without hesitation:
It's been SUPER fun learning. I haven't posted much, but I think I've read this entire subforum. In the market for a Stihl to replace the Husky on the small mill.. Had a thread somewhere on that, reluctantly deciding I needed something in the 461 class.
Also, there's two tools in the last picture I don't often see mentioned in the forum. One is a digging bar or "tank bar". Aside from the obvious, I used to to strip loose bark from the hickory above, roll stuff around with it, and pretty much anything that needs a bit of force. Comes in real handy when something gets stuck, or there's a big rock in the way. Always worth having in the truck. The other is a small Stihl blower, way over to the right. They don't cost much, weigh practically nothing, and beat the hell out of using a broom.
Next couple weeks we'll mill some more cherry, a bit of SYP, mulberry, red cedar and maple. This sure is addictive!
Here's what I started with (just a few weeks ago), a Granberg small mill with a Husqvarna 460. A lot of misinformation out there on the internet would make you think a saw this size is ok for milling.. It's really not, IMO. The motor, I think, faired ok, but I'm pretty sure the clutch is on it's last legs (the part where you're learning to how to sharpen a rip chain and learning a steady feed rate is probably the toughest time on a small saw). I made the oiler for the mill from some 4" sewer PVC, and a 3/8 NPT brass valve. It just dribbles on the bar tip and and gets sucked into the chain. Running veg oil in it now.
It's pretty underpowered, but it worked to mill a bunch of Cherry that my wife stumbled on while looking for free bowl blanks.
Of course, that led directly to the purchase of a used Granberg MKIII, and a new 661. The day I brought it home...
So far it's been a great setup...milled some 34" Hickory for a neighbor without hesitation:
It's been SUPER fun learning. I haven't posted much, but I think I've read this entire subforum. In the market for a Stihl to replace the Husky on the small mill.. Had a thread somewhere on that, reluctantly deciding I needed something in the 461 class.
Also, there's two tools in the last picture I don't often see mentioned in the forum. One is a digging bar or "tank bar". Aside from the obvious, I used to to strip loose bark from the hickory above, roll stuff around with it, and pretty much anything that needs a bit of force. Comes in real handy when something gets stuck, or there's a big rock in the way. Always worth having in the truck. The other is a small Stihl blower, way over to the right. They don't cost much, weigh practically nothing, and beat the hell out of using a broom.
Next couple weeks we'll mill some more cherry, a bit of SYP, mulberry, red cedar and maple. This sure is addictive!