Well, I finally took the plunge. I bought a G555B, followed by a 36" Alaskan MKIV since they recently became available again. I have a small log mill on backorder but am thinking about cancelling it.
I live on a handful of acres out in the hills. I've slowly been chipping away at a fuel reduction and oak meadow rescue project, with one to three more years of initial/priority thinning and removal, with follow-up after that.....unless the roads slip out! There's no shortage of wood, plus I have dozens of properties I can harvest wood from.
At this point, this is ultimately a learning experience. I'm not attached to liking CSM'ing but am very into the idea of it. I love trees, I love saws. Seems natural. Second, I don't anticipate breaking even or ahead on what lumber would cost, even at the inflated rate it has grown. Further, I accept from reading through 28 pages of threads in this subforum, so far, that making much of the dimensional lumber I'm aiming to is less efficient and possibly verging on torturous for some; Im a glutton for punishment.
So, I'll start with gear:
G555B
36" Alaskan MKIV
.063 bars
- chains are still in the works. Torn between springing for ripping or using round semi-chisel. Either way I'll have to buy some loops, possibly a roll if semi
390xp
372xp (unopened; thinking of having it ported and muffler opened)
Peavey
Rock bars
Wedges
All safety gear needed
Working on acquiring clamps, levels, squares, winch setup, and other things
Project ideas for the end product:
Slabs to replace rotting garden bed boards
Fire hose boxes
Compost bins
4-5'x3-4' Tool/garden shed
Small cold frame/hot house
Outdoor work bench
More ideas come.
My biggest log currently to mill was a dead standing Doug fir. No heart rot. Lots of trees are dying in this zone without obvious signs as to why. From a 26" Dia slightly oval, 112" log, thick barked, I'm hoping to get 9.5"x16.5"x8'. This is not accounting for waste from the mill, nor the bottom of the log (it will remain on the ground) while also being generous on the low end of potential board feet.
Most of the other logs are 10-22" at butt cut. Most are on inclines, though gravity favors the top ends of the trees, not the butts, on most of them. Almost entirely Doug fir is being milled at this time.
Another downside is I have lots of trees already processed and waiting, with time as a limiting factor. All trees will be milled as much in place as possible. Logs may or may not have to be bucked into sections depending on their orientation. Multiple logs are spanning shallowish draws (none more than a foot or two deep.)
I'm adept at moving and lifting logs with my body, so I have that advantage.
I'll continue to update this as things progress and thoughts arise. I'll keep chugging through threads as time allows. Possibly I'll get some photos uploaded of the "work area."
Cheers!
I live on a handful of acres out in the hills. I've slowly been chipping away at a fuel reduction and oak meadow rescue project, with one to three more years of initial/priority thinning and removal, with follow-up after that.....unless the roads slip out! There's no shortage of wood, plus I have dozens of properties I can harvest wood from.
At this point, this is ultimately a learning experience. I'm not attached to liking CSM'ing but am very into the idea of it. I love trees, I love saws. Seems natural. Second, I don't anticipate breaking even or ahead on what lumber would cost, even at the inflated rate it has grown. Further, I accept from reading through 28 pages of threads in this subforum, so far, that making much of the dimensional lumber I'm aiming to is less efficient and possibly verging on torturous for some; Im a glutton for punishment.
So, I'll start with gear:
G555B
36" Alaskan MKIV
.063 bars
- chains are still in the works. Torn between springing for ripping or using round semi-chisel. Either way I'll have to buy some loops, possibly a roll if semi
390xp
372xp (unopened; thinking of having it ported and muffler opened)
Peavey
Rock bars
Wedges
All safety gear needed
Working on acquiring clamps, levels, squares, winch setup, and other things
Project ideas for the end product:
Slabs to replace rotting garden bed boards
Fire hose boxes
Compost bins
4-5'x3-4' Tool/garden shed
Small cold frame/hot house
Outdoor work bench
More ideas come.
My biggest log currently to mill was a dead standing Doug fir. No heart rot. Lots of trees are dying in this zone without obvious signs as to why. From a 26" Dia slightly oval, 112" log, thick barked, I'm hoping to get 9.5"x16.5"x8'. This is not accounting for waste from the mill, nor the bottom of the log (it will remain on the ground) while also being generous on the low end of potential board feet.
Most of the other logs are 10-22" at butt cut. Most are on inclines, though gravity favors the top ends of the trees, not the butts, on most of them. Almost entirely Doug fir is being milled at this time.
Another downside is I have lots of trees already processed and waiting, with time as a limiting factor. All trees will be milled as much in place as possible. Logs may or may not have to be bucked into sections depending on their orientation. Multiple logs are spanning shallowish draws (none more than a foot or two deep.)
I'm adept at moving and lifting logs with my body, so I have that advantage.
I'll continue to update this as things progress and thoughts arise. I'll keep chugging through threads as time allows. Possibly I'll get some photos uploaded of the "work area."
Cheers!