This project goes over the build of a simple and basic DIY chainsaw mill from start to finish. This chainsaw mill is portable and doesn’t require very large space. This is a very inexpensive way of producing lumber from logs and can be made from easily available materials from your local hardware store.
STEP 1 : MATERIALS REQUIRED
The materials you need to build this chainsaw mill are one by one square tubing, half-inch square tubing, quarter-inch flat bar, weld nuts, bandsaw, and welding unit. The welder used here is Millermatic 212 auto-set mig welder and the saw used here is Homelite 1130g.
STEP 2 : DIMENSIONS OF THE SAW
The dimensions of the saw are as follows. A 12-inch deck to slide across the log acts as a milling surface. The max-width of the mill is 26 inches. An 8-inch metal to grab the bandsaw on both sides. A quarter-inch flat stocks for holding the saw.
STEP 3 : MAKING THE RECTANGULAR GUIDE
We start by cutting 26-inch pieces for the length and 12-inch pieces for the sides. Assemble them into a rectangle and weld them using a MiG welder. Do Check the corners to make sure it is square and the sides are even.
A center bar is welded into the rectangular guide plate, just to give it a little bit more support and make it so that it doesn’t twist.
STEP 4 : WELDING THE ADJUSTABLE GUIDE POSTS
Two guideposts are welded onto the sides. 2 larger pipe sections of dimension one by one is cut. This will slide within the guideposts. This is done so as to make the saw adjustable to how thick it cuts a slab. The side posts also give you adjustability on the deck to move up and down.
4 quarter-inch flat bars of length nine inches are cut. Two of them are bolted onto the bottom section of the rails that slides up and down on the guideposts. The saw blade is placed securely between these bars. A small spacer block is welded onto the bars so that it doesn’t touch the saw blade. Three-eighth-inch weld nuts are welded onto the side posts. Tightening with the bolts locks the adjustable rails in place.
STEP 5 : CROSSBAR WELD
A crossbar is welded onto the guideposts. This pushes the bar along when you are operating the mill and it is a nice place to put your hand, It feels like you are farther away from the chain.
The chain saw blade is inserted between the flat brackets at the bottom and it is locked tight in place between the spacers using 3/8th inch bolts.
For the first cut, we attach a flat plate at the top of the log so that the bar has something to ride. The height of the cut is adjusted with the help of the side rails on the mill. The saw is then started and placed on top of the flat plate to begin cutting the log.
Image Credits : Make Everything
