The 395XP was better than I thought she could be with that much bar ripping hardwood. I was pleseantly suprised. When Bailey's says they "....will pull chips with a 50" bar . . . " they were referring to crosscutting but she will do it ripping even. Ya just gotta have patience. Still, there is not as much power there as I want, and I can handle more saw so I am looking to go bigger.
My first freehand slabbing effort - small but it was a good learning experience and the slab I have gotten out of it so far` is a keeper. I have seen better slabs but they will make good coffee tables. Even though no one ever has coffee on them. This log only had surface spalt none inside.
That's okay though. really the pictures don't show how busy the crotch really is.
You can see the chains marks really well. Underpowered is the reason IMO. If I had a faster cut I could have not had to work the blade up and down so much. I want a saw that will slice right down through it. Maybe when I get a chainsaw mill that will be solved too though.
I plan to get a couple more this afternoon. Freehanding like this it is not nearly as bad as I thought it might be. In fact it's the most fun I have had, fully dressed, in a long time!
. I know I haven't tackled the big honker yet but now I am certain I can do that too. I used a walk plank on the skid steer forks instead of a ladder to start the cut. Duh.
Made it easy. Not bad for a furry-footed hobbit!
