Which saw to use for milling?

[Rockfarmer]

Good morning guys  I just purchased an Alaskan mill and plan on doing some log milling. I put this in the chainsaw forum because its more about the saws than milling itself. I have two saws. The first is an old Stihl 041 Farm Boss that my Dad gave me. It runs ok but will not idle. I'm going to clean it up a bit and see if I can get it to idle. My first question is what mix should I be running in this saw? I only use quality mix (husky) but have running regular 50:1. I just noticed in the specs on chainsaw collectors that it should be 40:1, what are you guys running? The second saw is a Husky 365 that I bought new about 10 yrs ago. This saw runs mint and I depend on it to do my 10 cord a year and I cannot afford to replace it right now. I dont plan on milling a ton of wood just thought it looked like fun and would be good use of some big ol pines I have. The saws come in at 61cc and 65 cc but it seems to me that the Stihl has more power (it sure is louder!!  ). My next question is which saw should I use for milling? I'm leaning towards the Stihl cause if I blow it up it will hurt less$. I want to try this out first before I go to far and get a huge saw for the big stuff. Ive been looking on e-bay at bigger saws and bars but dont want to make a big purchase just yet. Ive been reading through the forums for about a week now and learned a lot, THANKS  RF

[timberfaller390]

go with the older and more worn cause milling is very taxing on a saw and you don't want to blow up your firewood saw. call Bailey's and get you a ripping chain.

[rebocardo]

I used a Husky 365 on a chainsaw mill (I ran 40:1 on the gas) with a 28" bar and kept the logs to 16" for oak. Slow, but, fine as long as everything was square. I cut a decent amount of wood with the saw.

[beenthere]

If your 041 is like my old 041 has been, then I'd use it...it will take the abuse and keep on tickin.   
I've always used the same mix of Stihl oil, since 1975, as I use in my MS361. I like the 041 as good as the new saw, but the anti-vibe and chain brake are better for me, so I use the MS361 normally.

[Al_Smith]

Niether saw is actually large enough to mill with .Oh they will cut but real real slow .

Best to set them a little rich because they are going to be lugging away for a long time while making ripping cuts . I won't start the oil wars again but were it I ,I would run 32 to 1 mix ratio . Do as you like though they are your saws and best of luck .

[Maineloggerkid]

I would go wiht the stihl out of those 2, but if it were me I would find a used 385-395xp or similiar.

[Al_Smith]

 Well you might call me old school but that's been said before said I'm used to it .However an older large displacement reed valve direct drive saw will make a better miller than a newer model .100 ccs or larger .

Those things were built like battleships ,large bearings ,massive crankshafts .A tad slower perhaps but able to make the sustained long runs that  milling entails . That fact plus the fact those older oiling systems put out a much better flow than most modern  systems with EPA mandates etc .Just a suggestion .

Again ,you have to use what you have but do so knowing the saw is going to be under sustained  load so tune accordingly .

[isawlogs]

 I also would be going with the 041 and, I also would be using 32/1/mix . 

[Rockfarmer]

Wow guys thanks for the all the replies    As I said earlier I'm leaning towards the 041 myself. I got to say how suprised I am that a 30 yr old saw gets so much respect, I'm shocked  I played around with it today. I cleaned the air filter, changed the gas out to some fresh 40:1 husky mix (not syn). The saw ran great at high speed but would not idle. Both the screws (high and low, way in on the carb) were at 3/4 turn. I backed them out to 1 full turn. She the idled good but high speed was slower. So I'm not sure which screw is which. I'm guessing the idle adjust is the screw all by itself on the outside of the housing and the two on the carb I just dont know. I'm going to give it a shot with the 041. I got a 24" mill coming if I get a 28" bar that would give me about 23" of milling area, is that right? Basicly the widest I plan to do is 16-18" for now so should I get the 24 or 28" bar and then the rip chain? Also the chain tensioner screw is almost falling out loose and real sloppy. I cant seem to find a manual or parts diagram online. Thanks for the help guys     RF

[Kevin]

The fuel mix is 40:1.
The upper screw is High speed and the screw for Low speed is below that, one turn out on both from a lightly seated position.
The idle speed screw is to the left and sticks out from the other two.
Make sure the air filter is clean prior to adjusting .

[Rockfarmer]

Thanks for that Kevin  I'm going to play with it some more today,.. Is a 056 mag II big enough and is it worth 350-400$ ??

[Kevin]

The 056 is big enough.
I run two saws, one on the mini mill for edging and a 066 for ripping.
Use the Alaskan to remove the top off the log then take both sides off using the mini mill then start milling boards.

[cheyenne]

Try a 32 to 1 mix and see if you notice the differance....Cheyenne

[Rockfarmer]

The 056 is big enough.
I run two saws, one on the mini mill for edging and a 066 for ripping.
Use the Alaskan to remove the top off the log then take both sides off using the mini mill then start milling boards.

That was my plan. I have an aluminum ladder i was going to lay down on the log and screw it down, supported so it doesnt bend and cut the first slab. Than I ordered the min to do the sides and the start cutting the slabs. First some 16" joists, then 2x 12"s and here and there 5/4 pine boards. I have 7 logs ready to go. The mill, bar and chain are on rubber 

[Rockfarmer]

Try a 32 to 1 mix and see if you notice the differance....Cheyenne

2 tanks ago I was running 20:1 boat gas and it ran just fine    I dont think I'm as well schooled as you guyz 

[Kevin]

The first cut is most important.
If you take the time to support your ladder properly everything should go well.
It might be worth while to string it end to end.

[John Mc]

2 tanks ago I was running 20:1 boat gas and it ran just fine    I dont think I'm as well schooled as you guyz 

I've been told that the mix oil used in boat motors is not good for chainsaw use: it won't take the heat of a chainsaw engine. I don't know for a fact this is true, but it makes sense. Most outboard boat motors are water cooled, and are not tweaked to run flat out like a chainsaw does. Anyone have some real facts on this?

John Mc

[pineywoods]

2 tanks ago I was running 20:1 boat gas and it ran just fine    I dont think I'm as well schooled as you guyz 

I've been told that the mix oil used in boat motors is not good for chainsaw use: it won't take the heat of a chainsaw engine. I don't know for a fact this is true, but it makes sense. Most outboard boat motors are water cooled, and are not tweaked to run flat out like a chainsaw does. Anyone have some real facts on this?

John Mc

Not a good idea. Cost me a jug and piston on my 028 AV

[Kevin]

You can use it if you change the mix ratio but I wouldn't recommend it.

[Al_Smith]

That old 20 to 1 or even 16 to 1 ratio for boatmotors was in the days of using motor oil as a mix oil . They ran fine but they didn't run as fast either .

Modern mix oil 40 to 1 is fine .Just a few of us oldsters prefer 32 to 1 ,not a big deal either way .