Author Topic: ripping chain (Read 4298 times)

etat · « **on:** December 09, 2003, 05:16:30 pm »

I remember even back years ago seeing advertisments for some kind of a attachment to use with a chain saw to rip boards for use as lumber. Now back at that time I was cuting a lot of firewood every year and when I''d see me one of those ads I'd think it was a big ole scam cause I knew my old saw didn't cut worth a 'DanG' lengthways. Old homelite with an 18 inch bar. Cutting oak, ash, and a few hickory along. Lots of it was follering logging trucks and cutting up tops they left. Anyways, figured all this'd be good for is just to burn up your saw and kill yourself while you was doint it. Now here lately here and there I've heard there's such a thing as a ripping chain for a chainsaw. I'd like to find out a little more about such things.

Kevin · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2003, 05:39:10 pm »

You can buy a commercial ripping chain right out of the box, here's one Oregon example.

These chains feature a special factory grind for making dimensional boards and planks from larger timbers by "ripping" (cutting parallel to the wood grain).

* Standard chassis and cutter parts are used; cutter grind is the only difference from standard chains
* For use on chain-type sawmills; not recommended for hand-held use
* LubriLink™ tie straps help keep oil where it's needed - on the chain
.

Here's a supply link ...
http://www.fosterssales.com/

Duane_Moore · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2003, 08:30:18 pm »

good question, good answer, thought the forum got lost is high teck stuff,, this is for me, need the basics thanks keep up the simple stuff,, Duane

etat · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2003, 09:14:32 pm »

Does these things work pretty good. Saw some pictures a while ago with a guy running a BIG saw to split a BIG tree. Something more suited to me for now would be to build up something for hobby work. Specifically maybe square up some fair sized cedar logs enough to split on a table saw. I just hate to think of them cedar logs going to waste, and there's not really enough to justify carring over into the next county and getting the amish to saw for me. (translation: I'd like to have me a new toy to play with)

Duane_Moore · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2003, 09:26:50 pm »

me too, new toys, get bored with them so easy anymore, want a Alaska mill to see if I like it, was lookin at the, saw buddy, band saw for 1900$ but what if i don't like cuttin wood, got too many toys to get rid of now, I like this tread, Duane

Kevin · « **Reply #5 on:** December 10, 2003, 06:10:09 am »

The Alaskan will cut perfect lumber if you put in the effort.
You need a true slabbing rail and it must be installed properly so the first cut is perfect then all others will follow.
It's labour intensive, stinky , loads of fun and usually leads to a bigger mill. --Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--.com/album/13012199FerMiAUOtI

Oregon_Rob · « **Reply #6 on:** December 10, 2003, 06:28:16 am »

Did someone say cedar and chainsaw mill?
I rescued a cedar log that had blown down from the burn pile and milled it with my chainsaw.

Minnesota_boy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 10, 2003, 10:11:18 am »

Kevin,
Will the purchase of a bigger mill lead one backwards towards a chainsaw mill?

I've considered making a carriage for my Woodmizer to carry a chainsaw mill just to have the ability to mill wider slabs. I forsee demand for tabletops that are 3 feet or wider.

Kevin · « **Reply #8 on:** December 10, 2003, 10:13:20 am »

A guy should have a few of each.

etat · « **Reply #9 on:** December 10, 2003, 11:38:19 am »

type of saw required, bar length, plans to build?

Kevin · « **Reply #10 on:** December 10, 2003, 11:52:07 am »

type of saw required ?
The bigger the better, 90+cc.
bar length?
Depends on the size of mill you buy or build and the size of log to be milled.
plans to build?
Can't help you there, I bought my mill.

fencerowphil (Phil L.) · « **Reply #11 on:** December 10, 2003, 12:02:45 pm »

Hey CK,

When you consider the relatively low cost of milling frames, you would just have to love to tinker (admittedly I do) to make it worthwhile to build your own. The two primary candidates are the Granberg Alaskan and the GB. They are very different in construction and the price directly reflects that difference: The GB costs more and looks worth every penny of increased cost.

GB: snssawshop.com, as well as Fosterssales.com
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=654f7d1afffcc2f664b46a238085bae4&threadid=11326

Granberg:
http://www.madsens1.com/granberg.htm

Masden's has best price on some models. ToolCenter beats them on the larger models.
Phil L.

IndyIan · « **Reply #12 on:** December 11, 2003, 08:20:50 am »

,
Depending on what kind and size of wood you're doing you can get away with a smaller saw. I do mostly White Pine 14-18"diameter, with a 372 and it works pretty well. I stay away from 14"+ hardwoods though, I feel they work the saw to hard.

I only add this so you don't feel you have to buy a monster saw to try out chainsaw milling. If you plan your cuts you can make a 12" log into 2by8's without making a cut much over 8" wide.

If you want to make 4by4's out of 6" softwood trees you might get away with a 50-55cc saw if the chain is always kept very sharp. Just be careful with your saw as its easy to burn it out milling. Long term, the bigger saw is better but you can make boards with the smaller saw's.

Ian

Gus · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2003, 11:05:24 am »

Kevin,

Nice set of pictures of milling. Thanks.

Kevin · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2003, 11:36:40 am »

Thanks;
I did that for people starting out.
When I got into it there was nothing available and it was all trial and error.

Oregon_Rob · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2003, 12:50:04 pm »

I would like to second that.
Thanks very much to Kevin. You have helped many people, including myself, get started in milling. Also, thanks for moderating a bunch of unruly, wood tick, wanta-bees like us. Guys like you are to few and far between.
A couple of other guys who deserve honorable mention for sharing their knowledge of chainsaw milling are Ralph Foster and a guy who goes buy the name of Lumber Dennis on the Yahoo forum. Thanks guys.

IndyIan · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2003, 02:23:12 pm »

I'll second Oregon_Rob's second

Reading what Kevin and the guys at the yahoo group have wrote convinced me that you can make boards with a chainsaw!
Good work guys!

Kevin · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2003, 02:31:46 pm »

Thanks;
I appreciate that.

aothmer · « **Reply #18 on:** December 12, 2003, 05:21:32 pm »

This site has some good info about chainsaw milling.

http://home.nc.rr.com/cquade/milling.htm

Kevin · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2003, 05:51:50 pm »

That's good I can add that one to my site, thanks.
I wonder if he took out the fence when he dropped that elm tree?

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Author Topic: ripping chain (Read 4298 times)