Husqvarna 3120xp good deal?

mnbowler · January 28, 2015, 08:29:06 PM

1st of all. Hi, I have looked in on this forum lots but finally joined.

I have been wanting to get in to chainsaw milling but don't have a big saw yet.

I have been looking at buying a Husqvarna 3120 with a 36" bar and a 45 bar and new stihl chain. $1000 for all of it.

The saw is from 1995 and was own buy a tree trimmer in the Midwest. I was told it has very little use and by looking at it it doesn't look to be used much at all, everything is working properly

I would only be using this for milling. Any opinions on this is a Good price?

Al_Smith · January 28, 2015, 09:31:46 PM

If you are happy with it then it's a good deal . ;)

mnbowler · January 28, 2015, 09:44:02 PM

Thank for the input. And I agree with you I just want to make sure this would be a good saw for milling although everything I read says its good for it

Mn woodchuck · January 29, 2015, 12:29:05 AM

:D that's a mans saw if your felling or bucking !!
It should mill just fine !!

mad murdock · January 29, 2015, 12:48:31 AM

Plenty of saw for milling. What kind of mill you have for it? Welcome to the forestry forum BTW!!

mnbowler · January 29, 2015, 03:32:00 AM

Thank you mad murdock.
I don't have one yet. I was think I'd get the 36" Alaskan MK III Portable Lumber Mill, Model# G776-36. I know it's on sale at northern toolhttps://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=position"> Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company right now for $214.99. was also thinking of maybe getting Granbergs Mini Mill.
what do you think?

Mn woodchuck, only real Minnesota's fell trees In the winter lol

Al_Smith · January 29, 2015, 04:47:01 AM

I've got a mini mill I've used on rare occasions to rip a log .It's kind of a pain to use but will cut fairly straight .

Now so called rip chains .They cut smoother but are slow as mollassess in Jan compaired to round chisel chain .Chisel cuts smoother than a circle mill and if you are going to plane it anyway it doesn't really matter .Just my opinion.

thecfarm · January 29, 2015, 11:10:10 AM

mnbowler,just want to welcome you to the forum.

mnbowler · January 29, 2015, 11:45:45 AM

Thecfarm thank you

Al do you think the mini mill is not needed?
I like having one side mostly straight and square ish to work with in lumber form and thought it looked like a decent way to get that but hearing from guys that have used it is better than any videos online

Mn woodchuck · January 29, 2015, 12:39:34 PM

MN bowler:: we fell trees all year round can't let the mosquitoes keep us down that's why it's so nice to cut in the winter

mnbowler · January 29, 2015, 04:31:40 PM

Mn woodchuck. Oh how true. I have been doing it around myself too but I do much prefer a cool winters day

mad murdock · January 29, 2015, 10:35:09 PM

If you have a good 60+cc saw I would recommend the mini mill also. It really speeds things up when you had a separate saw to edge with if you are doing more than just milling slabs.

mnbowler · January 30, 2015, 12:12:26 AM

Hummm.
Sounds like good idea
Are you sure 60 cc is enough?

MikeAM · January 30, 2015, 12:49:57 PM

That is a good price on a great milling saw. A new 3120 is going to cost you $1800 for the powerhead only. You really want to get the biggest saw you can afford for milling. 60cc is not enough for a serious CSM. Would be rough on the saw and take forever to get through a cut. Others to consider are the Stihl 660 or husky 395.

celliott · January 30, 2015, 04:46:21 PM

I think Mad Murdock was referring to the 60cc saw for use with the Mini mill, for edging slabs.
So you slab with the 3120, and use a 365 husky or something similar to run the mini mill, just edging boards.

So if you're edging, cutting 2 inch boards, or a big slab, 4-6 inches? I think a 65cc would handle that fine.

terrifictimbersllc · January 30, 2015, 05:29:45 PM

It sounds like a good deal. If you can offer a bit less even better. You can't go far wrong except for scratching the sawdust itch, that never makes it better only worse.

mad murdock · January 30, 2015, 05:49:15 PM

Quote from: celliott on January 30, 2015, 04:46:21 PM
I think Mad Murdock was referring to the 60cc saw for use with the Mini mill, for edging slabs.
So you slab with the 3120, and use a 365 husky or something similar to run the mini mill, just edging boards.

So if you're edging, cutting 2 inch boards, or a big slab, 4-6 inches? I think a 65cc would handle that fine.

That is exactly what I was referring to. I edged an made cuts up to 10 in on cants with a 60cc saw, it did fine. The biggest thing is the time that is saved having 2 saws set up to do different tasks, saves a lot of time and reduces the amount of tinkering that you have to do between cuts. This cannot be overstated. It made a huge difference on my milling output.

ehp · January 30, 2015, 08:45:44 PM

I bought a new 3120 5 or so months ago for $1405 up here in Canada so change the dollar and its alot cheaper than that , it had a 24 inch bar and chain on it that I put on another saw

mnbowler · January 31, 2015, 12:51:13 AM

MikeAM and terrifictimbersllc
thank you very much I actually went and looked at the saw and It Was in good shape so I brought it home last night being when I got there I found out it had 2 36 inch bar and Chains, 45 inch bar and brand new steel chain along with a stinger/helper handle for the 45 inch bar

mad Murdock
thank you very much for all the help and now that I understand what you're saying about the mInI mill definitely going to try it. also thank you to everyone for the help on here and please keep coming with the helpful hints tips and techniques as I'm new to milling but already enjoying!!!

mad murdock · January 31, 2015, 07:55:16 AM

Congrats on the saw there mnbowler. Sounds like a decent buy, especially with the extras you got. You should be piling up the sawdust pretty well there now. You will have plenty of cover for your blueberries come breakup(berry plants love fir sawdust for mulch out here anyways).

mnbowler · January 31, 2015, 08:44:11 AM

Thanks mad murdock.
I ordered an Alaskan and a mini Mill last night and can't wait for it to get here now!

mad murdock · February 02, 2015, 03:15:22 PM

No problem. I learned a lot from perusing forums like the FF, tons of info, tips and tricks on here. I am learning new things all the time! One more tip, I mix all my premix 32:1( ever since I started running saws in late 1970's). The richer mix I think helps the saw especially for milling, it is a lot harder work for the saw than just cutting firewood, or felling, limbing and bucking trees. Additionally, whenever you are through with a cut on a log, let the saw idle for a minute or 2 after the cut is through, to let it cool down.

mnbowler · February 03, 2015, 06:04:56 PM

running a richer oil mix makes sense especially for milling. do you use synthetic oil?

mad murdock · February 03, 2015, 06:18:59 PM

I have run the walmart dura tech brand 2 cycle oil, the kind you buy in the gallon jug. I have had no issues with under lubrication or sparkplug fouling due to the richer mix. I have had good engine performance throughout, and no issues with things overheating. I run the same mix in all my saws, regardless of milling or any other duties that I am doing with the saw at the time.

mnbowler · February 04, 2015, 03:55:24 PM

Ok. The last owner of the 3120 told me the only use synthetic oil with it and I'm assuming it's like a car you would not want to go back to regular oil now that synthetic In it