Tired of trying to find anyone to come mill the black walnut logs on my property so I’ve been looking at chainsaw mills. Anyone use one and is there anything to be wary of (other than Chinese made trash)? The logs have been laying in the edge of my wooded area for a couple years and I’m afraid they’ll rot before I find someone to get off his ass and cut it.

For reference, this is an example of the beautiful wood I don’t want to lose.

Don’t know how far this outfit exactly is from you, says they’re in Maurertown, Virginia over by Woodstock.

https://gochenoursawmillcompany.com/

Website says he’ll come to you with his portable mill.

Beautiful wood. Hope you can save it.

-TVz

Always hate to see good walnut go to waste. We are cutting and milling a few walnut logs next week.

Don't have any experience with the chain saw mills.

We are fortunate that we have a local guy with a Wood-Mizer who is reasonable and works fast. We go to his place, but he goes on site as well. Trying to squeeze a few more loads in yet this year.

Having the trailer to haul the logs to the mill may help to get it scheduled. Is that an option for you? Do you have anyone who can haul for you? Would that motivate the mill owner? Just a thought. Good luck.

If you can get a portable mill out to you I'd highly suggest that route.

Chainsaw mills waste a lot more material and leave a rougher cut needing more prep work for useable boards.

While the chainsaw mill is cheaper and easier for remote locations, the mill is definitely better work.

You lose a lot of wood as the chainsaw necessarily has a broad kerf FWIW.

**oops, Gibb beat me to it**

quote:

Originally posted by Gibb:
If you can get a portable mill out to you I'd highly suggest that route.

Chainsaw mills waste a lot more material and leave a rougher cut needing more prep work for useable boards.

While the chainsaw mill is cheaper and easier for remote locations, the mill is definitely better work.

Yeah I figure between errors, chain width and planing/prep work I’d lose somewhere around 50% more than with a portable mill. You can’t get anyone to show up and I’m not about to move these things onto my trailer 3-4 at a time to take them anywhere. The problem is getting anyone to either show up or charge less than what a freakin portable mill would cost to buy outright.

Leemur, I totally understand the trouble with getting someone out.

The mill I borrowed from a neighbor took 6" off the length of the saw, so with a 32 inch blade I was only able to get a little over 2 foot width slabs.

Would be ok with a larger saw, but I just had to deal until I could get a mill out to me.

I don't remember the brand, but it rode over the top of the slab and made for relatively level cuts.

I knew a couple guys with such mills several decades back.
The chain saw version was quite simple yet economical and did require
further surface smoothing.

The bandsaw version had amazing smoother cuts by comparison, yet
cost considerably more. If I were looking for a paying hobby, I'd consider
buying a band saw version.

Thousand Cankers Disease


https://www.pwcva.gov/departme...sand-cankers-disease

Give these guys a call. If they can’t help you they probably know someone who can. As mentioned above it would be easier (if you had the capability) to bring the logs to them…

https://www.shenandoahplaningmill.com/sawing

Thanks but those guys are kinda far from me. I’ve contacted a few places that said they’re booked through spring. Looks like I’m either chainsaw milling on my own or the stuff will sit another season.

Have you considered buying one?

Wood Mizer has a nice little one for $3500. Use it for what you need then rent it out or sell it.

Considered it but that’s a bit much for me to lay out right now.