6 Best Chainsaws for Milling Lumber – Everything You Need to Know About Them

Buyer’s Guide

Chainsaws for milling lumber are a big investment, which is why you need to consider the reason for purchase and the necessity of the tool before purchasing one. You have to consider how often you mill lumber if you mill a few times a year or every day.

This guide has some major keys that will help you make the best decision when buying a chainsaw for milling lumber.

What is a Chainsaw?

A chainsaw is a powered saw with a motor and teeth fixed to a chain-driven through the guide bar; they can either be gas-powered, electric, or battery-powered. This tool is a heavy-duty tool that requires a lot of technical knowledge and skill.

A chainsaw for milling is basically a regular chainsaw with a milling attachment; this milling attachment improves the efficiency of the tool and adds to its versatility. There are many standard milling attachments that could be fixed to a chainsaw; there’s the vertical milling attachment, universal attachment, high-speed milling attachment, rack milling attachment, to name a few.

How Does it Work?

Chainsaws operate the same way regardless of the type. They all work with a centrifugal clutch that’s powered by a thermal or an electric motor. The motor powers the rotating chain, which spins around a long steel plate called the guide bar with teeth attached to it to cut and fell trees of any size.

The motor works with a piston that’s pushed back and forth when energy is released from a battery, electrical source, or a fuel and gas mixture. The back and forth motion of this piston is converted into a rotary motion by a connecting rod and crank. Chainsaws are also equipped with a clutch that stops the spinning motion of the chain when the engine is still running. Gears then transfer power to the sprocket, which keeps the chain in place.

A chainsaw can be handled by anyone after enough training, but it’s a very dangerous piece of equipment nonetheless. The most common source of accidents is the kickback which happens when the chain gets stuck in something but the engine is still rotating. This causes the entire saw to fly backward towards the user leading to fatal injuries. This is why it’s necessary to wear the appropriate safety guard before using a chainsaw.

Types of Chainsaw Chains for Milling

As earlier said, chainsaws are defined by the different sizes of the chain; this is referred to as the chain profile. There are different types of chain profiles, these include

• Ripping Chain

This type of chain is specifically designed for milling logs of wood into planks. It cuts at a very low angle, up to two times lower than that of the standard chain. It’s used when smaller chunks of wood need to be cut up.

• Low Profile Chain

The low profile chain, also known as the lo-pro, produces cuts that are shorter than the standard chainsaw chain. This means they make shallower cuts and weigh much less than the standard. This type of chain is usually best for electric chainsaws with low horsepower.

• Square Profile Chain

There are two types of wood, hardwood, and softwood. The square profile chain is used to cut into hardwood like oak. The teeth are usually very blunt, hard to sharpen, and used for logging work.

• Narrow Kerf Chain

This type of chain profile makes a narrower cut than the standard chain; it’s used when you need to make thin cuts. This makes it remove less wood allowing the chainsaw to cut much faster and produce more precise cuts.

Factors to Consider when Buying the Best Chainsaw for Milling Lumber

Compatibility

Before buying a chainsaw, you need to ensure it’s designed to work well with your milling attachment. It’ll be a waste to have to buy more than one because it’s not compatible or not strong enough.

Power

The power of the chainsaw is the first thing to think about when searching for a chainsaw for milling. You need a high-powered chainsaw capable of cutting up the large logs into smaller pieces. A gas-powered chainsaw is the most preferred option; it uses a powerful two-stroke engine that requires an oil-gas mixture to work correctly. You can opt for any chainsaw with two horsepower or more than 50cc of power.

Bar and Chain Length

These are very vital features when shopping for a chainsaw for milling. The bar length determines the size of lumber you can cut. You can opt for a model that comes with a 20-inch bar and chain length. Choosing a bar length and chain may depend on what the chainsaw can handle or the type of wood you’re about to cut.

Chainsaw Safety Tips

A chainsaw is a very dangerous tool that could lead to fatal accidents if not used properly. There are a few safety tips and guidelines to follow when using a chainsaw; these are discussed briefly below.

• Ensure you maintain a proper standing position when using a chainsaw. It is advisable to use a boxer stance when using the tool as it helps you stay balanced on the ground. To assume this stance, put your left foot slightly in front of your right if you’re right-handed, and place your feet the other way round if you’re left-handed. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and also keep your knees bent. The chainsaw is a very heavy tool that produces many vibrations; it is very easy to be thrown off or lose your balance when using the tool.
• Keep both hands on the saw, do not at any moment operate a chain saw with one hand. Keep your eyes on the bar or chain as you cut up the lumber.
• Have the section of the lumber you want to cut planned out before using the machine. This is so you’ll know where the saw’s blade or chain will exit the log as you cut, so you don’t end up cutting yourself.
• Never cut above your shoulders or from a ladder, this is very dangerous and will lead to severe injuries.
• Use a chainsaw with a reduced kickback if you don’t have enough knowledge on the use of chainsaws. It is slower but also much safer to use.

Kickback is one of the major causes of accidents when using a chainsaw. Here are a few ways you can reduce kickback when using the chainsaw.

1. Use both hands to firmly hold the chainsaw.
2. Always beware of the guide bar’s nose when using the tool and ensure it doesn’t hit any object
3. Wrap your thumb beneath the front handle

A chainsaw for milling is not something you buy very often, except it is needed for a specific task like milling. They are quite expensive and require a lot of training. To get the best out of your shopping experience, you have to do enough research on the best ones available on the market. In this review, we have provided you with a bit of information on the six best chainsaws for milling available on the market, along with some answers on the use and maintenance of a chainsaw with a milling attachment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are a few questions to help you make the best choice when shopping for the best chainsaw for milling.

What Is the Best Chainsaw for Milling?

The best chainsaw is the Husqvarna 24 Inch 460 Rancher Gas Chainsaw.

• It is a high-power multi-purpose chainsaw that’s capable of doing all jobs, including milling lumber.
• It is designed with a 24-inch guide bar and chain.
• The chainsaw is gas-powered with a 60cc two-cycle engine that requires a gas and oil mixture to operate properly.
• The engine is built with an inertia-activated chain brake that makes the chainsaw safer to use.
• It has an incredible oil tank volume of 0.7 US pint and an oil capacity range of 6ml/min – 17 ml/min. It features an automatic chain oiler that constantly delivers oil to the bar and chain to improve the machine’s efficiency.
• Its use side-mount chain system allows the user to easily and quickly adjust the chain when working.
• Chainsaw is designed to conserve fuel with its x-torque, which reduces its emission, and makes it more eco-friendly.

How big of a chainsaw do I need for an Alaskan mill?

For an Alaskan mill, you need a high-powered chainsaw with a top-quality milling attachment. You need a chainsaw of at least 20 inches with a powerful 50cc engine. You can choose from any of the chainsaws listed in the review.

What chainsaws do lumberjacks use?

Many lumberjacks use the Husky 372xp or Stihl 460 because of their powerful engine that can be used for large-scale, heavy-duty milling.

Can a chainsaw cut with the grain?

Ripsaws or tooth saws are usually best at making clean cuts along the grain. Chainsaws also cut along the grain, but it may be a bit challenging.

Is Husqvarna better than Stihl?

Husqvarna is known to be much preferred than Stihl. It has efficient safety features and an anti-vibration design that makes it much easier to use. Stihl has more power, but Husqvarna is much better and more efficient at cutting.

We have included two different Husqvarna products in our review; the Husqvarna 24 Inch 460 Rancher Gas Chainsaw and the Husqvarna 20 Inch 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw. They both have strong engines, an incredible filtering system, an x-torque engine that helps conserve fuel and reduce emissions produced by the machine keeping the environment smoke-free.

Does a ripping chain cut faster?

A ripping chain cuts very slowly. It makes clean, fine cuts but may take more time making cuts than most other chains.

Is it worth milling your own lumber?

There are advantages and disadvantages of milling your own lumber. For one, it is very expensive and tasking. It may also be convenient, especially if you mill all year long; it also adds flexibility to your projects. You don’t have to make trips to a lumberyard every time a new project comes up. A lot of thought needs to be put into buying a chainsaw for milling. You have to think about how often you mill, the size of wood you want to cut, and how experienced you are with a chainsaw.

Are chainsaw mills worth it?

Chainsaw mills are smaller sawmills used by one or two operators. They are portable enough to be carried to different locations. If you happen to mill all year long, then chainsaw mills can be a beneficial investment.

What is the best portable sawmill for the money?

If you are looking for the best portable sawmill, you can opt for the YEEZUGO 36″ Portable Chainsaw Mill. It is made from top-quality aluminum and stainless steel, which keeps the tool very lightweight and sturdy. Its bar size is about 14 o 36 inches long, which is the best size for any type of project. It can convert big logs into ½ inch or 13 inch thick slabs.

What is the most aggressive chainsaw chain?

Husqvarna produces very aggressive chains that can work with any type of chainsaw. You can choose between the Husqvarna 24 Inch 460 Rancher Gas Chainsaw, a 24-inch chain, or the TIMBERPRO Professional Series 62cc Chainsaw with a 20-inch chain.

The Husqvarna 24 Inch 460 Rancher has an incredible oil tank volume of 0.7 US pint and an oil capacity range of 6ml/min – 17 ml/min maximum. It also features an automatic chain oiler that constantly delivers oil to the bar and chain to improve the machine’s efficiency. Its use side-mount chain system allows the user to easily and quickly adjust the chain when working.

ON THE OTHER HAND, the TIMBERPRO Professional Series 62cc Chainsaw is equipped with a decompression valve that makes it incredibly easy to start the machine. It has also been equipped with a new and improved chain brake mechanism and handguard that makes the chainsaw much safer to use. It has durable plastic parts that house and protect the engine and other internal features, ensuring it lasts very long.

The chainsaw is very safe to use and complies with all EUI regulations, so you can rest assured. The 62cc engine operates on a 40:1 fuel mixture to help reduce the emissions from the machine leaving it safe for the environment. It has a chain oil capacity of 260ml and a fuel tank capacity of about 550ml.

Conclusion

There are many different types of chainsaws used for various purposes, including milling lumber. The best chainsaw from our review is the Husqvarna 24 Inch 460 Rancher Gas Chainsaw.

It is designed with a 24-inch guide bar and chain. The chainsaw is gas-powered with a 60cc two-cycle engine that requires a gas and oil mixture to operate properly. The engine is built with an inertia-activated chain brake that makes the chainsaw safer to use. It has an incredible oil tank volume of 0.7 US pint and an oil capacity range of 6ml/min – 17 ml/min maximum.

We hope this review on the six best chainsaws for milling has helped you select the best chainsaw for your project.