Chainsaw mill is awesome if you don't have heavy equipment. Take the saw to the big tree and I can carry the boards out by hand. I wouldn't want to cut enough wood to build a cabin with one though.
Blades are about $15 each and I could sharpen them myself but unfortunately I don’t own a sharpener for it. Hopefully I end up getting a sharpener down the road
Very good comparison that you can only truly make after using both. I run a 77cc Stihl with an Alaskan rig and a beam cutter rig. In pine or poplar it's easy. Oak, however, is a challenge and slow. And if you want to go into a production mode and make a lot of framing lumber with pine, it's too slow, and not a good use of time. Anybody who has tried this will definitely be shopping for a bandsaw mill, like I am. Thanks for all the great videos, they are very helpful.
I have fought with two different styles of chainsaw mills. Neither of them were a pleasant experience, each, a continuous struggle. The more milling I did, the more I wanted to do & that was not the right option for me! The very first thing I ever milled, was a 12” white ash, didn’t think it went that bad, then attempted 20+” red pine. 😖 I got through one log, but with only a 50cc Poulan chainsaw & 20” bar, I made a wavy cut towards the end, not realizing the saw was not stying flat, making firewood instead of usable lumber. I fatigued while attempting to slab off my first cut on a second log about a week later when weather again cooperated. 😑😑😑
Big name brand saw 1699 to 2499. Then chainsaw mill is 3000 to 5000. So depending on how much you have to cut. The china clone saw mill bar ripping chain is 950. They're junk and require many repairs over time but it depends on how much wood you have to cut. Buying a mill getting wood then having no logs to cut as you run out quick.. Chainsaw mill you can move it to the log easy. band saw mill you have to move the log instead.
Thanks. Great review. I cleared three acres of 50 year old growth. Have 18 usable 2 foot wide 25 foot long water oak trees I can use. From what I have seen I have well over a 1000 board foot to cut, thus the time and money saved on a band saw would ultimately actually be worth it. Average 20 foot cut with a Stihl chainsaw takes 6-12 minutes. Do that 300 times and you are looking at a hefty amount of time spent sharpening, oiling and adjusting. Might be worth it to suck it up and rent a band saw Mill or just buy it
Yeah with that much wood available you’ll sure make use out a bandsaw. I guess you can decide whether you’ll be sawing logs after these ones are milled and if so owning a sawmill may be a good choice. Otherwise you may be able to rent a sawmill for the logs you have. Either way it’ll be a fun time
How about buying your own bandsaw mill VS taking it to a milling company and paying them to cut your wood? What is the difference? Have you counted how much is running costs per cubic meter?
Normally around me if I can find someone who will cut for me they charge about $125-150 CDN /hour to mill . Then I have to factor in the cost of getting my logs out of the woods
I agree with you for all the points but I think you forgot the main one is a bandsaw mill you have haul the log to the sawmill but the Alaskan sawmill you bring the chainsaw to the log that's something to consider when you have only a small quad
It really all boils down to money with a manual mill being at least four times the price of a Alaskan mill (you can get used chainsaws all day long). Do you have the money, do you have enough trees to spend the big money, are you going to make any money, will your wife let you spend the money. lol I run an Alaskan mill with a Stihl 070 knockoff. My issue is that I have mostly Oak with a few Beech trees and no Pine or large Cedar and I don't have 100's of acres so I cut more firewood than mill boards and I'm ok with the chainsaw (after I got a winch lol)
The newer models like the HM130max are larger than my older hm130. The price on the website from what I can see is now 5700 with extension. I’d imagine with the upgrades to the hm130max including things like wider cut, electric start, auto lube, overall material cost inflation since 2017 the cost gets you to their current price. I don’t work for the company though but I’m sure they could give you more details
Both mills have there places no doubt about that. I think I might go with the Alaskan mill cuz of the price and mobility of it. That’s just my reason but hey, nothing wrong with it.. thanks buddy ✊🪵👍
Hey Buddy ya I’m thinking the hm130 is the way to go. I love my chains saws. I even name them chippy and chunky, one make chips and one makes chunks hehe. I would like to get one of the 660 clones to mill with. I use chunky to free hand mill it’s much easier on the saw head and the cross cut chain make long noodles. I’ve got some 2 foot red woods to plank, will cut them 12/4 ish. Gonna make book matches dinning tables. Gonna be cool
A nice book match section sure would look nice in some furniture. I’ve also looked into the 660 clone as the price is certainly a lot better than the stihl 660.
I just used an Alaskan Mill for the first time a few days ago, and it surprised me. It is slow, and it's rough on the chainsaw. I was excited to finally have the ability to mill boards but at the realization that I was asking my little saw to do more work than it was ever meant to do. I'd love to be able to continue milling lumber, but I don't want to lose my chainsaw because of it. Good comparison video and accurate from my limited knowledge.
I got a chainsaw mill thinking the same things... it works but was one of the worst experiences ever kneeling on your knees for 10-15 sucks... now I got a woodmizer lt35 on the way!
Definitely agree on the bandsaw . If I was going too buy a chainsaw mill it wood be the Norwood carriage and track one . For cutting wide slab with long bar . Much safer if using a chainsaw mill also . Woodland mills supplier dealer warehouse is just 30 mins from me . I have been thinking of a small mill like yours . 👍
I find I’m able to be more consistent with my cuts on my bandsaw mill probably because I’m less tired when using it compared to the chainsaw mill. I also like the Norwood products. I was close to buy their products a few times but ended up with woodland mills.
Good job on explaining the difference. My neighbor has the Alaskan mill and edger he uses it to mill beams. After watching him and his helper running it one day I knew that I made the right decision in buying my HM-130.
My experience is that an Alaskan sawmill is handy for remote places or for the hobby woodworker that wants to make lumber for a few project. I make sure I get my firewood done for the season before milling any lumber because it does put a beating on the chainsaw. Its a good starting point for the beginner but for long term I agree a bandsaw mill is the way to go.
Portability of chainsaw mill is also a pro. Load her in the canoe and let's go! That being said I dont have Alaskan mill. I have the identical band mill as you...and love it.
If you got your Woodland Mills HM130 for $2800 canadian, you got a screaming deal. The HM122 is $2800.00 on their website as of today (end of November 2019). The kerf on most chainsaws is 3/8" or better. A con also on the bandsaw mill side is the cost of blades (when they break or need sharpening). Another con on the chainsaw mill side is that it is great at slabbing logs, it requires a separate attachment for edging the logs if you want square edge lumber.
Chainsaw mill is awesome if you don't have heavy equipment. Take the saw to the big tree and I can carry the boards out by hand. I wouldn't want to cut enough wood to build a cabin with one though.
How much are The blades and can you sharpen your own blades good tips for someone looking to buy a mill
Blades are about $15 each and I could sharpen them myself but unfortunately I don’t own a sharpener for it. Hopefully I end up getting a sharpener down the road
Very good comparison that you can only truly make after using both. I run a 77cc Stihl with an Alaskan rig and a beam cutter rig. In pine or poplar it's easy. Oak, however, is a challenge and slow. And if you want to go into a production mode and make a lot of framing lumber with pine, it's too slow, and not a good use of time. Anybody who has tried this will definitely be shopping for a bandsaw mill, like I am. Thanks for all the great videos, they are very helpful.
Sandy, you did a great comparison, great job!
Thanks James. Hope all is well
I have fought with two different styles of chainsaw mills. Neither of them were a pleasant experience, each, a continuous struggle. The more milling I did, the more I wanted to do & that was not the right option for me!
The very first thing I ever milled, was a 12” white ash, didn’t think it went that bad, then attempted 20+” red pine. 😖 I got through one log, but with only a 50cc Poulan chainsaw & 20” bar, I made a wavy cut towards the end, not realizing the saw was not stying flat, making firewood instead of usable lumber. I fatigued while attempting to slab off my first cut on a second log about a week later when weather again cooperated. 😑😑😑
Big name brand saw 1699 to 2499. Then chainsaw mill is 3000 to 5000. So depending on how much you have to cut. The china clone saw mill bar ripping chain is 950. They're junk and require many repairs over time but it depends on how much wood you have to cut. Buying a mill getting wood then having no logs to cut as you run out quick.. Chainsaw mill you can move it to the log easy. band saw mill you have to move the log instead.
Thanks. Great review. I cleared three acres of 50 year old growth. Have 18 usable 2 foot wide 25 foot long water oak trees I can use. From what I have seen I have well over a 1000 board foot to cut, thus the time and money saved on a band saw would ultimately actually be worth it. Average 20 foot cut with a Stihl chainsaw takes 6-12 minutes. Do that 300 times and you are looking at a hefty amount of time spent sharpening, oiling and adjusting. Might be worth it to suck it up and rent a band saw Mill or just buy it
Yeah with that much wood available you’ll sure make use out a bandsaw. I guess you can decide whether you’ll be sawing logs after these ones are milled and if so owning a sawmill may be a good choice. Otherwise you may be able to rent a sawmill for the logs you have. Either way it’ll be a fun time
I think my memory has faded overtime as I meant to say I paid close to 4000-4200ish cdn for the hm130, not 2800. Sorry about any confusion.
i LOVE your sayings haha. and your knowledge. thank you kindly
How about buying your own bandsaw mill VS taking it to a milling company and paying them to cut your wood? What is the difference? Have you counted how much is running costs per cubic meter?
Normally around me if I can find someone who will cut for me they charge about $125-150 CDN /hour to mill . Then I have to factor in the cost of getting my logs out of the woods
I agree with you for all the points but I think you forgot the main one is a bandsaw mill you have haul the log to the sawmill but the Alaskan sawmill you bring the chainsaw to the log that's something to consider when you have only a small quad
That is a really good point
It really all boils down to money with a manual mill being at least four times the price of a Alaskan mill (you can get used chainsaws all day long). Do you have the money, do you have enough trees to spend the big money, are you going to make any money, will your wife let you spend the money. lol I run an Alaskan mill with a Stihl 070 knockoff. My issue is that I have mostly Oak with a few Beech trees and no Pine or large Cedar and I don't have 100's of acres so I cut more firewood than mill boards and I'm ok with the chainsaw (after I got a winch lol)
Yeah that all makes sense to me
If you paid 2,800$ CAN do you know why it costs 6,800$ CAN now? (this is including the extention)
The newer models like the HM130max are larger than my older hm130. The price on the website from what I can see is now 5700 with extension. I’d imagine with the upgrades to the hm130max including things like wider cut, electric start, auto lube, overall material cost inflation since 2017 the cost gets you to their current price. I don’t work for the company though but I’m sure they could give you more details
@@sawingwithsandy Ok, I guess that makes sense. Thank you for answering my question.
Glad I could help Damon
Both mills have there places no doubt about that. I think I might go with the Alaskan mill cuz of the price and mobility of it. That’s just my reason but hey, nothing wrong with it.. thanks buddy ✊🪵👍
As long as you’re making dust it’s all good in my books
Hey Buddy ya I’m thinking the hm130 is the way to go. I love my chains saws. I even name them chippy and chunky, one make chips and one makes chunks hehe. I would like to get one of the 660 clones to mill with. I use chunky to free hand mill it’s much easier on the saw head and the cross cut chain make long noodles. I’ve got some 2 foot red woods to plank, will cut them 12/4 ish. Gonna make book matches dinning tables. Gonna be cool
A nice book match section sure would look nice in some furniture. I’ve also looked into the 660 clone as the price is certainly a lot better than the stihl 660.
I just used an Alaskan Mill for the first time a few days ago, and it surprised me. It is slow, and it's rough on the chainsaw. I was excited to finally have the ability to mill boards but at the realization that I was asking my little saw to do more work than it was ever meant to do. I'd love to be able to continue milling lumber, but I don't want to lose my chainsaw because of it. Good comparison video and accurate from my limited knowledge.
Yeah sure is a bit of work wrangling the chainsaw. I’d hate to blow up my little 555 too as that’s what I had for my Alaskan mill
I got a chainsaw mill thinking the same things... it works but was one of the worst experiences ever kneeling on your knees for 10-15 sucks... now I got a woodmizer lt35 on the way!
That woodmizer sure will be a nice addition. Enjoy!
Definitely agree on the bandsaw . If I was going too buy a chainsaw mill it wood be the Norwood carriage and track one . For cutting wide slab with long bar . Much safer if using a chainsaw mill also . Woodland mills supplier dealer warehouse is just 30 mins from me . I have been thinking of a small mill like yours . 👍
I find I’m able to be more consistent with my cuts on my bandsaw mill probably because I’m less tired when using it compared to the chainsaw mill. I also like the Norwood products. I was close to buy their products a few times but ended up with woodland mills.
Good job on explaining the difference. My neighbor has the Alaskan mill and edger he uses it to mill beams. After watching him and his helper running it one day I knew that I made the right decision in buying my HM-130.
Yeah I’m out of breathe just thinking about the chainsaw mills
My experience is that an Alaskan sawmill is handy for remote places or for the hobby woodworker that wants to make lumber for a few project. I make sure I get my firewood done for the season before milling any lumber because it does put a beating on the chainsaw. Its a good starting point for the beginner but for long term I agree a bandsaw mill is the way to go.
Yeah I agree with ya there
Portability of chainsaw mill is also a pro. Load her in the canoe and let's go! That being said I dont have Alaskan mill. I have the identical band mill as you...and love it.
That’s a good point about portability.
If you got your Woodland Mills HM130 for $2800 canadian, you got a screaming deal. The HM122 is $2800.00 on their website as of today (end of November 2019). The kerf on most chainsaws is 3/8" or better. A con also on the bandsaw mill side is the cost of blades (when they break or need sharpening). Another con on the chainsaw mill side is that it is great at slabbing logs, it requires a separate attachment for edging the logs if you want square edge lumber.
I think my memory faded over time I meant to say 3800. Sorry about that
You’re right about the edger. I never thought about that but definitely true. Appreciate the great points. Thanks for watching
Great video! I looked on the website and they are like $7k now! You got it for a great price 👍
Yeah things have change over a while
i a agree i got a alsking mill and it suck i burn up my 377 huske
That’s a nice saw you got. I like the husky 377.
Very helpful
Glad you liked the video David