How To Mill Your Own Lumber - Off Grid Living Advise

How to mill your own lumber with a Chainsaw Mill.  Your new chainsaw mill is a very capable tool. Using a chainsaw mill is not as dangerous as felling trees either. It is one of those tools that makes living off the grid much easier, well... this is not easy work, it is worthwhile though..  

Let’s assume you already have cut down that tree. If not you should read our guide, Tree Felling Basics Before you start to use your chainsaw mill. 

First you will need to remove brush from around the tree so that your chainsaw mill can be pushed smoothly through the log. We usually find low spots or holes in the woods off the grid to pile brush for improved animal habitat.

Next you will need to build yourself what is known as a slabbing rail for your chainsaw mill.

What is a slabbing rail?

Simply put, it is a flat piece of lumber already cut that you lay on the log to make your first, and second cuts with your chainsaw mill.

How to make a slabbing rail for my chainsaw mill?

You will need to purchase one piece of lumber. You will need one very straight 12 foot long 2 by 8 for your slabbing rail. 

A note: We have tried to make slabbing rails for our chainsaw mill in a one piece design but always met with inferior results- crooked lumber. Now we make a portable model and carry one piece of lumber into the bush. You will see why when you make your first cut

The solution for that all important first cut with your chainsaw mill

Take your new 2 by 8 to the log you have cut. You will also need 2 pieces of 1 by 4 about 2 feet long, a 2 foot level, 20- 2 inch deck screws, 2- 3 inch deck screws, a square, a chalk line, cordless rechargeable drill and a knapsack to put your tools and all of this stuff in. Sounds like a lot but it isn’t. You are now ready to use your chainsaw mill. Oh, bring that with you too, along with a thermos of coffee, snacks and water. I like a coffee break in the bush when I am using my chainsaw mill, you will too. 

First Step

Take your 1 by 4’s and screw them with 2- 2 inch screws onto the ends of the log. Place them horizontally with about 1 inch sticking up above the log. Put one screw in tightly, and then place your level on top of the board. Level the top and put in the other screw. Do both ends.

Now put 2 screws sticking out of the ends of these boards about 4 inches apart corresponding with the crown of the log. Nearly ready to use your chainsaw mill.

Take your chalk line and attach one end to one of these screws. Run the line to the other end, wrap it around one screw. Go to the other screw on that end and wrap the string, keep it tight. Now run the string back to the other end where you started and attach it tightly.

You should now have 2 runs of string 1 inch above the log. Put in the 2 inch screws every 2 feet along the string into the log. The head of the screws should be just below the string.

Done. You are nearly ready to use your chainsaw mill. It probably takes more time to write this down than it does to do it.

Remove the string and the two end boards. Place your 2 by 8 carefully on top of the screws that will support it. Use the 2 – 3 inch screws to fasten the 2 by 8 to the log. 

What do you have now?

A perfectly flat level surface to start using your chainsaw mill right in the bush. And you did it with stuff you can carry in a knapsack, and that 2 by 8. Did I mention you can use that too, and make a new slabbing rail piece out of lumber you cut yourself. 

Make your first cut with the chainsaw mill set at 3 and three quarter inches, in order to avoid the screws in the log. You don’t want to hit metal with your chainsaw mill, we have. Ouch. 

Second Cut with your chainsaw mill

Roll the log over so that the first cut is nearly vertical. Attach the 1 by 4’s to the ends of the log again, only this time use the square. You knew that didn’t you?

One side of the square on the first cut of the log and the other side on the 1 by 4. Repeat the screwing and string process.

Now make your second cut with the mill, and you didn’t need to change the setting from 3 and three quarters. Nice eh. 

You have to remove the screws from the first and second slabs too so you can reuse them. 

Whoa, time for a coffee , you earned it. Sweating yet?

The rest of the cuts will depend on what you want to do with the lumber when you are done with your chainsaw mill. That dream of off grid living is possible when you learn how to mill your own lumber.

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