Customer Reviews

Alaskan MK III Portable Lumber Mill, Model# G776-36

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This tool is great for creating lumber. My only complaint is that it does take a lot of time to make lumber. That's not a problem with the product, that's just how it goes with cutting with the grain with a chain saw. I would recommend purchasing a ripping chain and keeping your chain sharp as it will really speed things up. I have created a variety of cool things from the lumber i have created ... benches, doors, mantles, coffee tables. It's fun and effective, but it's tough to create lumber with a chain saw no matter what tool you have.

I have a farm with many trees on the other side of a mud bog and cannot bring these trees up to mill them. This allows me to bring the mill to the log. I just load it up on my ATV with my 9' and 5' guide reels for first cut. I use a STHIL 650 Magnum with 3ft bar. It will take practice adjusting the depth of cut if you want it to be accurate, or you could just cut to approximate depth and plain to the thickness you need. I would also wear a decent filter mask as this is tiring work and you are breathing heavily and gulping down fumes if you don't wear the mask.

This is a great product and does what it claims. Product support by Granberg is great. However, be prepared for some VERY exhausting work. You will need the biggest, baddest chain saw you can afford. You will need ripping chain. You will need the sharpening equipment for the chain (I built a special jig to hold the saw while sharpening while it is clamped in the mill). You will need timber handling tools (come-alongs, chain, cable) you will need a straight edge (I use a ladder). You will need lots of time (about 100 bd feet of cut lumber per day in the best of conditions). Keep in mind you will need wax to seal the ends of boards, room with proper conditions to stack and dry the wood, skilsaw to trim bark, stickers to stack between the boards. The boards can weigh in at 40 to 100+ pounds. You will likely be cutting the wood in an "out of the way" place and have to carry the boards out of there. Lots of beer for afterward YMMV.