Customer Reviews

Granberg Mini Mill, Model# G555B

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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I have both a 36" alaskan MKIII mill and the mini-mill that I operate with a modified Husqvarna 394XP. I use Bailey's ripping chain, and 32" and 20" oregon sproketnose bars, along with a 42" hardnose bar for the really big stuff. In addition to the Chainsaw mills, I own a BetterBuilt Ripsaw, a chainsaw powered portable bandsaw, which can process a 14" cant. I bought the mini-mill to square up cants before milling; I thought it would be easier to use the mini-mill with a guide plank for the initial cut.

Turns out, except on smaller logs, say under 15", it is very difficult to keep a perfectly straight cut. With short logs, it works great; also works great for cutting giant logs in half up the middle, where the alaskan can't open up wide enough. BUT!, long bars are difficult to keep perfectly perpendicular to the guide plank, and want to turn inwards; you end up with a wavy cut, even with a very steady hand. Also, be prepared to eat dust with this one. It works best when positioned upside down, which aims the sawdust right at your face. Wear good sealed-face goggles and a respirator unless you like a lung full of sawdust and saw exhaust.

I used this guide together with a McCulloch MS1640CC 16" 15-Amp/4-HP Electric Chain Saw to cut some 10" Maple logs

into boards of 1-2" thickness.

It worked beautifully. I did not have any issues with the shield vibrating or coming loose. It is a great money saver if you

are a woodworker and come across some (smaller) logs from time

to time.

Not a bad little tool, only one small complaint. The screw used to secure the guard that covers the handle keeps vibrating loose no matter how tightly it's screwed down. A bolt and nut would probably fix the problem.

I was concerned about using a tool that balances a chainsaw precariously on end, but once it was together it's actually pretty stable. Once you get a groove going, it doesn't take long to set up the cut and I probably spent more time fooling with keeping the saw started than setting up the cuts.

Currently I haven't used it to saw planks just square up the sides and then rip into planks on the table saw. Everything I've tried is stuff I could pick up and stuff in the trunk of a mustang, typically about 8" diameter and about 3-4' long. That appears to be able the low end of what it's made to do.

I used an Echo 440 saw to do the cuts. It's not bad for the limited amount of stuff I'm doing, if you're doing bigger material you'll probably want something with more oomph.

Wear a helmet, if not for safety, to keep the shower of sawdust out of your hair.