I started milling with an "Alaska" type chainsaw mill that I built out of steel.(the store bought units seemed somewhat flimsy). With a Sthil 084 and a 60" bar it weighed about 150 lbs. It would wear a man smooth out. I decided to build a platform to mount it on that worked more like a sawmill.  While designing the rails and action I realized that I could make a more useful machine by mounting different tools to the tool post. It functions as a sawmill with plunge cutting capabilities, a large capacity lathe(10" dia x 108" length), a large capacity mortise machine(24" x 96" bed, 14" vertical stroke), and a large capacity drill press(24" x 96" bed, 14" vertical stroke).  I'm very pleased with the results and would love to hear your comments and opinions(even the negative ones). I offer a lease of my blueprints for prospective builders. Go to dropbox link below for more detailed pics and info.

 

   machine:   https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nr4yw91iv2hgdl0/AACv5-Unq_KSGyYK-2YHwWIBa?dl=0

 

   furniture it can make:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pq9hfk8rqr7l416/AADQZxeku_HGeIBLpz4MeasIa?dl=0

That is one awesome piece of machinery!!!

Never would have thought to mount the saw vertical. Now how big of a log will fit in it and how do you drag it into position?

36 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Never would have thought to mount the saw vertical. Now how big of a log will fit in it and how do you drag it into position?

I mounted it vertical so I could plunge cut the ice chests. I either lift it onto the bed with my engine hoist, or roll it up a ramp from either end. Mostly I use the chainsaw function to cut uniform half rounds for those tables, then take the cant to a local sawmill to slice up. The half rounds are worth more to build those tables than the rest of the boards or anything I could make out of them. The bed will accommodate a 24"dia x 99" log. That was a design goal. For longer logs I use my Alaska mill to cut. Every now and then I find a crotch or burl to cut. When I first started I would cut anything I could get my hands on. I'm mostly cutting red cedar and cypress and they don't weigh near as much as hardwoods.

Excellent work . Thanks for the details

WHEW!!

that is something...

4 hours ago, brianpoundingnails said:

I mounted it vertical so I could plunge cut the ice chests. I either lift it onto the bed with my engine hoist, or roll it up a ramp from either end. Mostly I use the chainsaw function to cut uniform half rounds for those tables, then take the cant to a local sawmill to slice up. The half rounds are worth more to build those tables than the rest of the boards or anything I could make out of them. The bed will accommodate a 24"dia x 99" log. That was a design goal. For longer logs I use my Alaska mill to cut. Every now and then I find a crotch or burl to cut. When I first started I would cut anything I could get my hands on. I'm mostly cutting red cedar and cypress and they don't weigh near as much as hardwoods.

WELL THROUGHOUT OUT GOOD LUCK.

Awesome piece of machinery. I certainly admire your talent as designer, machinist and fabricator. Great job!

 Wow, for your application you definitely have it figured out. From the looks of the attachments on the wall all you lack is a name plate & a patent number.

WaY COOL~!!!

That is a kool rig. I didn't see any chips though, where is the saw dust?

Herb

On 6/1/2018 at 3:59 PM, Gerald said:

how big of a log will fit in it and how do you drag it into position?

I am also interested. More wanting to know what size flatbed with crane I need to collect logs for small milling operations.

 

After a bit of research, I've found a publication of from U. of Tenn / Ag detailing the weights of logs. The PDF is attached. Good reading!

 

Estimating Weight of Logs and Standing Timber

 

https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/documents/sp748.pdf

 

Estimating Weight of Logs and Standing Timber.pdf