Chainsaw mills are small sawmills intended to be operated by just a few workers. They are used to saw logs into lumber so that it can be sold to make products. Chainsaw mills are ideal for cutting lumber in very remote regions when it is not necessarily possible, or it is too expensive, to take a log to a sawmill. There are quite a few types of chainsaw mills. The most basic model is made up of a steel guide bracket mounted to a chainsaw bar that follows a straight edge. More elaborate chainsaw mills are made up of a track and frame system that has a chainsaw attached to it. Being able to mill lumber anywhere is very useful, so the following are some of the best chainsaw mills currently available, and are listed in no particular order.
Not every chainsaw mill will work for everyone, so this is a wide variety of mills to ensure that each person can benefit from the list. All of these mills are different, and they all have great qualities.
BEST CHAINSAW MILL 2024
Granberg ChainSaw Mill G778: Best Lightweight Mill
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The Granberg Chain Saw Mill, model number G778 is a very lightweight mill with a small design, making it very portable. This mill is an exceptionally high-quality machine that can cut beams or lumber anywhere from a half-inch to thirteen inches thick and seventeen inches wide. The model G778 can attach to a saw without the use of a drilling bar and is specially designed to suit chain saws with bars of twenty inches or less. The mill, manufactured by Granberg International, comes with all the hardware necessary for assembly, and it has clear, precise instructions which are very useful for beginners. This chainsaw mill is designed to be perfect for those that are just starting out, and it has many possible uses. The Granberg Chain Saw Mill, model number G778 is highly recommended since it is the number one, best-selling chainsaw mill on Amazon and the overall quality of this chainsaw mill makes it the ideal choice for those that need a lightweight mill that can go just about anywhere.
This mill should only be used with saws that are a minimum of 50cc power. It is produced in the United States of America and is not eligible for international shipping from Amazon.
Pros
- Lightweight
- High quality
- Fairly priced
- Many good reviews
- The mill works quickly
Cons
- Some assembly is required
- A super powerful chainsaw is recommended for proper use
- Guide rails are not included
- Some people find this mill difficult to use
Granberg Portable Chainsaw Edging Sawmill: Best Heavy-Duty Mill for Large Lumber
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Granberg Portable Chainsaw Edging Sawmill is crafted with high-quality USA made aerospace aluminum extrusion and zinc-plated steel for a long lasting life span. It comes with a polycarbonate safety guard, as well as 12 feet of V rail, wood screws, and forming nails to get exact results every time. It enables the user to cut logs at a vertical angle, from 16″ – 36″ chain saw bar length truly straight and even cuts.
The Granberg Portable Chainsaw Edging Sawmill is designed for making dimensional lumber or squaring logs with a 50cc requirement but no maximum. It is proudly made in the USA, and a family-owned and run business that uses their own products with videos available to show how to use it properly.
I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a reliable sawmill at an affordable price. The quality of the product is outstanding and it has allowed me to make truly straight and even cuts everytime.
Pros
- Crafted with high-quality USA made aerospace aluminum extrusion and zinc-plated steel for a long lasting life span.
- Comes with a polycarbonate safety guard, as well as 12 feet of V rail, wood screws, and forming nails to get exact results every time.
- Enables the user to cut logs at a vertical angle from 16″ – 36″ chain saw bar length truly straight and even cuts.
- Truly straight and even cuts everytime.
- Designed for making dimensional lumber or squaring logs with a 50cc requirement but no maximum.
Cons
- Requires a solid steel chain saw bar (not a laminate).
LAJIAOZ Edging Mill: Best for Compact Milling
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This mill is designed to fit most chainsaws with bars between 16-36″ and 50-70cc or more displacement, making it perfect for use with white pine and oak logs. The mill is easy to operate, even without any prior experience milling logs, making it perfect for the DIY person.
It has worked great for me in creating straight and long cuts that even create planks and beams. I appreciate that it works best when used with a granberg ripping chain mill as well. Overall, I highly recommend this edging mill for anyone looking to make boards out of logs.
Pros
- Easy to use, even for those without any prior experience milling logs
- Fits most chainsaws with bars between 16-36″ and 50-70cc or more displacement
- Perfect for creating straight and long cuts that create planks and beams
- Works best when used in combination with granberg ripping chain mill
Cons
- May need additional tools/accessories depending on the project
Zozen Chainsaw Mill: Best for Even Cuts
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The Zozen Chainsaw Mill is a high-quality and reliable tool for cutting and milling lumber. It’s made of a sturdy aluminum alloy and steel, making it durable enough to last for many years of use. The sawmill is adjustable to fit chainsaws with bar lengths between 14″ and 36″, allowing you to cut slabs from 1/2″ to 12″ thick. Additionally, its unique patented design allows it to be used in three sizes and can be taken apart for easy portability.
It also features an upgraded handle that can be pushed or pulled for better force, easier assembly with fewer parts, a dual system scale (metric and imperial), and four free-felling wedges. Plus, its advanced splicing method allows for extensions to be purchased in the market for longer sizes.
Overall, this Chainsaw Mill is perfect for anyone looking to mill their own lumber at home or in the forest and would highly recommend it!
Pros
- Made of sturdy aluminum alloy and steel for durability
- Adjustable to fit chainsaws with bar lengths between 14″ and 36″
- Unique patented design allows it to be used in three sizes and can be taken apart for easy portability
- Upgraded handle that can be pushed or pulled for better force
- Easier assembly with fewer parts
- Dual system scale (metric and imperial)
- Four free felling wedges included
Cons
- Advanced splicing method requires extensions to be purchased separately for longer sizes
- May not be suitable for all types of woodworking projects
SKILSAW SPT55-11: Best for Being Compatible with Many Saws
- Worm drive gearing with electric brake delivers relentless power and proven durability
- 14-1/4 in. Depth of cut to power through through deep Material in one pass
- Self-lubricating, full house chain with tool-less tensioning provides high quality cuts
- 15 amp Dual-Field motor stays cooler, increasing longevity and work efficiency
- All magnesium construction for durability and reduced weight
The SKILSAW SPT55-11 is a powerful and reliable tool that offers a range of features to help with carpentry work. It is powered by an impressive 15 Amp Dual-Field motor with worm drive gearing, which provides superior power and durability.
This saw also features a 14 1/4 inch depth of cut to easily power through thick materials, and a self-lubricating full house chain with tool-less tensioning for high quality cuts. With its all magnesium construction, this saw is lightweight yet durable, making it perfect for even the toughest tasks.
And thanks to its anti-splinter guard and patented nose cap, you can be sure of accurate cuts every time. The SKILSAW SPT55-11 is an excellent choice for any carpentry work and comes highly recommended.
Pros
- Powerful 15 Amp Dual-Field motor with worm drive gearing for superior power and durability
- -14 1/4 inch depth of cut to easily power through thick materials
- -Self-lubricating full house chain with tool-less tensioning for high quality cuts
- -All magnesium construction is lightweight yet durable
- -Anti -splinter guard and patented nose cap for accurate cuts every time
Cons
- May not be suitable for more complex tasks due to limited range of features
Buyer’s Guide
The following are some key functionalities and the answers to some frequently asked questions about the best chainsaw mills.
The Granberg Chain Saw Mill, model number G777 is compact and lightweight. It is a log milling attachment used to cut lumber with a chainsaw with up to a twenty-inch bar. The minimum power chainsaw for this mill is 50cc, and slabbing brackets are recommended.
The Granberg MK-III Alaskan Chainsaw Mill with 30″ rails, model number G776-30 is very versatile and heavy-duty. This mill works with almost any size bar, and a ripping chain is recommended.
The GRANBERG Mini Mill Attachment comes equipped with a twelve-foot V rail as a cutting guide. This very small attachment is great for compact milling anywhere. A bar width of two and a half inches is necessary to clear the chain track since the bar clamps for this system are two-inches wide.
The MTN Gearsmith New Portable Chain Saw Mill Log Planking Lumber Cutting Chainsaw Guide Bar is the best mill for getting uniform cuts because it provides a flat surface. This is a heavy-duty mill that converts rough logs into lumber. The versatility of this mill and the fact that it requires no bar drilling are amazing advantages of the product.
The Freelancer Chainsaw Mill “Solo” is the ideal mill since it is compatible with a lot of different saws. This mill works with almost all professional saws, so it is a good choice for experts and those that only work with wood occasionally.
Chainsaw mills are relatively new and are not used by many people, so there are some frequently asked questions regarding chainsaw mills:
Can larger mills be used with smaller bars?
Typically, yes. Most mills can be adapted to fit smaller bars.
How wide can a mill cut?
Each mill differs in the size it can cut. The best chainsaw mill cutting sizes can be found in their reviews.
What power of saw is necessary?
Most mills utilize different saw power; however, the average is at least 50cc.
What is a ripping chain and why is it recommended?
A ripping chain is a distinct chain intended for cutting parallel to a wood grain. This specific chain is often recommended because it features a special factory grind for creating boards from larger timbers.
Should I buy a band saw mill or chainsaw mill?
The denser the logs you are cutting are, the harder it is for the saw to cut. Band saw mills and chainsaw mills are both portable; however, band saw mills are larger so chainsaw mills are easier to transport. Chainsaw mills tend to be much cheaper than band saw mills, but they cannot cut through very thick logs. If you are going to be cutting through very dense wood, then a band saw mill may be more suitable because it can cut through thick logs more precisely. However, if you will not be cutting through thick logs, a chainsaw mill may be better for you, and it could save you money.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of a chainsaw mill?
One disadvantage of a chainsaw mill is that they are limited by the amount of lumber that they can produce. They are not machines that are designed to produce a large amounts of timber. However on the other hand, an advantage of a chainsaw mill can be the difference between wasted logs and usable lumber in many situations. Having a portable chainsaw mill is a great asset for many people because it is not always possible, or profitable, to take logs to a sawmill. A huge pro for chainsaw mills is that they are ideal for remote locations because they can go just about anywhere.
What is a saw kerf and how does it affect a chainsaw mill?
A saw kerf is the thickness of the opening cut by a saw. A chainsaw has a saw kerf right around three-eighths of an inch, which means it is very wasteful because it produces a lot of sawdust. Therefore, a chainsaw mill is not meant for improving the amount of lumber yielded from a log in most situations. The biggest problem for most people with a large amount of saw kerf means that more time and energy is used when cutting lumber with a chainsaw mill and so it can be wasteful.
What are the limitations of a chainsaw mill?
The biggest selling point for chainsaw mills is obviously that they are portable. Plus, unlike other sawmills, a chainsaw mill can cut logs wherever they are. The limitations of a chainsaw mill lie within the longest bar. A log can only be cut with a chainsaw mill if the longest chainsaw bar can reach across it. Each mill has different bar length capabilities, so this limitation can become a problem for some people that need to cut extremely large logs. You should always consider the size of wood you will be working with before you buy a mill, and make sure the mill’s longest bar will suit your needs.
What about the price range of a chainsaw mill?
Very basic chainsaw mills sell for less than $200, but a mill that has a track and a frame for mounting the chainsaw can cost around $1500. In addition, a chainsaw must be purchased for powering the mill. Large professional grade chainsaws are typically necessary for a chainsaw mill, and they can cost between $300 and $1000. Therefore, chainsaw mills tend to cost less than a large sawmill, and many people feel that they pay for themselves in one use.
Conclusion
Chainsaw mills are small sawmills intended to be operated by only one or two people. They are used to saw logs into lumber for many different purposes. Chainsaw mills are ideal for cutting lumber in very remote places because they are small, portable and lightweight. Being able to mill lumber anywhere is a great advantage for many, so chainsaw mills are expected to become more popular in the future. There are quite a few types of chainsaw mills. The most basic model is made up of a steel guide bracket mounted to a chainsaw bar that follows a straight edge. More elaborate chainsaw mills are made up of a track and frame system that has a chainsaw attached to it. There are many amazing chainsaw mills, so we hope this article will help narrow down your choices.