Best Chainsaw For Milling Lumber | Plus, How To Score The Best Unit For Milling!

Rating	Image	Products	Score	Price
1 Best		455 Rancher 2-Stroke Gas-Powered Chain Saw by Husqvarna Editor’s Choice
2		460 Rancher 2-Stroke X-Torq Gas-Powered Chain Sa by Husqvarna
3		​​460 24-Inch Rancher Chain Saw 60cc by Husqvarna​​​
4		​​450 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw, 50cc, 20-Inch by Husqvarna​​​

When you mill timber, you’ll need some strong piece of equipment to grind your wood. The best piece of equipment for this kind of job is the chainsaw for milling lumber. However, you can’t buy just any type of chainsaw. You’ll need to buy the best chainsaw for milling that is hard and powerful enough to handle thick woods. With the number of chainsaws that are available on the market, it’s quite hard for customers to choose the best one.

Chainsaws are the best tools to use when ripping lumber.

If you need a good chainsaw for milling lumber, use this guide to help you score the best milling chainsaw. We’ll also provide a few brands that you can choose from so that you won’t have a hard time narrowing down your choices. This guide will help you pick the best chainsaw bar for milling.

Top 5 Best Chainsaw For Milling Lumber Reviews!

#1 455 Rancher 2-Stroke Gas-Powered Chain Saw by Husqvarna

455 Rancher 2-Stroke Gas-Powered Chain Saw by Husqvarna. Via: Amazon.com

This is one of the best Husqvarna chainsaws for milling lumber. The 455 Rancher by Husqvarna is known to be one of the most heavy-duty and high-powered chainsaws of its kind. With cutting-edge technology, it is able to handle all kinds of timber no matter how hard. It’s known for having a fast cleaning air filter and x-torq technology engine.

Pros

• It has an x-torq engine technology that can help lower the consumption of fuel by 20%.
• Its technology can also help lower the emissions by 60%.
• It has a low vibration rate.
• It has a very efficient air filter.
• It has a lower risk of engine floods.
• It has a centrifugal air system that helps remove large pieces of dirt.

Cons

• It still finishes fuel quite fast despite having an efficient engine.

#2 460 Rancher 2-Stroke X-Torq Gas-Powered Chain Sa by Husqvarna

460 Rancher 2-Stroke X-Torq Gas-Powered Chain Sa by Husqvarna. Via: Amazon.com

This 460 Rancher is all about longevity and long hours of use. The Husqvarna chainsaw is a heavy-duty and robust chainsaw designed for really shredding timber. It has a high torque with a high rpm range, great for ripping logs with a chainsaw.

Pros

• It comes with a strong and robust x-torq engine that has a high rpm.
• It has a sleek body designed for easy handling.
• It also has a smart start option for easy use.
• It has a choke/stop control.
• It has an efficient quick release air filter.
• It has a three-piece crankshaft, which makes it very durable.

Cons

• The chain doesn’t stick on tight.
• It is quite pricey as compared to other chainsaws of its kind.

#3 460 24-Inch Rancher Chain Saw 60cc by Husqvarna

460 24-Inch Rancher Chain Saw 60cc by Husqvarna. Via:Amazon.com

While this model has very similar features as compared to the 20-inch version, it is bigger and efficient for even heavier duty jobs. When it comes to shaving off trees, this one has the most power. It has a powerful engine that can ensure long usage and total strength when cutting all kinds of wood. This is perfect for forest landowners who cut down timber for a living.

Pros

• It has a two-cycle engine, which means it is a powerful engine that can complete a power cycle in just two strokes.
• It is a very powerful 3.62HP 60cc gas-powered machine.
• It has a low vibration feature and inertia activated chain brake.
• It has a Smart Start feature for easy starting.
• It has a choke/stop control.

Cons

• It’s a bit heavy due to its weight and size.
• It’s quite hard to assemble.

#4 450 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw, 50cc, 20-Inch by Husqvarna

450 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw, 50cc, 20-Inch by Husqvarna. Via:Amazon.com

When it comes to milling chainsaws, this model has a high rpm with x-torq technology and high fast cleaning air filter. Out of the 4, it has the best fuel-saving capacity along with a 0.50 gauge. It comes with 3-32 ounces of pre-mixed fuel to boot. It also has a Smart Start fuel pump in order to make sure that it starts easily.

Pros

• It comes with a 50cc two-cycle engine.
• It has a 0.325-inch pitch that comes with the 0.050 gauge.
• It has an air purge system for easy air filtering.
• It has a choke/stop control to start more easily.

Cons

• It takes a while for it to get started (approximately with 20 pulls).

A Buyer’s Guide for the Best Chainsaw for Milling lumber

If you have experience handling lumber, you’ll know how important chainsaws are. They are the machines that are responsible for tearing down a tree and ripping the big lumber into pieces. This is why most people who deal with wood will always want to buy the best chainsaw for milling. There are a few things that you may want to think about when looking for this best chainsaw for milling on the market.

When you’re looking for your chainsaw, it’s very important to have buying criteria. Here are a few things that you need to take note of when you’re searching for your machine:

Chainsaw Brand

The first thing that you must really consider when buying a chainsaw for milling lumber is the brand. While a lot of people may be tempted to buy the less known brands because they’re cheaper, doing this could be detrimental to performance. This is why it is always recommended to buy the reputable brands such as Husqvarna or Stihl.

Husqvarna is one of the well-known brands of chainsaws on the market.

If you have the best Husqvarna chainsaw model like the Husqvarna 3120 or the best Stihl chainsaw for milling complete with Stihl chainsaw mill attachments, you’ll have no problem when ripping your lumber.

Chainsaw Power

Another thing that you have to take into consideration when looking for a chainsaw is power. The power of your chainsaw depends on the power of the engine. Most people refer to the cc or cubic centiliter of the engine.

Maintaining the engine is crucial to ensuring the health of the chainsaw.

The higher the cc, the more power the engine produces and the more fuel it uses. For example, a 110cc chainsaw will produce more power than a chainsaw that has a lower cc. It will, however, use more fuel since it has to utilize more energy.

Chainsaw Size

You must also consider the size of the chainsaw that you’ll buy. When you consider the size of the chainsaw, you need to look at the size of both the chainsaw itself and the blade. Obviously, the bigger the chainsaw, the more ripping power it has since it will have more capacity to store a bigger engine. If you need more power, then you’d best have a bigger chainsaw.

The blade must also be taken into consideration because you’ll need a bigger blade if you’re going to cut big-sized pieces of wood. Your choice for the best chainsaw blade for milling will depend on what kind of lumber you’re going to cut most of the time.

Chainsaw Chains

The chainsaw chain refers to the set of “teeth” that is attached to the chainsaw bar or chainsaw blade. There are three types of chainsaw chains that you can choose from. These are the standard chains, full skip chains, and semi skip chains. Your choice for the best chainsaw chain for milling depends on what kind of result you want to have.

If you want smooth lumber with very finely powdered sawdust, then you’d most likely want standard chains since it has the most teeth. If you prefer rough lumber that can cut faster, a full skip chain is preferred. If you want something in the middle, then a semi-skip chain is good.

The chainsaw’s teeth determine how smooth the cut is.

So, let’s say you’re looking for the best chainsaw for milling beams. You’ll want to use the full skip chains because texture won’t be such an issue. However, if you need a chainsaw milling lumber, then a standard or probably even semi skip chain is preferred since it can provide a smooth texture on the lumber’s surface.

Price of Chainsaw

The last factor to consider when choosing the best chainsaw for milling is the price. You need to pick the machine that best suits not only your needs and preferences but also your budget. For this, you’ll need to do some homework on how much do chainsaw cost. This way, you’ll have an idea as to how much you must spend when selecting your chainsaw.

Tips On Milling Lumber With a Chainsaw

It’s one thing to choose the best chainsaw for milling but knowing how to use it is another story. So, for the benefit of those who are quite new to milling, here are a few chainsaw milling tips that can help you fully utilize your chainsaw when cutting lumber:

• Start Your Chainsaw Close to the Ground

For safety purposes, never start your chainsaw facing upward because the force from the spin can throw you off balance. Not to mention you might accidentally slice someone beside you. The best way to start a chainsaw is facing the blade downward and holding it close to the ground.

• Ensure that the Tree You’re Cutting is Firmly Planted on the Ground

Once you’ve started picking your tree to cut, the first rule is to make sure that the tree is firmly planted on the ground. If the tree is a bit loose, it might fall down in the wrong direction when you rip it down. You may check by looking at the roots and pushing the tree a bit.

• Never Lift the Chainsaw Above Your Head

Another safety precaution to note is to never lift the chainsaw above your head when it’s on. Doing this may put you in serious danger and may cut you open if you lose your balance.

• Cut a Small Wedge To Direct Where The Tree Falls

Lastly, here’s a small tip to help you direct where your tree falls down. Cut a small wedge in the direction where you want the tree to fall. It should be at least 20 degrees upward. After that, cut another wedge 70 degrees downward connecting to the first wedge. When you start cutting, cut on the opposite side toward the wedge so that the tree will fall where the wedge is. After you reach the wedge, stay clear because the tree will fall.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chainsaw Milling

How often should I sharpen the chains?

Ideally, you should sharpen the chains a little bit before every milling job. However, this can be a bit hard to do if you’re quite busy. The best for this type of scenario is to sharpen the chains around twice per month so that they won’t get dull. Always remember that even if you buy the best chainsaw for milling lumber, it won’t work well if you don’t maintain it.

It’s a must to always sharpen your chains regularly so your chopping goes smooth.

Are bigger chainsaws better?

In terms of power, yes the bigger they are the better because they have bigger engines. However, more power also means higher cost, so it will be up to you whether your budget can fit bigger and more powerful chainsaws. Do take note that a chainsaw like this is also heavier. It is the type of chainsaw for Alaskan mills since they can’t really be held for long. If you want, you may also buy a pro-cut chainsaw mill so that you’ll have an easier time ripping up logs.

Big high-powered chainsaws are ideal for most jobs.

How long should my chainsaw bar/blade be?

This will all depend on the type of lumber you’re cutting. It also depends as to what length of blade your chainsaw can take. Not all chainsaws can take big blades so it’s better to get the blade that fits in perfectly.

What is an auxiliary oil kit and do I need it?

It is a kit used for lubricating the inner part. I would definitely recommend getting one so that you can lubricate your chainsaw when you feel like it’s getting a bit tough to move.

Regularly lubricating your chainsaw keeps it fresh and healthy.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to choose the best chainsaw for milling lumber and learn some tips on how to get the job done, you’re now ready to go out and buy your chainsaw. To help you have an easier time, we selected four of the most recommended Husqvarna chainsaws that you can buy.

Out of the four, I would recommend the 460 24-Inch Rancher Chain Saw 60cc by Husqvarna as the best chainsaw for milling due to its high power engine and heavy-duty nature. It is also the biggest out of the four, making it the best professional chainsaw for big jobs. This is the ideal chainsaw to use if you’re in the lumber business and need to cut down a lot of trees.

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