The Best Chainsaw Mills, Reviewed - Top Picks by Bob Vila

Oct 14, 2024

By Bob Beacham

Updated on Aug 29, 2024 1:34 PM EDT

Reviewed By Stephanie Cronk

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Processing logs using one of the best chainsaw mills is a cost-effective alternative to buying lumber, as store-bought wood is often expensive and can vary in quality considerably. A portable chainsaw sawmill provides complete control over beam and board sizes and allows for close monitoring of quality. As a smaller-scale alternative to larger portable sawmills, which are ideal for more frequent and serious sawing, chainsaw mills are also much more affordable.

Chainsaw log mills provide a versatile, portable, easy-to-use solution. Many portable lumber mills are also very affordable, particularly for those who already own a good chainsaw for felling or cutting firewood. Jarrod Rodgers is a sawyer and woodworker who owns Second Life Design, a custom woodworking business based in Rantoul, Illinois. He says, “The DIY aspect of a chainsaw mill is a big appeal, and I use my chainsaw mill in my driveway in the middle of town.” That said, the best chainsaw mills aren’t particularly common tools, so many people don’t understand which features are important.

This guide offers some helpful tips and suggestions while also providing a detailed look at some of the best chainsaw mill attachments available. In-depth market analysis and thorough product vetting were conducted to assemble this list of top picks.

Using the criteria above, we chose the following products as our top picks. These are some of the best chainsaw mills currently available on the market.

The Granberg Alaskan MKIV chainsaw mill takes top honors for its build quality, ease of use, and versatile functionality.

The sturdy construction combines heavy-duty zinc-plated steel and aircraft-grade aluminum. It takes around 30 minutes to assemble, but once assembled, clamping and adjustment are fast thanks to clearly marked depth scales. At only 20 pounds, it’s portable, too.

The Granberg Alaskan MKIV chainsaw mill is designed to take a maximum 36-inch chainsaw, and the manufacturer recommends a motor capacity of 70 cubic centimeters (cc) or better. It can take smaller chainsaws, but if you’re working with a smaller chainsaw, consider a lower-cost mill: the Granberg isn’t cheap. The bar clamp takes 3 to 4 inches from the cutting capacity, so using a 20-inch bar, for example, restricts the cut to around 16 inches.

Get the Granberg G778 chainsaw mill at Amazon, Northern Tool + Equipment, Walmart or Acme Tools.

Product Specs

We chose the Zozen chainsaw mill as our best bang for the buck pick based on its competitive price point, solid construction, ease of use, and portability. It’s made of quality alloy and steel, and the bar is adjustable from 14 to 36 inches.

Included with the chainsaw mill are four felling wedges that serve to ensure a more precise cut when milling. The adjustable handle is convenient for allowing even pressure while moving through the log. It’s very lightweight at only 19 pounds, and the portable design allows for backyard milling or easy transportation to more remote locations when required.

Get the Zozen chainsaw mill at Amazon or Sawyer Supply.

The Carmyra chainsaw mill uses the same popular and effective design as many competitors. The manufacturer uses a combination of steel and aluminum, resulting in a good balance between strength and portability.

This 24-inch model is particularly suitable for those who only need to mill small to medium-size logs. As is common, the clamp reduces the overall cutting width, in this case by approximately 4½ inches. This results in a maximum cut of little more than 18 inches. While it’s smaller than many competitors, the Carmyra still produces planks that are useful for a wide variety of projects. For those who mill lumber infrequently or need relatively low lumber volumes, the 24-inch Carmyra is a good choice at a competitive price.

Get the Carmyra 24-inch chainsaw mill at Amazon.

The Timber Tuff TMW-56 is called a cutting guide rather than a chainsaw mill because it operates slightly differently. Nevertheless, it produces similar results, and its cutting capacity is limited only by the size of the chainsaw used.

The heavy-duty steel guide is designed to run along a piece of store-bought lumber, such as a 2×2, 2×4, or 2×6. The user simply nails or screws the store-bought board to a log, bolts the chainsaw bar to the Timber Tuff, and runs the guide along the board. Cutting widths are defined by where users position the board for each cut.

While setting up each cut takes a little more time and care than other types of chainsaw mills, it is light, simple, effective, and comes at a very low cost.

Get the Timber Tuff chainsaw mill at Amazon, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Co., Target, or Grainger.

Those needing to saw large logs will want to take a closer look at this 48-inch Carmyra chainsaw mill. Even with some width loss due to the clamping mechanism, it can still saw boards up to an impressive 43½ inches wide. Like its smaller counterparts, it also has the versatility to mill thicknesses from just ½ inch up to 13 inches.

The design is popular and well proven. It uses a combination of steel for toughness and durability with aluminum to keep the weight manageable. Despite the heavy-duty nature of this chainsaw mill, it weighs only 16½ pounds.

Although rated for chainsaws as small as 14 inches, some bars are too narrow to accommodate the clamp. However, in reality, those with small chainsaws have no need for a mill this large.

Get the Carmyra 48-inch chainsaw mill at Amazon.

Granberg classifies its G777 as a small-log chainsaw mill. While capacities aren’t equal to the Alaskan MKIV, the G777 is a quality tool that offers versatility in cutting depth. It’s also more compact and lighter than the Alaskan MKIV, making it ideal for field use when more modest log sizes are available.

The G777 tracks across the board’s surface like other horizontal mills, but it’s only supported on one side. As a result, users should take care when setting up the first cut. Subsequent cuts also require focus to maintain accuracy, though most users should acclimate to the tool quickly.

Get the Granberg G777 chainsaw mill at Amazon, Northern Tool + Equipment, or Acme Tools.

Featuring a design similar to the Granberg Alaskan MKIV, the XRKJ is a low-cost horizontal chainsaw mill that’s constructed from quality materials. For the occasional user, it also offers good value for the money.

Steel and aluminum construction means that it’s not only strong but also lightweight. Unfortunately, build quality seems to vary, which might make assembly frustrating. Although the minimum bar size is listed as 12 inches, the resulting maximum cut is only around 8 inches. Additionally, chainsaws of that size are unlikely to provide sufficient power, so a 20-inch chainsaw is the smallest practical size.

Get the XRKJ chainsaw mill at Amazon.

As the owner of a large property, I have considerable experience with chainsaws. I am also an engineer by profession, so I have a good understanding of the structure and function of chainsaw mills. When selecting our top picks, I used the following criteria:

A chainsaw mill (also called a “chainsaw sawmill” or “Alaskan sawmill”) isn’t a particularly complicated device. However, chainsaw mills possess a number of key features that differentiate them, which has a big impact on choice.

Chainsaw mill compatibility can be considered in two ways: in terms of power requirement or whether a particular make or model of chainsaw will fit the device.

Similar to choosing the best wood chipper to cut branches and twigs into mulch, cutting planks with a chainsaw mill requires a saw with considerable power. While a few cordless chainsaws offer comparable performance for tree felling or log cutting, milling takes a lot of energy and soon drains the battery. The challenge with even the best corded electric chainsaws is overheating. While a safety cutout usually prevents damage to the saw, it makes them impractical for milling.

That leaves gas-powered chainsaws as the only sensible choice. When describing compatibility with a chainsaw, chainsaw mill manufacturers often describe their tools as fitting “most types of chainsaw.” However, restrictions exist in bar length, so a minimum engine displacement (defined in cubic centimeters) is suggested. While some mills clamp the chainsaw bar, a few require it to be drilled to affix it, something many users would rather avoid.

Chainsaws are usually described by their bar length: 16 inches, 24 inches, etc. When considering chainsaw mills, bar size has a major impact on the maximum diameter of log that can be milled and, thus, the width of plank produced.

However, the stated dimensions can sometimes be misleading. If the mill clamps the bar end, as many do, it reduces the length available for cutting. While bar size is important for fitting the chainsaw to the mill, users will also want to check the mill’s cut size to determine its actual capacity.

Cutting depth is another key feature, and it depends on the type of chainsaw mill chosen. Some cut with the chainsaw held vertically (often called “edging mills”). These offer unlimited versatility, but repeatable accuracy is more challenging. Other mills cut with the chainsaw mounted horizontally, which can be set to a consistent thickness. Most run from ½ inch to 12 inches, though cuts as thin as ⅕ inch are possible. Some large-capacity models can exceed 15 inches.

Small chainsaw mills frequently arrive ready to go right out of the box, but larger models generally require some assembly. Hardware is invariably included, and the tools may be, but the user may need to grab a couple of wrenches. These chainsaw mills are not complicated devices, but the quality of their instructions varies.

As mentioned, most chainsaw mills clamp the chainsaw bar. Some require drilling, which entails extra work. It’s probably best to avoid those models, as many options exist that don’t require drilling.

Chainsaw mills fall into two categories: edging mills and horizontal mills. Edging mills must be run on a board mounted to the log, and they’re generally used for squaring up logs for building purposes rather than for cutting multiple planks. Horizontal mills rest on top of the log and cut consistent plank thicknesses. Adjustment is usually straightforward via a couple of bolts.

One of the biggest advantages of a chainsaw mill is portability. They often weigh just 4 or 5 pounds; even the larger horizontal models seldom go over 20 pounds. Because they’re so lightweight, users can easily take the mill to the felled tree and work on-site. With only the cut lumber to move, a trailer or pickup truck often is sufficient to transfer the wood.

Construction materials are typically a mix of steel and aluminum. Steel offers great strength, so it’s used for the main structural components that hold things together. Chainsaw mills are often electroplated (usually with zinc, nickel, or chrome) to protect against rust. Aluminum is much lighter, so it’s generally used for guide rails. Look for a rugged build with consistent welds and metal with substantial thickness or cross section.

Chainsaw mills are a reasonably simple tool to use, but always follow basic safety precautions. Also, take a couple of important steps when setting up the mill to ensure consistent, quality results.

The sections above offer an in-depth look at the technical aspects of chainsaw mills, followed by real-world examples. Together, they give the mill buyer extensive information on the subject. However, in researching this article, a number of questions came up that benefit from separate answers.w the mill clamps the chainsaw blade has an impact, so check the chainsaw mill’s specifications carefully.

If you’re looking for an affordable, easily portable tool for sawing a modest number of logs per year, the chainsaw mill is probably the better choice, especially if you already own a suitable chainsaw. A bandsaw mill offers higher productivity and less waste, but most are a lot more expensive. They are more likely to appeal to those who are milling logs commercially.

Each chainsaw mill has a maximum size chainsaw that will fit it. As this is one of those occasions when you can never have too much power, experts recommend using the biggest chainsaw possible within the specifications of the chosen mill.

Often you can, but it depends on the mill. Most chainsaw mills offer a degree of versatility; however, it’s important to check the minimum size. Usually, this is around 14 inches. That said, a chainsaw with a bar that short might not have the necessary power to cut effectively. Also, remember that a smaller bar length restricts the size of logs you can cut.

There are numerous models of Alaskan mills, ranging from the smallest, which can take a 12-inch chainsaw, to the largest, which can use a 60-inch chainsaw. It is important not to underestimate your needs. Choose a chainsaw that will comfortably cut the diameter of logs you use regularly. Remember that clamping the chainsaw bar will usually reduce the usable length by 3 or 4 inches.

Chainsaw milling is not a fast process. A lot depends on the log size and material density. Pine, for example, is easier to saw than oak. Knots or twisted grain will have an impact, as will the chain’s sharpness and power. With so many variables, it’s difficult to be precise, though most experts suggest between 10 and 20 minutes per cut as an average.

When it comes to chainsaw mill work, the more power, the better. This is both for cutting speed and minimizing the stress on the chainsaw motor. Experts suggest a 50cc gas chainsaw as an absolute minimum, though 70cc and above is typically recommended. Additionally, using one of the best chainsaw bar oils will keep the exterior moving parts of the saw operating smoothly.

A standard chainsaw chain is designed to cut across the tree trunk for felling or cutting logs for firewood. Effectively, this means you’re cutting across the grain. A ripping chain is designed to cut with the grain along the length of the trunk, so it’s better when using a chainsaw mill.

Each chainsaw mill has a maximum depth of cut and maximum width. How the mill clamps the chainsaw blade has an impact, so check the chainsaw mill’s specifications carefully.

Contributing Writer

Bob Beacham is an engineer by trade and has spent 35 years working on everything from auto parts to oil rigs. He is also an avid DIY enthusiast. Bob started writing for the Bob Vila team in 2020 and covers tools, outdoor equipment, and home improvement projects.

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