nano-mill from portable band saw with protool SBP285 vs mafell z5 in use

[Andrius]

Hello,
As changing climate (storms or snow) create a lot of fallen and dry wood logs - there is a need of resawing them into slabs without bothering with heavy logistics towards and back from stacionary mill.
i'm contemplating of DIY solution like Alaska style chainsaw mill, but instead of chain saw mill use small portable band saw - something like Protool SBP 285 or Mafell Z5. The second is tree times more expensive (1keur vs 3keur) if second hand market is to consider, but almost twice more poverfull and has bigger saw length (305mm(12") 2250Watt vs 1300watts and 285mm cut length(around 11"). Protool has induction motor and is heavier(19kg/42lbs) vs (13.7 kg / 30.2 lbs) Mafell with brushed motor.
Is induction motor or brushed motor is better for milling logs into slabs?
Portable band saw might also have other use in the wood workshop, but question point is in using it for milling small logs, a feet in diameter or the like.
Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Peter Kelly]

I don't think either of those saws will accommodate much more than a 8mm wide blade and I can near guarantee you won't be happy with the cut quality over the length of even a narrow log as the band will wander all over the place.

You'd be much better served with a Logosol mill and a 80cc or larger chainsaw.https://www.logosol.com/sawmills/chain-sawmills/timberjig-mini-sawmill

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Hi Andrius,

That's a clever idea, but as Peter Kelly points out, I don't think the portable bandsaws would be appropriate for the task. I can't speak to the Protool, but the Mafell Z5 is really best suited for cutting curves at the end of timbers.

I absolutely don't want to dissuade someone from embarking on a creative endeavor, but if you were a friend asking my opinion, I'd make the gentle suggestion that this is a wheel which has already been invented and pretty well refined.

Best wishes and good on your pursuits, and be safe out there!  [big grin]

 

[squall_line]

When I was researching options a few years ago, one thing I came across was that chainsaw mills, depending on slab thickness, can end up providing you with almost as much sawdust as lumber.  The kerf size compared to a bandsaw is enormous, so I wouldn't expect to get much lumber from a 12" log and a chainsaw mill.