
Last updated on May 3, 2022 11:09 pm by the writer.
When it comes time to mill your own lumber and you’re on the lookout for the best portable chainsaw mill an Alaskan mill or aftermarket alternative it will let you take your woodworking projects to a whole new level.
Simply attach one of these solidly built guides to your Stihl, Husqvarna, or other branded quality chainsaw, and be ready to mill your own timber slabs.
The best chainsaw mills are lightweight and portable while they cut and process your own timber.
Incorporating both the sourcing and milling of your own timber for your furniture, house, or DIY projects adds another level of authenticity to your craft.
Best portable chainsaw mills
#1 Best value portable chainsaw mill
Carmyra 48″ chainsaw bar, up to 13 inches deep and 48 inches wide cutting
- Solid construction in a lightweight mill.
- This versatile high-quality chainsaw mill cuts the widest at 48”.
- Universal chainsaw compatibility to mill lumber.
- A bit heavier than the Camyra 36”.
#2 Top 36 inch-bar portable chainsaw mill
Carmyra 36″ chainsaw bar, up to 12 inches deep and 36 inches wide cutting
- Can cut narrow wood at depths of 0.50 inches.
- Easily handles up to 13” thick beams.
- Another alternative Alaskan chainsaw mill. for sale at a lower price.
- Questionable quality bar clamps.
#3 The Norwood portable lumber mill
Norwood PM14 24″ chainsaw bar, up to 14 inches deep
- On top of Northwood sawmill reviews, a bigger dedicated portable mill might be better.
- The hand-push feed system operates as an actual sawmill for your lumber operations for less vibration and accurate cuts.
- The most expensive and heaviest.
- Doesn’t cut that wide.
#4 Best Alaskan chainsaw mill
Granberg Alaskan Mark IV Chainsaw 36″ chainsaw bar, up to 13 inches thick and 32 inches wide cutting
- If you’re looking for an Alaskan sawmill for sale with zinc-plated aluminum steel construction, this is the genuine option.
- Lightweight but can handle up to 32” wide beams.
- Some bolts and connecting joints can bend a bit.
#5 Best DIY portable wood mill
Zchoutrade YJBJ01-36 36″ chainsaw bar, up to 13-inch thick and 26-inch wide
- Comes at a pretty low cost.
- Easily handles up to 36” beams.
- Saw attaches without a drilling bar.
- Some sellers ship with missing parts.
#6 Best value small lumber mill
Granberg Alaskan G777 20″ chainsaw bar, up to 13 inches thick and 18 inches wide cutting
- Zinc-plated and the lightest.
- Simple design and very easy to set up and use.
- Can only take 20” bars below.
#7 Cheap chainsaw mill attachment
RCTEC 36″ chainsaw bar, up to 12 inches thick and 36 inches wide cutting
- An efficient mill that cuts the narrowest wood depth at 0.20 inches.
- Comes with a log milling attachment for flat, even cuts.
- Design and mechanisms can use improvement.
#8 An aluminum-framed portable mill
Lukcase Portable mill with 48 ” chainsaw bar, up to 13 inches thick, and 36 inches wide cutting
- Also holds up to 48” bars.
- Aircraft-grade aluminum mill frame.
- Loses out to the Camyra 48” in terms of feature-similarity.
#9 Best low-cost for narrow cutting
CO-Z CMP1436BN 36″ chainsaw bar, up to 12 inches thick and 24 inches wide cutting
- Has the lowest cost.
- Cut up to 24” wide beams at up to 0.50” narrowness.
- Often out of stock.
#10 For light to medium duty cutting
Felled 20″ chainsaw bar, up to 12 inches thick and 24 inches wide cutting
- A good alternative to the Grandberg G777 for 20” bars and below.
- Ideal only for light to medium-duty work.
#11 Smaller mill
Timber Tuff TMS-24 24″ chainsaw bar, up to 12 inches thick and 24 inches wide cutting
- The Timber tuff mill guide has a narrow depth cutting up to 0.20”.
- Lightweight at 13lbs and can cut beams up to 24” wide.
- Some thread-screw holes can be better threaded.
- wide.
- It is better to go bigger so you can do large and small cuts. Bigger mills also balance the motor weight better.
Best edging mill
#1 Best value portable edging mill
Haddon Lumbermaker, 2×4 inches/ 2×6 inches, heavy-duty lumber guide
- This heavy-duty chainsaw mill is also very lightweight.
- Comes with a lumber guide attachment for 2×4 and 2×6 cuts.
- Make plunge cuts and adjust easily from the metal frame.
- Can be tricky to get the correct dimensions.
#2 Best Granberg edging mill
Granberg G555B up to 36 inches cutting, edging mill
- Cuts the deepest at 36”.
- Comes with a 12ft milling machine guide rail.
- Limited efficiency to shorter logs.
#3 Another edging mill
Strongway 24″ bar up to 24 inches cutting, edging mill
- Can fit up to a 24” chainsaw bar and cut logs up to 24” wide.
- Get precision-cut edges.
- Unpredictable stock.
#4 The Timber Tuff heavy-duty edging mill
Timber Tuff TMW-56 5 pack, 2×6 inches, heavy-duty lumber guide
- Includes a 5-pack lumber cutting guide.
- Powder-coated finish for added protection against corrosion.
- Badly designed clamp.
About portable lumber mills
Anyone who takes pride in their woodworking knows what an Alaskan mill is. Also called ‘Alaskan Sawmills’, these serious pieces of equipment basically transform any regular 2 strokes into a portable lumber mill.
Wood has always been an important building material with sawmills processing large quantities of usable lumber.
But by the 20th century, portability had slowly become a trend for keen DIY enthusiasts with a new option to bring milling down to local levels, birthing the apparatus you now know and love, as a chainsaw mill.
These bad boys come in many shapes and sizes and are highly distinguished by seasoned lumberjacks.
While not being a tool for beginners, these tools definitely have a sense of finesse to them. In this guide, we’ll be looking at the best chainsaw mills money can buy.
This tool is another must-have for DIY projects like building a personal table and home furniture or simply trying to earn from woodwork.
Benefits of buying a milling machine
Economic.
When your property has an abundance of wood for furniture and crafts, our chainsaw mill review will potentially save you a lot in terms of production expense on your projects. It virtually eliminates the need to use pricey commercial services or purchase other more expensive wood cutting equipment.
Convenient.
Being portable means that you can technically bring a chainsaw mill anywhere as a DIY enthusiast.
A versatile chainsaw mill allows you to get the work done regardless of your location.
Where ever a tree falls you can go get your own lumber.
Efficient.
The best chainsaw mills work in tandem with a well-operating chainsaw.
Having a variety of chainsaws and blades for different job sizes will not only make your mill more versatile but will also allow you to achieve better quality results with less effort.
Before you buy a chainsaw mill.
1. Know your chainsaw mill brands.
The mill brand you choose should offer top-notch quality as they do cutting prestige. It’s important to be knowledgeable about a tool’s brand before you make a purchase on one of the best chainsaw mills.
To save you time and precious money, validate a brand’s track record and only select from those who already have an established name in the industry.
3. Consider the construction and design.
The mill should look and feel right. It has to be oriented in such a way that allows you to get the most out of it as possible with minimal effort even on some of the largest logs.
All connectors and locks should be properly placed and have a tight fit once set.
The apparatus should not wobble or shake at any point in your operation.
2. Check the durability.
Assessing durability mainly boils down to knowing what materials your mill is made from.
You’d want a new chainsaw mill that is made of steel, aluminum, or both; something solid and is sure to repeatedly withstand the stress and tension of bearing a full day’s work, regardless of the weather and the user.
Heavy-duty steel can be as stated to heavy, alloy is strong, lighter, and doesn’t rust. Ultimately you want a guide that is made from aluminum and stainless steel to resist corrosion.
4. Think about the price.
A portable mill should never cost too much and be an affordable price. At least not more than some of the chainsaws you’d be using with it.
It’s basically a functional frame, so while some may be a tad more expensive, this is with regards to the material and its manufactured finish.
If you deem the price right for the brand and your needs, then that’s probably the ideal choice for you.
If you’re on a tight budget with some spear time you could consider making your own chainsaw mill [1] but I would rather spend that time milling lumber.
Once you have the gear ready to go even as a hobbyist woodworker you will find sourcing your own lumber cost effective.
Difference between chainsaw mills & edging mills
Chainsaw mills
Chainsaw mills are great if you want long, horizontal accurate cuts from a fallen tree to create perfectly sized timber slabs from any wood type.
The portable mills operate by lining up a tree log you want to plank up with the jig.
These mills do well even with large pieces of hardwood, gifting near-perfect pieces of sable lumber timber slabs from 24-36” diameter trunks.
Edging mills
An edging mill is a type of chainsaw mill that’s oriented to cut vertically to clean up the edges later.
It operates in roughly the same way and is compact and great for cutting logs into beams and/or into finished lumber.
You can also use edging mills for refinements; and fine-polishing planks that were already cut prior but need a new edge.
Parts of a chainsaw mill and their uses
Jig. The jig is basically your guide system to help control the bar’s motion. In the case of a chainsaw mill, the jig is what the bar guide mounts to in order to cut straight and securely along logs.
Bar guide. This is the mechanism that allows the chainsaw to trace along a defined path, which in this case is provided for by a jig. As suggested by its name, it guides the bar to ensure that you remain cutting in the same direction.
Additional functions of the bar guide include cut-depth control which is either adjusted via specialized knobs or manually adjusted by unscrewing lock-bolts.
Clamps. Clamps are a necessary safety feature as they hold the bar firmly in place and are responsible for mounting your chainsaw securely.
Ideal chainsaw motor size (cc) and bar length
Here are a couple of standard specifications for choosing motor capacity and bar length for your compatible gas-powered saws.
As a general rule, you should get a bar that’s at least 2” longer than the thickness of the wood you intend to cut with cc being proportional or more than the length of the guide bar.
Light work. Light applications are mostly confined to working with small trees. The wood is thin and rather easy to work with. 14 to 16” bars and a 45 cc motor are enough to take on these kinds of materials.
Large to medium work. If you intend to cut medium or average-sized logs. You’ll benefit from using at least a 65 cc motor and 16 to 36” bars to be able to smoothly handle these pieces.
Heavy work. Some kinds of trees can also be very dense and thick, possibly causing a chainsaw to bind if it’s underpowered. You can avoid this by using an even bigger 90 cc motor and a chainsaw with a bar 42 inches or longer.
Choosing the best chainsaw mill
#1 Top value chainsaw mill
The title says it all, the Carmyra 48″ is the best overall pick. It has great flexibility as it is able to mount any chainsaw, even those with the longest bar lengths.
While it does have some heft to it, you can still easily carry it around. It cuts the widest out of all the mills – beams 13” thick and up to 48” wide – but also narrowly, capable of cutting at 0.50-inch depths.
A less expensive alternative to the Alaskan Grandbergs, the carmyra portable chainsaw mill is sure to hasten the completion of even your biggest and most demanding projects in the future as well as medium to large-sized jobs now.
With its aluminum and stainless steel body it is one of the best chainsaw mills for its value.
#1 Best valued Alaskan mill for small jobs
The Grandberg G777 is the best chainsaw mill available on the market.
If you are keen on portability, then this beauty is a perfect fit, one with its mix of aesthetics, easy assembly, and straightforward handling.
The G777 is able to house up to 20” bars, which is perfect if you’re a local builder or homeowner.
Incredibly light and made of zinc-plated steel, this little guy is sure to last you a long time, save money, and get your wooden beams and slabs cut smoothly.
#1 Most affordable chainsaw mill
Mill logs with the RCTEC 36” if you absolutely need a chainsaw mill. It’s a must for those woodworkers working on a tight budget ready to make a purchase and get covered in sawdust.
For what you pay, you get a sturdy aluminum steel mill that’s capable of cutting very narrow depths up to 0.20 inches.
It’s big and efficient, and able to fit bars 12-36 inches long while capable of sawing through wood up to 12 inches thick.
Tackle any job at a fraction of the price with this robust frame in an adaptable mill.
#1 Top edging mill
The Haddon Lumbermaker is definitely the best edging mill, bar none. It’s lightweight and compatible with any regular chainsaw, making it able to take on virtually any kind of job.
To add to its versatility, it comes with a heavy-duty lumber guide to easily make 2×4 and 2×6 planks and slabs.
The Lumbermaker is simple to assemble and use. Its pivoting saw can make plunge cuts and allows for depth-adjustment on the fly.
Couple that with its amazing lightness and surprisingly high-quality construction, and you get a portable sawmill that’s as effective as it is convenient.
Portable chainsaw mills vs a Bandsaw mill
What type of portable sawmill to use depends mainly on your specific needs. If you are already bigger than a small-time logger and need to meet client orders and production quotas, then you’re better off investing in the larger and more expensive bandsaws. Bandsaws are specifically built to handle larger and denser wood while maintaining consistent and precise results.
You’ll want to go with a chainsaw mill if you dabble more in small or medium-sized jobs. Mills are definitely more portable than bandsaws. They are also less expensive and help in further reducing costs by eliminating the need for other equipment, especially when working with smaller materials.
What are ripping chains and when to use them?
A ripping chain is a specialty chain that’s used for specific milling purposes.
As opposed to other types of chains, ripping chains cut, at an angle, along the wood grain instead of across the veins and pores.
Use ripping chains if you want your pieces to have a more polished/refined finish.
Their semi-chiseled nature ensures that they remain sharper for longer and their damage-resistant construction saves you money from replacements in the long run.

Other tools that go with Mills
1st and foremost, the best tool to have along with these portable sawmills is of course a chainsaw.
You’d also want a quality chainsaw that really is responsible for the end result, a model that will serve you well and last you a long time without maintenance.
If a sword is only as good as the one who wields it, then a chainsaw mill is only as good as the chainsaw that it wields.
To make things easier, check out my thoughts on the best husqvarna chainsaw.
And my cordless chainsaw guide if you’re looking for a safer trimming machine for around the home.
If you want the bee’s knees set-up, it’d also be good to have the best thickness planer just in case you want to make a smooth surface and set lumber to an exact thickness for furniture making.
Use thickness planers to remove small excesses of material to end up with an even thickness slab.
Storing and maintaining a chainsaw mill
You should preferably store your chainsaw mill in the same space as your chainsaw, seeing how they go hand-in-hand. Doing this makes both easier to access and keep. We advise covering it for a little added protection when not in use.
If you have multiple levels of storage, then it’d be wise to have the mill on the lower ones; this reduces the risk of it falling, avoiding possible damage and injury.
Lastly, give it a quick wipe or wash down after you use it, this will help prolong its life and maintain a pristine appearance. You can also give it a spray with silicone spray on any moving parts if left in storage for a long time.
Steps in setting up portable mills
If you know how to work a chainsaw, then setting up the mill won’t be too complicated.
- Follow the instruction to assemble all the necessary components before starting your woodworking project.
- Plan the 1st cut as it is the most vital.
- Set up the jig along with the selected piece, then level and secure.
- Clamp the chainsaw onto the guide bar. Make sure it’s tight and secure.
- Start the motor and give it a few revs to warm it up.
- Adjust cutting-depth, then mount onto the jig.
- Move along horizontally (vertically for edge mills) until you reach the piece’s end.
- Repeat with the next cuts.
Tips for using a chainsaw mill
Dos
- Make sure your chosen mill bar capacity can fit your chainsaw bar length.
- Always wear the appropriate protective gear with a high-quality tool.
- Use a lightweight aluminum and stainless steel mill.
- Work in single strokes for best results.
- Use your body weight to push and control the guide bar, rather than force.
- Get a second person to help if you need it.
- Have a safe chainsaw mill setup by clearing an open space with no tripping hazards.
- Make sure that your saw has enough power for different bar lengths, deep cuts and larger logs.
Don’ts
- Never work with just either gloves or goggles, regardless of task size.
- Don’t go back and forth between segments, you’re not carving.
- Don’t overexert force on just 1 side of the guide bar. Distribute pushing evenly on both ends.
Safety concerns
- Protecting your face is a priority. Wear safety glasses and a mask to avoid inhaling sawdust [2] and to guard against small flying wood chips.
- Make sure that the logs are secure and that the bar is properly positioned to reduce risk in the event of a chain break.
- Always use the appropriate chainsaw for the job, too little a saw on too big a piece increases the risk of the bar sticking, possibly causing major kickback which can lead to injury or worse.
- Not all chainsaw mills are safe, check the components are secured every time before the operation.
Comparing portable mills
Carmyra 48" bar | Carmyra 36" bar | Norwood PM14 | Granberg Alaskan Mark IV | Zchoutrade YJBJ01-36 | Granberg Alaskan G777 | RCTEC 36" bar | Lukcase Portable Chainsaw 48" bar | CO-Z CMP1436BN | Felled 20" bar | Timber Tuff TMS-24 24 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Verdict: | Top portable chainsaw mill | Best value chainsaw mill | Best low-cost | ||||||||
Bar size: | 14 to 48 inches | 14 to 36 inches | up to 24 inches | up to 36 inches | 14 to 36 inches | 16 to 20 inches | 12 to 36 inch | 14 to 48 inches | 14 to 36 inches | up to 20 inches | 12 to 24 inch |
Cutting capacity (depth) : | 0.5 to 13 inches | 0.5 to 12 inches | up to 14 inches | 0.5 to 13 inches | 0.5 to 13 inches | 0.5 to 13 inches | 0.20 to 12 inches | 0.5 to 13 inches | 0.5 to 12 inches | 0.5 to 12 inches | 0.20 to 12 inch |
Cutting capacity (max width): | 48 inches | 36 inches | up to 8 inches | 32 inches | 36 inches | 18 inches | 36 inches | 36 inches | 24 inches | 24 inches | 24 inches |
Weight: | 19 lbs | 14 lbs | 92 lbs | 20 lbs | 15 lbs | 17 lbs | 17 lbs | 19 lbs | 18 lbs | 16 lbs | 14 lbs |
Material: | Stainless steel and aluminum | Aluminum and steel | Aluminum and steel | Aluminum and zinc-plated steel | Aluminum and steel | Aluminum and zinc-plated steel | Stainless steel and aluminum | Stainless steel and aluminum | Stainless steel and aluminum | Stainless steel and aluminum | Stainless steel and aluminum |
Comparing edging mills
Haddon Lumbermaker | Granberg G555B | Strongway | Timber Tuff TMW-56 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Verdict: | Top edging mill | |||
Cutting capacity: | 2 x 2 inches, 2 x 6 inches | 36 inches | 24 inches | 2 x 6 inches |
Weight: | 4 lbs | 6 lbs | 6.27 lbs | 3.61 lbs |
Material: | Steel | Aluminum and steel | Aluminum and steel | Heavy-duty steel |
Conclusion
When it’s time to decide on the top-rated chainsaw mills the Carmyra portable chainsaw mill 48″ is the best chainsaw mill, in our chainsaw mill reviews period. It’s big, solid, flexible, and can cut really wide pieces of wood. I mean, what more can you ask from a sawmill right?
Up the next alley is the Grandberg G777. This lightweight, zinc-plated mini mill is the ideal choice for casual woodworkers and budding milling enthusiasts for its nice mix of function and portability.
Of course, we can’t leave out the most affordable RCTEC 36”. It cuts really narrowly and can support some of the longest bars for the biggest logs.
Lastly, the Haddon Lumbermaker does wonders as the best edging mill thanks to its compactness and efficient design.
And that wraps up our guide about the best chainsaw mills.
With the correct one, your pace and production will surely increase.
Meanwhile, you can check out my recommended top-performing gasoline chainsaw here.
Carmyra 48″ review
Pros:
- The solid construction is lightweight and portable.
- This portable milling machine cuts the widest logs at up to 48”.
- Universal chainsaw compatibility.
Cons:
- A bit heavier than the smaller Camyra 36”.
#1 Best durable chainsaw mill
Haddon Lumbermaker review
Pros:
- Very lightweight.
- Comes with a lumber guide attachment for 2×4 and 2×6 cuts.
- Make plunge cuts and adjust easily for trimming to maximum thickness.
Cons:
- None.
#1 Best edging mill
More information:
- How to build your own chainsaw mill can be found here, https://www.instructables.com/Chainsaw-Mill-Build-Use-Tips-n-Tricks/
- Inhaling sawdust can cause health concerns you need to make sure to wear a mask, https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/wood_dust.html

My name is Aaron, welcome to Bangingtoolbox.com, and thank you for reading my article.
As a qualified builder, site supervisor, and DIY’er, my purpose at Bangingtoolbox is to help provide and help build the #1 building and DIY resource on the internet to help educate and train young men wanting to get ahead with some practical skills.
I’m here to show – How and why to start DIY as either a hobby or as a career. And to help qualified professionals with objective and unbiased building and equipment information.
Have a look around, and don’t hesitate to ask me any questions, you can find out more about me here.