How to edge your own lumber? After milling timber slabs

Need to cut dimensional lumber from slabs?

The solution? Edge your own lumber!

According to Aaron Barnett of BangingToolbox: If there’s any fundamental woodworking skill that anyone with a craft shop or a builder will find so beneficial to have, it must be milling their own lumbers.

I’ve had plenty of logs and slabs in the yard and more trees to cut before.

All I can say is that a chainsaw, including a portable chainsaw mill and edging attachment, can do so many wonders.

I say that every man who wants to be productive by milling lumber around must have the right milling attachments; you dont need to own larger sawmills.

You can create many things: building a table, chairs, furniture, shelves, artwork, frames, and more. By using an edging mill attachment, you can clean the sides of a wooden slab in addition to a chainsaw mill attachment.

In this guide, we’ll teach you how to use a milling attachment to edge your own lumber and cut logs straight and flat.

How to edge lumbers with an edging mill?

What do you need?

• Wood slabs/ logs
• Chainsaw
• Edging mill attachment
• Rail system/ or a timber guide
• Chainsaw chap pants
• Safety gloves
• Safety goggles

• Safety earmuffs
• Face protection
• Log support/ saw horse
• Wedges
• Tape measure or ruler
• Laser level
• Wood clamps
• Socket set and wrenches

1. Wear protective equipment.

Any work with a chainsaw or power tool includes safety risks. For the edging lumbers, wear ear muffs, gloves, and safety goggles.

Edging lumber generates sawdust.  If you have a full-faced respirator, it is much better.

Protect yourself from possible kickbacks. Make it a habit to check your tool before using it.

2. Check your chainsaw.

Performing a visual inspection of the chainsaw is a must. Ensure that the chain is tight and still loose enough. 

Also, check the chain for sharpness and any missing teeth. Remember that dull chainsaw chains will add more stress to the motor. 

Of course, we do not want rough cuts on the edges of the lumber either. With this condition, the chainsaw becomes more difficult to control and can run with more risk. 

So, if you need to untangle the chainsaw chain, lubricate your chainsaw and check its sharpness regualry.

Also, remember to check the chainsaw bar directly. Check for any signs of wear and tear and replace if necessary. 

Make sure the starter rope pulls smoothly.  And the chain brake must stop chain movement immediately. 

If you know that your chainsaw is in good condition and the cutting oil level is topped up, you can now assemble your edging mill attachment.

3. Set up the edging mill.

To set up the edging mill, attach the chainsaw bar with the mounting points located at the base plate.

Tighten the bolts to hold the chainsaw bar using a handheld ratchet. Once attached, the chainsaw is held vertically to the edging mill.

4. Secure the slab in place.

Because of the chainsaw position, you must secure the slab or log higher so the chainsaw won’t touch the ground while sawing. You can use a makeshift saw horse and wedges to ensure the log won’t roll off or sandwich down on the blade, causing kickback. 

There are two methods you can try before you can cut dimensional lumbers.

The first one is to cut the log with a chainsaw mill into slabs before using the edging mill.

Some operators edge the logs first before slabbing them. But for me, it’s pretty easy to edge lumbers after you have sliced the logs into slabs. 

Either way, you must secure them before you set up the rail.

Use woodworking clamps for this task and help reduce the risks of kickback, vibration, and the possibility of the board falling out of place.

5. Measure and mark the slab.

Determine your preferred size of the beam or board. With your tape measure or ruler, set their dimensions by measuring and marking cutting guides.

Also, I will use a laser level to ensure the lines are aligned perfectly. This tool will help you set up the rail guide easily.

6. Set up the rail guide.

There are different rail guides used on edging mill attachments. Some models use a pre-cut timber that is then screwed into the slab.

Some models use a tracking system fitted to the base plate of the edging mill. Either way, you have to screw them into the wood.

But you need to follow the markings you made to ensure proper alignment.

Once the rail guide is set up on top of the slab, the chainsaw must now be in a vertical position. Set depth according to your preferred board thickness, and finish cutting through the depth of the log.

7 . Warm up the chainsaw.

The rail guide and slab are set, and you are almost ready to edge lumber. But you need to ensure the chain is running perfectly.

Activate the chain brake off. Next, pull the starter rope. Repeat this process until the engine fires up.

Warm up your chainsaw by revving it up. It must be able to idle and accelerate smoothly. 

Release the choke and let the engine idle. It must reach an optimal temperature to operate.

Try the throttle and check for responsiveness. This measure should help distribute the oil on the chain. See the oil level if the blade is not lubricated and cutting smoothly.

Warming up the chainsaw helps it edge lumber smoothly, and ensures longer motorlife.

8. Make the first cut.

After warming the chainsaw up, place your edging mill assembly on the track, turn the chainsaw on, and make the first cut.

Simply push the edging mill, following the track up to the end.

9. Follow with subsequent cuts.

To follow subsequent cuts, adjust the guide rail to the other side and the pre-determined width you want to cut.

Create parallel cuts and use the track to maintain the thickness of the board.

Repeat the process so you’ll have a uniform stack of wooden boards and beams for your vintage housing project.

Now you have squared your slabs!

You can now proceed with your woodworking projects! 

Need to smoothen your boards? You can use a power bench planer or electric hand planer to prepare it for your next woodworking crafts!

There are many things you can do with your slabs. Imagine when you can build bench seatings, signages, shelving units, wall art, and more.

Any serious woodworker would love to have an edging and chainsaw mill along with their power sander, circular saw, or wood router.

Having your woodworking tools provides more room for creativity, customization, and independence.

By milling your lumber, you do not have to rely on outside parties to process your lumber from milling to finishing lumber.

And of course, to be more creative in your craft!