Wide slabber mill

[Kevin Bourque]

Anyone ever build their own dedicated slabber mill for cutting slabs 48" and wider? I've seen the Peterson and some others, but they are very $$$ so I'm thinking about building one myself.

[Jim Andrew]

THis is a question for the forestry forum. Lots of guys have built mills on that forum. forestryforum.com

[ray hampton]

48 " slabs ? are you talking about cutting stone or wood

[Kevin Bourque]

I have several logs in my inventory which exceed 48", and a few that are 60"+.

[george newbury]

This really calls for lots of $$$$ or a Chainsaw Mill (CSM). With a CSM there are a couple of approaches, basically one head or two.
Not including the chainsaw the costs are about $200 plus for the frame and about $450 for a 72" bar for a 120CC chainsaw.

When you get logs much over 36" and you want to make slabs you'll need a 41" plus bar and a saw over 90CC. Or two 90CC saws.

I was planning on going the 2 headed route until I stumbled across a Stihl 088 for a really good price.

A good site for specifically CSM is arboristsite.com

[Scott T Smith]

Kevin, I have built one that's suitable for up to 72" logs (30 hp / 84" long slabbing bar), and there are a LOT of challenges involved in the design, manufacture and optimization of a slabber. You have to swap chains after making every pass too, and you can easily tie up a couple of grand just in chains.

An Oscar 52 sawmill from Hudson may be a better option. For one thing, the kerf is less and the bands cost significantly less than chains.