Documented the process very well. Excellent video. Thank you very much. I have done a lot of this freehand ripping restoring historic log cabins. Keeping the cuts connected at the end with 2-3" of holding wood until you are ready to separate the planks/ boards keeps the log stable. Keeping some wedges immediately available just in case of a pinch is also a good idea. Make a couple of 16-18" V-notched logs (6" diameter is good) to elevate and stabilize your logs. Wedges can be made as you cut "cookies" crosscutting logs. These can also be used to stabilize logs before ripping. Never used a level as long as the bar is true, but a good idea. Advoko Makes channel describes this process very well. Yours is also ione of the best videos on KZfaq showing the process. Well done.

I've been freehand chainsaw milling for a few months now. I'm using a Stihl MS261 (20" bar and 58cc I believe) and my biggest problem is not overheating the saw. I picked up a couple granberg ripping chains and used them for the first time today. They didn't help with the heat problem but it did feel like the saw didn't have to work quite as hard. The finish on the wood is much much cleaner than a cross cut chain, and the speed/total cut time was the same between rip and cross cut chains. I wanted to wait and see how the ripping chain performed before I built a dedicated milling "jig." Now that I've seen it and am happy with it, I'm gonna build Izzy Swan's "50 Dollar Portable Sawmill" and include the winch he added in his more recent "100 Dollar Portable Sawmill" video.

So smart! I appreciate this so much. I nearly killed myself doing this the hard way, no level, no string guide, and after like 6 hours of hard work with my small chainsaw, my cut was basically rubbish. Now Im confident I can get a much straighter cut. Thank you amigo!

Great use of POV. I've just bought a twin battery Makita 16", electric chainsaw and made some pretty nice cookies so far. Now inspired to have a go at a few smaller logs for live edge shelving thanks to your videos. Not needed a spirit level so far as the bar is very true and the wood seasoned and >10% moisture, but I will add one if I need to.

Awesome job man, I’ve been waiting for someone to patiently show how to do this right and not just rush through. You have a new subscriber here! Keep up the good work and God Bless You.

Been using chalk line for 50yrs/hasn't failed yet/perfect every post/next.

Stumbled upon your channel. Great content I will put into practice. Thanks and subbed.

Suggestion: Make v-notches in two logs to rest the log

Thanks for the idea . Great video.

Great video!!!

Thank You very much ,best video ever . After watching your video I can make good boards. Thanks. Craig Pa

Amazing job! Skilled worker!

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing

Dude, your shirt is perfect for cutting

nice work congratulations you kept the cutting field clean. I suggest that when you cut...you walk backwards...never forward, and always on the opposite side of the cut. you could get at least 1 more board by decreasing its thickness. and always reuse the first two peels; you can build the edge of small flower beds or for your vegetable garden best regards from Roma

I like the t-shirt

Greetings from Winston-Salem! I've got a lot of wood to cut up from storm damage and I'd hate to waste it so I think I'm going to try this technique.

i liked your shirt mon, thanks for posting!

Okay.....the levels on the air filter cap are sick! Best idea ever!

Maybe I missed it, but what kind of chain did you use? Is it specifically a ripping chain?

My question: You seem to only be letting the chain rotation "pull" the bar into the work. Do you do that on purpose? I'm wondering about "bar control" pulling the bar toward me versus letting the chain pull the saw into the work... Thanks for taking the time to show your techniques. Gives me more options and ideas for my living situation.

Try to use 070 with 36" bar is way more easy and faster for freehand milling.

I use a angle grinder and cut off all the depth guides on my chain for milling. Cuts like crazy. Cuts the time in half to cut a slab.

Thinking about adding my 24 in bar to my 14 in ryobi 🤦🏿‍♂️ my main saw is down right now

Nice work! Is that the same saw as an Echo Timberwolf 590?

Question: how long did the whole process take? Apologies if I misses you saying it in the video.

What brand/model bubble level do you use? I tried this with a similar looking two way RV bubble level, but the saw vibration broke up the bubble into too many tiny bubbles to be of any use keeping chainsaw bar plumb like you're doing. I'm guessing your bubble level has a more viscous liquid than mine. Look forward to trying again with same level you're using. Thanks for your assistance.

How did this take? Thanks for the instruction! Very helpful! New subscriber here

Do you sharpen your chain at all while cutting the slabs?

What is this kind of spirit lever called? I can't seem to find anything similar where I'm at (EU). I cut my first boards out of some spruce logs, but nowhere near as clean as yours. I'm thinking that the combination of soft wood and gnarly branches might make things more difficult?

Salam sukses 👍🙏

👍👍🙏

Can you show how to do this if the log is bigger than your saw?

Have you ever hit the string?

I see nothing wrong with that shirt.

Dangerous with tip cutting