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Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / rail system for granberg
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doglvr
Member
# Posted: 11 Apr 2020 02:37pm - Edited by: doglvr
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I need to slab off one side flat on log pulins that I will be using for my cabin. I am going to purchase a granberg chainsaw mill but need a rail system that is at least 20-22 ft long. I thought about purchasing a $250 20' single length aluminum ladder (for other applications as well) and thought that might be a good rail system (though it might be a pain to get it set up on 10" logs). Not sure what size granberg would be best due to the width of the ladder? Hate to dish out $400 to get a 20' rail system through granberg that would be used for slabbing just one side. Any suggestions?

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 11 Apr 2020 05:20pm
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Why not just buy a 20' 2x6?
16' is not the max length they sell. That's the max length big box stores sell.

doglvr
Member
# Posted: 11 Apr 2020 05:26pm
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Are you saying to just use a 2x6x20' and level off as a rail system?

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 11 Apr 2020 09:11pm
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Yes. Or 2x8 2x10 what ever you desire. You could even use a piece of aluminum square stock although prob not cheaper than a ladder. It can be anything flat and long.

doglvr
Member
# Posted: 11 Apr 2020 10:29pm
Reply 


Thanks Brettny. I have seen videos like that with wood rails but with much shorter cuts. A little worried about getting it completely level for that long of a run using wood but I appreciate the feedback. Probably worth trying first before dumping $250 on a ladder.

paulz
Member
# Posted: 11 Apr 2020 11:14pm
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What about using something thinner, like a 1x12, with 1x4 or 6 screwed vertically on the sides to keep it from sagging? That's a long run for a flat 2x.

Been awhile since I used one, the beauty of which is that after the first cut the slabs are simple. Doesn't help you though..

DartNorth
Member
# Posted: 12 Apr 2020 02:41am
Reply 


You should be able to get a steel std that long I would assume. It would be straighter than just 2x material. You may need to attach some 2x material to make it stiffer though.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 12 Apr 2020 06:26am
Reply 


A 2x6/8/10 with 2x4 screwed to each side would help stiffen it up like paulz is saying.

At the end of the day I would expect a very rough cut no matter how you do it.

doglvr
Member
# Posted: 12 Apr 2020 06:31am
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DartNorth, Just checked Lowes and they have 6"x10' sections for $15. You might be on to something there. That does sound like a better alternative!

Aklogcabin
Member
# Posted: 12 Apr 2020 10:52am
Reply 


I’ve also thought about this a lot. The aluminum ladder always wins out as the best option in my mind. The granburg or alaska mill both depend on a flat plane. So needs 2 rails. Could you set your mill up so that it would stand alone. Independent of having to attach it to each log. So that you’re logs could be placed underneath it and secured. You could use wedges to raise the cut line on the log up to the saw .
My concern with using lumber as rails is you will always be chasing the warp in the wood. And the closer to high humidity areas the more it is going to move. Every time the season changes.
You can get some pretty nice lumber out of these little mills. And if you have any long term access to wood and plan on building things. Doing this a while. Why not set it up more permanent.

Al Burton
Member
# Posted: 12 Apr 2020 01:57pm
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watch what the guy in this video uses. Best system I have seen yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqg_MVbe4Wg

darz5150
Member
# Posted: 12 Apr 2020 06:02pm - Edited by: darz5150
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Started slabbing out this Box Elder to make cabinet doors and drawer faces for a buddy of mine.
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AK Seabee
Member
# Posted: 12 Apr 2020 07:56pm
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Pretty grain

darz5150
Member
# Posted: 13 Apr 2020 05:46pm
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Did some more today.
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