The comment about chainsaw millwork being "rough" sounds crazy. I quartered a 24' long 3' diameter black walnut log with a Stihl chainsaw and an Oregon a Granberg rip chain, using a steel bracket and a nailed-on 2x6 guide rail, so my buddy and I could drag the quarters out to where a giant diesel bandsaw could work them. The rip chain cuts were like glass compared to the ribbed bandsaw cuts - you don't even need to plane the boards if the chainsaw is rigidly controlled, just touch 'em up with a fine sander. I'm sorry to say I don't remember the make of bandsaw; it was on a trailer more than 20' long, though, and looked around six feet from hub to hub. As long as you use a sharp rip chain, the only problem with the chainsaw mill is the huge kerf. Bandsaws give you more boards and less sawdust, even counting in the extra planing.

The comment about chainsaw millwork being "rough" sounds crazy. I quartered a 24' long 3' diameter black walnut log with a Stihl chainsaw and an Oregon rip chain, using a steel bracket and a nailed-on 2x6 guide rail, so my buddy and I could drag the quarters out to where a giant diesel bandsaw could work them. The rip chain cuts were like glass compared to the ribbed bandsaw cuts - you don't even need to plane the boards if the chainsaw is rigidly controlled, just touch 'em up with a fine sander. I'm sorry to say I don't remember the make of bandsaw; it was on a trailer more than 20' long, though, and looked around six feet from hub to hub. As long as you use a sharp rip chain, the only problem with the chainsaw mill is the huge kerf. Bandsaws give you more boards and less sawdust, even counting in the extra planing.