Complete Reviews with Comparisons
Milling your own lumber at home is not particularly hard, but you do need the right tools, mainly a good chainsaw. That’s why we’re here today — to discuss some of the best chainsaws for milling, so let’s get to it!
Best Chainsaws For Milling: Reviews
Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw
- 455 Rancher chainsaw is an ideal saw for landowners or homeowners who require a high powered and heavy duty chainsaw
- 55. 5cc 20 inch gas chainsaw with guide bar and chain
- 2 cycle engine with Intertie activated chain brake for safety while operating
- Comes with Husqvarna chainsaw Bar cover and 2. 6 ounce bottle of pre-mix fuel Included, Bar and chain oil must be purchased Separately
- Automatic chain oiler delivers a steady supply of bar and chain oil for safe and effective use
Here we have a simple yet high-quality chainsaw that comes at a moderately expensive price. It’s tough, simple to use, and can definitely help you mill some lumber with ease.
Review
The Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw features a 55.5cc gas engine, so it should have more than enough power for basic jobs and for lumber milling. Keep in mind that you can choose from an 18- or 20-inch arm length, which should be enough for smaller jobs, although not for huge jobs. It is a 2-cycle engine, so it is powerful and reliable.
A good feature is the activated chain brake, something which helps keep you safe. The automatic chain oiler is something else which helps increase the longevity of the Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw. The side-mounted chain tension system is very easy to use, for quick adjustments and chain changes, and it has a quick-release air filter too.
Pros
- More than powerful enough for milling
- Good size for small milling jobs
- Very safe and reliable
- Many user friendly features
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Too small for large tasks
Echo Chainsaw
- Price For: Each Fuel Type: Gas Anti Vibration Handle: Yes Item: Chain Saw HP: 3.9 Chain Oiler: Auto/Adjustable Includes: Chain, Bar, Operators Manual Bar Length: 20" Fuel Type: Gas Fuel Tank Capacity: 21.8 oz. Engine Displacement: 59.8cc Anti Vibration Handle: Yes Replacement Chain: Mfr. No. 72LPX70CQ Item: Chain Saw Country of Origin (subject to change): Japan
This is a fairly expensive and heavy-duty chainsaw to go with, one that is more than powerful enough to mill lumber with ease.
Review
The Echo Chainsaw features a 59.8cc engine, so a bit more powerful than the one we just looked at, and it features a 20-inch arm. So, it terms of power and length, it’s more than enough for some basic tree sawing and lumber milling. No, it’s not fantastic for huge jobs, but it works well enough.
This chainsaw weighs close to 20 lbs., so you need a bit of muscle to operate it effectively. However, other than that, it comes with an automatic and adjustable chain oiling system, a user-friendly chain tension adjustment system, an anti-vibration handle, and a large fuel tank too. It might be expensive and heavy, but the quality is up there with the best of them.
Pros
- Powerful
- Ideal length for basic milling
- Anti-vibration handle
- Many automatic functions
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Poulan Pro Chainsaw
Here we have what is so far the most affordable option in our review, but one that should do just fine for milling. It’s nothing super special, but it gets the job done.
Review
The Poulan Pro Chainsaw is a 50cc 2-cycle gas-powered chainsaw, and 50ccs should be more than enough for basic sawing and milling. Again, this is a 20-inch model, so it’s long enough for basic milling tasks, although not great for very large logs. What is great about the Poulan Pro Chainsaw is that it uses special technology to save you money by reducing fuel consumption by 20%, plus it reduces emissions by 70%, making it fairly eco-friendly.
The awesome pull-start system takes about 30% less power to pull and start than with other saws. All in all, the Poulan Pro Chainsaw is a perfectly fine option to go with. No, it’s not the most durable or most lightweight chainsaw, but it’s affordable and more than fine for basic tasks.
Pros
- Fuel efficient
- Easy start
- Great for milling and basic tasks
- Very affordable
Cons
- Limited durability
- A bit heavy
Echo CS-800P Chainsaw
This chainsaw is by far the most expensive, the largest, and the most powerful option on our list so far today. It’s a big machine for big jobs.
Review
The Echo CS-800P Chainsaw comes complete with an 81cc gas powered engine, and it’s got a lot of power, more than enough to get through some really tough and knotted hardwood with ease. Moreover, it features a long 27-inch bar, so it is significantly longer than any of the other chainsaws we have looked at today, making it ideal for some pretty big jobs.
It is big and powerful, and yes, it is heavy, but at least it also comes with a high quality anti-vibration handle to make using it a bit easier. Other than that, it’s a pretty basic chainsaw with normal user-friendly features. It’s a high-end, large, and heavy-duty model intended for big tasks.
Pros
- Very powerful
- Good for large tasks
- Anti-vibration handle
- High level of durability
Cons
- Very expensive
- Very heavy
Husqvarna 460 Rancher Chainsaw
If you are looking for a high level of quality, durability, and functionality, and are willing to pay a more than you would for similar models, the Husqvarna 460 Rancher Chainsaw is the model to go with.
Review
The Husqvarna 460 Rancher Chainsaw is a 60cc chainsaw, so it’s more than powerful enough for most milling jobs, plus it has a 24-inch bar, so it should also be large enough for most tasks. What is really nice is that it comes complete with 3 replacement chains.
The combined choke/stop control is great for easy starting, plus it reduces the risk of engine flooding. The Husqvarna 460 Rancher Chainsaw also has a great centrifugal air cleaning system to help reduce debris that gets into the air filter, and overall, we do have to say that it’s probably one of the most durable and longest-lasting chainsaw today.
Pros
- Quite powerful
- Long enough for most jobs
- Many replacement chains
- Easy to start
- Superior durability
Cons
- Extremely expensive
Conclusion
When all is said and done, the Husqvarna 460 Rancher Chainsaw and the Echo CS-800P Chainsaw are the biggest and most powerful options today. However, if you want something far more cost effective, any of the first 3 chainsaws on the list, especially the Poulan Pro, are all worth looking into as well.