cheap saw

trapper · January 07, 2009, 10:04:34 PM

just got harbor freight flyer. in it was a 7HP sawmill for $1699. another logright vs. northern toolhttps://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=position"> Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company type discussion?

schmism · January 08, 2009, 01:09:09 AM

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=99990

so the frame looks on the small side... and the 7hp is anemic....

but would it not be a decent place to start... slap the 7hp on a dust blower and put a 15hp in its place... (but i suppose you double the price you've paid for it then)

Norwood (northern toolhttps://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=position"> Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company) 8hp version is sill twice the HF price

Ron Wenrich · January 08, 2009, 05:57:20 AM

Usually, you get what you pay for. ;)

Dan_Shade · January 08, 2009, 06:25:14 AM

a lot of those small mills don't have room for a larger engine. When I had my Hud-son 28 with an 8hp engine, I looked at installing a larger engine, but I would have had to do surgury on the frame.

I'm with Ron on this one, you get what you pay for, and with this one, I'd say you don't even get that.

bandmiller2 · January 08, 2009, 06:49:34 AM

Any country boy worth his salt could build a stronger better mill,probibly by the time you beefed everything up so it would survive big logs you could have built the whole mill.I'am old and repeat myself but the cheapest mill you can buy is an old handset circular mill ,rewood and rebuild,and you have part of history that will cut the mustard. Frank C.

york · January 08, 2009, 06:55:42 AM

Can you spell "timber toy"?

fishpharmer · January 08, 2009, 07:32:13 AM

I clicked the 'more information' link on the sawmill page and up pops a downloadable manual.

Looks like it comes as an unassembled kit.

The manual photos make it look mighty flimsy. I built my own. Still don't have the bugs worked out. If I could have found this when I was trying to get a mill I probably would have tried it.

I would love to hear from some one who buys one.

fishpharmer · January 08, 2009, 07:40:31 AM

specs from manual:

blade speed 3278 FPM
log diameter 22" maximum
board width 20" maximum

thecfarm · January 08, 2009, 08:08:43 AM

Maybe for a hobby. Would really need an electric motor on it.That way when you dragged it out of the corner to use every 3-4 times a year all the seals would not be dried up on it.Really something how companies are making these lighter and cheaper.Would not work for any good size log,without being REAL careful and REAL gentle with it.

schmism · January 08, 2009, 02:16:04 PM

my first thought was slapping an electric motor on it also.

Also had the thought that if you simply tacked the existing rails to some railroad rail....

i could see it being usefull to a wood tuner or the like that wants something easy to hack up huge oddball hunks of "firewood" into something they could use.

Id pick one up if i didnt already have enough irons in the fire. If i ever get these 2 extra vehicles sold i have sitting around the CFO will allow me to get some new toys :(

logwalker · January 08, 2009, 06:13:56 PM

The title for this thread says it all. ;)

Maybe for a small child's amusement. Joe

backwoods sawyer · January 08, 2009, 06:25:58 PM

Resawing cants, for the home wood worker who pulls it out a couple times a year and has room for another tool to sit in the corner would be the target customer for a mill like this. Try making a living with it and you will have to buy a couple a year just to have spare parts.

WDH · January 08, 2009, 06:37:40 PM

Doesn't look like it will hold up to me.

david_keith · January 08, 2009, 08:02:29 PM

It looks like a beginner's weekend warrior saw.... for someone maybe like me. I don't want to put $5000.00 plus into a manual saw cause my needs are small & my pocketbook as well for this woodworking affliction that I have developed. The engine has a 90 warranty and the rest is warrantee for 12 months. If something is going to break it should be in that time period and harbor freight will take it back at the store you brought it at. You can also buy extended warrantee as well. I don't see how you could lose that much money on this saw if your not to rough on it. For now this would be just a hobby saw until I learn how to grade and cut good lumber.
I am a newbie by the way but I have paid a local sawyer to cut some of my live oak, southern red oak, longleaf heart pine, southern black cherry & cypress trees for the house I built 6 years ago and it looks great. I stacked most of that wood for air drying.... 7500 board ft and got to operate the sawyers 15hp electric woodmizer saw for a few minutes and I was hooked on making my own lumber. So....... is this a good saw for someone like me or am I throwing my money away.!!!!!

dk

Tom Sawyer · January 08, 2009, 08:59:05 PM

Keep paying the local sawyer to cut your logs and spend the money on another tool that you really ~~want~~ need.

logwalker · January 08, 2009, 09:07:26 PM

The band speed is too slow, the bearings are the cheapest they could find and the guides are probably useless. The frame is too light, you can't see what they are using for backstops and there is no real way to clamp a log. There are other deficiencies but you can see where I am going with this. I am not a big fan of anything to do with Harbor Freight. They are part of what is wrong in this country. Find a nice used manual machine for only twice the money and enjoy the experience. You ran the Woodmizer, one of the best. You will never be happy with that one if you are at all like me. You asked for our opinions, please don't be insulted. Joe

Dan_Shade · January 08, 2009, 09:10:42 PM

Sadly, there is not a good option for a commercially made mill for low cost.

Take a look at the Baker Buddy or a woodmizer LT10 if you want a sawmill. Also go to a show in your area or see if you can meet up with a local member that has a sawmill (we like to talk about this stuff!)

With a little mill like that you spend all of your time making crappy lumber and no time using it.

david_keith · January 08, 2009, 09:20:51 PM

Thanks for your honest & experienced opinions and I will save up for the woodmizer or similar american model manual bandsaw mill.

dk :P

Ironwood · January 08, 2009, 09:33:51 PM

Sounds like wisdom, the marginal increase in cost will pay exponential dividends. Find a used LM2000 or Lt-15. I have heard stories of some real bargins, just keep your ears to the ground in all the UNUSUAL places, that is where the deals are found, not on the "mainline" places (like here) where they get snatched up like chocolate at daycare. :D

Ironwood

LeeB · January 09, 2009, 08:13:31 PM

I have to agree with all the rest, don't waste your money on this one. I t will only leave a bad taste in your mouth. You can find 4 times the saw used for only just a little more money. Now is a really good time to buy if you have the money. Shop around and see what's out there. Ther are way plenty enough experianced people here to let you know if you are headed in the right direction. I feel sure you probably got hooked on dust when you sawed with the Mizer. Don't let your addiction make you through your money away on trash. Go for the good stuff. :D

DouginUtah · January 09, 2009, 11:13:21 PM

I have to correct a misconception.

I was not thinking of buying the saw. I just put it out there in case harry homeowner was looking for something cheap. I was neither for nor against buying it.

As for chainsaws I have three. I hesitate to divulge this but here goes. (I don't have them where I can look at them right now.)
One is red and is a low-end saw I am sure. It has never been out of the plastic, I don't know where it came from or when it arrived.
One is a ~~McCullog~~ MAC something like a 1620? with a short bar which usually starts when I need it.
Finally, I have a Stihl 039 with a (gasp) 28" bar with skip tooth chain. It has less than one hour of use and I doubt that it will start as I think it has had gas in it for three years. I know!!! Shame on me. :

Edit: I originally identified my Stihl as a 390. Of course you pros know it has to be a 039.

logwalker · January 10, 2009, 01:16:16 AM

That was some confession. :D :D

Feel better? Joe

Tom Sawyer · January 10, 2009, 10:26:56 AM

Three Hail Marys and CHANGE THE GAS IN THAT SAW ;D

tyb525 · February 14, 2009, 07:57:56 PM

I just got LT10 and am very happy with it so far.

I agree with everyone else that you should save up your money for something that is better quality and will last.
Whatever mill you get I would make sure it has at least 10hp. (I got the LT10 with a 10HP instead of a 7)