Need some suggestions!

[catluvr]

Hi everyone!  I'm new to this forum.  My husband and I just bought a home a few months back and have some wooded land.  We have have some small projects that we would love to do...deck...maybe a shed...I could keep going!!  We are thinking about buying a small sawmill, and my husband's buddy suggested that we check into a Champion Sawmill...13HP.  We can't seem to find much information on the company or the mill.  Does anyone know much about this company and mill??  I'd really like to find out more, and we are completely new to the world of milling!  Any help would be great, or if you know why we shouldn't look into a Champion, that would be appreciated, too.  God bless!

[DanG]

Welcome Catluvr.  No, I don't know any reason to not look into that or any other brand of mill.  Just don't buy it until you know what you're looking at.  In other words, look at as many different ones as you can so you can compare features, quality, and price.  A low price doesn't always mean the best deal.  Also, make sure as best you can that it is adequate for your needs.  Will it handle the biggest logs you are likely to take from your land?

Also, consider whether you should buy a mill or not.  Simply wanting one is the best reason I know to get one, assuming you can afford it.  If you're just thinking you need a mill to get your lumber cut, maybe you should consider just hiring a custom sawyer to do it for you.  Be aware that a sawmill alone won't be much good to you.  You also need chainsaws, Logrite cant hooks, a way to move logs from the woods to the mill, and the knowledge of how to do it all safely.  Most of that knowledge is to be found right here on this Forum, so stick around and do some reading. ;)

[catluvr]

Thanks for your feedback, Dan!  You've given me a lot to think about.  I will make sure that my husband and I really do our research and think through this decision thoroughly before buying any product. 

[okie]

I'm with DanG. Sawing is a lot of work, but I do'nt know of much that feels more rewarding.
If you do go with a mill, get one from a reputable company. You can get a low end mill from most of the better mfg's for probably less than the price of the lumber in your shed and deck project (depending on the size of those projects of course). Another thing to consider is that there is'nt always as much lumber in a log as a lot of folks would think, so if you're doing this just to utilize your own timber, make sure you got the timber to suit your needs.
If you do get a mill, I'd be willing to bet, you'll be a satisfied camper from the first board.
Good luck.

[DanG]

Catluvr, why don't you add your location to your profile?  There may be a member nearby that could be of great help to you.  We've even had new members join the Forum just so they could help someone they saw here while lurking.

[gizmodust]

Welcome Catluvr.  DanG's given about the best help possible.  Research your needs and options and then put the two together.  If you do end up with a mill, you'll be the sweatest, tiredest and happiest person around 8) :D.  Welcome and good luck.

[John Bartley]

I have a Champion Mill. It's the biggest one they make, but I looked at them all before I bought mine. Mine has been worth just what I paid for it and I wouldn't change my decision about buying it if I had to make the decision again based on the sames criteria. That says nothing bad about the other brands, just good things about my Champion.

cheers

John

[thecfarm]

Welcome to the forum,catluvr.Lots more than just sawing to do too.You say wooded land.You have to know how to cut the trees down,safely.Need something to get them out of the woods,safely. I take it your husband's friend knows something about Champion mills.

[ErikC]

  It sounds like you want to take on the management of your woods anyway. If you do it will only improve them. So you might wind up with a lot of these tools anyway. Having a mill will make it more rewarding than just cutting everything into firewood. It takes quite a few acres or more to have any real amount that can be gradually improved and harvested without turning the place into a clearcut though. If you know anyone involved in forestry that could look at your woods that would be good info for you.
  Or you could post a few pictures and describe the place, so the foresters here could chip in. ;D

[TinMan]

Welcome catluvr

Used mills are a good way to go. Like DanG said compare as many as you can, there are alot of great mills out there. Check out the links listed on the left of the screen.

[woodmills1]

all good info above

there is a lot of sweat and energy getting the logs to the mill and cleaning up after the cut, so as said take a good look at your support equipment

I bought a used mill in 1995 and am getting ready to buy an upgraded used mill as a replacement.

by all means visit one of us to get a better idea.

[bandmiller2]

Welcome Catluver,I met the man that designed and built the Champion mill at the forestry show in Bangor Me. a couple of years ago.I was very impressed with his mill.Their is a show this may at Bass park in Bangor all the manuf. will be there many demos it will help and let you compare.As Dan asked where are you located?Frank C.

[york]

ok,here i go again-i am not a fan of the "Champoin" sawmill-they run the "Band" on the drive belt-so,when ya break a band,what ya think could happen?

[Cedarman]

Our WM resaw has the blade run on the belt that also does the driving.  We have 22,000 hrs on that puppy.  I don't think blade breaking has ever caused a belt problem.  If you stall the blade, the drive pulley can ruin the belt.  So you would want to disengage immediately.

[Chuck White]

Cedarman;  Look at post #12, just above your post.
We're talking about 2 totally different drivebelts.
The Wood-Mizer drive belt just slips onto the blade wheels and the blade runs on them.
On the mill in this discussion, the drive belt runs from the shaft on the back of the motor out and under the band.

The blade can take out a belt real quick.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,19439.0/all.html
Scroll down through this thread to post 33 & 34, and see what once happened to Bibbyman and also ElectricAl.


edit: Cedarman, I overlooked the fact that you were referring to a resaw and not an actual mill.
I don't know exactly what the WM resaw looks like as to it's operation!
Chuck