What sawmill to buy

Bruno of NH · January 31, 2018, 07:26:48 PM

The double frame on the Thomas is built like a tank with real steel

staker · January 31, 2018, 10:19:18 PM

There is a small mill made in Canada with a few options gas or electric. With the dollar exchange it might be cheaper. Here's a link.

http://www.smgchampion.com/en/Company.shtml

Downstream · February 01, 2018, 04:17:10 AM

ez boardwalk jr was the way to go for me. blows away lt10 specs at the entry level price point. In fact it is much closer to lt15 specs/performance than it's price would suggest. If I had more budget at the time probably would have gone for woodmizer brand but only had so much money to spend so went with the jr. It has over performed from day one. Simple, sturdy, and paid for itself in less than a year. I can pick the whole unit up with my pallet jack and move around my paved driveway by hand. Full width of cut(important for us that do live edge work) bigger than most if not all units in this price point. Also great people do deal with on purchase/pick-up. I drove over there day after christmas and was trained/loaded/on the road home quickly. Sawed my first log at home later that day and havent stopped yet.

Dirtymaxx · February 02, 2018, 02:22:00 PM

The Thomas mills looks like a really good solid mill. I emailed them they said they were redesigning the 2411 model and there would be a slight price change and they would be ready in 2 months looks like I will be waiting to check that mill out I have time any way since I won't be cutting in this -30 below weather brrrr.

Tin Horse · February 02, 2018, 05:01:03 PM

I also had the Woodland mill a few years ago. I added the trailer and made a log turner. Had a few issues at first. No vent on gas cap;clutch burn out fast. Tough on belts. They were great and sent replacement parts. Ok for a basic entry level but I out grew it fast. I by chance came across an older Enercraft 30 HTL. No comparison. Was able to easily sell the Woodland mill. I needed the hydraulics for the amount I now mill. If I had to do it again I would also try and test machines that your interested in.

cgchuck · February 04, 2018, 07:25:41 AM

I have the Woodmaxx . Very well thought out mill and great value . Sure there are mills with more frills , but at a higher cost . I went right to the home of this company where they make this saw . Very nice people and very nice buildings and organized and neat . By the way , this manufacturer is located right in upstate NY , home of the infamous Adolf Cuomo .

ButchC · February 04, 2018, 02:04:53 PM

Quote from: SawyerTed on January 31, 2018, 09:13:54 AM
Go lay your eyes and hands on the machines you want to compare. Go to the farm/machinery shows, dealers location or find owners near you and get a demo. Purchases like a sawmill deserve the time and effort no matter what your budget.

I just went through the purchase process. My fear was that I would buy an economy model and find it lacked capacity, durability or production rate. Then I would lose interest. That would be bad.

I couldn't agree more. There are many entry level manual mills doing nothing rusting due to the work Involved with running them. I am 60 years old and not as tough as I once was but was bent upon an entry level band mill. But after watching all types work at a logging show I changed my entire outlook and ended up with a JR Peterson swing mill. It's a LOT less work than a manual band mill (and more money) but lots less money than a hydraulic band mill. Travelling to a show is well worth the time and effort, you will see minuses that are never shown on YouTube or factory promo materials.

staker · February 05, 2018, 11:47:55 PM

Another Canadian mill and with the American dollar worth about $1.30 Canadian , it could be a good buy. Thae have a few different models.

http://www.portablebandsawmills.ca/

firefighter · February 07, 2018, 07:22:57 PM

I have a Peterson WPF model very good mill.

jaygtree · February 08, 2018, 12:41:21 PM

dirtymaxx, if you are near duluth mn i have a ez boardwalk jr you can check out. once the snow and cold go i'll wake her up. so it would be in april. jg

waynorthmountie · February 08, 2018, 06:12:26 PM

Recently found smg champion from quebec. If you live in thay area may be worth looking into. Have messaged some owners who are extremely pleased with their purchase. Also good value for the money.

Bosco · February 08, 2018, 08:30:25 PM

Quote from: Dirtymaxx on January 31, 2018, 02:40:01 AM
If I was to get a wood mizer it would have to be the lt 15 and that starts out at 7 grand which I don't have that much to spend on a mill. Does anyone here have the frontier os-27?

I got a new LT15 on Black Friday deal, with extra blades ,gloves, canthook for around $5500.

starmac · February 08, 2018, 09:26:27 PM

With a little luck, you will get 5495 back for it in 5 or more years too.

dboyt · February 14, 2018, 09:00:58 AM

If the idea of an imported mill doesn't appeal to you, Norwood has some small mills made with U.S. & Canadian components. Yes, some assembly is required, but it isn't too hard, if you follow the instructions. The MN26 and larger LM29 might be worth looking at, and you'll find a lot of info on those.