Hello from the new guy....

linrick1 · January 22, 2009, 05:53:24 PM

Dont know if this is the right place to be doing this, but hello. I am considering starting a custom sawing business so will be pestering you all with many, many questions. Ive spent quite a bit of time in northern Maine hauling logs on the Golden Road, running skidder, loader etc., but have done no sawing so will be trying to learn as much as I can and thank you in advance for your help,

Rick

Jeff · January 22, 2009, 06:37:32 PM

Is as good a place as any Rick.

Welcome to the Forestry forum.

Tom · January 22, 2009, 06:49:00 PM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Rick.

Jeff is Wrong!

It's a better place than any. :D

fishpharmer · January 22, 2009, 07:10:58 PM

Welcome Rick, from another new guy.

I must say that I agree with Tom. Its a better place than any I have found on the net.

They'll learn you something if you don't watch out, as we say in MS.

Maineloggerkid · January 22, 2009, 07:32:19 PM

Welcome from another Mainer!!

wi woodcutter · January 22, 2009, 08:03:08 PM

Hello to you too! You will find lots of great people and info here.

timber tramp · January 22, 2009, 08:05:33 PM

Welcome from the left coast. I agree with Tom and Phishfarmer best place I've found.

,TT

thecfarm · January 22, 2009, 09:49:07 PM

Welcome to the forum,linrick1.I have no idea what part of Maine you are from.Around here I would have a very hard time of making any money custom sawing.Been sawing long,around cutting wood?it's a hard way of making a living until things get rolling.It's been tried before.Look at all of the factors real close before pouring money into all this. Good luck.

Kodiakmac · January 23, 2009, 07:02:35 AM

Hello/Bonjour from north of The Border. For a fellow who is just getting started in a venture, you made a good choice by 'signing on' here. You said that you were "considering" starting a custom-sawing business. Obviously part of that consideration would be to determine just what kind of a real market there was in your immediate area for that type of service.

Good luck with your venture.

WildDog · January 23, 2009, 08:09:50 AM

Wellcome from down bellow, good luck with your venture,

I doubt I would of bought my swingmill if it wasn't for the fact I stumbled on this forum.

Rob

jim king · January 23, 2009, 08:47:45 AM

And also welcome from the Amazon. New guy , old guys all learn here.

Chuck White · January 23, 2009, 11:03:05 AM

Welcome Rick

Like previously stated; Lots of good info and good people here!

Chuck

linrick1 · January 23, 2009, 11:51:55 AM

Thanks to all for the warm welcome, I am stunned by the global reach of this forum already....I mean New South Wales? Peru? Canada? Thats pretty *DanG cool. About my situation: My wife and I live in north central Mass. in a small town called Ashburnham right up on the N.H. border...we live on a dead end dirt road on Watatic Pond and have only one neighbor-a very nice older retired couple. (Trust me, there is a point to all this) My neighbor bought the WM40 HD new in 1998 to build his beautiful post and beam barn and then the mill sat basically unused and neglected until this fall when we discussed the possibility of sawing for hire. The deal is this: I do all the work, maintanence, advertising etc., and he will supply the mill and all monies required refurbish the mill with any profits made being split 50/50 after operational expenses. I have the mill, a Ford 1900 4WD tractor w/forks and a 4" capacity chipper, an equipment trailer, chainsaws, peaveys, tools etc. and about 20 bandsaw blades new, some sharpened and some unsharpened so I believe I'm in pretty good shape as far as equipment to start up is concerned. Please let me know what you think about all this, sorry for being so long-winded, thanks again, Rick

Sprucegum · January 23, 2009, 02:24:01 PM

Welcome - sit down - hang on - as soon as they read about your partnership you are going to have guys yelling GET OUT

:D

I too would normally advise you to go-it alone but in light of the "economy" maybe its not a bad way to start. Just make sure to put everything you and the old guy agreed to in writing and both sign. Then no one can forget what the deal was :

Do a search on partners :P

RalphV · January 23, 2009, 02:41:43 PM

Also a newbie to the forum. Lots of good people and tons of info. Good luck with your venture!

DanG · January 23, 2009, 02:50:57 PM

Welcome Rick! 8)

Unlike some of the others, I kinda like your idea. It sounds more like a lease arrangement than a partnership. I'd like to see you work it into more of a lease/purchase agreement if you can though. Whatever you do, get it in writing for sure. In todays climate, your arrangement sounds a lot more sensible than borrowing money. If it doesn't work out for you, neither of you are really out anything. ;)

moosehunter · January 23, 2009, 03:29:47 PM

I'm with DanG. Make sure it's in your best interest. Get it in writing. Make sure you have an out if needed.
Try for a lease to buy. I have my own partnership horror story that I don't think I have shared with my FF friends, yet.

Welcome!
mh

Ron Wenrich · January 23, 2009, 05:51:22 PM

Who's supplying the labor? If you are supplying the labor, then how does that figure in to the operational costs? It seems that you have a good deal of equipment involved as well.

And, no, you weren't longwinded. ;)

linrick1 · January 24, 2009, 08:22:12 AM

Hey all, thanks for all of your input and kind welcomes. Both my neighbor and I agree everything will be in writing. I will be paid an hourly rate while I am working, as will he when he decides he wants to work and our wages will be factored into our daily operating expenses. I hadn't thought of a lease/purchase arrangement and will discuss that with him today. I appreciate the concerns expressed by some members regarding entering into a partnership with my neighbor and I would be concerned too if it were anyone other than Ray (my neighbor). Trust me when I tell you I've been around the round world and have learned to be a pretty shrewd judge of character-Ray is just a truly good guy. He and I have been partnering on all sorts of projects around our properties since my wife and I bought our house here four years ago. Not only have we had a lot of fun but we've also got a boatload of work done. Please continue with your good advice and I'll keep you posted on how we proceed, thanks again, Rick

beenthere · January 24, 2009, 11:09:08 AM

linrick1
Sounds like a neighbor I had next to me. He'd give the shirt off his back to help.

Only thing to add from me would be what happens to the agreement when one or the other says "I quit" or one dies.

Can the other just walk away with no obligations to the spouse? If that is covered, then sounds like a good partnership. Liability issues might be another...if you get hurt on his equipment.

DanG · January 24, 2009, 01:54:53 PM

BT brings up a good point. I'm not a big fan of insurance, but in this case it might be a good idea. Even if you have coverage on yourself, if you get injured your insurance company might go after him and there would be nothing you could do about it. There are lots of ways to go about making the arrangements to achieve the same end result. It may be better to just rent the mill from him on an hourly basis, which should release him from any liability resulting from its use. It may be worthwhile to have a brief consultation with a local lawyer, as things work a little differently from one State to another.

linrick1 · January 24, 2009, 06:42:31 PM

Insurance and liability are two subjects we have yet to discuss. I was figuring to get the mill back to specs and running well first, and then see if we actually get any kind of work before getting too involved in the legal ramifications of operating the mill. I will ask Ray to speak to his lawyer about our arrangement and give us his recommendations. We are in Mass. so you can bet there are all kinds of funky laws to deal with........as far as spouses or one or the other deciding to quit we can both just walk away, no obligations. Thanks again, Rick