1st Sawmill purchase - Accessories

[Aktundra]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a new mill, either ML26 or LT10. While the accessories seem to help the job, they are really adding to the price. My budget really is $4,000 and it is being pushed...

I have been set on Woodmizer for the last several years. However that was when I could get LT10 for $3,000 plus shipping. Now that the LT10 might cost me more, I am looking at Norwood's mill.

My question is, are the extensions really necessary? I am building a 16x20 cabin (hence the mill purchase) and want to make some beams with the mill, so I am purchasing the extensions. Would I be better off milling these couple longer beams with my Chainsaw mill than spending money on these extensions? Also seems like I could add my own extensions.

While it may not be alot to some of you guys, this is a pretty hefty investment for me. I also am buying my property to build so the budget cannot be stretched anymore. I know these are starter mills and 5K is probably alot for them. At the same time, used mills are not an option for me (not really alot around & rather buy new).


ML26  (with shipping $5,000)
10 Blades
Cam Dogs
8' Extension


LT 10 (with shipping $5,000)
10 blades
4' Extension ($400  )
Shipping

Thanks, just need a quick sanity check before I make this big purchase!

[Tree Feller]

If you can swing the money, get the extensions. I'm sure they will come in very handy for sawing lumber other than the beams for your cabin.

[Woodsrover]

If you're leaning towards a Norwood, I would get one bed extension and skip the cam dogs.  I bought a cam dog and never installed it....Don't really think it's necessary.  After my initial two cuts on a can't I almost never clamp the log down.  Spend the extra money on a cover for the head.  If you can swing it, get the higher horsepower engine too.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I have never owed a Norwood. But I have looked at their website. They make some very good saws judging from their information.

But the mill I chose almost 2 years ago was the Wood-mizer. I helped a friend for 18 years sawing with his WM and there is 4 or 5 Wood-mizers within 50 miles of my mill.

Before I pulled the trigger, I asked myself.....Wonder why so many sawyers who run a band-mill have a Wood-mizer?

Over those years I learned the customer service from WM was top of the line and very fast and friendly. My mill runs stationary and is very well built.
I have never regretted buying a Wood-mizer and would do it again.

[thecfarm]

I can saw 20 footers on my mill,never have yet. Get the extension. One reason is more room to get the head out of the way and you have more room to put a log on instead of inches you will have feet to play with,with a 16 foot log. I did not know this until I started sawing. I just got the added length just in case.

[ladylake]

Don't know but isn't the Norwood a little more heavy duty than the LT10, maybe more like the LT15.   Steve

[Okrafarmer]

You will enjoy whichever mill you get. The Norwood, you will have to assemble, and that could take you a good while, depending on what tools you have available, and how much time you can devote to it per day. However, when you are done, you will have a very thorough understanding of how it works, and trouble-shooting and fixing it will be easier as you own it.

You will never regret having the bed extensions. Could you make them yourself? Maybe, some people do, but unless you're really good at fabricating metal, I wouldn't recommend it.

Two of my cousins run older Norwoods, and they really love them. They are a good mill. You may be getting a little more bang for your buck with the Norwood, too. But the LT-10 is a high-quality machine, and you have the backing of a proven high-quality service team in the Woodmizer people. Norwood's service is not so bad, but can't seem to compare with Woodmizer's, IMO. Having said that, you are your own expert mechanic by the time you assemble your Norwood.

So, anyhow, welcome to the Forum. I am guessing by your user name, that you live in the greater Yukon Valley? Or somewhere else in Alaska?

[Chuck White]

AKtundra; There is a Wood-Mizer dealer in Anchorage!

As to which is the better mill, the ML26 or LT10, you'll have to determine that yourself.

Good luck in your search.

[ladylake]

Too me a LT10 just looks too light, a LT15 looks nice, the Norwood 2000 also looked nice, never saw a ML26   Steve

[Riggs]

I have the ML26 with 2 4 foot  extensions. You'll eventually use them, The cam dogs weren't an option when I bought mine, and I haven't bought them...yet. The advantage (or some may see it as a disadvantage) of the Norwood is that you assemble the whole thing. I enjoyed the assembly, plus it gives you a good feel for where everything is and how it works. I have nothing but good to say about Norwood, and I'm sure I'd be the same way if I had a WM I don't think you can go wrong with the two you have it narrowed down to. Good luck and keep us posted.

[MotorSeven]

If you know how to weld and have the equipment you can make your own extensions pretty easily(I did). If not, bite the bullet and buy them with the mill because chainsawing out 20+ ft beams is not what I would consider "fun" ;)

[oklalogdog]

AKtundra

You might take a look at the Timberking 1220.  I purchased one a couple of months ago - very heavy built saw, and can be easily adapted to be totally portable.  I have one extension and can cut a little over 18' with no problem.

[prittgers]

You can get blades ground and set at the Woodmizer dealer who ships from Anchorage.  Parts are stocked there, also. Since your blade is made of 180 or so tiny wood chisels its worth a lot to have someone who precision ginds and sets each tooth.  If you visit Woodmizer in Anchorage uou can actually try out several models on real logs.  Call Parker at 907.360.2497. 

[prittgers]

Where in Alaska will you be sawing?  An LT10 or LT15 comes on a pallet that simply slides over onto a snow machine sled and away you go to those remote cabin sites.

[nbaynes]

i have a LT10 with the 7 foot extension.  so i can saw 18 feet.  i rarely saw anything over 12. i have some issues with the LT10.   the log clamp simply does not work(although redesigned on the new ones).  Also the whole machine wobbles somthing terrible with a heavy cut in hardwood, although again i see some design changes that may help with that in the nedw model.  i am upgrading after one year of ownership and not likely to another woodmizer.  also i needed a couple of 36 foot beams for a timberframing project,  a good axe and an alaskan mill did an awesome job of making long beams and way cheaper than extension needed to do that kinda of length.

[Okrafarmer]

nbaynes, I'm guessing that you put your LT-10 to the max and outgrew it.  ;) The LT-10 is an entry level mill for small-capacity use. It allows someone to have Woodmizer quality at a low start-up cost.
The LT-15 is much more ruggedly built. My friends in Micronesia use theirs to mill tropical hardwoods, harder than anything that grows naturally in the US. 

Having said that, there are other good saws out there, in every size range.

[Meadows Miller]

Gday

Welcome to The Forum Aktundra  ;) ;D ;D 8) 8) 8)

Either mill will do a bloody great job for you comes down to what you want and you seem to be leaning towards the Norwood  ;) But you seriously need to get you a couple of  tools wink wink nudge nudge they are the ducks nuts Mate ;) :D ;D

Regards Chris

[Okrafarmer]

Those little  8) with the blue stick represent Logrite tools, Aktundra.  ;)

[Mike@Norwood]

Hi AkTundra

If I may chime in here



Those new to sawing quite often find themselves undecided/unsure on accessories and have budget concerns.  In those circumstances I recommend considering starting out with the base sawmill. You'll quickly get acclimated with the machine and get a better feel for what you need versus want. Then from there you can grow your operation having a better gauge on what you actually need.

So if you feel you can get by without the extra extensions for the time being, they can always be added down the road. The only difference you'll pay is shipping. That'll give you a window to recoup some of your investment rather than over stretch your initial budget. Just trying to help 

(Note: engines are not considered accessories and there will be an increase in price to upgrade in the future)



Mike at Norwood

[Sixacresand]

I have a LT10, which I bought to see if I liked milling.  And I do enjoy milling.   It does some pretty work. If you buy a used LT10, make sure the clamp works properly. 

[Aktundra]

Thanks for all the replies. I've got a couple Logrite tools already! Very nice tools! 

I want to get the accessories now because shipping to Alaska is expensive and I'm making a trip up with a trailer, so I'm collecting what I can!

I might actually end up welding up my own rails. Anyone know the size of the rails for the Norwood? Seems like their extensions are pretty reasonably price. If I go with Woodmizer, their extensions seem a little pricey.

[dboyt]

If you have to decide between extensions and the larger engine option, I recommend the larger engine.  Besides being faster, I believe they use less fuel.  The 13 h.p. Honda engine on the ML26 is well matched to the machine.  I've used WoodMizer's sharpening service to sharpen blades on my previous (Timber Harvester) mill and been very pleased with them.  As far as I know, they'll sharpen blades for any machine, and will also sell blades any length you need.  My experience with Norwood's customer support has been outstanding.  The people I talked with have actually assembled and used the mills, and are very knowledgeable.  Only replacement parts I've needed are saw blades, but they were quick to ship them.  Plan on starting out with at least 20, 30 would be better.  It took me two days to assemble my MX34, but I would have done it much quicker if I'd been better about reading the instructions.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I would have done it much quicker if I'd been better about reading the instructions.

:D :D :D We live and learn.  :D :D :D   I'm the same way.

[Aktundra]

Bought ML26 today! Very excited!  8) I've wanted to buy a sawmill since working on a remote Alaska river and meeting the most talented woodworker and sawyer! That was eight years ago. Now it's finally coming together.

Won't be putting it together for another month until I drive it home! You guys will be hearing more from me. I have only helped a friend with his sawmill, so I am definitely in for a learning experience. I'm just hoping after the cabin is built, I will have convinced my dad that a sawmill was worth the investment.

[Slingshot]

Aktundra,
         I'm sure you will like the ML26. I've only seen them in ads and U-tube videos and
they seem to be well built mills. But I have owned and used the Norwood LM Mark4 and the
LM 2000 and have nothing but good to say for both of them.

Happy sawing 


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