help me pick a sawmill

[gonefishin]

Hey everyone, first post here. I've been researching here for awhile. 

Anyway I'm really wanting to buy a sawmill so I can mill my 3/4x6x8 wood plank ceiling and a few other projects including 2x6x12 pine lumber for a workshop. I have 20 acres and will be cutting misc pine and a few hardwoods for my building projects. Some of my large pine trees are 24-28" in diameter. My hardwoods are 16-20". 

I would really need to stay under $2500. 

I have been looking at the hm122 because it's new and in my budget. But should I consider something used with a few more features and larger cutting capacity? My largest trees wouldn't fit on the hm122 and that's the main reason i feel like it's not the best choice for me. 

Are there any other mills in my price range with a larger cut? And if I look at used ones are there certain models I should look for? 

Thanks

[Crossroads]

Welcome to the forum, I'm sure some guys with knowledge of what your looking for will be along soon. 

[WV Sawmiller]

   Welcome. If this is basically a one time need I'd suggest contacting a local portable/mobile sawyer to come cut your lumber. If on-going requirements exist what kind of support equipment and experience do you already have? Might be worth visiting some local mills in operation to see how they work and the pros and cons of each. Some people buy a bigger mill than they need full time, use it to fill their needs then sell it. If properly maintained most name brand mill should their value pretty well. That is a factor to consider too. Good luck.

[gonefishin]

I have already contacted a couple. I'm looking at several hundred dollars worth of their labor... I am one of those people that basically refuse to rent anything or pay someone to do work for me... Probably why I have a shop full of tools that get used maybe once a year haha... I'm still considering 1 guy that said he would cut for $60 hr plus $25 per blade and fuel surcharge for bringing the mill to my house. Or he would cut on halves. 

I'm building a 36x60 shop in the next year (doing foundation work now) And I need 1100 square ft of plank ceiling material for my house. Also if I had a mill I would probably use it for all the lumber to build a master suit addition to our house... and no telling what else. 

I have 2 tractors here at my place for skidding and loading logs. I don't have a front end loader, but i have a gin pole for my 3 pt. I have chainsaws and all the other odds and ends... I am a mechanic by trade so i can work on stuff too... 

[Southside]

A word of caution, you really want to have some sort of proper drying set up for any lumber you use in your home, be that a solar kiln or having a kiln operator dry it for you. 

[tylerltr450]

  Welcome. If this is basically a one time need I'd suggest contacting a local portable/mobile sawyer to come cut your lumber. If on-going requirements exist what kind of support equipment and experience do you already have? Might be worth visiting some local mills in operation to see how they work and the pros and cons of each. Some people buy a bigger mill than they need full time, use it to fill their needs then sell it. If properly maintained most name brand mill should their value pretty well. That is a factor to consider too. Good luck.

I would have to agree with WV Sawmiller, I would suggest contacting a local sawyer. By the time you buy a mill get good at using it and understand the quirks with cutting lumber you would have already exhausted and probably spent triple probably more if you consider your time valuable.
People always ask me about sawing and how hard it is and I tell them the biggest thing is time, you will have so much time  into cutting logs you cant do anything else.

[Magicman]

Your budget is more in line for a "hobby" sawmill but your projected need seems to be much more.  The "bells and whistles" on the higher priced sawmills do much more than make noise.  While they make sawing and log handling much easier, accurate, and safer, they also command a much better resale value and market.  I just looked through Sawmill Exchange and did not find anything that met your budget.  Bad for you but proves my point.

I would advise that you carefully look through all of the sawmill sponsors listed along the left margin.  You just might find something that will suit your needs, be relatively maintenance free, hold it's value, and have a nice resale value if/when you no longer need it.

Oh, and Welcome to the Forestry Forum.