New to sawing!

scooba106 · February 21, 2017, 08:33:48 AM

Hello I am new to the forum and also new to sawing.
I have done woodworking a long time in a small way. Now awhile back a guy gave me his old manual mill so I have been trying to figure it out. What are some of the techniques I should know to cut good lumber? Thanks for any advice

terrifictimbersllc · February 21, 2017, 09:07:50 AM

Welcome Scooba, I stared at your question awhile. Maybe start with updating your profile to include your location and brand/model of sawmill, and what kind of logs you have or will have access to.

Without knowing anything else, I'd suggest getting your mill running and being able to cut several flat boards off of a small log would be the first step. With great attention to personal safety.

Did you get a manual with your mill, and when was the last time anyone sawed with it?
Do you have any new or sharp blades?

Treehack · February 21, 2017, 09:55:27 AM

Welcome scooba.
I agree that an owners manual would be best place to start as far as getting your particular mill aligned and tuned to make good cuts. If it is a mill from one of the main manufacturers, you should be able to get a manual from them if you did not get one with the mill. If it was home built, maybe the guy you got it from could give you some insight. If you have a good sharp blade, level cutting deck, and blade aligned level to cutting deck in both directions, should be a good starting point.

scooba106 · February 21, 2017, 11:42:39 AM

Thanks for the replies so far! I tried to get my profile updated but couldn't get the map to cooperate so. . . My mill is a Wood Wizard. I have only been able to find a picture online and no information but maybe someone else knows where it was made or can give me some insight on it. No owners manual and the guy that gave it to me is a fast talker and just said "this crank runs it up and down and that turns the blade on and make sure the bed is level and here is a box of new blades and have a nice day 🙂". He just ordered a fully loaded Wood Mixer and needed to get rid of this one so I was happy to take it(only 5hrs in gas). I will be cutting mostly pine and oak and a few other specialty logs and such . . . Did I miss anything 🙂

Kbeitz · February 21, 2017, 11:53:54 AM

Wood Wizard made shop saws and table saws and drill presses.

Even electric motors.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=435&tab=4

Someone else on this forum has a post about one.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=55232.0

fishfighter · February 21, 2017, 12:09:23 PM

Your best bet to help learn a lot is read some old threads here. These guys, most are pro's and saw for money. They share the know how very freely. Great group of people. ;D There is so much to learn. Heck, I only been sawing two years and something ticked about a month ago that I had read here.

How to read a log to get the best lumber out of it. :D

Yep, I learn that the hard way because I was not taking the time in the pass of really reading a log.

For you, once you get your mill lined out, start with small logs. Try to plan out a log first before sawing. Kind of know what you want out of it. ;D

TKehl · February 21, 2017, 05:51:49 PM

Quote from: scooba106 on February 21, 2017, 11:42:39 AM
the guy that gave it to me is a fast talker and just said "this crank runs it up and down and that turns the blade on and make sure the bed is level and here is a box of new blades and have a nice day 🙂".

Sounds like when my dad taught me to drive. "Steer between the square bales, use this stick if I tell you to go faster (could barely see over the wheel much less reach the pedals), if you run into trouble, just turn the key this way."

Sounds like you have the basics to get started. I'd recommend watching a few Youtube videos to get the gist of it. Doesn't necessarily have to be about your make and model of mill either to learn a lot. Woodmizer LT10 or LT15 videos may be a good place to start. All bandmills are pretty much the same, except where they are different.

paul case · February 21, 2017, 07:35:21 PM

Scooba106,
You musta been bitten by the sawmill bug as you arent making good sense.

What is a WOODMIXER?
;D
PC

killamplanes · February 21, 2017, 08:02:46 PM

"All bandmills are pretty much the same, except where they are different"

That's good stuff Tkehl :D ;D

thecfarm · February 21, 2017, 08:36:35 PM

Welcome to the forum. Lots to reading a log. depends what you want too. 2x4? Furniture wood? I've seen some wood on here that came out very nice in a bench or a table. Knots can be good and bad,depends on what you want.
Saw away and have some fun. Hide your mistakes in a bon fire. :D

scooba106 · February 21, 2017, 10:28:31 PM

scooba106 · February 21, 2017, 10:32:31 PM

I just posted a picture of a Wood Wizard mill like mine that I found online but don't have a picture of mine but this one is just like mine. Can someone tell me how to read a log or give a link to a thread on here that I can look at

Magicman · February 22, 2017, 08:42:04 AM

Here is a rather lengthy topic on sawing Framing Lumber

terrifictimbersllc · February 22, 2017, 08:49:31 AM

Quote from: paul case on February 21, 2017, 07:35:21 PM
Scooba106,
You musta been bitten by the sawmill bug as you arent making good sense.

What is a WOODMIXER?
;D
PC

Its a type of sew mail covered in my siding agreement.

paul case · February 22, 2017, 09:03:13 AM

Scooba,
Your mill picture sure looks like a burg sawmill to me.
http://www.burgbandsawmills.com/picturestwo.html

My guess wood wizard is the model?

PC

scooba106 · February 22, 2017, 11:32:47 PM

Thanks folks! Guess I got some reading to do! Keep talkin if you got more :P

paul case · February 23, 2017, 12:31:59 PM

A friend of mine bought a burg mill new. It worked fine. I cut him some long 6x6 to set it on. He sold it to a neighbor of mine who bought 2 new long 6x6 from me to sit it on at his place. I dont think he ever sawed any with it and sold it. I guess I made some money with a burg bandmill.

PC