Starting the Mill at the Wilson County Fair TN Fri

just_sawing · August 14, 2014, 08:07:59 AM

Adventures at the fair with our Sawmill
I thought I would chronicle the week at the fair this year.
My wife and I decided about eighteen years ago to give back by moving the Mill to the Fair for nine days and just saw. This was started after a boy who came with his father to pick up lumber looked at his dad and stated "I thought 2X4s came from Walmart"
We made a call and was told come on. The first years was with a non-Hydraulic LT40, Then a Super LT 40 and now a LT70 all WOODMIZER.
The first problem we found was that since at that time I worked public work also I would leave work and go straight to the fair. We weren't flush with money "It's called raising kids" so Mom started cooking my supper right there at the fair. That grew into a full fire box and other Vendors enjoying a home cooked meal.
In 2002 we had established that we would be there so people that don't live near us would bring logs to the fair so some years I did not even need to bring Logs. I started sawing on Friday at the start and noticed that the POW WOW was not a happy lot. Friends there that were wonderful artisans had not sold anything. Mom and I decided that this year we were a little better off that instead of having a little paycheck for demonstrating we would put everything back into the food and a least our friends would eat. The more I cut the more she cooked, at one evening she feed over 70 people. Oh by the way this was the year after 911 and yes people were still effected. At the end of that year we had still had a profit in sawing for the week and had cemented on-going friendships.

More to come

SawyerBrown · August 14, 2014, 08:13:16 AM

smiley_clapping smiley_clapping smiley_clapping

Looking forward to following your posts!

Bill Gaiche · August 14, 2014, 10:20:13 AM

Glad you are back at the fair. I remember when I was there a few years ago to visit with you that there are a lot of people that enjoy what you do. Have fun and put a smile on someones face by cutting some non Wal/Mart lumber and feeding a hungry tummy. bg

thecfarm · August 14, 2014, 01:42:07 PM

just_sawing,you all are doing a mighty fine job.

Sixacresand · August 14, 2014, 02:45:56 PM

I think sawmills at the fair are the coolest thing.

just_sawing · August 14, 2014, 03:11:18 PM

Just some pictures from the past.

drobertson · August 14, 2014, 04:19:13 PM

You get a saw dust pile with a youngster nearby, and they will find it for sure, heck I even like playing in it! thanks for showing your part of the world.

Peter Drouin · August 14, 2014, 05:43:02 PM

It is fun, And you meet a lot of people :D :D

thecfarm · August 14, 2014, 06:21:42 PM

Nice pictures there Peter. I like the thin saw job. ;D

Chuck White · August 14, 2014, 07:02:49 PM

Great story Just_Sawing.

It's very obvious that you've made an impression on the community! 8)

wolf nemeth · August 15, 2014, 08:29:27 PM

Hey! I'm just down the road from you! What is your swaing schedul;e for the rest of the fair? (This is Friday pm Aug 15)

just_sawing · August 16, 2014, 08:12:07 AM

Now it is Friday morning, last night ended about 1:30 PM. Having a daughter with a severe Nut allergy is also one of the reasons to cook over the campfire. Well the ice cream to end the night also put her in the emergency room. This all has ended with her home and all is well just a little sleep lost.
Now for sharpening some old blades. Woodmizer is gracious to send some Blades for displaying their Machine but the wonderful stack of wood provided on the half also have some wire. So suspect logs use an old blade and is I cut wire a least I have also already sharpened them once or twice, save the new blades for safe wood.

Magicman · August 16, 2014, 08:49:08 AM

I was sorry to hear about the "misadventure with the Daughter, but I have enjoyed following along with your fair sawing and cooking stories. I have done a few demo sawings and they are very rewarding.

rooster 58 · August 16, 2014, 09:11:39 AM

I was at the Armstrong Co. fair on Thursday, but there were no sawmills :(

rooster 58 · August 16, 2014, 09:13:37 AM

I did speak to a gent who refurbishes and sharpens old crosscut saws though ;) It was interesting talking to him and learning about a fading part of history ;)

beenthere · August 16, 2014, 10:01:15 AM

Would be great to get this gent to get on the Forestry Forum and post a primer with pics on how he refurbishes and sharpens old crosscut saws. That would help the "fading part" and give several of us something of interest.

just_sawing · August 18, 2014, 07:41:37 AM

I just ruint a young bo at the fair. He got up in my lap and we loaded logs. His father is active duty and I wounder how he is going to move the equipment to come.