I looked but didn't didn't see an introduction category, if I missed it you'll just have to harass me. :D
Names Brad, my brother & I have been looking for a mill for a while. We have considered building one, but are in one of those catch 22 deals where we need a building, to work in but need the mill to supply the lumber for the building.
I've read so much here I have a head ache. I'm interested in anything from an EZ boardwalk 40 to Cooks MP32 to Timberking 1400 to Woodmizer LT28.
I know... I know... Big price range & ability difference.
We have a small bit of property with lots of good pine, where we live, with access to all the equipment we need to handle the logs. But we also have a place approximately 6 hours away that we need to do quite a bit of work at too. Which makes the mills with hydraulics very attractive. Adding a valve & cylinders to the existing circuits of the TK shouldn't be to difficult.
Most of the lumber will be in the 8 to 12 foot range but there will be times we'll need to cut 20 + feet. Adding length to any of the mills will be pretty simple, with the exception WM.
I'm sure as we work through this & get into milling, I'll probably be asking for some "hands on" with someone to help educate me on the milling process.
Anyway. thanks for all the great info on here, look forward to hearing more & more.
Any thoughts on my dilemmas, things I should consider?
Welcome aboard, cntryby! :)
Buy bigger than you think you will need. Your money will go farther in the used market and there should be no shortage of good options there.
Welcome to the board, country boy, there will be a lot of help here in just a little bit, pull up a stump and rest a spell.
Welcome aboard! I second MS, look at used.
Mark
How much volume do you think you'll cut?
I like my hydraulics, they make things faster, and are easy on my back.
Thanks guys. ;D
Off the top of my head, things that would seem important.
Wheel size. (18" min.)
Engine size. (25 HP min.)
Rigid, durable frame.
Cut / throat size. (32" logs min)
Quality engine.
What else?
I have know idea on the volume. It will mostly be used for personal use, but that will be a great deal more than the average Joe.
It wouldn't hurt my feelings to make some $$ on the side as well.
One thing I keep thinking about is, I'm 44 & my brothers older than me. I don't mind working & can work most kids into the ground pretty easy... but... how much longer will that last. Why work so hard & physical?
I've been looking for a used mill for 4 or 5 years. Everything I think is a fair price is beat all ta &%$&^.
Welcome, you guys have a good plan, something to consider is a sharpener & setter you could get alot more milage out of the bands. Blade and sharpening costs will be your biggest exspence. Good luck with your building & milling adventures.
Welcome to FF cntryby. Look at and operate all the different kinds of mills you can find before deciding. Lots of good used equipment out there now.
Quote from: fishpharmer on July 10, 2011, 11:43:15 AM
Lots of good used equipment out there now.
Thanks for the welcome!
Where are they cause apparently I don't know where to look. :( :-[
I just sent you a pm.
You will find mills right here on The Forestry Forum as folks retire or upgrade.
Extending the length of any portable mill, that is on a trailer, is going to be a handful. All of the "manual" or minimally hydraulic/electric assisted mills that lie on the ground, are the easiest to extend because there is no connection of the head of the mill to the bed of the mill, other than the wheels. Just add extensions for the wheels to run on. I've often thought of that as a benefit to having a ground-mounted push mill as a second mill, even if you upgrade to the most fancy mill available.
Welcome aboard the board board! Where'bouts in SW Ga are you? I'm pretty DanG close to there, and always like meeting new folks. :)
I remember several years ago, a new member came in with a first post almost identical to yours, and I responded with just about the same welcome message. About 3 days later, he was down here sawing on my mill, then about 3 months later, I was up there sawing on his new mill. Needless to say, we have become good friends along the way. :) Calls himself Brdmkr, he does.
Quote from: DanG on July 10, 2011, 01:36:41 PM
Welcome aboard the board board! Where'bouts in SW Ga are you?
Not far from Columbus.
Matter of fact, I might wanna test drive your mill too, if that's OK. I've used a couple, an older Woodmizer early90's, & one similar to a Hudson but I'm not sure of the brand. The fella who own the WM didn't maintain it at all, including leaving it out in the weather without so much as a cover. I made a few wavy boards.
The manual push I used was OK & seem to cut true. I actually could "feel" tension / resistance while cutting, which could be an advantage.
I think I'm leaning more towards the Cooks, but.... still undecided.
Welcome cntryby, to the Forestry Forum. I would suggest actually watching the various sawmills operate before buying. There is a difference. I read that you have been looking at used, but I would not quit looking. There are some dandy used ones out there. I bought mine used 10 years ago.
I've been to several farm expo's and spent days watching the various mills.
I like the Bakers & Timberkings but they seem to be on the higher end of the price scale.
I've kept an eye on our farmers bulletin, craigslist, local papers, E-bay, sawmill exchange, here... & more. What I'm finding is these things seem to hold there value very well. So If I'm gonna pay close to new, I would just as soon buy new & know that it's been maintain properly. However, if the right price on a good used mill comes up then I would not be opposed to it at all!.
Welcome cntryby, good to see another Ga boy here. Know what you mean about building a mill. I built mine several years ago and while it was very rewarding it also was a lot of work and took me quite some time. Keep us updated.
Welcome to the forum. I am about 2 hours east of you. You can come run both of my LT70s and I will sit in the shade and watch. ;D
Hi and welcome to FF I recently upgraded from an lt30 toan Lt 35 with hydraulics and the difference in labor required is a big factor I usually work alone so anything to make it easier helps I also looked for a used mill but found out they hold their value so well that I might as well buy new. Good luck in your search.
there's usually some mills for sale on "sawmill exchange" as well
Quote from: DanG on July 10, 2011, 01:36:41 PM
Welcome aboard the board board! Where'bouts in SW Ga are you? I'm pretty DanG close to there, and always like meeting new folks. :)
I remember several years ago, a new member came in with a first post almost identical to yours, and I responded with just about the same welcome message. About 3 days later, he was down here sawing on my mill, then about 3 months later, I was up there sawing on his new mill. Needless to say, we have become good friends along the way. :) Calls himself Brdmkr, he does.
I resemble that remark! DanG's memory is pretty good. Welcome to the forum. If you would like to test drive a Lucas mill, I would be happy to oblige.
Cntryby,
If you get over near Perry, come and see me and I can you show you a small operation :D.
BirdMarker,
How is that kiln doing?
Gday
Welcome to The Forum Country Boy ;) ;D ;D 8) 8)
With Mills theres a fair range to chose from out the from New and Used and different styles and production rates Like Board maker and like most every one else here Im happy with mine ;)Ill be in GA in late August With a new 10-30 Lucas If you want me to show you what they are capable off ;) ;D ;D 8) 8)
Regards Chris
Well, I thought I had found a mill. We agreed on a price arranged to meet so I could saw a few boards, I pulled the cash outta the bank, paid a few minor expenses in preparation for a 12 hour round trip to go check it out & make the deal.
Offered to wire earnest money... etc etc. "No need.. if your say your coming it'll be here wait'n for ya."
He lied, waited till the day for me to leave and emailed me he sold it.
You gotta love that there is some idiots out there Mate ??? :) :) :( :( >:( >:(
Quote from: cntryby on July 12, 2011, 07:33:31 PM
He lied, waited till the day for me to leave and emailed me he sold it.
That may not be the only lie that he told you. :-\
Quote from: Magicman on July 13, 2011, 07:13:12 AM
Quote from: cntryby on July 12, 2011, 07:33:31 PM
He lied, waited till the day for me to leave and emailed me he sold it.
That may not be the only lie that he told you. :-\
Yeah, come to think of it, I did mention how upset I'd be if I found the mill to be anything other than described & pictured.
Still look'n though... wear'n out craiglist & the farm bulletin.
WELL well well... what an old thread...
I finally ran outta patience. I drove up to north Missouri and look what followed me home.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/23226/20131013_100458.jpg)
Maybe an old thread but the dream lives on. Good for you!!!!
Congrats, cntryby.
I almost pulled the trigger on a new mill a number of times, but finally found what I was looking for in used. I barely held out for 6 months! If I remember the OP date correctly, you hung on over 2 years. You are probably going to be kicking yourself for not getting one 18 months ago... :D
CC
Quote from: chickenchaser on October 14, 2013, 04:32:18 PM
Congrats, cntryby.
I almost pulled the trigger on a new mill a number of times, but finally found what I was looking for in used. I barely held out for 6 months! If I remember the OP date correctly, you hung on over 2 years. You are probably going to be kicking yourself for not getting one 18 months ago... :D
CC
I've been working on clearing out 15 to 20 acres and working around trees I knew I wanted to saw. Makes it tough. :-\ Slows down the process, shade hurts the garden... etc.
Man, I looked at so many used saws I can't count them all. Anything I saw that was in decent condition was priced to close to new to be worth it. Most of what I looked at was beat all ta %$^%$! One mill was bent so bad I could see it before I got out of the truck.
More than likely, when we get a boatload of other projects done, we'll build our own bigger, badder, mill. We already have a lot of the parts, we just don't have the place to build it. But now, we can use our own timber to build our own shop. We have several buildings to put up, so it should pay for itself fairly quick.
I cut a few boards today, had to make some minor adjustments to square things up a bit.
I guess the first thing will be to put a small roof on the unit itself, the permanent spot has to be cleared and a shed put up.
As Tom would have said, "This is a fine development."
Congrats and welcome to the world of sawdust.
Ed call me last week saying some one from sw ga was picking up a mill and wanted to know how close i was to sw ga, i was asking him about getting a trailer package for my mill , Were you the one? He could not pronounce the town and had no idea, but said it was in the far sw corner of ga, I told him it would cost me more in gas and time than it would to just fedex to me the parts,but i appreciated him trying to save me a buck or two. Congrats on the new mill
Yes, I was the one. I looked up the town he told me and it was on the other side of the state. He didn't say what you were wanting.
A guy just up the road from me has been wanting some extra track, but the timing was just wrong for him.
It only saved me a little under $200 to go get it vs shipping, but I've got more time than money. The wife was off so we made a road trip out of it. Man O man is she a trooper. We did 1627 miles in 27 hours, including the time spent with Ed.