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Which mill do I want - swing or band?

Started by samm, March 14, 2019, 11:54:28 AM

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samm

Howdy folks. I'm pretty new to posting around here but have been following the forum for guidance for a while now.
I like timber frame homes.  My wife, me, and 2 kids are outgrowing out little house and are looking forward to starting to build our forever home to raise the kiddos in.

I have yet to come up with a floorplan, but let's say I intend to make a 18x40 "great room" with five 2 story bents complete with, plates, girts, purlins, and rafters.  The remainder of the house could be standard stud construction.  I don't have a need to mill my own dimensional lumber, although it would be a bonus to mill my own furniture-grade hardwood for finishing the home; thanks to my brother I have access to 240v jointers, planers and shapers.

In order to economically source the larger timbers - and because I really want to make the timbers out of doug fir and nothing else - I have this far-fetched dream of porting a mill to the Pacific NW and getting a hold of a logger out there to supply me with some larger doug firs.  Making a memorable trip out of it for me and my retired dad would be kindof fun, I think.  The mill wouldn't have to be ultra-portable, I have access to a gooseneck flatbed.

I own a small tree service in SE MN and have access to various different types of local hardwoods and some conifers.  The businessman in me wants to be able to use the mill to offer sawyer services to customers, too, even if just on the small scale.

If this was your situation, would you suggest to yourself a swing mill or a band mill?  I really have my eye on a Lucas 10-30, but they are getting hard to find used.
Thanks for your input!
Cheers
Keep your stick on the Ice!

Magicman

First, Welcome to the Forestry Forum and your plans sound exciting and adventuresome.  We have several FF members located in the PNW that are capable of securing the logs and sawing your required timbers.  Just a thought and you could be on hand/help as they were sawn.

I wonder about commercial licenses, weight, etc. transporting your timbers back home.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

samm

Quote from: Magicman on March 14, 2019, 12:15:34 PM
I wonder about commercial licenses, weight, etc. transporting your timbers back home.
A legitimate cause for concern, for sure. But a CDL and a tractor/trailer isn't too hard to come by between my family and those I consider friends.. I'm hoping a trip like that could be a reality someday, would make a neat youtube video too.
Keep your stick on the Ice!

terrifictimbersllc

Size and weight of the logs you'd encounter might decide it.  

For example (and I have no idea what the log sizes are, or what timber lengths you want), but logs might exceed bandsaw diameter, length, and weight limits.  

A 30" x 20 foot DF log will weigh maybe 4800-5000 pounds, getting too heavy for a Wood-mizer.  And at this diameter or greater the yield of beams will suffer because of max width/depth of cut that a bandsaw offers.

On the other hand a swing mill can efficiently saw out beams from large diameter logs without a lot of waste.
And give a still portable option if you want to saw much over 20 ft.

But if everything you would encounter would be under 30" and 20 feet, a hydraulic bandsaw would do it too.  

You would have to have log handling equipment on hand no matter which saw, and don't forget that heavy timbers need to be picked off gently from rest of log if swing milling.

My Peterson with everything needed for cutting to 33 feet only weighs about 1100 pounds total and could be efficiently packed up on a semi load along with timbers.  

Hard to recommend though getting a mill just based on this adventure. For one thing I wouldn't want to be learning how to use it for the first time 2000 miles from home.
DJ Hoover, Terrific Timbers LLC,  Mystic CT Woodmizer Million Board Foot Club member. 2019 LT70 Super Wide 55 Yanmar,  LogRite fetching arch, WM BMS250 sharpener/BMT250 setter.  2001 F350 7.3L PSD 6 spd manual ZF 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed

Magicman

A secure sawing location, securing logs, waste disposal, log/timber handling, and transportation came to my mind.

My immediate thoughts went to @redbeard and @mad murdock .  There are probably others that are already set up for long and wide.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

Southside

Be sure to check on any potential quarantine issues before you start rolling across the country with green lumber and if necessary get any permits/inspections that may be required.  These days one never knows without checking what bug is causing trouble where.  
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scsmith42

If you mill at the log source you will only be transporting finished product back home, versus a lot of waste, so fundamentally your plan isn't bad.

If we can mill a log on our hydraulic bandmill, that's always our first choice.  Much faster than the swing blade.

However, most of our "timber frame" sized logs are milled on the Peterson.

As MM posted, you will need a place to mill, and most importantly you will need log and timber handling equipment.  Probably best to rent that for a month or so onsite instead of transporting.  Depending upon the length and size of your timbers/logs, you may need something that can pick up 10K lbs or more.

One thing to be careful of is the drive back home.  At 65 mph you will be exposing the timbers to air flow in the 6000 FPM range.  As a comparison, we strive for around 350fpm in a kiln.  If not tapped you may hyper-dry the exposed surfaces of the timbers on the trip back home.

However, if you transport during the summer and tarp the timbers,  you may get mold and mildew on them.

Lots to consider.
Peterson 10" WPF with 65' of track
Smith - Gallagher dedicated slabber
Tom's 3638D Baker band mill
and a mix of log handling heavy equipment.

samm

Thanks for helping me generate ideas, guys, it's definitely helping.
I realized right away I need to secure a location to mill.. I was hoping that would be the easy part can't I just setup shop on a logger's property, near the timber stand, out of their way?  Leave my waste to go along with theirs..

My immediate thought was use a mill at home and try to get logs here, but the transport for whole logs just isn't as economical when compared to finished squared timbers.  I don't even need to get them to final dimension, in fact leaving them large but square would be the best balance between packing efficiency and scabs for bonus dimensional lumber.

We have a skid steer, but it will not be able to lift 10K. But I'm not sure I require logs/timbers that size.  I could ask the logger to find me logs that aren't oversized for what I require - based on my timber frame design specs.

Speaking of timber frame design specs - who does anyone use for engineering specs - besides an engineering firm? I realize engineering firms exist mainly to protect the engineers in the "errors & omissions" capacities.. and a chap could save some coin by going with a qualified engineer (a family friend, for example) and forego the expense of having engineering firms / insurance agencies involved.
Does anyone do this, or am I going to have to hire a firm?
Keep your stick on the Ice!

samm

Quote from: terrifictimbersllc on March 14, 2019, 03:53:11 PMFor one thing I wouldn't want to be learning how to use it for the first time 2000 miles from home.
Duly noted, thank you. I'm the type that values precision over speed, and as a business owner I'm ready to carefully consider the "weight" of an equipment purchase like a mill.
Keep your stick on the Ice!

samm

Quote from: scsmith42 on March 14, 2019, 05:02:07 PMIf not tapped you may hyper-dry the exposed surfaces of the timbers on the trip back home.

However, if you transport during the summer and tarp the timbers,  you may get mold and mildew on them.


Lots to consider.
I can just anchorseal them, right, along with some sort of end wax?
Thanks for the input, definitely happy to consider everyone's thoughts.
Keep your stick on the Ice!

terrifictimbersllc

Scott's not talking about the ends but instead of the whole timbers. They'd be ruined if transported untarped (thousands of miles at highway speeds) and maybe mildewed if tarped in warm weather. Probably have to transport tarped in cool weather. Customer sent a semi load once from Connecticut to Montana took 36 hours to get there, It was in April the load was covered with tarps, there was still snow in MT,  and everything was fine.
DJ Hoover, Terrific Timbers LLC,  Mystic CT Woodmizer Million Board Foot Club member. 2019 LT70 Super Wide 55 Yanmar,  LogRite fetching arch, WM BMS250 sharpener/BMT250 setter.  2001 F350 7.3L PSD 6 spd manual ZF 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed

Don P

Yup, sticker the timbers and just tarp it when you load up, I had log homes shipped all over the US and some were not particularly dry, at all. The best commentary on our modern way of life was I went out to WA to build with WRC that had been milled in NC, I was within 100 miles of the forest the trees came from, go figure :D.

If you have a friend who is a good timberframe engineer then it never hurts to ask. That is a very small fraternity. Wood is one of the more difficult materials to engineer in, timberframe is a very small niche within that field. It's not a coin problem as much as its a competence one.

I'd use a swinger and what is in your backyard but road trips are fun. The ability to "joint" the timbers with the planer head when you get ready to use them is a big plus in my book.

samm

Quote from: terrifictimbersllc on March 14, 2019, 08:28:07 PM
Scott's not talking about the ends but instead of the whole timbers.
Yep - can anchorseal be applied to faces too or is that a no-no?
Talk about tarping - how does a guy seal a flatbed load like I see sometimes on the highway.. it looks like a vacuum seal, or a heat-shrink seal, or some sort of ultra-stretch tarp.  Usually it's covering some fancy pants HVAC or millwright equipment straight from the factory.  How does one seal a load to that degree?  That ought to do the trick?
Keep your stick on the Ice!

Mt406

I have a D&L swing blade Its for sale right now listed here on the forum.
Not sure when your rd trip is planed you have to drive by my place (50mile side trip)
As far as I know beams travel easy Log travel into MT easy I think WA is your problem.
If you want to give me a call I will give you my 2 cents.
I relay info over the phone better than typing.

Scott

terrifictimbersllc

Tarping is a standard request in truck shipping.  The driver had tarps in a container on the truck.  He put them over the stickered and strapped lumber.



 
DJ Hoover, Terrific Timbers LLC,  Mystic CT Woodmizer Million Board Foot Club member. 2019 LT70 Super Wide 55 Yanmar,  LogRite fetching arch, WM BMS250 sharpener/BMT250 setter.  2001 F350 7.3L PSD 6 spd manual ZF 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed

Brad_S.

 Regarding setting up in a secure spot. I certainly can't speak for anyone but as for me, I would not let you set up in my yard. I wouldn't want the liability risk should something go wrong. I wouldn't want your skid steer digging up my property even though I do so all the time with my own. And I have enough trouble dealing with my own waste much less somebody else's!
Maybe I'm just an old curmudgeon but I think you may have some difficulty finding a cooperative logger.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." J. Lennon

samm

Quote from: Brad_S. on March 14, 2019, 10:20:49 PM
Regarding setting up in a secure spot. I certainly can’t speak for anyone but as for me, I would not let you set up in my yard.
OK, thanks for the input. I should realize that I can't expect someone to offer their place just because.
As a business owner, I am insured for my operations. But I also understand not digging up someone's property with skid tires! I suppose I could haul to dispose of the waste if they wouldn't want it for firewood - would a local brush dump take something like that, a few $ per load?
Keep your stick on the Ice!

Ianab

I suspect that you will be better off finding someone in the PNW area to mill the timbers you need for you. They will have the logger contacts, the yard to work in, and the machinery to handle logs and beams on site. 

Now maybe you can find someone that will let you "help", from the picking out logs, sawing and loading onto the truck etc. 

The issues that others have bought up with a place to work, machinery, being 1,000 miles from home etc just seem like a LOT of hassle, when there is probably some small scale operator in the area that can do the work, and load the timbers you need on a truck headed for home. 

Very different scenario when you are working local in your own yard. Then get a Swing mill as they are the most versatile. 
Weekend warrior, Peterson JP test pilot, Dolmar 7900 and Stihl MS310 saws and  the usual collection of power tools :)

longtime lurker

So if I got this right the plan is to buy a mill, take a month off work to drag it a thousand miles, buy some logs, hire some yard space and a loader, saw the logs up, staying on site for a month if necessary, then i drag the mill and the sawn timber back where you started from, all to save some money?

Won't work. Find someone over there that knows what they're looking at and get them to pick you some logs to freight home, or just buy the lumber. I've done more walkabout mill than most over some impressive distances and i hate to spoil the party but what you're suggesting will be way too expensive for the small volumes of lumber you need.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the economics are unsound.
The quickest way to make a million dollars with a sawmill is to start with two million.

jimparamedic

Why not use local timber for a locally built home Mn. has some very fine timber for the project yo wish to build. Even if you have to go to northern Mn. and transport back to southern Mn. I only ask because my mother is from Nevis and I have seen some very nice timber there.

terrifictimbersllc

Quote from: samm on March 14, 2019, 11:54:28 AMI have this far-fetched dream of porting a mill to the Pacific NW and getting a hold of a logger out there to supply me with some larger doug firs.  Making a memorable trip out of it for me and my retired dad would be kindof fun, I think.
All good advice, but if this is his dream......?  

Heard the Oregon timber calling me......

DJ Hoover, Terrific Timbers LLC,  Mystic CT Woodmizer Million Board Foot Club member. 2019 LT70 Super Wide 55 Yanmar,  LogRite fetching arch, WM BMS250 sharpener/BMT250 setter.  2001 F350 7.3L PSD 6 spd manual ZF 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed

Stuart Caruk

If you decide to do it, give me a call. I can show you that contrary to prior comments You can easily load 35" plus Doug fir on a Woodmizer. I routinely set stuff well over 10,000 pounds on mine with no issues. Of course I load from an infeed deck, and I use a log loader to load that. the hydraulic lift on my Woodmizer was removed. It was to small anyway.
Stuart Caruk
Wood-Mizer LX450 Diesel w/ debarker and home brewed extension, live log deck and outfeed rolls. Woodmizer twin blade edger, Barko 450 log loader, Clark 666 Grapple Skidder w/ 200' of mainline. Bobcats and forklifts.

samm

Quote from: jimparamedic on March 15, 2019, 08:00:07 AM
Why not use local timber for a locally built home Mn. has some very fine timber for the project yo wish to build. Even if you have to go to northern Mn. and transport back to southern Mn. I only ask because my mother is from Nevis and I have seen some very nice timber there.
I think that would be a great idea but the research I've done so far is that strength/cubic inch of DF is more than the MN pines. To get the same roof/snow load on a summer beam, for instance, I'd be several dimensions larger -- and of course if I need a very large beam that may be difficult to find in MN.  PNW DF grows large and usually with lots of tight clear vert grain -- am I right?
I got a hold of a mill outside Grand Rapids on my way to LOW ice fishing last year, they suggested they have plenty of -- what was it, white pine? When I asked if he had connections to ship in some DF timbers, he did not.
Nevis? My family has been visiting In We Go resort every year for 12 yrs or so now. Very nice area.
Keep your stick on the Ice!

samm

Quote from: longtime lurker on March 15, 2019, 05:21:23 AM
So if I got this right the plan is to buy a mill, take a month off work to drag it a thousand miles, buy some logs, hire some yard space and a loader, saw the logs up, staying on site for a month if necessary, then i drag the mill and the sawn timber back where you started from, all to save some money?

Won't work. Find someone over there that knows what they're looking at and get them to pick you some logs to freight home, or just buy the lumber. I've done more walkabout mill than most over some impressive distances and i hate to spoil the party but what you're suggesting will be way too expensive for the small volumes of lumber you need.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the economics are unsound.
Thanks for the message, it's good for me to hear this perspective to keep my "dream" in check.
But, say I had another reason to get the mill (local sawyer for hire) to supplement my tree service.. and let's say it would only take me 7 16 hour days to get this work done (maybe 1 week on the equipment rental).. would I be ahead. That's what I'm looking at.
I don't want to invest in this adventure just for this adventure, I'd like to invest in the equipment and experience to be used again hopefully someday.
Keep your stick on the Ice!

redbeard

Hello Sam your venture is possible there would be lots of planning too find the right scenario too benefit you and land owners. 
I have heard a few land owners that have reached out looking for what you have in mind over the years.
There's always interest when a lot of money doesn't have too be exchanged between land owner and Sawyer.
They have logs and you have the means too process.
Have you done the math on buying Douglas fir house package and shipping too your location.
6x12 on down too 2x4 are readily available too buy and ship.
If your wanting big timber beams and timber framing material that's a specialty and you would need too locate the kind of logs needed too make those parts. Or find existing sawmill operations that mill those products.
Reclaim timbers is another option there are lots of markets that sell big old growth Doug fir timbers. These are extremely strong structural firs due too the tight grain and we're milled 75 + years ago.
If you do get serious about doing this I suggest a scouting trip too visit different sources through out Oregon Washington even Canada.
I can recommend some mills in my area 
PM me or contact me and other forum members that are already set up. Magicman referred Mad Murdock he is also in the land of giant firs.
Whidbey Woodworks and Custom Milling  2019 Cooks AC 3662T High production band mill and a Hud-son 60 Diesel wide cut bandmill  JD 2240 50hp Tractor with 145 loader IR 1044 all terrain fork lift  Cooks sharp

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