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Wide cutting mill

Started by epiphoneprs, April 07, 2014, 12:36:44 PM

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epiphoneprs

I'm looking to purchase a new mill.  My max price is $15,000.  Which mill out there has the widest cutting capability for that price or less?

Weekend_Sawyer

Not sure of the pricing but take a look at the lucas mill at lucasmil.com
take a look in their gallery, some pretty neat stuff they are slabbing there.

Jon
Imagine, Me a Tree Farmer.
Jon, Appalachian American Wannabe.

tule peak timber

I have a Lucas slabber that cuts 76 or 7 inches wide and it was in that price range or a tick more.  I am pretty happy with it . A lot of bang for the buck.....
persistence personified - never let up , never let down

epiphoneprs

Thanks Guys.  What about bandsaws?

4430jd

Take a look at the new Woodmizer LT15 with the extra wide cutting area. Low cost and can be made portable.

ladylake

EZ Boardwalk cuts a 40" log, someone will post how far between the guide rollers.   Steve
Timberking B20  18000  hours +  Case75xt grapple + forks+8" snow bucket + dirt bucket   770 Oliver   Lots(too many) of chainsaws, Like the Echo saws and the Stihl and Husky     W5  Case loader   1  trailers  Wright sharpener     Suffolk  setter Volvo MCT125c skid loader

redbeard

You will need HP and sharp blades when you chose your mill. The 1 1/4- 1 1/2 blades don't last very long cutting 32". + wide. Something to consider.
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

epiphoneprs

I'm definitely interested in the lt15 wide.  They say it'll handle a 36" log but I can't find any info on how wide of a cut it will make. 

Weekend_Sawyer

Imagine, Me a Tree Farmer.
Jon, Appalachian American Wannabe.

dboyt

Norwood HD36 handles 36" wide.  I know, because I've done it.  You have to get the log on just right, and it takes a lot of muscle to turn it.  I use a hydraulic loader with a cable wrapped around the log to turn the big ones, though I recently set up an electric winch that works well.  Width of cut is officially 28", but I've taken off the guides & squeezed out 30" cuts (sharp blade, very slow cut).  You definitely need a good, solid frame, especially if you cut big logs like that with the axle under it.  With your budget, you'll be able to get the full package, chain saw, cant hooks, and flatbed trailer.


 
Norwood MX34 Pro portable sawmill, 8N Ford, Lewis Winch

epiphoneprs

Weekend Sawyer, thanks for the helpful thread.  So, it looks like the new lt15 wide will cut a maximum width of 32".  That's huge...Seems like it would be really tough to handle anything like that without hydraulics though.  Do you own a Woodmizer?  Everyone on this forum seems to be very pleased with them.  I've owned a TimberKing and a Hudson.  The TimberKing was great.  I sold it because it was too much mill for what I needed it for.  I did a major downgrade to a Hudson 121.  It's fine for little projects around the house but I'm planning on opening a showroom for rustic type furniture and would like to have the capability of working with larger stuff.  Thanks again for the help.

epiphoneprs

Dboyt, I'm glad you replied.  I've been wanting to talk with someone who owned a Norwood.  I love the look of those mills.  They seem very user friendly.  The main thing I like about your model is that you can start out basic and add hydraulics later on if your budget allows.  Do you like your mill?  Have you ever had any other kind?

Ianab

The log handling is where the swing blade / clip on slabber mills come into their own. You don't move the log while you are sawing. That's a big issue with large logs on a manual bandmill.

The swingblade will handle cutting smaller logs into standard size boards easily enough. OK, no advantage over a small bandmill there. Difference is you will actually be happy to see 36"+ logs (instead of dreading them), and you can bolt on the slabber attachment for cutting those big live edge slabs. These can work great for the rustic furniture stuff.

Have a look at them at least.

Ian
Weekend warrior, Peterson JP test pilot, Dolmar 7900 and Stihl MS310 saws and  the usual collection of power tools :)

Weekend_Sawyer

I don't have a woodmizer I have a Norwood lumbermate manual mill.
On the rare occasion I get a log I can't turn I have a skid steer with a grapple.  ;D
Imagine, Me a Tree Farmer.
Jon, Appalachian American Wannabe.

epiphoneprs

Thanks Ian.  I'll check into one of those.

epiphoneprs

Custom Sawyer, at this point I'm actually leaning toward the Norwood HD36.  What has your overall experience been with Norwood?
Hugh

epiphoneprs

Ian.
Is the slabber attachment just a big chainsaw?  I have a horrible time keeping chainsaws sharp just cutting firewood.  I can't imagine how I would do sawing wide slabs. 

Ianab

Yes it's a chainsaw. You would want a good chain grinder as part of your setup for this. They usually run a super skip chain so their are less cutters to deal with. And no matter what mill you get, it needs sharpening.
Weekend warrior, Peterson JP test pilot, Dolmar 7900 and Stihl MS310 saws and  the usual collection of power tools :)

dboyt

Quote from: epiphoneprs on April 08, 2014, 10:40:44 PM
Dboyt, I'm glad you replied.  I've been wanting to talk with someone who owned a Norwood.  I love the look of those mills.  They seem very user friendly.  The main thing I like about your model is that you can start out basic and add hydraulics later on if your budget allows.  Do you like your mill?  Have you ever had any other kind?

I've had several other mills.  Most recently a Timber Harvester, but sold it and bought the Norwood.  The HD36 works well for me, because I've established a niche for milling oddball stuff that no one else will touch.  The max width of cut is important, but there are other features that really sold me on the machine.  It has the most flexible clamping system of any mill I've seen, and I've cut everything from the big sycamore log pictured in a previous posting to walnut crotch flitches 30" long by 28" wide.  The frame is strong enough to handle anything I put on it, even though it is set up on wheels.  Easy to tow (1,800 pounds) and quick to set up.  Most of all, the mill just has a solid feel to it.

Operation & maintenance are very straightforward, and I opted to save some money by assembling it myself.  Lots of little things like the roller/cleat on the log stops help a lot.  I did put an electric winch on it, which helps with loading and turning.  Hydraulics are intriguing, but I've never been defeated by a log!  I've seen hydraulics demonstrated, and they look well matched to the capacity of the mill.

I've got photos in my gallery, and you're welcome to come out and give it a try.
Norwood MX34 Pro portable sawmill, 8N Ford, Lewis Winch

Nomad

Quote from: dboyt on April 11, 2014, 10:34:33 AM
Quote from: epiphoneprs on April 08, 2014, 10:40:44 PM
Dboyt, I'm glad you replied.  I've been wanting to talk with someone who owned a Norwood.  I love the look of those mills.  They seem very user friendly.  The main thing I like about your model is that you can start out basic and add hydraulics later on if your budget allows.  Do you like your mill?  Have you ever had any other kind?

I've had several other mills.  Most recently a Timber Harvester, but sold it and bought the Norwood.  The HD36 works well for me, because I've established a niche for milling oddball stuff that no one else will touch.  The max width of cut is important, but there are other features that really sold me on the machine.  It has the most flexible clamping system of any mill I've seen, and I've cut everything from the big sycamore log pictured in a previous posting to walnut crotch flitches 30" long by 28" wide.  The frame is strong enough to handle anything I put on it, even though it is set up on wheels.  Easy to tow (1,800 pounds) and quick to set up.  Most of all, the mill just has a solid feel to it.

Operation & maintenance are very straightforward, and I opted to save some money by assembling it myself.  Lots of little things like the roller/cleat on the log stops help a lot.  I did put an electric winch on it, which helps with loading and turning.  Hydraulics are intriguing, but I've never been defeated by a log!  I've seen hydraulics demonstrated, and they look well matched to the capacity of the mill.

I've got photos in my gallery, and you're welcome to come out and give it a try.

     I've seen the new Norwoods, but never operated one.  However, I put a lot of hours on an LM2000.  I'd stack that mill up with any manual mill out there, bar none.  I was truly impressed with that machine.
Buying a hammer doesn't make you a carpenter
WoodMizer LT50HDD51-WR
Lucas DSM23-19

dboyt

There are a lot of Norwood LumberMate 2000 sawmills out there.  I took my mill down to the national Tree Farm convention in Jacksonville a few years back to do a demonstration & presentation.  I brought home some nice cypress boards.  People were actually standing in line waiting for a chance to cut a board. 

I'll look you up if I'm back down that way.
Norwood MX34 Pro portable sawmill, 8N Ford, Lewis Winch

Seaman

Please go somewhere and watch-play with a Lucas mill. Not saying not is best for YOU, but deserves a look!
Frank
Lucas dedicated slabber
Woodmizer LT40HD
John Deere 5310 W/ FEL
Semper Fi

Seaman

Come see mine. I did not realize you were so close! Road trip to the mountains!
Better yet come up to the Blue Skys event on the 26th!
Frank
Lucas dedicated slabber
Woodmizer LT40HD
John Deere 5310 W/ FEL
Semper Fi

thecfarm

Take him up on that Lucas mill.Them thinks are very interesting to watch.First one I saw I asked ALOT of questions.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

tule peak timber

 a lot of bang for the buck......

 
persistence personified - never let up , never let down

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