intro

[rmack]

Hi folks,

I didn't notice an intro section so i figured this would be as good a place as any. My name is Bob and I have been wanting a portable band mill for quite a few years.

I worked in a number of different jobs in the bush in my youth, spent about 10 years in sawmill construction in British Columbia, and now work in the Alberta oil patch.

I started my trades training in 1985 with a 7 month millwright pre-app and went on to get a basic welding ticket in 1987. I have been working one or another form of construction pretty well ever since. I almost bought a new wood-mizer 4 years ago, anyways... life got in the way... but I still think that's the direction I want to go.

I have been lurking and reading, and realize there is a lot to learn about this business. One thing that concerns me is that it seems that rough/green lumber is currently selling for $235.00/mbft. Unless I'm reading the information wrong, that is 23 1/2 cents a board foot, or less than the price for milling alone, never mind stumpage and logging.

http://www.madisonsreport.com/keyprice.html

I understand that a small operator needs to find some sort of niche, but with lumber prices that low, how can anyone make money in this game.

Is this just the wrong time to get into the business?

[Holmes]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum rmack.  Holmes

[Autocar]

Welcome Bob alot of good guys with tons of information on this site.

[Magicman]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, rmack.  You are correct that sawing is sometimes a niche market.  My primary sawing is beetle killed Pine for landowners.  It can not be sold and they are trying keep those trees from being a total loss.  Specialty lumber such as Cedar, Walnut, Oak, etc. always have a furniture builder's market.

[Amax]

Welcome Bob.

[customsawyer]

Welcome to the forum. I would like to add that it is very difficult to compete with the big mills that are cutting that size lumber. They have everything set up to where they just have to keep the pipe line full and running. You will soon learn that the sawing is usually easier than the marketing.

[Bandmill Bandit]

Hi Rmack

Welcome to the forum.

Where in the this fair province do you live?

I bought my mill in 2007. I cut about 15MBF of 2X6 and 2X8 as inventory that then took me 2 years to sell. I averaged about $425 Per MBF. Didn't lose money but didn't make a lot either. The only time I cut those dimensions now is when a customer brings logs of his own that he  want cut to those dimensions.

I cut to order now and I am working on a couple of markets that have some real goo potential.

Send me a PM we can chat.

 

[dukndog]

Welcome to the FF, Rmack/Bob!!

DnD

[fishpharmer]

Welcome to FF. you found the right place for sawmill information.  The best advice I ever received about farming was this- "make sure you have a market before you grow it." 

I have found sawmilling similar... you need a market.  Ask around and do some research, markets can be found.

[rmack]

Thanks for the welcome 

the area I live in is awash in bug kill pine, Cache Creek BC, so I guess that will likely be the wood I learn to run a mill on.

I was talking with a guy about an early '90's lt40hd, but it seems that no sooner did he advertise it for sale, people suddenly had all kinds of wood to saw up...

figures... :D