Expensive Year

[lxskllr]

Just did a quick tally, and I spent >$3k on woodcutting stuff Since February last  year...

Stihl MS362cm
NOS Stihl MS362
Echo CS400
Echo CS2511T (money will be spent in a week or two)
Spur climbing kit
Box of rope
25' reel of chain
A few premade loops of chain
Files, wedges, bar oil, misc...
Helko axe
PPE


On the bright side, I should be good for awhile. I may pickup another set of chaps, and might get another reel of chain for the big saws, but barring catastrophic failure, it should only be the occasional expendable part that needs to be purchased. Also, I've made money I otherwise wouldn't have with the gear, and saved money I would have spent to pay someone else to do work. Pretty sure I'm still in the hole, but I'd guesstimate it's <$1k. Can't say I'm upset. It's been a good year  :^)

[Pulphook]

Laphroaig not tallyed.....~ $55. U.S. /1/5 . :

[lxskllr]

Laphroaig not tallyed.....~ $55. U.S. /1/5 . :

That's only the start of it. I've probably spent $1k+ in alcohol. I've got ~$400 in spirits sitting around that are in current rotation, as well as stuff just squirreled away. I have some ooold Sam Adams Utopia I keep meaning to check to see if it's still good. That was a $150 bottle of beer  :^D

[thecfarm]

Been a good year for me. BUT I buy stuff to make work,life,easier for me. As I say,My convenience is worth something.    

[Pulphook]

PPE


On the bright side, I should be good for awhile. I may pickup another set of chaps, and might get another reel of chain for the big saws, but barring catastrophic failure, it should only be the occasional expendable part that needs to be purchased. Also, I've made money I otherwise wouldn't have with the gear, and saved money I would have spent to pay someone else to do work. Pretty sure I'm still in the hole, but I'd guesstimate it's <$1k. Can't say I'm upset. It's been a good year  :^)

One Laphraoig goes far for a real set of full wrap chaps from Labonville.
What's "NOS" ? Another "TLA" ? ???

[lxskllr]

Been a good year for me. BUT I buy stuff to make work,life,easier for me. As I say,My convenience is worth something.    

All this started as a way to save money on a fallen tree, and do things myself, but it's turned into a hobby. I think it takes the place of whitewater paddling I quit years ago to spend more time with my daughter. I'd be afraid to get back into that due to my back. I was in some pretty inaccessible places, and a back issues could mean crawling for miles in rugged terrain, and losing a boat. Tree work has a lot of the same attributes. Success is dependent on me doing the right thing, every task is unique, and there's a hint of danger to keep you on your toes. What's not to love?  :^)

What's "NOS" ? Another "TLA" ?

NewOldStock  I got the saw brand new, but not through a saw shop. It had been around awhile, but the only time it saw fuel was from factory testing near as I can tell.

[WV Sawmiller]

   If it has become a hobby then you can write it off as medical/stress relief and as entertainment. I got my mill largely because I had excess time on my hands and figured it was exercise and fresh air and even though I can't say it has been profitable yet I can say it is a pretty cost neutral hobby and I have made some nice friends and still have hopes of saying into a log filled with diamonds or gold treasure or such. 

   Besides it sounds like a lot of what you bought was an investment and may show returns in this year. It should all work out in the profit and lass/expense columns as the years go by.

[SawyerTed]

February- new sawmill and a box of blades
March - can't hooks and miscellaneous tools
April - new box of blades
May- sawmill leaf blower
June - old sawmill truck
July/August - not much expense
September - fuel, gloves, bander, banding and tools
October- not much expense
November- not much expense
December - new sawmill truck

I added it up..... ouch!

[lxskllr]

I imagine milling can get expensive quick, especially if you're making a business of it.

[mike_belben]

Going into business is always expensive.  If theres a cheap business to get into theres already 50 players in it to limit the profit margin or its hard labor or its extremely technical and few know how.  

If at all possible, always start your business while you have a wage income to deduct the expenses against.  The very first thing every business owner MUST know for eventual success, is taxes.  You can be the best whatever on earth and still go to jail over taxes. 

[alan gage]

Used skidloader 
Grapple forks
Used stihl 660
Used stihl 026
Assorted bars and chains
Used Laguna 16" bandsaw
Used Woodmaster 718 planer
5000ft of rough hardwood lumber from same auction
Drying shed
Blades for sawmill
Fuel
Plenty of other things I'm forgetting.

Haven't added it all up yet but it should be around 25k for the year. 

Last year I bought (and repaired) the sawmill, 14k lb. flatbed trailer for hauling logs and tractor, truck for pulling the trailer, and 5 acres of land to keep it all. 

This coming year I need to build an actual enclosed shop where I can get back to woodworking and hopefully at least one solar kiln. 

It hurts to see the money going out but so far I haven't had to take out any loans and if I completely abandoned the idea of making a business out of this enterprise I haven't really bought anything that won't help me with future projects and life in general (like the house I'm planning to build in the next couple years on the same land). 

I made more money this past year than I plan to make in the coming few as I hope to spend less time at my real job and more at the sawmill so I'm hoping the accountant can work some magic for me on this year's taxes.

Alan