Sawmill Generations

[dboyt]

Just four months after breaking his hip at 88 years old, my dad is helping me run the sawmill as winch operator and sawdust control expert.  He also comes up with some good ideas, though I do need to keep an eye on him.  It is never too late to make new memories!



  

 

[Lonely Sawer]

That's awsome(to quote the younger generation). He looks like he's enjoying it as much as you. Cherish these times you have and don't let him out work you. I lost my Dad back in "76 and I think he would have love working around my mill. He was an accountant at a lumber mill for 24 years. When I was 17 I worked there pulling off the greenchain. I would have lunch with most days. I wish he was still around to enjoy the Norwood. Good memories.

[Magicman]

Thank you for the smile.  Oh what I would give...... 

I am the Dad and Granddad, so it is my responsibility to pass on the memories.

[Chuck White]

It's really great to hear stories like this, I take it as a "pick-me-up".

Keep the memories going.

Take pictures to pass along!

[drobertson]

That is outstanding!  I would love to have Dad hanging around.

[Delawhere Jack]

Dad and his father, 1948-49? Black cherry tree came down on the property my aunt and her husband just bought a year prior. They had the log milled, and here they are cutting boards to length. Granddad made cobblers' benches for each of his three children from the wood.

It must be in the blood.



 

Granddad died before I was born, dad is now 93 and has parkinson's. He can't remember names, but he always asks me "how's business?"

[thecfarm]

My Father never got to see my mill,nor this place either. Took me about 5-6 years after he was gone to put it all together. We looked at sawmills alot and we looked at the kind I bought too. He enjoyed talking about sawmills. 

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Great memories rAY. 

[Darrel]

If my dad were still alive, he'd be 101 come September.  He built a sawmill when I was 7 or 8.  I still have the head of the 2 1/2 lb cruisers axe he gave me for my 8th birthday.  He died in the month of June 7 years ago.  I'm so glad that you get to enjoy this time with with your dad.

[StimW]

My first thought with the first pic is he sure is in a dangerous position!
If that cable came loose/broke he is right in the line of fire.

[tcg]

Thanks for the photographs they immediately brought memories of my Dad.

He passed away almost 38 yrs ago at the young age of 57. I can't tell you how many times I have said to my wife that he would absolutely love where we live today.
I would have a hard time keeping him away from the mill, the woods and all that go with it. 

So thanks for bringing a smile on my face.

[Magicman]

I miss my Dad and also my only Brother, but the one that would have been interested in the sawmill would have been my Granddad.  He "wood" have loved it.   

[ozarkgem]

I see you got that big Sycamore on the mill. Looks like you removed the roller guide to get it sawed. I enjoyed visiting your place the other day.

[sealark37]

My family is a long line of sawyers and sawmill laborers.  When I told my Dad that I liked sawmilling, he laughed and said, "Better you than me".  He got his fill off-bearing slabs in the Georgia heat.  Years later, when I bought my mill, he said, "Let's set it up and saw some".  He has been gone some years now, but he never was a decent sawmill hand.  Regards, Clark

[Board Cutter]

I'm fortunate, I still have my dad helping around the mill at the young age of 91!  He mainly runs the tractor to haul slab and sawdust but isn't afraid to help stack boards if I need it.
He did logging in the late 30's when everything was done with hand saws and axes but after coming home from the war went to work for the power company.
He's never lost his love of being around trees, logs and lumber though and has taught me a lot about woodcraft.

[backwoods sawyer]

Enjoy reading about everyone shairing time with their dads around the mill ;) I lost my dad ten years ago at a young 66 to the big C while I was working in the production mill :( Sawmills and wood working have been in the family for as far back as the tree goes.
The other day we had a customer who's 89 yr old dad showed up for a couple hours and was the eager assistant, we slowed the milling down to a pace that they could keep up and enjoyed the two older generations working together and the stories of old sawmills in the area that he had worked in.
Enjoy the time that you have with them.

[leroy in kansas]

Dave, glad your dad in doing well after the hip fx. Keep him as active as he can be. Thanks for sharing.

Leroy