Ready to buy an EZ Boardwalk JR

[arkvet]

You won't regret it at all.
I would agree with Downstream on getting yourself an extra log clamp. Even if you aren't sawing short logs, sometimes it's just more convenient having clamps in several spots. Turns out most logs aren't utility pole straight and having the option of clamping at different spots could certainly make things a bunch easier. I guarantee after you move a few logs up or down your bunks so your clamp can find a good spot to bite you'll be thinking you should have got one.

Thanks for the reminder!  I made the addition of the extra clamp:) 

[thecfarm]

How many HP is that tractor? Maybe 30? If so,that is a little small to be caring many 16 foor logs a foot and a half across. Yes,it might do it,but any little small hole that front tire drops into will change things fast.
I bought a manual mill without the trailer package too. Never once wanted to move it,never planned on moving it either. I bring the logs to the mill. I have the mill so when I push on the head,I am facing the house. I can see someone coming that way.
You will like sawing!!!!

[arkvet]

How many HP is that tractor? Maybe 30? If so,that is a little small to be caring many 16 foor logs a foot and a half across. Yes,it might do it,but any little small hole that front tire drops into will change things fast.
I bought a manual mill without the trailer package too. Never once wanted to move it,never planned on moving it either. I bring the logs to the mill. I have the mill so when I push on the head,I am facing the house. I can see someone coming that way.
You will like sawing!!!!

Yes it's a 30 HP due to it being hydrostatic.  The manual trans model is 32 HP.

I have tons of experience using the FEL.  I've pushed it to it's limits on a regular basis and find that the tractors hydraulic pressure is often the limiting factor for the FEL.  I've moved many half ton + hay bales with the FEL and have real firm idea of what it's capabilities are.  My plan is to use the FEL (with pallet fork attachment) for all the logs it can handle.  Any that are too much for the FEL will get moved with a 3pt cherry picker and grapple / chains.  I loaded the 24" diameter x 12' Walnut logs this way.  I am beyond excited about cutting those up.  I'm thinking some 2"+ slabs from the middle... Live edge on one side and square up the other... two mirrored slabs joined in the middle... Dining room table that would nearly pay for the mill...  but my wife will want to keep it of course:)

[arkvet]

Well, after several weeks of waiting I was able to meet up with the good folks at EZ boardwalk and pick up my mill.  I'm thrilled with it so far.  The engineering looks to be excellent.  It's very heavy duty and the operation is very straight forward.  I've temporarily set it up in one of the few relatively flat areas on my property (I live on the side of very large sloping hill).  Once I get a feel for how I am going to be working around it I'll figure out a more permanent home for it and build a nice shed for it.

Here are a couple pictures I took the day we tried it out.  My little boy was fascinated by it!  He is a train fanatic and he swears up and down that it's a train!  He said "DADDY, Look it has tracks!!!"

and don't worry guys.  He's no where near the mill when moving logs or in use.

OK so I'm having some trouble adding pictures.  Getting the run around with this "album stuff".  I'll try to figure it out later when I have some more time.

[brianb88]

Following this thread with interest. I look forward to seeing pics of your mill.

[thecfarm]

Andrew looks happy with it.



 

[thecfarm]

This is how a picture is added to a post.

I like to go to whatever post or start a new topic first to include a picture.Go to your gallery,it will open in a new window.Click onto your album,then click onto whatever picture you want,it will get bigger,than scroll down a little to find,Insert Image In Post,click onto that,click Yes and that is it. Some have to copy/paste the link to work.I like to hit the enter key at least once or twice to move the picture down away from what I am typing. The enter key really helps to leave some white space if posting more than one picture or posting a comment. Use the preview button to see how it looks and modify it if needed.

[arkvet]

Thanks for the tips on posting pics I will give it another try tomorrow when I'm back at my computer.

In the pic that you can see I haven't even added the 5' extension. I figured I'd just wait until I actually needed it or until it was in a more permanent location, whichever came first.

The first walnut log I cut up turned out perfect. Exactly 1" thick all the way down.  I took the advice that I've read on here many times and it was to be sure the track was very level.  I was able to accomplish this with ease by using my dewalt laser level. I set it up a few inches higher than the top of the track and turned it on. Then measured down to the track in each corner. I set it up for a 1" downhill slope which I hope will help move the mill along while cutting.  Anyone without a laser lever should take a look. They're a handy little tool. I originally bought it when I was finishing a set of stairs in my house. Made baluster positioning easy.

Now I've got to make some stickers and get this stack of walnut logs cut up. While it's air drying I'll have to work on the shed for the mill. Oh and then the solar kiln. Lol

Thanks again everyone! 

[thecfarm]

I would take 2 logs,I sawed the top of mine to make them flat,smooth. Run them the opposite way the track is,and a few inches higher than your rails.Keep the 2 logs away from your mill,leave enough room to walk through.Put your logs on them and roll them on with a peavey/cant dog. I use a piece of flat ¼ metal,4 inches wide by about 2 feet long to get them from the log bed,the 2 logs,onto the mill. No mill likes heavy equipment around them.  Some have even made a hinge to close the gap between the mill and bed.You could even cut a notch out of the end of the log,make it kinda long,and put a 2X4 or 6 in there to close the gap.

[WDH]

The first walnut log I cut up turned out perfect. Exactly 1" thick all the way down. 

Nice mill.  You might consider cutting your walnut at 1 1/8" thick instead of 1" thick.  1 1/8" is the standard for the hardwood industry.  I believe that 1" is too thin for such a high value furniture grade wood like walnut.  I know that you are anxious to get sawing.

[arkvet]

The first walnut log I cut up turned out perfect. Exactly 1" thick all the way down. 

Nice mill.  You might consider cutting your walnut at 1 1/8" thick instead of 1" thick.  1 1/8" is the standard for the hardwood industry.  I believe that 1" is too thin for such a high value furniture grade wood like walnut.  I know that you are anxious to get sawing.

Thanks. Will do. I only cut the one log. I plan to use some of this walnut as is (rough cut) which is why I made them 1". I will definitely cut the majority at 1 1/8".

[sandpig]

I just bought a used EZ Boardwalk Jr a few months ago I have enjoyed the mill so far.  I am very new and have a lot to learn.  The guy I bought it from made some modifications to the bed.  I will have to work on fixing the bed to hold the logs on the bed when your turn the logs.  I would say that is the only area I wish they would improve for this mill. 

Good Luck enjoy and let me know if I can be of any help.