The time has come...to say HELLO!

[VB-Milling]

Good day all!

I've been lurking and learning for about 6 months.  I've read some very helpful information here and I wanted to say thank you for the knowledge base of the membership and the efficient administration of the forum itself.

Been corresponding with @btulloh about Woodland Mills as he is a few hours from my location in VA and we hit it off pretty rapidly.   Have been looking at an HM126 since Sept 2020.  Probably should have just pulled the trigger then as now the backorder has been pushed out to 31 Aug 2021.  Not in any sort of rush.  Hobby mill size for casual milling for my own use.  Getting really tired of CSM'ing and I'm not getting any younger.  I have a small yard in the suburbs with no powered equipment.

I don't have anything specific to discuss, but I felt like it was time to speak up and say hello.  Clearly, a great group of friendly, knowledgeable people and there's no reason for me to be worried about not being welcomed even though I "just" CSM....at least, for now 

Eric Z

[Durf700]

welcome sir!  this is a great resource and full of a great group of guys to help out with your new passion!

making your own lumber is very rewarding!

[Magicman]

Welcome Eric, and you already seem to know your way around quite well.  Remember that the only "dumb" question is an "unasked" question.

[VB-Milling]

Welcome Eric, and you already seem to know your way around quite well.  Remember that the only "dumb" question is an "unasked" question.

Thanks for the welcome.  I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions eventually.  Dumb or otherwise  :D

welcome sir!  this is a great resource and full of a great group of guys to help out with your new passion!

making your own lumber is very rewarding!

Thanks for the welcome.  Been CSM'ing for about 2 years, which means I've only just begun actually using my own lumber, and, yes, it is very rewarding.  I am very much looking forward to sliding the first board off a bandsaw mill when the time comes.

[Chuck White]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, VB-Milling!

[Jeff]

Welcome.

[VB-Milling]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, VB-Milling!

Thanks!  Good to be here.

Welcome.

Thanks for making a place for me to go!

[VB-Milling]

Who doesn't like pics?!!?!

A few pictures of my CSM'ing setup and my little slice of backyard I have to do milling in general.  I've been looking at ways to maximize material handling, stacking and waste processing.  I think I have most of it figured out.  A few steps closer to a BSM.

The early days of driveway milling right on the trailer. Cherry from a neighbor.



 

Built myself a slabbing table. Thankfully, this was a couple years ago before lumber prices went skyhigh.


 

Promptly filled it up and didn't have room to mill on it


 

Emptied it, palletized the stacks, moved the table closer to the fence and then filled it up again!


 

In the meantime, acquired too many logs for my narrow sideyard


 

Got things clean up a bit.  I think the BSM would have to go near the gable.


 

My "log hauler"


 

And then it all seems worth it!

[Tacotodd]

It's all worth the outcome!!!

[YellowHammer]

That's a nice setup.  Welcome.  

[slider]

Welcome you have come to a great place.

[firefighter ontheside]

Welcome aboard VB.  I've learned a ton here  and I'm always happy to share what I've learned here and elsewhere.  

[VB-Milling]

That's a nice setup.  Welcome.  

Thank you.  Its a work in progress, always evolving.  My wife makes fun of me because I'm perpetually reorganizing the sideyard, the shed, my woodshop, my sock drawer etc....

Welcome you have come to a great place.

Welcome aboard VB.  I've learned a ton here  and I'm always happy to share what I've learned here and elsewhere.  

Thank you. Definitely a great place!  I've been getting lost for the last 6 months in post after post, not remembering how I went down the link-clicking rabbit hole.  Happy to be learning from everyone.

[trimguy]

Welcome, this is a great place to learn and to just come hang out and forget the troubles of the day. Or so I've heard. 😁

[VB-Milling]

Welcome, this is a great place to learn and to just come hang out and forget the troubles of the day. Or so I've heard. 😁

Thank you! Easy enough to forget what time it is too  :D

[Cedarman]

Welcome VBmilling,
The Sawmill and Logging show will be in Richmond near the end of May.  Great place to buy some tools and meet some FF members.  Loaders run and saws buzz.  Big equipment and little stuff too.

[VB-Milling]

Welcome VBmilling,
The Sawmill and Logging show will be in Richmond near the end of May.  Great place to buy some tools and meet some FF members.  Loaders run and saws buzz.  Big equipment and little stuff too.

Thanks for the welcome and the info.  I looked it up and its May 21-22 so I'll see about taking the drive.  Would be great to meet up with some FF members IRL and make some local contacts.

[samandothers]

Welcome to the FF it is a great place to learn for sure.   
You have quite the set up there in a small space.  It must be hard to accomplish your work but you are doing great!

[VB-Milling]

Welcome to the FF it is a great place to learn for sure.  
You have quite the set up there in a small space.  It must be hard to accomplish your work but you are doing great!

Appreciate the welcome.  It'll be interesting to add a hobby sized BSM into the space and the workflow.

[Hilltop366]

Greetings from Nova Scotia! Thanks for sharing your milling adventure.

[VB-Milling]

Greetings from Nova Scotia! Thanks for sharing your milling adventure.

Greetings back to you sir!  Funny enough, the area I live in is commonly referred to by locals as "Hilltop".

[VB-Milling]

Did some CSM'ing today.  Got frustrated, and nearly ordered a bandsaw mill.  One day I'll click through the order page....one day!



 

 

 

[VB-Milling]

I'm curious how realistic all the mill manufacturers estimated shipping dates are...I know it would mostly be speculation, but I'd love some feedback from the membership.  Maybe some feedback from some of the manufacturers.

[btulloh]

Many people are reporting delivery of their mills is ahead of the predicted schedule.  Seems like lead times are being quoted with a little cushion.  It's always better to get something quicker than predicted.  It's hard enough waiting it out and pushing the delivery date back only makes it worse.  

[VB-Milling]

Many people are reporting delivery of their mills is ahead of the predicted schedule.  Seems like lead times are being quoted with a little cushion.  It's always better to get something quicker than predicted.  It's hard enough waiting it out and pushing the delivery date back only makes it worse.  

That's good to hear Bob.  I've always subscribed to the "under promise, over deliver" philosophy.

I was on the Woodland Mills page again this morning.  Nothing in my cart this time though....I'll get there eventually!

The predicted/foreshadowing of a surplus of lightly used hobby mills in the next year or 2 is giving me pause because I'm frugal.  The want/desire/need is now though....tough to balance the two rationales

[VB-Milling]

Too bad mill manufacturers don't accept crypto....

[Rybot]

Welcome! I am new here as well but have found everyone here very helpful and friendly.  ;D

[VB-Milling]

My tree service friend dropped off some white oak today.  I won't tell him, but I think all but the large diameter log will get bucked up and split for firewood.

Thinking the large diameter log will be a good test bed for my new bar, chain and hand crank setup.  I can mill it up in the driveway and save myself having to move it to the backyard.  Got the chains today ,hand crank is finished and wound with paracord, just waiting on the bar.  More to come...



 

[Tacotodd]

Just remember that with chainsaw milling especially, "their is no replacement for displacement". Especially that big wood will take time and sharp chain. Be patient....blah, blah, blah.

[VB-Milling]

Ok, I did it finally!  After months of paralysis through analysis, I ordered a Woodland Mills HM126, 14hp motor, a track extension, the mill cover and a spare parts kit.  Email confirmation put that 31 August ship date on it that has been so popular lately.

[btulloh]

 8) 8) 8) 8)

[YellowHammer]

Congratulations, you'll like it.

[jpassardi]

Looks like you have neighbors nearby - they will prefer the mill to the chainsaw mill also due to much less decibels!
Bandsaw to CSM is night and day, you won't be disappointed.

[trimguy]

Congratulations, I'm sure you will be happy you did !

[maple flats]

Welcome to the list of future Woodland Mill BSM's, I also ordered one, projected to ship 8/31/21. I didn't order the parts kit but I did order the blade sharpener and their tooth setter. The parts kit in a year or 2 maybe. I ordered the HM130Max, just 4" cut bigger than the 26.

[VB-Milling]

Been a month already since I ordered the HM126...three more to go!

In the meantime, I've been looking at used boat trailers to modify and mount the mill to...sub $500 category.  Not to trailer it. More because I can't decide on where to setup the mill in my small sideyard.  Lots of time left to think of a solution; I'm sure one will present itself.

[mike_belben]

Youre gonna need a bigger truck and trailer.  For when your marriage to that new sawmill causes you to pack up and move to the country.  ;D

Welcome to FF, sorry im late to the party

[Les Staley]

VB-Milling,  I pulled the trigger on my HM126 March 7, 2021 and got it almost two months to the day from ordering.  

Very happy with my choice of mills,  learning more every time I fire it up.  Have milled a few 2"X6"s,  some 4X4s for a neighbor to build a porch.   I'm totally alone at my property, as in No Helper, so it took me a couple  weeks to assemble, adjust and get going.  

Welcome to the forum, but I see u were here first.

[VB-Milling]

Youre gonna need a bigger truck and trailer.  For when your marriage to that new sawmill causes you to pack up and move to the country.  ;D

Welcome to FF, sorry im late to the party

You are spot on Mike.  I've got to stay put until the young one is of college age, but I've been looking for some property within 90 or so miles where I can put up a small mill shed and a tent eventually

Thanks for the welcome!

[VB-Milling]

VB-Milling,  I pulled the trigger on my HM126 March 7, 2021 and got it almost two months to the day from ordering.  

Very happy with my choice of mills,  learning more every time I fire it up.  Have milled a few 2"X6"s,  some 4X4s for a neighbor to build a porch.   I'm totally alone at my property, as in No Helper, so it took me a couple  weeks to assemble, adjust and get going.  

Welcome to the forum, but I see u were here first.

Thanks Les!
I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that the 4 month wait time is the absolute worst case scenario and I'll see it sometime in late July or early August.

[VB-Milling]

Time for a bit of an update.  Things have been progressing while waiting on the mill to arrive.  Date is still 31 August 2021, which means I have waited a grand total of 7 weeks

Ordered up 2 boxes of Kasco blades from @Cutting Edge yesterday.  The race is on to see whether the blades or the mill arrive first  :D  Really great talking to Richard.  Lots of good info.

Scored one of the factory seconds 60" cant hooks from @logriteofficial today that should be shipping soon as well as a couple pairs of gloves that people seem to like.  Thank you Logrite.  @thecfarm should be happy!

Got a couple inexpensive trailers that I'll be using to build a mill trailer.  Mostly so I don't have to decide where to put the mill permanently.  It may see pavement in the distant future.  We'll see.  Maybe when I tow it to that country property @mike_belben has been talking about ;D

Still got much to do to re-arrange the small side yard to be ready for the mill.  I think I have the general layout.  Actually been thinking about going to pay @Southside a visit and purchasing enough artificial turf to cover that area thinking it'll make millings cleanup easier and keep the weeds between the log piles at bay.  Side yard is only 40x18ft maybe ???  I don't have any heavy equipment that would tear it up.  Not sure...kicking the idea around and open to a constructive discussion.

Got about 9 more weeks of waiting, but it'll go by quickly I'm sure.  I stay pretty busy at work and at home.

[thecfarm]

I betcha you will be happier than me when you are using that Logrite.    ;D   

[VB-Milling]

Got an email today from woodland mills that my order is being processed and I should expect a call from the freight company withing 4 weeks. If that's the case, it would be about 3 weeks earlier than quoted. That would be nice!

Good thing I already started my trailer build.

[VB-Milling]

Its been two weeks and no update on shipment unfortunately, but the trailer build has been progressing daily.  Got the trailer jacks on one side welded up and one removeable fender fabricated.

If I plan to load the trailer from the same side with ramps and a post winch, should I even bother to make both fenders removeable ??????

[VB-Milling]

Also, I have 2.5" DOM, 0.125" wall set aside to make up ramps.  They are 6ft long.  I'm starting to think they are undersized and I should just use them for another project and make 4x4 wooden ramps.  I've seen threads with both steel and wood ramp solutions.

To anyone with steel or wood ramps, do you wish you had the other and why?

To answer some possible follow-up questions, I don't have the space at this time for a log deck and I don't have any support equipment for loading.  The current best option appears to be loading ramps and post winch.

[btulloh]

Use 4x4's and save the dom. It's a bit light for ramps, plus that stuff costs too much to waste on ramps, unless DOM grows on trees down there.  

Gettin' closer to d-day!  You'll be sawing before long!

[VB-Milling]

No DOM trees that I'm aware of, but I'll keep an eye out   :D

Thanks for confirming my suspicions, Bob.

The DOM would be better off as part of a log arch, but lets get sawin' first before I delve into that project.

Any thoughts on the removeable fenders?

[btulloh]

I'm not qualified to speak on fenders since I'm stationary. My guess is the one on the same side as the backstops wouldn't be in the way. I'm guessing you plan on loading from the right side of the mill so the fender on that side could be in the way. The wheel on that side will probably annoy you too, until you get used to walking around it. 

You'll probably make changes and tune your setup as you get some experience. Material handling and work flow take some time to get right and it all needs to suit you and your workspace.  All part of the fun. 

[DesertHobo]

One reason I've found for dual removable fenders, instead of just the one on loading side, is in case you forget to put the log rests up while loading the mill. Quick way to possibly damage a fender (to go along with freshly wounded pride while getting the log back onto the mill). I'm sure there are other, better reasons besides forgetfulness. If you're making your own, I'm sure you could make a heavy duty fender that would pass that test.

[JRWoodchuck]

If you do end up milking at different sites it's really nice to be able to load logs from both sides of the mill. 

[VB-Milling]

One reason I've found for dual removable fenders, instead of just the one on loading side, is in case you forget to put the log rests up while loading the mill. Quick way to possibly damage a fender (to go along with freshly wounded pride while getting the log back onto the mill). I'm sure there are other, better reasons besides forgetfulness. If you're making your own, I'm sure you could make a heavy duty fender that would pass that test.

Something I sure didn't think about and is a good thought.  My fenders are just lightweight boat trailer fenders so I could definitely damage it if I rolled a log off the backside.
I've got the design all figured out from the first side I did.  I guess it makes sense just to make them both removeable and stop fussing about it.

[VB-Milling]

Gettin' closer to d-day!  You'll be sawing before long!

Funny story about gettin' closer to d-day....
I got an email this past Friday about shipment notification from Woodland Mills and for the last three days, I've been thinking my mill was on its way!  Turns out, upon looking at the invoice numbers this morning, the shipment notification is for the hat I ordered  :D :D :D :D

[Old Greenhorn]

If you do end up milking at different sites it's really nice to be able to load logs from both sides of the mill.

If he's milking, he's probably doing it wrong. :D ;D

[Gere Flewelling]

VB-Milling- If you go out to the Index and scroll down to the "Sponsor News" and then to the Cook's Saw Mfg. site and then go to "Cook's product modifications" line and then scroll down to reply #8 you can see how I modified the log loading ramps to allow them to be left in place and not have to remove them every time after I rolled a log up them.  They were originally designed to be removed after every log so the carriage would not hit them.  They were too heavy for me to keep that up.  Now I can carefully stage the logs on the ramps and depending on the size, roll them up with a cant hook or use the 12 winch located on the other side of the mill to roll them up.  I do not set anything on the mill with a tractor as it is too violent on the mill to try to ease a log on with forks or chains.  Rolling up the ramps is quick and very controllable.  I know you are fabricating up your own system.  This might give you some ideas.  It works very efficiently on my mill. Just make sure you have squaring arms up to stop the log from rolling off the other side.  Nothing good comes of that.

[VB-Milling]

VB-Milling- If you go out to the Index and scroll down to the "Sponsor News" and then to the Cook's Saw Mfg. site and then go to "Cook's product modifications" line and then scroll down to reply #8 you can see how I modified the log loading ramps to allow them to be left in place and not have to remove them every time after I rolled a log up them.  They were originally designed to be removed after every log so the carriage would not hit them.  They were too heavy for me to keep that up.  Now I can carefully stage the logs on the ramps and depending on the size, roll them up with a cant hook or use the 12 winch located on the other side of the mill to roll them up.  I do not set anything on the mill with a tractor as it is too violent on the mill to try to ease a log on with forks or chains.  Rolling up the ramps is quick and very controllable.  I know you are fabricating up your own system.  This might give you some ideas.  It works very efficiently on my mill. Just make sure you have squaring arms up to stop the log from rolling off the other side.  Nothing good comes of that.

That sure is slick @Gere Flewelling  I linked to it for convenience.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=108160.msg1736428#msg1736428
I'm thinking I'll do a hybrid of your system with wood and steel at some point.  I really appreciate you sharing the information.
I also took note of your secondary winch setup and how its removeable.  I've welded a 3x3" square tube roughly in the center of my trailer with the hopes of fabricating something like you have.  I would probably have to make it more robust because it would be my primary means of winching logs onto the mill.

[Nebraska]

@Old Greenhorn ...Well he isn't all that far from Southside, if he went for a visit hecould end up milking and milling in the same day...

[VB-Milling]

@Old Greenhorn ...Well he isn't all that far from Southside, if he went for a visit hecould end up milking and milling in the same day...

Not that far at all from @Southside 
Been thinking about getting some artificial turf from him for under my mill but I'm still toying with the idea.

[VB-Milling]

Funny story about gettin' closer to d-day....
I got an email this past Friday about shipment notification from Woodland Mills and for the last three days, I've been thinking my mill was on its way!  Turns out, upon looking at the invoice numbers this morning, the shipment notification is for the hat I ordered  :D :D :D :D

Ok, NOW I got the email the mill has been shipped.  No estimate on transport time from R&L as of yet.
Looks like the mill will be here a month before my blades arrive unfortunately.  I'm sure I'll be busy getting everything setup anyways.

[VB-Milling]

Monday July 26th!  Just confirmed with the freight company.  Gonna be an exciting week next week!  Feel like maybe I should start a new thread for that or maybe rename this one?

[btulloh]

 smiley_blue_bounce smiley_blue_bounce

[VB-Milling]

Well now I'm really getting excited!  My blades are here!



 

[Rybot]

Gotta love it when things show up early. smiley_clapping

[VB-Milling]

Speaking of arriving early, part of my mill arrived today!  In a manner of speaking

Thank you Woodland Mills @NeilB 



 

[VB-Milling]

 

 

[RAYAR]

To answer some possible follow-up questions, I don't have the space at this time for a log deck and I don't have any support equipment for loading.  The current best option appears to be loading ramps and post winch.

The first page of my thread has many pics of the winch set-up I built for my mill. May give you some ideas.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=106696.0

[VB-Milling]

Thank you Ray.  I also have that thread bookmarked.  Very useful and you give good specifics about sizing and details of the build. Will certainly be using as much inspiration.

[btulloh]

Well??  All things considered, we should be seeing some sawdust off your mill by this evening.    How's it going?