Im new Im new i dont know what to dooo

RexBandit · March 30, 2013, 05:22:52 AM

Hello. Like the title says I'm new to sawmilling. I've always want my own mill ever since I was a little kid and grew up in the woods cutting firewood on my dads land. I've finally talked my wife into letting me buy one but the comprise would be that I start out with one of the smaller cheaper models so after much research I've decided to buy a Lumber Smith. It's in my price range and I'm skilled enough with a welder that I think I can make me a very nice metal track system. I plan on ordering the mill some time this coming week. Is there anything I should know or is there another better mill out there that I missed before I make the purchase. Any help will be greatly appriceaded.

m wood · March 30, 2013, 06:04:41 AM

Welcome rexbandit. I just looked up the site for the lumbersmith, I remember researching them befor. the Elite is nearly 2k by itself. IMO, (in my opinion) that mill leaves something to be desired. But the real question is; how much lumber are you expecting to saw and for what purpose? If you could fab out a track system you are heading the right direction, but I personally would want to change the wheels as well, IMO.

Many here may suggest you consider more mill by looking to some used options to get close to your price range.
good luck rex, and again, welcome aboard.
mark

RexBandit · March 30, 2013, 06:58:44 AM

Well the plan is to one day have a "Big Boy" mill that I can put to work on the weekends and hopefully make a little extra cash with. Problem now is just convincing my wife that. I've been slowly remodeling our house and been driving almost 100 miles round trip to buy ruff sawed lumber from a sawmill. The wife loves the whole rustic look it gives the house so I used that as an excuss to get a mill. I told her I could just saw all of our own lumber seeing how we have land with lots of timber and I have all the tools need EXCEPT a mill. After much "debating" she finally agread to let me get one and the Lumber Smith is the cheapest and best "for its price" mill I can find. Any used mills are way to far away making shipping cost bust my small budget. So I'm planning on using the Lumber Smith as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

thecfarm · March 30, 2013, 07:08:36 AM

RexBandit,welcome to the forum. I looked at sawmills for probably 10 years before I brought one,all with out the help of a computer. I went to shows and places that sold them. I have no idea about the Lumbersmith.

m wood · March 30, 2013, 07:13:00 AM

It sounds like a good plan then rex. I also have the standing natural resource so it was a must have for me and my wife as well(i mean my wife and I

). if you understand the need for future mods, and you both love the rustic feel of rough-cut, then by all means, quit the 100 mile round trip immediately. It feels good to make a decision and move forward with plans, doesnt it? Keep us posted on your progress and happy Easter!
mark

Chuck White · March 30, 2013, 07:16:18 AM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, RexBandit.

I like the idea of some of the younger generation taking an interest in sawmilling. 8)

Gasawyer · March 30, 2013, 07:28:45 AM

Welcome to the forum RexBandit. Good luck with your project!

dgdrls · March 30, 2013, 07:29:06 AM

Welcome to the FF, great group here.

I suggest you reach-out to Redleg before you purchase.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=45507.0

DGDrls

bandmiller2 · March 30, 2013, 07:47:41 AM

Welcome Rex,its false economy to cheap out on a mill.A brand name mill can always be resold at little loss if you loose intrest or want to trade up.If you have much building to do buy it now not after you have bought most of the lumber. Read old posts here their has been volumes written on this subject. Frank C.

WDH · March 30, 2013, 08:01:04 AM

If you are looking to make some money on the side, the Lumbersmith is too small and light duty. I suggest that you look at the sponsors on the left for additional options.

Magicman · March 30, 2013, 08:30:41 AM

Hello RexBandit, and Welcome to the Forestry Forum.

I well understand budgets, wife concerns, and also the economics of producing your own lumber. The "cheapest" or the "only one that you can afford" may not be enough reason to buy anything. That unit may be fine in a remote location for flattening logs for a log cabin, etc. but there is much more to sawing lumber than simply slabbing a log.

Used entry level quality name brand sawmills can be bought in the ~$3,000 range.

justallan1 · March 30, 2013, 09:02:44 AM

RexBandit, welcome to the forum.
I researched the Lumbersmith due to that's what I could afford and pretty much felt that I would have to design and build the entire track system with backstops and dogs before I would be able to cut a square board. I ended up passing it up and got a small mill elsewhere that goes for $600 more new, that comes complete, and no shipping.
I would recomend finding someone with one, that has had one for awhile, and ask their opinion.
Anything can be made to work, you just have to figure out what you want to be doing with it in a few years, not today. Just my opinion.
Take your time and research things, and have a great day.
Allan

RexBandit · March 30, 2013, 09:14:07 AM

Hay guys ya don't have to convince me on gettin a bigger mill I'm all for it. Lol. But I think my wife still don't belive that I can go cut down a tree in our pasture and turn it into wonderful slabs of wood even though I've been on her about it for the past four or so years. I know that the Smith is a light weight mill and I don't mind fabricating the track that shouldn't be to hard. Then when I'm able to upgread I plan on giving the mill to my ole man. It's really more his speed. Lol

Dgdrls. Redlegs created a link on the Lumber Smith web site to this one. It's how I discoverd this wonderful place so I still need to thank him for that.

Nomad · March 30, 2013, 09:26:20 AM

Welcome! Here's a suggestion. Why don't you contact someone near you with a bandmill and see if he'd mind you and your wife watching him work for an hour or so? That should give her a sense of what you could do with a mill. It would make it easier to point out the difference between a really light hobby mill and a bit more serious machine, too.

strunk57 · March 30, 2013, 09:36:41 AM

Welcome RexBandit, One thing you done right was joining FF, these guys are amazing and relentless with Advice. I am a NOOB also. I Ended up buying a Norwood lumberlite lightly used for 2k. I love it but still learning to use it. Look around for a little bit you might find an amazing deal.

I dont know how close you are to tulsa but i found this.

(craigslist link removed by administrator)

POSTON WIDEHEAD · March 30, 2013, 09:59:00 AM

This is a nice looking mill. But the 6.5 HP worries me. You want milling to be fun. There's not a lot of fun in a 6.5 HP engine.

m wood · March 30, 2013, 10:34:19 AM

certainly can understand the constraints your under! budget, wife, etc. I searched for 6 years myself. I got serious about a decision 6 months ago and bought it about 6 weeks ago. Thought about it thru many late nights. My wife has still only watched 1 sawyer and bandmill operate in person...me and ours. But for some months she watched my seriousness never waiver, and looking over my shoulder at many many utubes and other videos, she actually got hooked BAD right along with me. I shared with her all the options and oportunities the right mill could provide us. But, she will tell you, that I never stop thinking, going, doing so she believed in the idea after a time...I'm forever grateful.

patience my friend! I hope speeding up a purchase is not one of your constraints, cuz I finally found a mill capable of 28" logs up to 18' lenghths with 11 used blades and I only drove 45 minutes to get it. I'm in New York and was ready to drive to MO or NC or TN to get one. Paid $2500 cash and could"ve probably negotiated down BUT I was too excited and just forked it over...absolutely NO regrets.
I would bet I could use it for 4 more years and get what I paid for it!
Good luck RexBandit...Is your head spinning from all the input yet!

:D
mark

OlJarhead · March 30, 2013, 10:39:27 AM

I run the WoodMizer LT10 with the 7hp motor (Option to upgrade to 10hp).

At 3500 with 15 extra blades, delivered it's not really that much more and you won't have to buy metal to make the bed etc. In the end you aren't out much more then you would be building a bed etc for the one you're thinking of but you get a top brand mill that WILL produce a lot of lumber for you, for years to come.

Can't beat buying a top quality brand and perhaps that's how you sell it to the wife ;) Just explain that you were hoping to do the $2k mill but by the time you did all the work to get it milling it would cost nearly what it would to by the $3.5k name brand machine.

My wife was a hard sell until I showed her that the $5K I planned to pay for paneling would more then cover the cost of the mill which would produce the paneling and so much more.

Now look where I am! lol

RedLeg · March 30, 2013, 10:45:15 AM

It also matters what you intend to do with it... my "non-big boy" ;) mill works for me and where I am located and didn't cost so much that when I don't use it for months at a time that I feel bad about it. Get the right tool for the right job... I don't saw for anyone else so no one is looking over my shoulder wanting me to go faster.

Set it up correctly, leveled & aligned with a sharp blade, it will cut as good as any other mill similarly operated... just not as fast or as large ;D. If the corporate work-life balance would accommodate, I'd love to go buy an LT15 GO and do portable milling in the DC area (and give DR Buck someone to pass off his "short logs/one log" work to) but it won't fit in my two car garage. :(

Service and support from the folks at Lumber Smith has always been great... that being said, like with any tool, if you try to use it for things or in ways it was not intended to be used for, you will always be disappointed. Your needs should dictate your purchase.

beenthere · March 30, 2013, 10:51:18 AM

QuoteHay guys ya don't have to convince me on gettin a bigger mill I'm all for it. Lol. But I think my wife still don't belive that I can go cut down a tree in our pasture and turn it into wonderful slabs of wood even though I've been on her about it for the past four or so years.

If you are butting heads with your wife, then solve that problem first.

Nuff' said. (the suggestion to get her to see some mills sawing lumber is a good one IMO )

Kingcha · March 30, 2013, 11:36:56 AM

and its on sale for a little while longer http://www.woodmizer.com/us/PortableEquipment/ManualSawmills/LT10Sawmill.aspx

RexBandit · March 30, 2013, 01:58:18 PM

What are ya's opeinion on the one thats for sale in the Craig list. Would it be a better option?? It won't take as big of logs but is a name brand one and seems to be better built.

Kingcha · March 30, 2013, 02:12:11 PM

I don't know much about the Hudson, but what ever you do don't sent money. Pay on delivery.

hunterbuild · March 30, 2013, 03:23:45 PM

I'm still happy with my Harbor Freight saw. I see someone got one for less than the $1700 I paid.

RexBandit · March 30, 2013, 03:48:39 PM

Well guys I'm not gonna tell ya what kinda deal i had to make with the devil to pull this off but theres a really good chance that this super excited okie will be ordering him a new Timber King1220. It's the mill that I've been begging four for the past several years now.