The Forestry Forum

I am finding that cutting all the fitches using my Tablesaw or WoodMaster rip saw blades while ok may not be the best option?  I air dry everything first, then move them to the dry kiln and after they are dry mill them to dimensional sizes.    I also do a far amount of 8/4 which makes it even more difficult using the Woodmaster rip blades as they cannot handle 2 inch stock.   I try to do most of the edging on the sawmill of course but with a lot of fitches of different sizes I am thinking it would be economical to buy an edger that I could use right off the sawmill.  Locally, I have seen a used Norwood Edger in good condition for under $3500 so I am wondering if those of you that use an Edger find t worth the investment?  Likewise, any advice on manufacturers?.  I do want to buy used if at all possible?

I love my edgers, and wouldn't want to cut with out one. That being said if I go out to do a portable job that is only a few thousand bf I leave the edger at the house as the amount of extra work involved to take it for smaller jobs is not worth it. A good edger will increase your production but to get the extra production requires extra help.

I am sure they are worth it for stationary jobs...for mobile jobs the single blade jobby would be cool...goes in the pickup...
I sure lust after one...I hate edging on the mill...it had to be a nice board I am edging for, or that sucker is liable to be firewood...

I have had a WM EG50 for 6 months now and I think it fits my needs fine. It is light enough to put into a pickup and cuts 2'' thick stuff very well...
Thanks Sam

Wha did the EG50 run you new?   Have you tried using it to cut dried stock?  I have a lot of air dried lumber and if it worked it might be a good option to do before puttting it in the dry kiln.  It would seem it might be harder on the unit give the MC would be closer to 20%.

Quote from: ahlkey on December 18, 2011, 07:09:31 AM
Wha did the EG50 run you new?   Have you tried using it to cut dried stock?  I have a lot of air dried lumber and if it worked it might be a good option to do before puttting it in the dry kiln.  It would seem it might be harder on the unit give the MC would be closer to 20%.

Ahlkey I think the unit was around 3000.00, I have run some 5qtr red oak that was 14% and it did not bog down at all. I think WM has a video of one in use