Offbearers and output question

[Ianab]

Agreed. Running the mill at 100% isn't over stressing anything. It's just keeping the blade in the wood for as much of the day as possible. Nothing is being pushed past it's design loads or anything.

But yes, back in the real world, you have to stop and move the boards, slabs and sawdust you have created. Fetch more logs. Service the mill and other machinery. Deal with less than perfect logs. If the mill is idling or off, it's not producing, and realistically that might be 50% of the time?

There is just so many different scenarios, and the mill is only part of the operation. Look at the figures that they get in the Sawmill Shootout. The MILL can do those numbers, but a normal milling operation never will.

It's generally not the mill that's holding up production, it's the meatsacks that can't keep it fed  ;) ;D

[drobertson]

Agreed. Running the mill at 100% isn't over stressing anything. It's just keeping the blade in the wood for as much of the day as possible. Nothing is being pushed past it's design loads or anything.

But yes, back in the real world, you have to stop and move the boards, slabs and sawdust you have created. Fetch more logs. Service the mill and other machinery. Deal with less than perfect logs. If the mill is idling or off, it's not producing, and realistically that might be 50% of the time?

There is just so many different scenarios, and the mill is only part of the operation. Look at the figures that they get in the Sawmill Shootout. The MILL can do those numbers, but a normal milling operation never will.

It's generally not the mill that's holding up production, it's the meatsacks that can't keep it fed  ;) ;D
[/quote
Well said, feed and dishes cleaned too! ;D

[Magicman]

I went back and reviewed the production numbers on the Goodwill Roadtrip/Sawing Project.  We did not set any records, but we did produce 6125 bf in two days and a total of 8965 bf total which was an average of ~250-275 bf per hour, and this was with good help and an edger.  The point being, don't get hung up on bf per hour and trying to crack some magic number. 

[Dave Shepard]

As has been said, conditions vary. When I'm cutting 30' or 40' timbers, I can cut 800 or 900 feet an hour by myself. I've got some 5' long ( : :-\ : >:( ) larch to saw soon. If I hit 100 feet an hour I'll be amazed.

[drobertson]

It really should just be said that a hobby/production mill can obtain near 1000 bdft/hr,  for a given hour or two, but the average for a day will drop some bit.  sometimes quite a bit.  Figuring an 8 hr day.   In all reality, 6000 ft a day for an LT-70 is a good day, real good day, 3000 ft for a 40 super another real good day, this is just my opinion of course, and should be taken with a grain of salt.

[customsawyer]

The setup has as much to do with it as the mill and the people. At my mill where I do lots of long stuff I average around 1400 bf/hr each week for a 40 hour week. At the mill at my house, if I get 5000 bf in a 8-9 hour day I am happy. This is the main reason that I charge more at my house than I do at the other mill. I have very similar mills, edgers and hired help is the same. The main difference is the logs and the length. The point I am trying to make is that the logs have almost as much to do with production as everything else.

[Peter Drouin]

The setup has as much to do with it as the mill and the people. At my mill where I do lots of long stuff I average around 1400 bf/hr each week for a 40 hour week. At the mill at my house, if I get 5000 bf in a 8-9 hour day I am happy. This is the main reason that I charge more at my house than I do at the other mill. I have very similar mills, edgers and hired help is the same. The main difference is the logs and the length. The point I am trying to make is that the logs have almost as much to do with production as everything else.

It really should just be said that a hobby/production mill can obtain near 1000 bdft/hr,  for a given hour or two, but the average for a day will drop some bit.  sometimes quite a bit.  Figuring an 8 hr day.   In all reality, 6000 ft a day for an LT-70 is a good day, real good day, 3000 ft for a 40 super another real good day, this is just my opinion of course, and should be taken with a grain of salt.

I went back and reviewed the production numbers on the Goodwill Roadtrip/Sawing Project.  We did not set any records, but we did produce 6125 bf in two days and a total of 8965 bf total which was an average of ~250-275 bf per hour, and this was with good help and an edger.  The point being, don't get hung up on bf per hour and trying to crack some magic number. 

Agreed. Running the mill at 100% isn't over stressing anything. It's just keeping the blade in the wood for as much of the day as possible. Nothing is being pushed past it's design loads or anything.

But yes, back in the real world, you have to stop and move the boards, slabs and sawdust you have created. Fetch more logs. Service the mill and other machinery. Deal with less than perfect logs. If the mill is idling or off, it's not producing, and realistically that might be 50% of the time?

There is just so many different scenarios, and the mill is only part of the operation. Look at the figures that they get in the Sawmill Shootout. The MILL can do those numbers, but a normal milling operation never will.

It's generally not the mill that's holding up production, it's the meatsacks that can't keep it fed  ;) ;D

You all keep practicing and you will get it. :D ;D

[GDinMaine]

Reminds me of the story when the driver goes down the wrong ramp on the highway. 

Shortly after a voice comes on the radio saying: "Caution! There is a crazy idiot driving the wrong way."
The driver says: "Just one? They are all going the wrong way!"

[Peter Drouin]

Reminds me of the story when the driver goes down the wrong ramp on the highway. 

Shortly after a voice comes on the radio saying: "Caution! There is a crazy idiot driving the wrong way."
The driver says: "Just one? They are all going the wrong way!"

Thanks  :