I've a custom woodworking business. What I like to call unique items.
Turnings, boxes, special orders (bars, display cases, etc...), antique repairs, etc...
most items have unique figures or special woods.
I live in the Pacific North West. I receive many hardwood logs and drop hardwood trees.
(hemlock, oak, ash, maple, walnut, cedar, cherry, pear, and apple).
up to this point i've used an Alaskan Sawmill with some good results. But, the preparation for use
from the Alaskan Sawmill is 20-40% waste. I've several land owners that want me to come and
drop trees and/or take logs. It's more than the Alaskan can handle (or it me using the Alaskan).
My need is mainly planks 4/4 x 12" x 6' (6' fits my kiln)
Blocks for turning 6" x 6" x 6" .
I use 2,000 - 4,000 bf a year.
there are a couple of hardwood lumber providers. Their wood is OK but, still has a greater waste to
prepare than I like. 4/4 lumber yard hard wood I plane and sand to 3/4 to use. Getting out the warp and uneven cuts on a plank. Also, not a lot of figure in the wood so, while OK, not really what I want.
So is a sawmill going to help? Suggestions?
I've land and room but, being portable is important, too.
Thanks
for the volume you have mentioned this is a hard call, you will surely satisfy this quota from a weeks or two of sawing with a band mill. The waste should be minimal for certain, If you are in the wood working biz then I would say go for it. I just sawed up a small log with lots of character. Not sure a CSM would've got the return, It will not be a quick pay back but a pay back for sure if you are doing finish products,
For that small of amount why don't you hire a portable band mill to come in and cut it for you? You won't have the expense and up keep of owning a band mill yet still get the benefits from one. Then hang onto your chainsaw mill for those rare occasions when you need it. I am not trying to talk you out of one because if you got one you would find more use for it than you think.
Thought about a Swingblade mill / slabber? Peterson or Lucas.
Not the cheapest option, but the most portable and versatile. In your line for business being able so saw out accurate live edge bar and table tops from walnut or cedar might be a good thing. I'm guessing you also have access to some larger logs? Basically you can pretty much cut anything / anywhere.
Of course that amount of wood might only be a couple of days sawing if you have some good logs, but as you saw, if you have the mill, logs and sawing jobs will tend to find you.
I don't know what you pay for wood when you have to, but if you saved a buck a foot to saw it yourself you could pay for a pretty nice manual mill in a year or so if all you cut was the 2,000-4,000 bf that you mentioned.
I'd also look at possible sales to other craftsmen in your area any extra wood that may be above the amount that you need. If you are sawing turning blanks out of the woods you mentioned you could easily make some decent money at the same time you are sawing yours with very little extra effort.
Quote from: customsawyer on March 13, 2015, 05:14:42 PM
For that small of amount why don't you hire a portable band mill to come in and cut it for you? You won't have the expense and up keep of owning a band mill yet still get the benefits from one. Then hang onto your chainsaw mill for those rare occasions when you need it. I am not trying to talk you out of one because if you got one you would find more use for it than you think.
I'm thinking for that little bit this is the best idea. I'd suggest trying this first, and if it seems like you'd really like to do it yourself you'd already know what you're getting in to.
Just get the sawmill.........you want one ;D ;D ;D
There are several sawyers in your general are. @redbeard (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=12539) for example.
Thanks for the comments and referencing Redbeard. (about 3 hours one way. )
I've checked craigslist for notices for milling logs. Is there a better source for milling?
thanks
Click on the Members Map above. There should be several sawyers fairly close to you.
Linn Lumber sells parts or kits for you to build your own. They are in Sweet Home. Or get a better CSM to speed up set up and milling with your chainsaw. A Logosol Farmers M8 or the regular M8 would do very nicely. A user manual BSM would be good also.
Welcome anyducks ! Iam sure there's mills close too you.