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Making it thrugh another year, '24-'25

Started by Old Greenhorn, May 19, 2024, 08:47:00 PM

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East ky logging, Wayniac and 6 Guests are viewing this topic.

GRANITEstateMP

Tom,

It was cold and I was inside a bunch this weekend.  I was cleaning, moving, tossing, sorting "stuff".  I came across this crete/box and said, man I think that'd work for Tom!

BK (before kid) me and my wife would go to the Fryeburg Fair in Maine every fall.  The first Monday is always " Woodsmans Day" we'd get there early to get a good seat for the different competitions.  Anyways, one of the things we'd also do every year was buy a box/crete on the way out.  They were local made (it was in the wood working building) and would have the fair name and year on one side, sometimes both sides.  I was thinking they might be something you could make that isn't too time consuming, people could use to put more of your small products in, and could be a way for them to remeber the year, or event they got them at?  Just an idea, I think they were in the $12-20 range but its been at least 7yrs since we've been.

EDIT: Pictures, or it don't count!  After pulling one out, the joints don't look simple like I remembered, I might have lied about the quick and easy part!






Forgot, they would change the spray paint color(s) every year too.

Handles on each end so you can carry more stuff!


Matt

Hakki Pilke 1x37
Kubota M6040
Load Trail 12ft Dump Trailer
2015 GMC 3500HD SRW
2016 Polaris 450HO
2016 Polaris 570
SureTrac 12ft Dump Trailer

Peter Drouin

I go for the Woodsmen Day every year too. Last year they had everyone go through a metal detector. The line was crazy. ffcheesy
But I get there when they open, no line. ffcheesy
Making that box is easy. Just make a jig for the table saw and go.
A&P saw Mill LLC.
45' of Wood Mizer, cutting since 1987.
License NH softwood grader.

Resonator

Independent Gig Musician and Sawmill Man
Live music act of Sawing Project '23 & '24, and Pig Roast '19, '21, & '24
Featured in the soundtrack of the "Out of the Woods" YouTube video:
"Epic 30ft Long Monster Cypress and Oak Log! Freehand Sawing"

Proud owner of a Wood-Mizer 2017 LT28G19

Old Greenhorn

I haven't posted anything here of substance since before Christmas. No new builds, no projects, no shop improvements, NUTTIN'. That's because I ain't done hardly nuttin'. Yeah, maybe some home repair type stuff and I had my wife's van in the shop for a few days fixing the brakes (that was no fun). But nothing that could be viewed as 'progress'.
 After this past year's shows and my considerable attempts at selling I was pretty despondent over the results and decided to take some time to re-think what I am doing and why. Money to keep the household going was always the main driver and I have always been terrible at managing money for my entire life. It's not that I do stupid stuff like gamble or waste money and throw it away in luxuries, it's just that I am really bad at financial planning, investing, and stuff like that there. Our idea of a 'big luxury' is putting money aside to drive out the a pig roast in Michigan.
 Well I had a good reference from a former co-worker for a financial planner which I have been sitting on for 3 years now (I told you I suck at this) and we finally made an appointment to see her several weeks ago. In a marathon session (she told me it's the longest single session she has had in 30 years doing this work) of about 5 hours, she managed to set me up by moving around the little money I have and we will be getting some money on a monthly basis that should make a huge difference for us. That will begin in May when I hit 70. In addition, we consolidated some other stuff I didn't even know I had and we will be retiring a goodly chunk of our debt pretty soon. It's entirely possible that I may not HAVE to work.
 As you might guess, this has helped my mental well being somewhat, but I will wait until around June before I can see for myself that we are doing OK. I hope to feel better by September when I can see for sure that we are 'OK" on a month by month basis. There are still other things going on that I continue to worry about.
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 So I continue to re-think this business thing. I still like working and making things and learning things. If I don't do that, life, for me, stops. But the heavy work can taper off and I won't miss it much. :wink_2: I still have things (skills) I cannot do and want to learn, but they don't make money. Like woodcarving and the finer arts. I might like to get back to writing also. I used to do that a bit and did have some things published. (I know, reading here, that's probably hard to fathom. I actually have 2 unfinished books.)
 I have developed the Mushroom logs into a good cash business, but that is really heavy work for me at my age and condition. Still I like the clients. I have orders for 500 logs so far and have not solicited any orders at all this year. These are all repeat clients that called me. So, I need to get on that and VERY soon if I am to meet delivery dates.
 But I have a trailer full of nice stuff I have not been able to sell and I really want to make that happen. It wears on me that I failed and I continue to explore how I might make that happen. It's frustrating. I really don't want to sell a bench that I have 50 hours of work into for $150. I'd rather have it in my own house someplace or give it to someone who would love it.
 In fact, I was thinking, if I don't NEED to make stuff for sale that maybe I can actually make stuff for myself? I have never had time to do that...ever. I would love to make myself a new desk instead of this Formica 'monstrosity' I inherited from the previous home owner. I'd also like to make a new vanity for our bathroom, new bookshelves in my den/office and there is a long list. In fact I would like to re-do the entire room where I am sitting now with new flooring, wall panels I mill myself and the whole bit. Maybe even a wood floor?!
 But I have to see how this is all going to pan out. So I spend this winter plugging along, thinking about it, reading to feed my soul, and getting the mushroom logs in.

 Anyway, that's why I haven't posted much here. I am trying to re-think my life and see if I can maybe get this thing right.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way.  NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

doc henderson

Timber king 2000, 277c track loader, PJ 32 foot gooseneck, 1976 F700 state dump truck, JD 850 tractor.  2007 Chevy 3500HD dually, home built log splitter 18 horse 28 gpm with 5 inch cylinder and 32 inch split range with conveyor powered by a 12 volt tarp motor

chep

OGH!
Good news!
Check out "serviceberry" a short easy read on the gift economy.  Something I'm sure you are no stranger to already.  
It's made my small family think a little differently about some of our "business" ventures
I hope your load has lightened already and you can breathe a bit easier
Keep building and creating! 

SawyerTed

Living well in retirement is an art.  Finding an equilibrium takes some time.  Sounds like you are doing the right things to reassess and reset. 

Living well doesn't mean living wealthy.  Quality of life on modest means comes down to choices.  Learning how and what to choose in retirement takes time and is unique to each of us.  Only you will know what works best for you. 

It's a big shift from being fully engaged in a career to retirement.  That kind of life change takes getting used to.
Woodmizer LT50, WM BMS 250, WM BMT 250, Kubota MX5100, IH McCormick Farmall 140, Husqvarna 372XP, Husqvarna 455 Rancher

Otis1

I think you should start to prioritize your own projects sooner than later. I find that I procrastinate on stuff for my own house, but if you get into it and tear it apart then you have to finish it. Just have to get that initial go. When I finish something that has been on the list awhile, there is usually a pretty good sense of accomplishment.

That being said, I don't think the master bathroom in my house has been touched since it was built in 1977. I was born in 1978. Every other room has had multiple updates. 

Hopefully you have less internal stress after your meeting.

thecfarm

Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

Resonator

Good to hear Tom!
Sounds like what one of my customers said who is transitioning into retirement. He said words to the effect of when you see more years behind you than ahead of you, you should plan how to spend your time for yourself.
Independent Gig Musician and Sawmill Man
Live music act of Sawing Project '23 & '24, and Pig Roast '19, '21, & '24
Featured in the soundtrack of the "Out of the Woods" YouTube video:
"Epic 30ft Long Monster Cypress and Oak Log! Freehand Sawing"

Proud owner of a Wood-Mizer 2017 LT28G19

Magicman

I was involuntarily downsized/retired in 1994, yikes over 30 years ago.  At age 51, there is no SS and that whopping "package" was reduced by 24% because of my age.

I did OK with my cabinet shop, but no "living".  I did OK building utility buildings, but no "living".  22 years ago I started sawmilling.  Sawing & selling did not pan out for me so I have been portable sawing only for 21 years.  I am doing OK, but still no "living".  

We very much depend upon my sawing income as attested by the fact that I am 81 years old and still working/sawing. 
98 Wood-Mizer LT40 SuperHydraulic    WM Million BF Club

Two: First Place Wood-Mizer Personal Best Awards
The First: Wood-Mizer People's Choice Award

It's Weird being the same age as Old People

Never allow your Need to make money
To exceed your Desire to provide Quality Service

aigheadish

Good for you Tom! 

I can't express enough, to pretty much everyone I talk to about money, the importance of saving and investing, something I'm not great at myself, but I've seen, after a small inheritance from my dad, the results of. I hope I can be disciplined enough to save better in the future (I started a while ago, but I have debt).

I hope it goes well for you and hope that you have the opportunity to give up some of the tough work you do. You deserve the ability to read and study amd write as much as you'd like without worrying about stuff too much. 
Support your Forestry Forum! It makes you feel good.

SawyerTed

It took several failures at retirement between 2015 and 2022 to figure out my balance.  It hasn't been perfect but Emily and I both have reached a good balance of work and retirement.  
Woodmizer LT50, WM BMS 250, WM BMT 250, Kubota MX5100, IH McCormick Farmall 140, Husqvarna 372XP, Husqvarna 455 Rancher

Hilltop366

The woodworking gig is tough when you are putting in the custom order time and effort but only getting production line prices but on the bright side you learned a lot and gained a bunch of experience and confidence there.

Getting out of the heavy lifting work is probably a good idea for anyone, it always catches up with you.

From the outside looking in I see a good opportunity without personal financial risk in running Bill's saw but it would require a better layout and plan to make it lighter work were you don't have to lift anything. Thinking rollers, racks, log deck and a decent machine with forks. It would provide extra cash for you while keeping you moving and thinking. Keeping it part time will be the key to leaving you time for other things you like to do.

To better times ahead! smiley_beertoast

Old Greenhorn

Well first, thanks everyone for the encouraging thoughts and comments. On one hand it's nice to know I am not alone, on the other hand I hate to hear of others trying to get by like me. It ain't fun some months. And now there is talk of them messing with Social security, don't get me started on that.
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The 'making things for myself' deal will have to be down the road a bit when we feel more secure and have put a few 'rainy day' bucks away. 
-------------------
The sawmill income is more like blood money, I sure don't make much at it. I do it because Bill needs it, it gets me out a bit, and I can mill stuff for myself, though I rarely do. Yes, if we could lay it out better that would help, but we have only made baby steps in that direction. If I took it on myself to just ignore Bill and do it myself we might be in better shape after a week or two of work. But we need to make space and that's where we keep knocking heads. Again, it's a lot of physical work and after our short firewood session yesterday I was pretty tired last night.
------------------
One thing I can say: once I get through mushroom log season, this year is going to be quite different from the last. I don't know how yet, but I will not repeat the mistakes I just made (even though they weren't really mistakes). Time to move on and make changes.
-----------------
 I finished up all the plowing this morning and hand shoveled  all that I am gonna do. Just had breakfast and now I am going to read a little, then find something else to do.
-----------
Every day is another day until it isn't.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way.  NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

Wlmedley

I retired 5 1/2 years ago and although my yearly income dropped quite a bit I have found that I have less money worries now than I had when I was working. A lot of the money I made came in the form of overtime and it seemed like it was always to much or to little according to the economy at any given time. I also have found that it cost quite a bit to work. Seems I was always needing some kind of new tools, work clothes and the like. I had a company vehicle but it was only used for work so I really don't miss it. Having a steady check coming every month without having to worry about injuries or cutbacks is almost a dream come true for me. I was getting pretty tired of being a rat in the race and thankful to be out of it. WV has always been called a poor state and maybe it is but taxes are pretty low and it doesn't cost a lot to live here which works out pretty good in retirement. I'm staying warm and so far I haven't missed any meals. Hang in there Tom,like Red Green says We're all in this thing together.
Bill Medley WM 126-14hp , Husky372xp ,MF1020 ,Homemade log arch,GMC2500,Oregon log splitter,Honda Pioneer 700,Kabota 1700

WV Sawmiller

   I finished my last assignment a little over 12 years ago. I worked with the same company for about 20 years and probably 16 or so of them were overseas. I got lucky especially the last few years because my dive partner I met in Saudi Arabia changed careers and became a financial advisor and took me on as a client. He did well in that role and helped ensure a stable retirement for us. 

   Also my last few years paid well and often there were few expenses because there was nowhere to spend anything or costs there were very, very low on the local economy. There were several years of people trying to shoot at me or blow me up and several of my co-workers died of tropical diseases and such you never see or hear about any more.  My wife worried some but my old dive partner/financial planner told her not to sweat it as I'd get killed here on a 4 wheeler or cutting a tree or such on me instead in a foreign land.

   Those kind of assignments were long hours and often 7 days a week but they also provided a lot of time off. Think assignments like 12 hour days and 8 weeks on and 2 weeks off and in Iraq it was more like 8 weeks on and 3 weeks off. Food and lodging were usually provided - often under my supervision as the camp manager. I like excitement and don't require a lot of creature comforts so while others were complaining I was enjoying myself and often, when the security situation permitted, seeing things and making friends of the locals my co-workers missed out on. 

   For tax reasons often it was better those days off were spent out of the USA. Think of it as a subsidized vacation. I could come home and pay taxes or vacation elsewhere which is what I did. Often I spent a lot of money on those vacations, especially the ones where I could work around my wife's teaching holidays or our daughter could swing the time off in the summer and Christmas and once my wife even took a years leave of absence to live with me in Norway. 

   I look back at the extra money we did spend on such vacations and my wife's year off work and it was a lot. It would have added a lot to our investment kitty/nest egg but looking back at the time we got to spend together, I don't regret one penny of it. Too often people do not take the time when they are young enough and physically able to go visit the places or see the things they dream about. Health and other issues, including the world political climate, now would not allow us to enjoy many such a trip if we had waited till now. 

    I can and do look around our house at the souvenirs we brought back from Europe, the jungle, desert, plains of Mongolia, and such and I can return to those times every day.

   I guess my point is when planning for retirement don't neglect to plan and do some of the things now that you won't be able to do when you and your loved ones are too old to enjoy them. You can't put a price on memories made with your spouse, children and grandkids.
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

doc henderson

Tom, make a plan and then tell Bill you need a helper for a few days.  see if he will go for it.  It is hard to work in a mess unless it is a mess of your own doing.  ffsmiley

then get caught up on his stuff (if that is even poss.)  then mill yourself a stockpile to dry so when you are over it, you will have some hobby wood to use.  It may also help you regain some physical and cardio stamina.  None of my business.  If I have offended you, then Howard told me to say it.  If not, it was my idea! ffcheesy
Timber king 2000, 277c track loader, PJ 32 foot gooseneck, 1976 F700 state dump truck, JD 850 tractor.  2007 Chevy 3500HD dually, home built log splitter 18 horse 28 gpm with 5 inch cylinder and 32 inch split range with conveyor powered by a 12 volt tarp motor

WV Sawmiller

Tom,

  If the mushroom logs are the most reliable income is there a way to reduce the manual labor aspects of it? Is there a good labor source you may be overlooking? Do any of the local schools or colleges have any kind of ag or forestry program where you could get a bunch of strapping teenagers who want to learn the process and in return for their learnin' carry the logs out of the woods to the trailer, which I assume is the hardest part?

    Could you do it as a consultant where you take customers out and maybe saw the logs but let the customers haul, stack, load and unload them? Be sure you are protected with releases and liability insurance for such work.

  And don't let Doc make you think I said anything unkind. He is still upset after finding someone he is pretty sure is his grandmother while surfing Only Fans accounts. She was wearing a veil but that tattoo sure looks suspicious/familiar.
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

Old Greenhorn

Doc, that is down on the list in the "when opportunity presents" section. I really need Bill and his equipment for a lot of that early work. Truth be told, over the last 3 years we have been moving (slowly) forward. We have be whittling away at the log pile directly across from the loading arms of the mill which gives more working room. We have carved in a drainage tunnel and dropped in a pipe to prevent that huge deep puddle or small pond that used to form right in that are and it's working pretty good. We have put in a blower for the sawdust and within the next week or so his carpenter will be working on a collection box for it. We still need to get the rest of the logs out of that area then bring in his heavy excavator and peel up the shale shelf to level it off and finish back filling the pipe we put in, giving me back the 'drive through feature I am missing now (I will crush the exposed section of pipe without fill over it. It should also eliminate the little bit of icing we get now as far as is practicable. (It snows, it rains, it freezes. Only a fool would think they could prevent that entirely.) But this is just the little stuff. All of the above can be done in well under 2 hours, probably less than one because we have made progress and are very close.
The nice thing about that shale is that with a heavy enough machine, good teeth on it, and the right approach, you can peel it up and virtually shape what you want. So we need to clear out at the far end of the mill and square off, perhaps undercut or move back the wall (cliff face) about a foot or two, then grade it for the outflow side. After yesterday I am thinking we may need a French drain or slit drain at that end of the mill slab also due to the ice coming off the roof. This is where I would have the sawdust bin and also a staging area for larger beams and such that need to be handled with a machine or two people. I can also move stickered packs there, but that shouldn't be needed. So call it an 'overflow area".
THEN we get to the bigger and more important work. If you look at the following video from minute 1:49 to 2:06 you can see the log stack that is 'in my way' and needs to be moved. Section 2:28-2:43 shows it from the mill side, sort of. Ignore the lumber stacks, they are long gone. That all needs to be cleared out, graded fairly flat and cut up closer to the cliff. Then and only then, can I install the roller conveyors for sorting and tacking or edging. Ideally at the end of that first 20' of roller conveyor I would like to put the edger, similar to what Jake has on his 'short' mill so we can back drag right from the mill to the edger, or pull off finished boards from the mill and stack on a pallet.


Now that is my basic vision. Bill's vision is somewhat different, is a moving target, and changes every time we talk about it. As you may guess, our conversations on this subject can get some what 'animated' as my frustrations mount.  He is looking to do work he will never have to adjust later, even 25 years down the road. I am trying to evolve something that is easily transformed as time, knowledge, and needs evolve. I have spent a career laying out shops, work flows. and manufacturing processes and it's frustrating to get him to come around to why I have the approach I have.

So yeah, it would be nice to make a plan, but there is the first rub. Then we need to get together on actual work dates and/or goals. When we did that drain I was at the mill just finishing off an order on the weekend (Sunday I think) and he came down to check on me. Nothing particular in mind. Next thing you know, we have the transit set up and he is hammering in the trench as I am plumbing the pitch, while he did some refining touches I went up and pulled some 6" pipe from stock. 45 minutes later, it was done, less a little bit of backfill. It was not even close to being 'on the list for that day'. It wasn't even on the bloody radar!
Making decisions and sticking to them seems to be the hard part here. We come at it from different ways. I have a lot of background in this, plus I have looked at several dozen carefully thought out set ups from those here on the forum from manual mils all the way up to full automation, and I have asked questions and learned from what those sawyers found worked and things they had to change moving forward. He doesn't have those mental pictures in his head and it's hard for me to paint them.
I do love the guy, but sometimes..... Well, you know. ffcheesy
---------------------
This morning Bill gave me another one of those 'check-in calls' He does this every few days and says "Oh, nothing much, just wanted to see how you were doing and what you had planned for today'.  Translated this either means, he has something he'd like me to 'participate in' such as a tree job I could get mushroom logs off of, or he is simply reminding me it's a beautiful day and I should be out doing something. Today's call was the latter and it was just enough to make me dress for the weather and head down to his place, say 'hi' to the guys working in the shop and then go grab a couple more dead standing trees for firewood. Working alone took a little more effort and the snow is deeper now than it was Saturday. I could either work in house slippers or needed snowshoes. ffcheesy It's a frozen marsh with a lot of hillocks and grass tufts. So with the snow you can't make out which is ground and which is a hole. There were a few spots where I went in up to my knees, but thankfully there was no water, it's all froze up sold. I took slightly bigger trees this time, dropped them with the tops just landing on the road, the threw a chain and dragged them up on the road, bucked them and into the truck. Two trees and I was sucking wind like a freight train. The truck bed was nearly full.
I had to do a run to town and on the way I saw Bill's crew was lunching at the local Hickory Pit, so I stopped in and had a coke with them. Then I did my errand, came home and hand split most of the wood that I had cut, the rest went right into the 'dry' pile. Once again I was sucking wind. This dead standing is neat stuff. I have a cart full of it by the house stove right now and I can hear it thawing and cracking as it gets warmed up. It's so dry that most of these trees have full length drying splits in them when I drop them. But in the house it is still cracking open. Burns pretty dang good.
Having done 'something' for the day, I am now in the house and ready to read a little. I have to get back into that swing of getting out every day. These mushroom logs ain't cutting themselves.
------------------------------
Howard, yes, that's a good idea and you have suggested this before as have others. But those kids are not available. I only cut in short sessions of 4 hours and usually less.. The other issues is where I get these logs. It is often not in the woods as might be thought. I often go out with Bill's crew on his tree jobs and work with them when they have the right species. I cut off all the top wood I can for mushroom logs and load them out, this makes a lot less handling for them into either the chipper or onto the log truck. I can't take 'civilians' onto a jobsite like that. It's risky enough to have me there. When I have my logs cut and loaded I usually pitch in for an hour or so feeding the chipper, hauling branches and cleaning up the site, so it's a win for them too.
 If I start to tout it as 'a learning experience' then I have to line up enough trees to fill the day and have them in a safe place. I can't waste their time while I prospect trees. There are a lot of variables to overcome. Last year I did have a young fella that owed me some labor from a barter deal and he was a huge help. He enjoyed it too one he fell into the groove. If I had enough stuff lined up in one place I might give him a try again, but I have to do the advance work. I still keep thinking about it though.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way.  NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

doc henderson

Nice video.  kind of how I pictured it.
Timber king 2000, 277c track loader, PJ 32 foot gooseneck, 1976 F700 state dump truck, JD 850 tractor.  2007 Chevy 3500HD dually, home built log splitter 18 horse 28 gpm with 5 inch cylinder and 32 inch split range with conveyor powered by a 12 volt tarp motor

Old Greenhorn

Well it's probably as you picture it because you've seen it before. ffcheesy That video is 3 years old and those lumber stacks went into framing and siding the new shop section which in now all closed in and being heated. We have pulled a few logs from that big pile but added a lot more. I've done more significant work on the stack across from the mill which is now pretty small. 
 I have been working on Bill slowly and we now agree that we need to throw a lot of these logs up on the mill and either dice them up, or make a decision to send them to the boiler. Some I just take 4 big slabs off then either make a post or 2x4's out of them. There is a lot of hardwood in the pile directly behind the mill I just want to slab up or burn out.
 It all takes time.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way.  NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

Resonator

Watching the video, I'd suggest spending a day with a log loader truck in there and doing a complete "sort". As said, the older hardwood logs may be better suited for firewood. Which could be worth more than the lumber they would have produced.
Definitely enough wood there to keep a one man sawmill busy.  ffsmiley
Independent Gig Musician and Sawmill Man
Live music act of Sawing Project '23 & '24, and Pig Roast '19, '21, & '24
Featured in the soundtrack of the "Out of the Woods" YouTube video:
"Epic 30ft Long Monster Cypress and Oak Log! Freehand Sawing"

Proud owner of a Wood-Mizer 2017 LT28G19

Old Greenhorn

Yeah Res, actually there is a forwarder parked right next to that pile now, and we have talked about doing just that. A lot of the odd chunks close to the mill are probably a days work for me to throw up on the mill and make a decision. We do need to mill some slabs for our 'whatever use' like a picnic table order when it comes up or something. So I can just whack it into 3" slabs and get it covered someplace. Clearing just that small area would be a nice start.
--------------------


Today was the day.
I gave myself a choice or either doing more dead standing wood or mushroom logs. Since I really need to get moving on the logs I went down and dropped two trees. I had to drag the logs about 60' to the truck and in this slippery snow, that takes a toll on me. I got 16 logs in the truck and unloaded at home. So it's a start. I'm getting my sea legs back.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way.  NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

Peter Drouin

Do you wear ice creepers when working in the woods?
A&P saw Mill LLC.
45' of Wood Mizer, cutting since 1987.
License NH softwood grader.

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