Mobile Dimensions saw

[711ac]

One came up on c/l near me.
Is there an general consensus about them and their advantages & short comings? 
They have been around for as long as I can remember and pre date (as far as I know) portable band mills by century's. I have not priced them new, but they have many of the attributes of a hyd. b/m built in to them (blade travel, board pull back, no log manipulation once set) and the idea of pulling a finished board off after almost every pass is huge in my thinking.
This would be my first mill and am looking for input from those with experience sawing, hopefully without the "Ford vs. Chevy" brand loyalty influence. I'm trying to be realistic about my (up coming) physical abilities and know myself enough to realize that an all manual mill, band or swing will end up sitting a lot sooner than one requiring a lot less labor. I'm not decrepit and just built a 2 story addition on our place last summer, but those ache's & pains are getting more & not less. ;) 

[47sawdust]

No working knowledge here.Did consider a MD when first looking but the logs I saw most frequently are too small for the MD.They don't show up in the N.E.very often.I would buy it and run it.If it isn't a good match for you selling it would be pretty easy.

Good luck

[DanG]

The MD is an excellent mill for cutting dimension lumber, which is what it is specifically designed for. It is limited in the sizes of boards it can cut, but can be configured to handle any size log. On the plus side, it is probably the most user-friendly mill out there for a sawyer working alone. On the down side, Mobile Mfg. is going out of business. It remains to be seen how the availability of replacement parts will work out.

[Magicman]

I would make a forum search.  There are many topics and discussions about MD and also about the different model numbers.  :P

[711ac]

 but can be configured to handle any size log.

 On the down side, Mobile Mfg. is going out of business. It remains to be seen how the availability of replacement parts will work out.

Thanks Dan
I was wondering how it worked with smaller logs (10-16") understanding that the bigger, the better in terms of set up.
I had read about their being trouble between the Father & the siblings and they threw out Dad, and their site say's they are "re-locating" and not manufacturing at this time but taking orders. ?? I'd hate to see them gone with their long "pioneering" history in portable milling.

[TKehl]

Don't have a MD, but have a Lucas swinger and there are similarities.

As for smaller logs, part of it depends on what your setup is.  The MD can be set up around a log OR it can be set up on a frame in one spot to be fed logs off a deck.  The deck offsets most of the small log disadvantage since you don't move the setup each log.  This is/was an option straight from MD, but could be fabricated easily as well.  Plus, you can still move the mill to the log for the big 'uns.  ;)

[711ac]

The mill's on a trailer and has the endstands & trailer jacks. 
It's more money (by a lot) than I ever thought about spending for my own lumber projects, but who knows what the future may bring. Sawing a few boards for someone now & then........
I gotta keep in mind that I can buy hemlock finished lumber for .50 b/f at several mill's under 1/2 hour away.
There are 2 guy's I know that are interested in going "in" together on a mill, none of us need a mill full time and it really makes a much better mill (feature wise) practical over settling for an entry level basic mill that I owned myself.

Can you see it? I'm talking myself right into this. :D

[DanG]

"The bigger the better" isn't necessarily true.  While it can be made to cut any size log, it looks like a big pain to set up.  I have sawed many, many 6" or 7" logs into 4x4s.  From a 10 incher you can get several 2x4s and 2x6s. The 16 inchers are really close to the ideal size.

I'm not sure what the company's status is right now. It seems that the story changes every time somebody brings it up. I hope that someone will take it up and keep it going.

[SawyerTed]

I looked seriously at MD sawmills.  I liked the concept a lot.  The concerns I had that took me in a different direction were:
1. Status of the company seemed very unstable so support and parts supply were questionable IMO
2.  The technology, while very functional, really was dated- VW engines etc. I was looking for something a bit more up to date.
3.  The used market was the only avenue to purchase - I would have tied up resources going after one further away that could be applied to purchase of a mill closer to me

YMMV

[711ac]

I looked seriously at MD sawmills.  I liked the concept a lot.  The concerns I had that took me in a different direction were:
1. Status of the company seemed very unstable so support and parts supply were questionable IMO
2.  The technology, while very functional, really was dated- VW engines etc. I was looking for something a bit more up to date.
3.  The used market was the only avenue to purchase - I would have tied up resources going after one further away that could be applied to purchase of a mill closer to me

YMMV

Ted I have the same concerns except #3. The saw is about 4 miles away from me. I just came back from looking at it. The fellow that owned it has passed and the son is trying to sell it for his Mom. It is a model 128, and mounted on a trailer. The VW motor only worries me a little. I rebuilt one when I was a kid and I think too many of them (VW's) are scattered all around the world from the past ?60 years for parts to dry up, especially with the internet. I think after talking with the son, the price will be the deal breaker. It seem's like he's convinced that it's worth $20k and sound's like he's not going to budge. It's hard to come up with any other MD saws (prices) either sold or for sale to argue against his price. I did find one sold at auction by the state of Georgia for $12k not long ago.
The 40+ year old "technology" is incredibly simple, right up my alley.  

[TKehl]

Price was a big factor for me as well.  Used MD were going for prices similar to new swing mills.  I ended up buying a used swing mill. 

The 128 is the newer model and generally comes with some nice upgrades.

There is a used MD of unknown model # or vintage for sale in my area for $12k.  FWIW

I do think that the MD can move you up to production type volumes if that is of interest.

[711ac]

I'm trying to remember pic here. I got some I just put in my album, not doing something right to post them.
                  too small.

Well that's not right. I "drug" them to this post from my gallery.

[DanG]

The engine on the 128 is not just any old Volkswagen engine. It is the 1835 CI version that was only used in the VW Transporter truck. It also has an extended crankshaft with a large bearing cut into the output end of the case.  Mobile Mfg. has the right parts available but I don't know where you would find them if they go away.