Building Woodland mills track extensions

Acem · June 25, 2022, 05:21:22 PM

Hello, this is my first post.

I've been around sawmills (big commercial and small) most of my life and am finally ready to buy my own. I've settled on a woodland mills hm126. My brother in law has a 122 and they seem like good starter mill at a reasonable price point. Not to mention reasonable lead time for the times.

My big project for the mill is lumber for a big barn and I will need alot of 20 ft lumber. That will be $818 for the extensions I need. I'm a former engineer and my son is a welder/metal fabricator. I'm pretty sure we could build a complete 30' track for less. The woodland mills track seem well made but expensive.

So my question is whether I should buy track extensions or build my own?

Is there anything I'm missing or need to know?

Thx Ace

melezefarmer · June 25, 2022, 06:10:36 PM

To me, buying vs making always comes down to: (1) am I willing to do the engineering myself, (2) deal with the unforeseen issues that crop up, and (3) do I have time.

The older I get, the less time I have - or should I say, the older I get, the more I value time.

beenthere · June 25, 2022, 06:37:57 PM

Acem, welcome to the Forestry Forum.

Seems to me you have answered your own question. Unless you cannot buy the steel for less than the $818.

Listed all the makins' needed in engineer, fabricator, and brothers' well-made track for your pattern.

We do like pics.. ;D ;D

rusticretreater · June 25, 2022, 07:30:32 PM

Yep buyin the steel angle and box tube is the biggie. I went with 16' when I bought my HM 130Max and now wish I had gone to 20'+. One local distributor will only sell in full lengths(24ft) which will really up the outlay, so I am still searching. Scrap is hard to come by in my neck o the woods.

Crusarius · June 25, 2022, 08:02:40 PM

I agree with beenthere. But I will also build something and have it cost more just because I love to fabricate.

Blevdog · June 26, 2022, 02:07:34 PM

I have a HM-122. Build your own. Easy Peasy. I used 20' angle and added the Woodland Mills track to the end. Cost about 300.00 for the metal and that is less than WM shipping.

Tom King · June 26, 2022, 02:20:00 PM

You didn't say where you are located. Here, I can get steel delivered for nothing. They make deliveries almost every week right past our place. If I wanted specific lengths I could pay extra to have it cut. The only thing you need is easy access for a big truck, and a way to unload the steel.

TroyC · June 26, 2022, 03:20:09 PM

Welcome!
I recently built a 10' extension for my mill. Problem on factory built was shipping cost. I had about 500 in materials and paint. Day and a half labor. Saved over $1000.

Acem · June 27, 2022, 10:40:57 PM

Thanks for all the replies.

I will make my order in a few days for the std mill and buy steel before it arrives.

Y'all have a great forum!

Thx-Ace

rusticretreater · June 27, 2022, 10:48:08 PM

It is a forum requirement that you post pictures of your mill build and rail build. Just sayin. 8)

thecfarm · June 28, 2022, 08:05:48 AM

Don't forget to buy a Logrite Cant hook or peavey.
Sponsor on the left, nice people, made in the USA!!!

Acem · June 28, 2022, 02:17:27 PM

Quote from: rusticretreater on June 27, 2022, 10:48:08 PM
It is a forum requirement that you post pictures of your mill build and rail build. Just sayin. 8)

I will when it comes in. Probably September.

Acem · July 05, 2022, 11:12:34 PM

Good news.

I ordered the mill yesterday. Today I got an email saying my items are in the warehouse and they are preparing my order.

It should ship soon I expect?

Thx-Ace

Daburner87 · July 16, 2022, 10:33:39 PM

I'll be honest I'm not crazy about the rail system that came with my HM130Max. I'm not a metal guy so I couldn't fabricate it, but I don't like that my rails are in four pieces bolted together for the 16ft trailer. If it was one solid piece I'd be much happier. I realize shipping would cost more, but I feel it would be worth it to have solid rail system. I say go for it if you know what you're doing.

When I got the email that it was being prepared it was delivered the following week. Exciting times ahead!

rusticretreater · July 16, 2022, 11:37:35 PM

Once you get it set up and leveled, you can get it welded I guess.

Acem · July 28, 2022, 05:28:35 PM

Acem · July 28, 2022, 05:33:02 PM

My sawmill came in.

I'm a farmer/rancher and have pallets delivered to the local coop (im a member). They loaded it on one of my farm trucks.

It took about 4 weeks from order to delivery.

Thx-Ace

Crusarius · July 28, 2022, 07:30:32 PM

you can keep the mill, I want the truck

thecfarm · July 29, 2022, 05:47:50 AM

There!!
You will be a sawing before you know it. ;D

Acem · August 01, 2022, 10:53:58 PM

Acem · August 01, 2022, 10:55:50 PM

The rainy days ended so I unloaded and started unpacked the sawmill.

More work in the morning.

Acem · August 02, 2022, 05:32:04 PM

Acem · August 02, 2022, 05:33:20 PM

Acem · August 02, 2022, 05:34:27 PM

Got the track done this morning.

Plan to work on the head in the morning.

Thx-Ace

thecfarm · August 02, 2022, 09:16:45 PM

Looks like a mighty fine job.
On those logs stops. Mine go straight up and down too. I put 4-6-8 inch marks on mine. 4 is really 3½ inches and 6 is really 5½ inches and so on. Really comes in handy when I put the flitches on. This way if I am cutting 6 inches I can put the log stop at 6 and know I have a ½ inch to clear it.
Happy Sawing!!!!