Used sawmill values

slider · March 21, 2015, 12:44:40 PM

not trying to one up you Lynn but with the head in the towing position on my LT 70 you can put the hitch on the ball with one hand.Some one at woodmizer got the balance point just right.al

Southside · March 21, 2015, 01:44:50 PM

Slider - looking at the work Magicman puts out I suspect that 75 lbs he is referring to does not even even require him to use his whole hand!! Two fingers at most. 8)

Magicman · March 21, 2015, 03:23:34 PM

If I hauled the board return table and jack, it would be different, but I removed all signs of the board return years ago. ;D

I have been told that LT40's with Command Control are quite heavy.

terrifictimbersllc · March 21, 2015, 03:55:49 PM

My board return sets behind the axle for travel, but I have a front remote. Not sure what the tongue weight is but it's a lot heavier than 75 pounds.

pine · March 21, 2015, 04:02:56 PM

Quote from: Magicman on March 21, 2015, 09:22:50 AM
The towing tongue weight on my sawmill is about 75 lbs.

Any sway issue when towing at higher speeds? Or do you only go to close places that never involve long distances and higher highway speeds?

Magicman · March 21, 2015, 04:12:28 PM

No sway, and I have traveled as far as ~350 miles to Rusk, TX. and many 125-200 mile trips.

The sawmill would not leave the WM factory if there were sway issues and there are sawmills being delivered to dealers all across the USA and Canada.

78NHTFY · March 21, 2015, 05:39:31 PM

Booza69: you sound like a real smart guy in many respects. But if I may, a couple of pointers: this is a site where folks pull up a stump, listen, learn and contribute what they can. And what makes it a GREAT FORUM is that it's all done without an attitude. You may not be aware of it but your comments are made with you having a chip on your shoulder. There is no need to do this. Everyone here is really pretty mellow, and funny too. We'd love to learn about your band mill and what makes it great.
As for Woodmizer, they are a very successful company with many models giving the buyer a myriad of choices at a wide range of prices. A businessman reading what you wrote about your mill would determine that you're leaving lots of money on the table if your are selling your comparable product for a fraction of the price. Take care and looking forward to your positive contributions to this forum. All the best, Rob.

Bruno of NH · March 21, 2015, 07:04:49 PM

Back to the original post .
The turner mill has a lot of value for the price . They cut some nice lumber and you can add on hydro as needed .
I have a thomas mill made in Maine and like it very well .
I live in the upper valley in NH
Come take a look .
Jim/Bruno

bozzaa69 · March 22, 2015, 11:10:30 AM

I've tried to share idea's and information in other post's too,and been accused of attitude before too. Whatever? Don't see how so much attitude come's out of a simple sentence. I'm not selling my mill for a fraction of the price. I'm building it and using it for that,with no service or special parts needed. When I sell them,I get what I need or don't sell it. To get back to original post,I just couldn't believe people would pay so much for a used piece of equipment that isn't that great. I've used a couple and know a couple people with them,and there's better options out there,than the new guy paying that much for used equipment. That TK mill he talked about probably wasn't bad for the $4800,even if it needed a new motor,seeing as used mills don't come up too often. Harbor Freight got a 22HP now for $699. I've run the crap out of them and their good. So $4800 + $700 =$5500 for a used TK-1220,I think it was? In any event,at least it has 4 wheels. Better than $7200 is what my buddy paid for his new LT-15, 7 years ago. If they hold their value that well,then still $7200,cause new ones are more now? So ya, Maybe that should of been said first. The point of this discussion was to help the OP. No attitude,just saying.

SawyerBrown · March 22, 2015, 01:41:15 PM

I think the proof is in the pudding (which probably should be added to the 'old sayings' thread, come to think of it, although I really don't know what it means ;D). WM sells a lot of mills. If they weren't or now aren't a great company with great machines, then someone else will eventually take over the market. Certainly in this niche market, the law of supply and demand still rules, and forums like this one will get the word out about the "best" machine for whatever you're trying to do. I easily accept that sometimes that may NOT be a WM!

For me, there were three things that were key to my decision to go to WM: 1) Christ-centered company, and willing to say so openly and proudly; 2) Made in America, and 3) their benevolence in helping developing countries with their products. Great machine, high resale value, readily available parts via one phone call, ReSharp service, and a host of other things that are important to some of us are just a great side benefit!

Quote from: pine on March 21, 2015, 04:02:56 PM
Any sway issue when towing at higher speeds? Or do you only go to close places that never involve long distances and higher highway speeds?

pine, I've towed mine at 75+ MPH, and you barely know it's back there, and I'm just pulling with my 1/2-ton pickup. No sway issues whatsoever.

Nomad · March 22, 2015, 06:39:27 PM

Quote from: pine on March 21, 2015, 04:02:56 PM
Quote from: Magicman on March 21, 2015, 09:22:50 AM
The towing tongue weight on my sawmill is about 75 lbs.

Any sway issue when towing at higher speeds? Or do you only go to close places that never involve long distances and higher highway speeds?

I strictly saw mobile too, and often drag my mill on interstates. When I saw the light tongue weight I was a bit concerned. But I've never had a problem and hardly know it's back there. (I'm driving a 3/4 ton.)
A couple years ago I had a tire on the mill blow out at over 70MPH. Blew a fender off the mill, caused a lot of sparks, and I pulled off the side of the road. No other drama at all.

Chuck White · March 22, 2015, 07:06:53 PM

There was a discussion on tongue weight on here over a year ago and I went out and weighed mine!

I put the scale under the front outrigger and if I remember correctly, the weight was 130 pounds. I can't remember for sure, so I'll have to weigh it again when I get a chance!

Dave Shepard · March 22, 2015, 08:16:31 PM

My 2008 Super with the CAT weighs more than 75 pounds. I have to put weight on the other end of the mill if I want to walk it around.

Peter Drouin · March 22, 2015, 08:37:33 PM

I put the mill where my truck will put it, and use the jack to take it off the hitch. ;D

SawyerBrown · March 22, 2015, 08:52:32 PM

If I've got to swing mine around, I sometimes have my customer pushing down on the back end in the opposite direction (taking some weight off the front), or I move the head rearward about 18" to counterbalance. Always put the rear outrigger down a ways though in case it wants to float further backward! ;D

Chuck White · March 22, 2015, 09:54:52 PM

Not sure, but just an idea!

Leave the transport safety chain hooked and raise the sawhead off of the transport pin and move it rearward and fasten it there with a ratchet strap.

This should lighten the tongue weight by several pounds, and should help when you have to move the mill by hand!

battlinbill · March 23, 2015, 11:33:42 AM

Quote from: bozzaa69 on March 22, 2015, 11:10:30 AM
I've tried to share idea's and information in other post's too,and been accused of attitude before too. Whatever? Don't see how so much attitude come's out of a simple sentence. I'm not selling my mill for a fraction of the price. I'm building it and using it for that,with no service or special parts needed. When I sell them,I get what I need or don't sell it. To get back to original post,I just couldn't believe people would pay so much for a used piece of equipment that isn't that great. I've used a couple and know a couple people with them,and there's better options out there,than the new guy paying that much for used equipment. That TK mill he talked about probably wasn't bad for the $4800,even if it needed a new motor,seeing as used mills don't come up too often. Harbor Freight got a 22HP now for $699. I've run the crap out of them and their good. So $4800 + $700 =$5500 for a used TK-1220,I think it was? In any event,at least it has 4 wheels. Better than $7200 is what my buddy paid for his new LT-15, 7 years ago. If they hold their value that well,then still $7200,cause new ones are more now? So ya, Maybe that should of been said first. The point of this discussion was to help the OP. No attitude,just saying.

So it seems like there are quite a few reputable builders of mills out there to choose from. If I go new I'll probably go with somebody relatively close to avoid freight and just pick it up. I do like the idea of a smaller company that uses non proprietary parts. I don't want to be waiting for parts to ship. As long as I can get parts, I've got a fab shop next door so he can do any welding repair and such I need. Of course a used mill for the right price, I'm not so concerned about brand.

SO- I know nobody wants down anybody else's mill, but are there any brands to just plain stay away from?

Also, I see many mills have the option of adding a subframe or stiffening frame. Is this really necessary? I mean, shouldn't it be stiff enough stock? Not sure what to make of this, but if it needs more, why not just build them stronger and charge what it costs. Is it an attempt to hit a price point by skimping?

Dave Shepard · March 23, 2015, 12:10:45 PM

I would say that meeting price points is a good way to describe it. Some people may be building their own trailers or want to build their own bases. It saves on redundancy.

downsouth · March 23, 2015, 12:37:46 PM

I don't see how anyone could compare a HF mill to a LT15 or a 1220. I bought my lt15 for $4000 and sold it for $4800. They are out there.
The smaller mills that need reinforcing underneath are usually designed to stay in one place on a foundation of some sort. These are lower price point mills.
Some higher price point mills like the LT15 and the 1220 do not need a foundation because they are built much heavier duty.
I don't think ordering parts is a problem at least has not been for me. Usually a couple days is all it takes.
Keep an eye out and be patient you will find what fits you. Whatever brand it is.
Good luck with the search and purchase, it is a good experience.

Ianab · March 23, 2015, 03:22:17 PM

Quote:Also, I see many mills have the option of adding a subframe or stiffening frame. Is this really necessary? I mean, shouldn't it be stiff enough stock? Not sure what to make of this, but if it needs more, why not just build them stronger and charge what it costs. Is it an attempt to hit a price point by skimping?

A mill that's going to be portable, and set up on uneven ground, supported by some jack stands, needs to be a lot sturdier than one that's set up stationary on a concrete pad, with plenty of support.

So yes it's down to saving money. But if you can cut the price by $500 and make no difference (if the mills is going to mount on a concrete pad anyway), then it makes sense.

Then offer the stronger beams as an option if you want the mill trailer mounted and portable.

So when you look at WM LT15 compared to a portable LT15GO, there is an extra rail under the track, not just the jacks and wheels.