Building a Sawmill Shed

kentuckyboy · June 23, 2003, 06:39:48 PM

   I'm in the process of building my sawshed and have a few questions. It's going to be 24' x 40' with 20' openings on the large side and openings on the short side for a drive through to unload the mill. If this sounds a lot like Bibbyman's shed, it's because I am basically building The Bibbyman Model. It looks as though he( and Mary) have done well with this setup.
   Bibbyman, are you still satisfied with the sycamore used in your sawshed. I have a lot and am considering using it to. How big a tree did you cut the 2 x 12 lumber out of? On height, Is 10 feet high inside enough or should I go as high as my 6 x 6 posts will let me? Is the main benefit of extra inside height air flow?
   I have cut most of the lumber already and have started setting posts. The rain finally stopped so work can start.
   Would appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Bibbyman · June 23, 2003, 08:25:09 PM

We went with 12' wall height but 10' would probably do just fine. I went 12' so I could swap a board end over end and not hit a rafter. Another thought was that 12' wall height would allow the addition of a shed section on the back and front. 10' may not be high enough.

The sycamore looks like it did when new. If you got it, use it. It's been 8 years since I cut out the 20' 2x12 headers (4 total) but the butt cut log was probably 18" on the little end. Note, I didn't use any of it where it would come in contact with the ground.

The "four door" design worked well when we had just the mill. Since we've added an edger, we could use more room for it and places to stack lumber. We did add sheds off each gable end – 18' wide by 16' long.

Going 24' wide should help if you decide to add other support equipment.

We want to build a much larger building that would accommodate the mill and support equipment as well as "work in progress". We'd like a log deck, conveyor belt and green chain setup. In short, a micro of a large production sawmill. We want to be able to close it during bad weather so we could work in reasonable comfort year round.

D._Frederick · June 23, 2003, 09:54:19 PM

Bibby,
Do you have to pay property tax on your out buildings? They even collect on a chicken coop here!

Bibbyman · June 24, 2003, 05:42:39 AM

Yes sir! Taxed when you make money, taxed when you spend money, taxed when you own something, taxed when you sell it.

johncinquo · June 24, 2003, 08:26:42 AM

Dont forget that if you happen to have any left over when you die, they are gonna tax it again!

woodhaven · June 24, 2003, 08:48:52 AM

Glad to see I'm not alone in my dreams. My wife is always laughing at me because everytime I start to do anything around here I just start singing " Here Comes The Tax Man " .
Growing up on the farm my dream was to have a piece of land to call my own. I never knew that I would pay for it all my life. OH Well they would'nt like my sawmill in a condo parking lot anyway.

C_Miller · June 24, 2003, 04:35:22 PM

electric al,
I'm working on a log straightening solution. It involves spraying a solution of viagra and cinnamin. I'll keep you up to date on my findings.