Not Quitting but Slowing Down

[Magicman]

DR_Buck recent post prompted me to share some of what is/has been going on with my sawing profile. 

It's well known that I do not (have not) refused any sawing job regardless of the location as long as the customer was paying.  As a result of that, the fact is, my business has outgrown my capability. 

I guess that it is our nature to keep on keeping on, but Mother Nature and Father Time also keeps on.  I will turn 78 in a couple of weeks so I made a decision on June 15th to trim back.  I notified 11 customers (~40Mbf) that, due to health reasons, I would not be able to saw their logs.  8 of these jobs were passed off to a local sawyer, and FF member, that I had briefly communicated with but had never met.  Going forward I will not accept any job over ~50 miles away that is not a "one day job".  I have that one 106 mile away job that I did not finish because of the loader fire and I will finish it if/when the customer calls.

Quitting and selling out would be an option but I'm still generating more sawing income each year than the sawmill's selling price.  The sawmill and my website could easily put the right person in business, but that ain't happening.  My/our long range plan had been for (Son) Marty to take over the sawing, but his startup construction company is doing well enough to remove that option.

Sooo, my plan is to hopefully trim back to 2-3 days every 2-3 weeks which was my original plan to begin with.  Yes, this considerably reduces our income and some of our activities, but it was never a matter of if, but when?  When is now. 

[Crossroads]

I'm sorry to see a change needed, but glad you are able to recognize that a change is needed and make it happen. I hope you get to spend a lot more time with family going forward. You've inspired many of my business practices, thank you!

[doc henderson]

should give you more quality time with your beautiful family.  I have worked since the age of 13 and often feel I am owed a bit of childhood.     Good for you.  now you can start making some of those jumps you signed up for at the senior parachute club!     I am nothing but happy for you.  If you do not decide at some point, the decision will be made for you.  God bless you and your family.

[WV Sawmiller]

Lynn,

   I understand and hope and trust this decision works out well for you and your family. I knew you had posted in the past that you had hoped your son and, I gather, grandsons might take over and continue the business and I still have my fingers crossed this happens if it is best for you and them.

   Maybe the next step is to open/expand into "Knothole Lumber Consulting and Training" and you and Miz Pat can ramble the USA (World?) training new sawyers and teaching experienced sawyers how to improve their sawing.

   The guys in Liberia are also looking for missionaries to come help train their team members on how to best use and maintain their WM equipment. Good luck on this decision and keep us well posted.

[69bronco]

Sounds like a good plan Lynn! My father used to say( your dead a long time). Enjoy!

[tacks Y]

Hope you enjoy your semi-retirement 8)

I have also worked many hours since young and when my children were growing up. Now with Grand kids i take time off, change diapers and baby sit. I AM HAVING A BLAST and still working just not as much.

Have fun with your time off. 

[Sixacresand]

I suspect in your future 2-3 days  every 2-3 weeks, you will mill more than most of us.  

[Resonator]

Congrats on your decision, you have definitely earned some "free time". You are an inspiration to us "youngsters", and hope to build my business to be as successful as yours is.

[sealark37]

It is an acknowledged fact that a worker who shows up, does good work, and serves his customer, will soon have more work than he can cover.  This is true, regardless of age.  Your first responsibility is to yourself and your family.  Making the work fit your own needs is simply good management.  Your plan is a good one.  Rock On!

[maple flats]

I fully understand your decision.
Back just 4 yrs ago, I thought I'd still be going strong until I got to my early 80's. I was judging by my dad. He went strong until 87 before he slowed down. Then in 2018 I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and had successful surgery, but the sit and do nothing for 6 full weeks Doctor's order caused me to come out of it at about half speed. I used to walk rather fast, since then I can't even push myself to walk fast, even though I try often.
I'm only 74, currently in quite good health, but working more than 3 hrs at a time does me in, just 4 yrs ago I often worked 6-7 hrs, had lunch break and worked another 6 or 7 hrs. Age cought up with me, I've slowed but I still am trying to do most of what I did in the recent past, it just takes me 3 days to do what I did in 1 as recently as 4 yrs ago.
Just listen closely to your body.

[Stephen1]

A Great decision you will not regret. 
you still get to saw and get to enjoy some free time.

[pineywoods]

Good call MM. Me too, I just turned 85 it's time for me. Some time back I started refering saw jobs to a good sawyer friend. Now I'm finding that I can no longer tolerate the heat.

[Percy]

Maybe have time for another visit 🤓

 

[terrifictimbersllc]

Lynn, your announcement gives us all a pause for reflecting on what's important. Wish you the best in the adjustment. 

[mike_belben]

Theres more to life than work folks.  Get your moneys worth out of good health before work spends it all up on ya. 


Good for you scaling back lynn. 

[jb616]

I think at 78 you've deserved a slow down .   I will always look to your contributions here on the forum and hey, who knows, you might be able to take the time to share some How To videos with us newbies. Best of health to you and your family! 

[brianJ]

It is a wise man that makes life-changing decisions rather than waiting until life forces those decisions.

[taylorsmissbeehaven]

Congratulations Lynn! I am very happy and excited for you to have some time. You have done a lot of sawing and were kind enough share your wisdom and experience with all of us. I really appreciate that and wish you the very best. Brian

[trimguy]

Shoot, I thought all you did was sit under the umbrella and ride back and forth drinking sweet tea.  :D :D :D No, really , well deserved break, enjoy the free time and thanks for all your knowledge you share.

[WV Sawmiller]

Trim,

   Now that you mention it seems the MagicMan posts almost as many pictures of food his customers feed him as he does lumber he has cut. I've been trying to get a good look at his mill from all angles to see if he has a "Will work for food" sticker stuck on it somewhere. :D

[slider]

Lynn i m 71 and go almost as hard as you do but i m slowing down and picking my jobs . My wife said  while back to sell my lt70 sell my self loader ,sell my skid steer, sell my tree service equipment , 75 ft forestry bucket and f350 and 20 ft dump and just stop. I will some day but not yet. i am glad you made your decision ,if i make your age i will be right with you.

I still saw but the tree service keeps me thinkin

Stay on the forum.

[KenMac]

May God continue to bless you and your family immensely in your next phase of life!!  By all means please continue to share your wisdom and knowledge with us on the FF.

[dgdrls]

!  gonna be great Lynn!

Congratulations

D

[TimW]

Lynn,

  I understand and hope and trust this decision works out well for you and your family. I knew you had posted in the past that you had hoped your son and, I gather, grandsons might take over and continue the business and I still have my fingers crossed this happens if it is best for you and them.

  Maybe the next step is to open/expand into "Knothole Lumber Consulting and Training" and you and Miz Pat can ramble the USA (World?) training new sawyers and teaching experienced sawyers how to improve their sawing.

  The guys in Liberia are also looking for missionaries to come help train their team members on how to best use and maintain their WM equipment. Good luck on this decision and keep us well posted.

Lynn,
    I know this comes bittersweet.  I like it that I can work and stop when I want to, or go visit my daughter and Grand daughter.  So keep going in your slow down.  Maybe you can open up Knothole Tailgunners Training School!
                   hugs,  Brandi

[sawmilllawyer]

Good on you, Lynn, I have had the pleasure of reading your sage advice and marveled in your wisdom. As Clint Eastwood would say, "A man has to know his limitations." Best of everything in this new phase of your life. Do not become a couch potato, I really don't think there are any worries there. Enjoy life a little more I don't know of anyone who while lying on their deathbed said, "Gee, I wished I had worked a little harder. 8)

[Bruno of NH]

Mr Lynn,
I understand your decision fully.
Thank you for all your help to all us budding sawyers.
I hope to at least do half of what you have done at your age.

[barbender]

Nothing to be down about- more time for family and enjoying life. If anyone has "been there and done that" with a Woodmizer, it's Lynn. I'm happy for you!

[donbj]

You're a Rock Star Magicman. You earned some time off! You just need to test those 1 1/2"ers yet though :D

[John S]

Congratulations and thank you for all of the useful information that you have provided for us youngsters!

[YellowHammer]

Congratulations on the decision.  Now you will have more time to spend on the Forum to help us.  8) 8)

[Chuck White]

Congratulations on your slowdown Lynn!    8)
You've got me by a few years, but two years ago I made the same decision, to cut back and slow down!

I Had a guy about 6 miles away that at that time I just couldn't get to, so after a lot of talking and asking questions, he decided to buy a new LT35HDG25 and enjoys it!

He still asks a lot of questions, but I love answering sawmill and milling questions when I can!

I've referred MANY of my sawjobs over to him!

Now I have spare time and even sharpen his blades.

I may sell my mill in the next few years, but I do think I'll keep my sharpening setup!

A guys gotta have something to do!

I just finished a 6,000+bf sawjob yesterday, and have another 3,500bf job about 3/4 mile from home, and he's not in a big hurry!  ;D

Enjoy life my friend!

[Magicman]

Thank You everyone for your kind words and I ain't leaving.  I just refused a $55K business sellout which would have been for both my sawmill and my website.  Then another inquiry this morning.  :

I'll just keep on keeping on and that 106 mile guy with the burned skid steer called and that finish-up job is scheduled to begin Aug 2nd.  It doesn't end...... :

[KenMac]

If I were blessed enough to be in your situation, I think I would enjoy hooking up the camper and becoming a "Traveling Sawyer Consultant". May be good money in it, too.

[WV Sawmiller]

   Or at least a few more good home cooked meals. :D

[711ac]

First of all, Happy birthday 👍
Smell the Rose's a little, then saw a little. Sounds like a good plan.
Maybe woodmizer needs to find and hire a fine southern gentleman, give him a nice RV and a mill to tow around the country to events and represent them at shows.
I don't think they could find a better representative than you, Mr. Beenthere Donethat (aka)
Magicman.

[Rhodemont]

When Knothole Consulting comes to the Northeast sign me up...I could use some consultation.

[Danmcc]

If you come to Charlotte, NC I'm up for a consultancy. Congrats on slowing down, life's too short to not enjoy your time. 

[YellowHammer]

Thank You everyone for your kind words and I ain't leaving.  I just refused a $55K business sellout which would have been for both my sawmill and my website.  Then another inquiry this morning.  :

I have a standing answer when people offer to partner or buy me out.  I say:
"Sure, $5 million and its all yours, even the house and property."   :D :D

Nobody's taken me up on it yet, but if they do, we're gonna have a party at the nearest Applebee's.  

[WV Sawmiller]

   I can see it in the news already when the sale is complete - War Eagle Hardwoods in New Market Ala is now open for business.

[KenMac]

  I can see it in the news already when the sale is complete - War Eagle Hardwoods in New Market Ala is now open for business.

Then I might even drive the 120 miles and buy something!! :D

[fat olde elf]

You and I are blessed with wonderful wives.  I'm sure that your decision was based on several consultations with Pat.
I celebrated my 84th birthday on June 22.  PTL  Bonnie turned 85 in February. We both attended church on the last 2 sundays in over a year......She bought me a new suit, first one in over 35 years. 

Congratulations to both of you on your decision !!  Life is good..........

[Magicman]

 

 
Maybe I could get into the tree removal business.  It's an MS881 and comes with a 60" bar and is only $2,000.  ;D

[Old Greenhorn]

Better grab 2 in case one gets pinched and you need the other to cut it out. ;D

[WV Sawmiller]

   I'm trying to envision wedging the trees you are cutting with that bar. Maybe those are the ones where you cut a notch in the tree and use a car jack to lift. 

[doc henderson]

i have that saw/bar combo, and make the same face each time I pick it up!   :D :D :D    

[WV Sawmiller]

Lynn,

   Before you buy that saw you need to ask yourself 2 questions:

1. Can I mill the logs once I get them bucked to length?

2. If the answer is yes, can Luke carry the boards when we cut them? 

[doc henderson]

I use it to rip saw logs in half so I CAN put then on my mill.  big cottonwood, maple and Elms.

[Magicman]

If I bought it I would have a put a Reply in the "Dumb" topic.    8)

[Magicman]

I have gotten a few questions regarding my slowdown and maybe a sorta explanation is in order.

My decision was to quit sawing "out of town" jobs that require overnight stays which fairly well eliminated jobs over 50 miles away.  (I have rescheduled one unfinished out of town job for Aug. 2nd.)

My situation is that my sawing business has simply outgrown my ability to saw them all.  I guess a good problem if I wanted to saw full time which was never my intent.  I finished a 6200 bf job Thursday and decided not to saw until next Thursday, after I turn 78....Yup, a week off and folks waiting for me to saw.  :  I said "health reasons" and that is accurate enough for me and certainly not arguable.  

[doc henderson]

seeing you wield that chainsaw, you must be dong something right.  It is of course your decision no matter what the reason.  It will be good to spend less time away from home, while you do still have good health.

[trimguy]

Maybe it's time to teach Luke to run the mill and one of his buddies to off bear. Of course grandpa would still keep a percentage off the top. Just a thought.

[Magicman]

I have 22 personal logs to saw and Luke will be behind the wheel.  8)

[Wane One]

Mr MM,
Lynn,

I have really enjoyed reading all about your milling jobs\and the rest of the chatter on the FF over the last couple years.
I thought I knew a lot after 30+ yrs in the sawdust.
Every time I logged into this site I learned lots big time.

Good on you to keep your cutting within your Life Needs.
We only have a bit of time...

Hope to meet you n Pat at the 'roast'.

Best
Wane One
Fish Ranch MillWorkZ
Oakland CA

[paul case]

Hey there Lynn, 
Dont think too much about slowing down. We here at the Case place have turned away all custom business for the last 6 months. We have still gotten several folks that try to bring me logs to saw for them. I even have quit buying logs that show up from who knows where. 

I did not say we quit sawing. We have not. We are sawing 4+ days a week and producing more than normal since we only have a few sizes that we saw so the numbers are most the times the same. Enjoying life a little more. 

My dogs get tired. My muscles do not work as long before we are worn out. Scott and Dakota are great help and Scott does most of the sawing. Willie's mill has 5k hours now. 

Take up videoing and make some you tube money. With your following on here you would have a few thousand subs in nothing flat. 

Just how I see it .
PC

[Magicman]

Thank you Paul and it's good to hear from you.  My business profile will be the same....except different.  smiley_dizzy

Still sawing mostly framing lumber except closer to home and hopefully fewer days.  ;D

[DbltreeBelgians]

Happy Birthday Lynn 8)   and enjoy the slowdown.

Brent

[Resonator]

Happy B-day Mr. Magicman! 8)

[Nebraska]

Happy Birthday  thank you for all the free learning.

[Andries]

Hey there Lynn,
Dont think too much about slowing down.  . .  .Take up videoing and make some you tube money. With your following on here you would have a few thousand subs in nothing flat. . . .

Salutations on your birthday, young man!
Best wishes and good health for many years to come.
Paul is hitting the nail there, MM.
If you run a search in YouTube for good quality footage on how an expert runs a mobile bandsaw - well, it's dissapointing. There has to be a big demand for that kind of material, with the record number of new mills being sold.
I've enjoyed the "Essential Craftsman" series on YouTube. A quiet voice that lays out what's going on and plenty of footage to show the concept. 
Mr Yellowhammer is is also putting out a few excellent programs, and each video he produces is better than the last.
 Is Luke handy with a camera? It'd take some experimenting but Paul's suggestion is a good one - to pass all the know-how along to the next generation.

[trimguy]

Happy Birthday Magicman !

[doc henderson]

happy birthday.  now that you are 78, I think you should slow down a bit!  

[Brian C.]

Happy Birthday, Lynn. I hope it was enjoyable. 
Now I have a question, will we see you and Miss Pat at the Pig Roast?

[Chuck White]

Happy Birthday, Lynn!

[Magicman]

Thank You all for the kind words and Happy Birthday Wished.  PatD and I enjoyed a nice Fried Catfish lunch today.  

Now I have a question, will we see you and Miss Pat at the Pig Roast?

No sadly we have other obligations and will not be able to attend the Pig Roast this year.

[DPatton]

Happy Birthday Lynn!

[Magicman]

I made a site visit and turned down another job yesterday.  Thankfully this happened to be only a slight detour and no dead travel expense.  I already had pictures from the log owner so I was simply verifying my decision. 

Turning down jobs is a strange occurrence for me.  

[WV Sawmiller]

Lynn,
 
 What was the reject cause? Too big, too small, bad location, too far away, customer couldn't cook? :D

[Magicman]

They weren't what I considered to be "logs". 


 
A knotty knocked out 11' Magnolia "log" in the front yard and....


 
these 6'-7' Pine "logs" in the back yard.  I would usually saw and scale them as 8' but nope, I ain't sawing any of them.

I did pick up what sounds like a nice Oak job this morning, and declined two.  One (5 Oak logs) was 155 miles and the other (framing lumber with lodging) was 109 miles.  I'll saw the good stuff that is close and cull the rest.

[doc henderson]

Where was Luke?  will he join the FF and if so what would his handle be?

[Magicman]

Luke is working with/for (Son) Marty.  I only had him borrowed for that last job.

[WV Sawmiller]

155 miles? But I thought ... Oh, never mind. :P

[Magicman]

Nope, not anymore.  I have pictures of the logs and I could leave home early, drive, saw, and drive home in a day, but if I am going to change my way of thinking, those loong days are in my past.

[Okrafarmer]

Congratulations, MM, on your deliberate management decision! I'm glad you are able to make this decision instead of it being made for you.  ;) 

The magnolia log would have been my specialty, but they can keep the truncated pine stubs.  :-\

I'm finishing up a 6,000 +/- bf yellow pine job right now. We decided, very firmly, that we will not take our new mill mobile--people can bring us the logs, or it won't happen. They keep on bringing them for some reason..... Can't wait to get back into some retail logs next, probably some walnut as we're running out of dimensional walnut to sell and have some logs in.

If you ever come through South Carolina, come see me!

[Peter Drouin]

 saw the good stuff that is close and cull the rest.

That is what I did from day one decades ago. Always had a ton of work without sawing the junk logs.
No matter what they wanted to give me in $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

[dgdrls]

I like your plan Lynn,
I hope you had a great b'day with PatD.

D

[petefrom bearswamp]

Belated happy birthday Lynn.

[Texas Ranger]

Got a couple of years on you MM, I didn't slow down, my body did.

[Magicman]

Most of you have seen "Fat Albert" handling logs that were mine to saw and the occasional log that was brought here that needed unloading.  A 1966 Oliver with a 78hp 6 cylinder Waukesha engine. 


 
He was a genuine monster and there seemingly was no limit what he could pick up and handle.  Well, my slowing down has included finding Fat Albert a new home.


 
So today he backed himself up onto this lowboy for a trip to his new home, and a good home it will be.  Kinda sad because we will miss the rumble of that engine when it fired off.

[Old Greenhorn]

Somebody got a good deal. Time marches on. tomorrow is a new day. I am sure you will miss it from time to time, but keep looking forward not back. Man, what I would do to get a machine like that around here.

[WV Sawmiller]

Lynn,

   I didn't know you cared! What time is Albert getting here? :D

[Magicman]

This "slowing down" ain't easy.  I passed off a ~60 mile job this morning and am now agonizing over a 175 mile Cypress job.  When you are accustomed to taking whatever rang the phone and now saying "no" goes against how I built my sawmilling business for the past 20+ years.  Yes, I know what I am gonna do but....

[Tom the Sawyer]

Lynn,
I, too, am slowing down; even though I am 8 years younger and been at it half as long as you have.  I really enjoy converting my clients' logs to lumber, but not every job is a joy.  When I don't enjoy a milling job, I evaluate what it was that was a problem.  It may be something I can easily fix, but sometimes it means a change in business protocols.  Once in awhile there are clients who are turned down for a subsequent appointment.

I used to schedule mobile appointments year round in what, I hoped, was decent weather.  We don't have your temperate weather, after a couple of years of miserable winter conditions jobs, my mobile season is now April through October.  I also schedule no more than one mobile appointment per week during the season.  I am also much more selective about mobile jobs where there are site prep issues, lack of equipment where probably needed, or questionable help available. 

In 2020 (COVID) a couple of months of work were curtailed, I only did 1/3 or the normal number of mobile appointments and yet my yearly volume increased slightly, most of my appointments are here at home.  When it ceases to be fun, I'll just turn the key and walk back up to the house.

[230Dforme]

Good afternoon 

Have been enjoying FF for several years,
just watching and learning 
Becoming a bit more involved lately as 
I want to buy a circle mill 
Was a structural steel contractor in Albany NY, just south of the Adirondacks
in upstate NY
In Lake George now doing tree work

Just read the post

You surely don't need advice from me,
that said, I believe that engagement 
both mentally and physically are keys  
prolonged life

Do what you can, when you want to
All the best to you, you are a sage
on this site and a friend to all

Thankyou