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Observations of a New Sawyer

Started by SawyerTed, March 24, 2018, 03:55:16 PM

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SawyerTed

I'm still a rank amateur in this saw milling business-I've owned my mill about a month. I've sawn about 6.5Mbdft in the month.  A third has been for customers.

I've learned a few things, many I learned here.  In no specific order here are some of my "learnings"....

-This Forum is invaluable
-People think logs are cheap so your lumber should be next to free.
-Some think the only reason you have a sawmill is for "fun"
-A 30"diameter log is a big log and it is heavy
-Testosterone can cloud an evaluation of how hard moving a log can be
-Logs and lumber can easily hurt you or anyone else nearby
-Don't scrimp on support tools
-Sawdust can get in unusual places
-Volunteer help is great as long as they don't make extra work
-When you buy a mill go ahead and buy quality hearing, eye and toe protection
-Don't reinvent the wheel
-There's diminishing value in running a blade too long
-Learn your market and don't be ashamed of market prices
-There's a lot of science and engineering in this business
-The laws of physics apply
-Wearing a leather or heavy canvas apron is a good idea
-14', 16' and 18' lumber is hard to offbear alone
-Manufacturer support is important especially to a rookie
-Everybody wants a couple "scrap" 2x8x12, or a "scrap" live edge slab
-"So and so" is cheaper, gives his scrap away......
-Best response when "so and so" is mentioned, "You better go see so and so and quickly"
-You WILL hit metal with a blade, either in a log or part of the sawmill or both
-Folks want to talk
-There's a lot of tire kickers out there
-Don't be afraid to follow up on a contact
-Repeat customers are groomed through good service and quality
-Get a bigger sign
-It's hard to be logger and sawyer both when you are a one man show
-Material input, processing and output around the mill is sometimes like alchemy, and every setup works different
-It is wise to establish company policy-most don't question it
-There's money in secondary processing but it takes money to set up secondary processing
-A supportive wife is invaluable
Woodmizer LT50, WM BMS 250, WM BMT 250, Kubota MX5100, IH McCormick Farmall 140, Husqvarna 372XP, Husqvarna 455 Rancher

dgdrls

From one amateur to another I agree wholeheartedly  ;)

D

WV Sawmiller

   Well said. Also remember "When you think you know it all - you don't."
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

SawyerTed

Agreed!  I'm always wanting to learn something new.  Keeps me motivated.
Woodmizer LT50, WM BMS 250, WM BMT 250, Kubota MX5100, IH McCormick Farmall 140, Husqvarna 372XP, Husqvarna 455 Rancher

terrifictimbersllc

DJ Hoover, Terrific Timbers LLC,  Mystic CT Woodmizer Million Board Foot Club member. 2019 LT70 Super Wide 55 Yanmar,  LogRite fetching arch, WM BMS250 sharpener/BMT250 setter.  2001 F350 7.3L PSD 6 spd manual ZF 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed

Kbeitz

I would like to here more on your opinion on one item...

There's diminishing value in running a blade too long
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

brianJ

What is secondary processing? ??? ???

SawyerTed

My limited experience tells me a dull blade leaves a ragged surface, cuts slower and is prone to making waves when hitting harder knots and grain.  So the quality of the product suffers, the longer you use the dull blade the worse the problems become.  While it hasn't happened to me yet, eventually the blade will break.  I suspect, as with other cutting blades, the dull blade generates heat which will affect blade life.  A broken blade costs more than one that just needs sharpening.
Woodmizer LT50, WM BMS 250, WM BMT 250, Kubota MX5100, IH McCormick Farmall 140, Husqvarna 372XP, Husqvarna 455 Rancher

SawyerTed

Secondary processing, as I understand it, is kiln drying, planing, molding etc.  
Woodmizer LT50, WM BMS 250, WM BMT 250, Kubota MX5100, IH McCormick Farmall 140, Husqvarna 372XP, Husqvarna 455 Rancher

Kbeitz

Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

porcupine

You are a quick study and quite a hustler to push through so much BF in a month. You get the Pro Sawyer of the Month award! Keep it up.
Kubota M5040  2007
Kubota U35 Mini-Ex  2016
Brute Force 18-24 Firewood Processor 2022
Brute Force Grapple
Super Split HD
Logrite Cant Hook, Pickaroon
Stihl MS250, MS461, MSE 220
Lamar 16' Dump Trailer
Load Trail 20' Tilt Trailer

WDH

Woodmizer LT40HDD35, John Deere 2155, Kubota M5-111, Kubota L2501, Nyle L53 Dehumidification Kiln, and a passion for all things with leafs, twigs, and bark.  hamsleyhardwood.com

moodnacreek

You have learned a lot. Everything you said is true. Do you get to eat special orders? I do all the time.

Darrel

People are clueless when it comes to the amount of work involved. Especially the work that happens before you arrive and after you leave. 
1992 LT40HD

If I don't pick myself up by my own bootstraps, nobody else will.

WV Sawmiller

Moody,

   If people are stiffing you on special orders sounds to me like you need to a bigger deposit. I don't do a lot of special orders without pay in advance especially if it is not common use stuff I can sell pretty readily to others. I do tell folks if they want to drop off their trailer ahead of time I'll accept that as collateral. Then I can load directly off the mill on to their trailer and reduce handling.

   A couple came by today and bought and paid for my last white oak mantel and said he would come back some time next week to pick it up. I should just buy some more from the guy who slabbed up my big walnut as he sells them for about 1/4 what I do and he has the big Lucas slabber to cut really big stuff. 
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

sealark37

One that slapped me in the face long ago:  "Sawmilling is just a large material handling problem, with a head saw in the middle."     Regards, Clark

SawyerTed

Quote from: moodnacreek on March 24, 2018, 08:17:03 PM
You have learned a lot. Everything you said is true. Do you get to eat special orders? I do all the time.
So far most of special orders have been brought to me.  One I did for a friend I've known 20+ years.  I told him I knew where to find him.  I won't cut special orders out of my logs unless I get 50% with the order.  I like the idea of the trailer as deposit.  Can we get a mechanics lein on a trailer?
Woodmizer LT50, WM BMS 250, WM BMT 250, Kubota MX5100, IH McCormick Farmall 140, Husqvarna 372XP, Husqvarna 455 Rancher

Sawmill Man

Some of those talkers and tire kickers can turn into valued long time customers for the next 20 years lol.
"I could have sworn I went over that one with the metal detector".

SawyerTed

You have to work with the tire kickers and talkers to build a business.  At least they are here and not down the road.
Woodmizer LT50, WM BMS 250, WM BMT 250, Kubota MX5100, IH McCormick Farmall 140, Husqvarna 372XP, Husqvarna 455 Rancher

POSTON WIDEHEAD

The last one puts all the others in order.  :)
The older I get I wish my body could Re-Gen.

moodnacreek

W.V, No down payments. Ben there, done that. Because they still won't come back [anytime soon] and I can't sell it to somebody else. Everything goes on sticks and is banded so I can put in in a drying pile. If it's an odd ball order it's: full payment up front, a known customer or won,t do it. I strive to own all the wood on my property and it' all for sale, that way I have nothing to keep tract of. I have some wonderful customers, have made many interesting friends. These good relationships are my only profit. Unfortunately there are so many people whose word is no good.

SawyerTed

Quote from: POSTON WIDEHEAD on March 24, 2018, 09:37:54 PM
The last one puts all the others in order.  :)
Yes Sir!  I'd never be able to do this without her!
Woodmizer LT50, WM BMS 250, WM BMT 250, Kubota MX5100, IH McCormick Farmall 140, Husqvarna 372XP, Husqvarna 455 Rancher

Darrel

1992 LT40HD

If I don't pick myself up by my own bootstraps, nobody else will.

Jeff

Quote from: Kbeitz on March 24, 2018, 05:41:05 PM
I would like to here more on your opinion on one item...

There's diminishing value in running a blade too long

Not sure if someone that gets their blades from the junkyard would even listen.
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

POSTON WIDEHEAD

Quote from: Jeff on March 24, 2018, 09:52:17 PM



Not sure if someone that gets their blades from the junkyard would even listen.
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
The older I get I wish my body could Re-Gen.

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