Woodmizer lead time ridiculous. Looking for alternatives

[Southside]

Work is a 4 letter word these days.

[fluidpowerpro]

I'm not saying that you become a pain.
 Asking about when to expect delivery is not unreasonable. 

[doc henderson]

post covid, we are still suffering at work.  I got to work yesterday at 7 with 10 of our 18 beds full with people waiting to be admitted.  1 to transfer, and one waiting for nursing home.  As people came in, we had no where to put new patients cause beds were full.  We admitted another 10 through the day.  floor beds were full and wait room full.  people with minor issues seen in the waiting rom, or triage.  We like many other institutions stopped using travel nurses.  I use caution when getting riled at other businesses as I know how frustrating and impossible it is at my work.  I am sure if they could fill your order today, they would.  If they are that far behind, then if you get one early, then someone else waits longer.  by law we cannot suggest they go somewhere else.

[WV Sawmiller]

   Lead times for parts processing and shipping has also been affected at the main office in Indianapolis. The last couple of times I ordered urgent parts due to a breakdown it took 2-3 days before they shipped even when they verified they had the part on hand/in stock. Previously IIRC any such part ordered in the morning shipped that same day. To get same day shipping now it seems you have to pay an expedited shipping fee. 

   The alternative, where possible, seems to be to order from the branch offices where, if they have the part on hand, they can often still ship the same day if you call them in the morning hours. Several times Indy did not have the part on hand and I had to go to the branch offices to get it anyway.

[Beavertooth]

There are a lot of used sawmills for sale on Facebook marketplace and other places now. Where last year at this time it was hard to even find a used one and any sawmill that did go up for sale was instantly gone basically. Now more people definitely are getting rid of them seems like every week and and a lot of them are just setting there. So a good time to be seriously looking at used ones over new. 

[Stephen1]

That is so correct, now we are getting choice. used ones for sale, more used equipment is going up sale, there are  more houses up for sale. Results in  more balanced pricing for everything. 

[DanMc]

Check out this email that just came from WM!!  Yikes, this is getting real!  Attached was a link to the invoice for my machine.  My heart rate just went up.

Good afternoon, We want to send out a courtesy email regarding your LT35 Hydraulic. We want to make sure everything on your order is correct or if there were things you wanted to add or take away. Also want to let you know that mill is about to go through manufacturing process within next few months, so seeing if you are still on board on wanting the mill when ready. Give us a call at 800-553-0182, if you have questions or are able to confirm.    Thank you, Wood-Mizer Sales Team

[SpikeInOregon]

After lurking around, gaining tons of knowledge, reading stories & their pictures, over the last year plus, I decided it to make this my first post to share a story and maybe someone won't feel as bad about lead times on mill deliveries.
Some of the lead times have been long. I will be close to 2 years at the time I will take delivery of an LT35 ordered on 6/15/21.  The PDX dealer shows the mill is completed and is waiting for shipping from WM.  I'm looking forward to making beautiful things out of plain ol' trees.

In March of 2021 a 175+ year old Ponderosa tree fell on my house from a windstorm. It was my final sign that said: Leave this business. (Adult foster home)
Portable mills are something I'd had an interest for years after seeing a few in action on NFS lands milling downed trees.  I ordered and purchased an overseas mill in Portland, OR since WM didn't have any inventory. With the crated cheap mill loaded on my truck, I visited WM Portland and used the Federal Stimulus $1200 to order an LT15 Wide on a trailer and LT35 with a later delivery date. The idea was to use the 15 and sell when the 35 arrives. Lead time for the 15 was March to May 2022 and Oct to Nov 22 for the LT35.  The LT15 arrived 6 months late in late Nov 22, but I was still recovering from hernia issues and only unloaded the crates in my shop hoping to get things assembled in Jan 2023.

However, on Jan 12, I get a call and voicemail that the LT 35 is ready to go, except, on Friday January 13th at 4AM, I have a flu fire at my house & it becomes unlivable.  Result is that I had prioritize the fire and money issues and delay the 35 for a few weeks and allocate it to another person but wires were crossed and weeks transposed to months.  Fortunately, I was able to sell the 15 in Feb before even assembling it, made a couple of extra $'s to contribute to upgrades on the 35.  It would have been great to getting milling and a good start to another new career, including making some lumber for my home rebuild, but sometimes we need to realize it not always within 'Our' timing.  Sometimes we're taught patience without knowing it.  I used the extra time to polish my business model and prep the property for this new venture.

Thanks again for the knowledge shared in the sawmilling business and the experiences people have had.  It helps to recognize potential issues that may arise.

Tip??.. Had a log which was also used as a sign hanger... Lots of nails, screws, and two 8" spikes that would have destroyed a blade.  My metal detector was a great tool to have around for that purpose or using the chainsaw.  It might even be good for the 'Busy Body' customer that wants something to do, and check their logs for metal.

[Stephen1]

Welcome SpikeInOregon thanks for posting your storey. 

[DanMc]

Welcome!!!

Is the spike in your name connected to the spikes in the log?

[SawyerTed]

There are a lot of used sawmills for sale on Facebook marketplace and other places now. Where last year at this time it was hard to even find a used one and any sawmill that did go up for sale was instantly gone basically. Now more people definitely are getting rid of them seems like every week and and a lot of them are just setting there. So a good time to be seriously looking at used ones over new.

Y'all are seeing used mills I'm not seeing.  
FB Marketplace around here isn't showing many mills for sale.  The ones that are are hobbyist mills.  
Sawmill Exchange isn't showing much - 1 LT35; 1 Baker stationary (looks like a good deal) but not much else.  

[WDFL]

Ted, look at the "Woodmizer Owners" page.   There's been a few mills on there this month already, including a LX55 someone's trying to flip, but I also saw a decent price on an older LT40, plus a newer LT40 that also seemed a good price.  The ones priced well seem to move very quickly.

Spike - great story and welcome, post pics of your mill when you get it.  

[SpikeInOregon]

Welcome!!!

Is the spike in your name connected to the spikes in the log?

It either had to do with taking a spike elk 35ish years ago or something about 'hard as steel' but not sure which exactly.  Have an engineer friend who coins pet names for everyone and is where Spike originated.  It's just stuck over the years. Others have names like Maggot, Fembot, Jetro, Chuckie, Sheela (an Australian friend), and my dog named Riley is named Riley Factor.  There are others I probably can't post but at least mine is socially acceptable!
I've run into a few large spikes/nails that are 8-10" long and 3/8 - 1/2" diameter while doing firewood duties with the chainsaw and wood splitter that were encased well inside the tree.  Casually checking some logs before putting them on the practice mill with a metal detector, I found 1 had pieces of old fencing where the bark had grown over but was also a tree near a property line and would explain the metal.
Who knows, using a metal detector under the Ol' Oak Tree, that needed cut down, and you may find change from pockets, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pocket knives, silverware, metal junk, or ??

[TxTIG]

Ordered an LT70 Aug 2021 and was told 72 week lead time.  Been checking in with WM every month since week 72 passed and this week had a bit a possible good news.  My mill is supposed to be built end of June and delivery by mid July if.......the engines are delivered.  

[DanMc]

It will be such a treat to see new mills being delivered!

[SawyerTed]

Check out this email that just came from WM!!  Yikes, this is getting real!  Attached was a link to the invoice for my machine.  My heart rate just went up.

Good afternoon, We want to send out a courtesy email regarding your LT35 Hydraulic. We want to make sure everything on your order is correct or if there were things you wanted to add or take away. Also want to let you know that mill is about to go through manufacturing process within next few months, so seeing if you are still on board on wanting the mill when ready. Give us a call at 800-553-0182, if you have questions or are able to confirm.    Thank you, Wood-Mizer Sales Team

Got essentially the same message on Wednesday. 
I called to ask what the expected delivery date would be?  "In two months" was the answer.  Couldn't nail the guy down to by August 1  :D.   

The wait continues.   Probably best if arrives for the start of the fall sawing season anyway (he said philosophically).  

[SawyerTed]

Got a call from Carolina Saw & Service, Woodmizer Carolina's ASC, a minute ago.  Joe was optimistic that it could be sooner on the mill - maybe measured in weeks versus months.  I'm hopeful but going on with life. 

That's a benefit of maintaining a good working relationship with the dealer.  I will need that relationship in the future when I need support.  

[Southside]

Ted, all you have to do is ask for a hug, we will give you support too.   :D

[SawyerTed]

 :D :D You can't say that to just anybody and get away with it anymore!   :D :D

Thanks Jim. 

[TimW]

Ordered an LT70 Aug 2021 and was told 72 week lead time.  Been checking in with WM every month since week 72 passed and this week had a bit a possible good news.  My mill is supposed to be built end of June and delivery by mid July if.......the engines are delivered.  

Welcome to FF.  Where in Texas are you located?
         hugs,  Brandi

[Stephen1]

Ted needs a hug! dancing-jack

[TxTIG]

Ordered an LT70 Aug 2021 and was told 72 week lead time.  Been checking in with WM every month since week 72 passed and this week had a bit a possible good news.  My mill is supposed to be built end of June and delivery by mid July if.......the engines are delivered.  

Welcome to FF.  Where in Texas are you located?
        hugs,  Brandi

I am north of Ft Worth.  Now after following up with Woodmizer today they advised that production is not scheduled yet so still on indefinite hold.  Their worn out mantra is supply chain issues.  Just recently ordered a laser cutter (import model from China) and from order to delivery was just 3 months.  I am now at week 88.  Has anyone here received their LT70?  

[Southside]

It's not a worn out mantra. Found out yesterday that some of our dairy equipment is at least a 14 month order wait now, it used to be 4-6 weeks, and we are basically talking about big stainless steel pots with fancy recording devices on them. 

[Stephen1]

I have been waiting 2 weeks for my Towing company to pick up 3 logs. He is waiting for parts for his truck. We still have a supply chain issues. It is not getting any better sooner. My daughter ordered a new GMC truck and it is 1 year wait still.