I just wanted to announce that I'm now sawing full time. Prayers and best wishes appreciated. It's a big leap of faith for me to do this but if I'm going to do it, I want to do it right now because if I can make this work, I've hopefully got many years ahead to allow my business to naturally grow into something big and special. This is my dream. If I were the wealthiest person on Earth I can honestly say that I would still choose this path. Just got home last night from a super cool portable sawing job on the Mobile Bay here in Alabama. Lots of sawing jobs scheduled. As one of my best friends on this forum always tells me...I've got this.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190410_190554.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555216814)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/Snapchat-1230439337.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555216747)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/Snapchat-1368982689.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555216836)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/Snapchat-1422426318.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555216843)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/Snapchat-19947405.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555216750)
If you love what your doing and your able to make a living at it you are in an enviable position! In the words of Henry Ford, "if you think you can or you think you can't your right", sounds like you are making it happen!
Congrats!
Congrats! You've made a decision. Now make it be right!
Best of luck to you Deese,May all your jobs be as special as sawing on the Bay.
George Jones sang a wonderful song about Mobile Bay.
That's great, I know you will do fine.
I would have had a hard times sawing at that place, because I'd have been throwing a fishing line out about every log.
You work hard :)
Hard work pays off
You will succeed
With your enthusiasm and the amount of "mentors" on this forum that want you to succeed, you will do well. Good luck with your fulltime endeavor. Keep posting updates as you acquire more equipment, overcome hurdles, and of course, pictures of scenic sawing sites situated on the salty shores.
Kyle
Congratulations Deese!
You will do fine. May have to adjust to sawing during the daylight, but I am sure that won't be a problem.
Beautiful spot there for sure!
Congrats Frank on a well thought out plan. My Best Wishes will follow you. 8)
Congratulations John Frank. Make your son proud.
It won't be long and I'll have to pass the sawmill project torch off to you so you can show all you've learned in your new adventures.
Congrats. Sometimes you have to jump in with both feet and see what happens. You will do fine.
John Frank,
Now maybe you can get some sleep at night.
Congratulations Deese, smiley_thumbsup
your worlds on a string.
Best wishes going forward
D
Good luck to ya!!
May you always saw straight and not hit metal!!
Best of luck to you John Frank.
Good deal I know your neighbors will be glad you are taking the evenings off now, ;D
John, good luck with your change in career. Set short-term, achievable goals; that will help your confidence level. If you haven't done so, read through the threads in the Business section, a lot of good ideas there. I don't think business plans are absolutes, be open to opportunities, you may find a niche you didn't know existed. :)
A big old War Eagle congratulations to you. May all your logs be AU straight and the knotty, crooked, nail infested logs all end up over at your UA competitor's mill. (Sorry about that YH :().
Congratulations! I look forward to seeing your successes
Congrats and good luck! I'm chasing the dream myself too. Get a good accountant, a good lawyer, and learn as you go. And always save some money in a rainy day, "oh DanG what broke now" fund! smiley_thumbsup
I really appreciate everyone's words of encouragement. It will be an adventure for sure! I do not see how I can fail if I follow good advice and continue to do good quality work.
John I jumped in head first 8 years ago when I bought my LT-15. I was 33 years old and would not take no for an answer! Lot of years working 7 days a week helped establish a great clientele. I can say this, take good care of your best repeat customers...they will be the key to your success. Call me if you ever need anything Bro! :)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/26820/0414191332.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555277821)
Now I actually have time to take my kids fishing! Hang with it!
All the best Deese!
The thread title says "full Time".
I'm thinking you've been at "double time" for a while now! ;D
Best wishes John, and watch out 4x4american - somebody's catching' up. . . .
Best of luck, 8) 8)
Good luck to you! Congrats on making the leap!
You know what they say: The harder you work, the luckier you get. Good Luck smiley_thumbsup
John, with your work ethic, great personality and this forum you will grow a (larger) successful sawmill business!
Best of luck to you! May your smile always be present and your great attitude continue.
Good Luck. I was self employed for 20 years.Self employment is not for everyone but can be very rewarding. Make sure you pay attention to business matters. Lot's of hard worker are not good businessman, my self included. Find good customers and keep them, know when to say no to the bad ones.
Thanks everyone. Just arrived back down here on the Alabama coast and made it to my room. Another 165 mile road trip. Setting up at daybreak and sawing some slow growth pine. Not sure which species. I'll take pics tomorrow. My goal is to finish the job by dusk and make it back home tomorrow night. Not sure if it's possible but going to give it my all.
I always wanted to be my own Boss, but I hate working for pompous, opiniated, lazy, know- nothing Horse's- Axxes :). That cuts me out!
Good Luck, Deese
Steve
Well, I spent most of the day bucking logs. Lots of logs. Got a few hours towards the end of the day to cut some beams. Back at it tomorrow until this rain moves in. Longleaf Pine. The good stuff. But the sap really wasn't a big problem. I was surprised.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190417_063231.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555546654)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190417_063215.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555546641)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190417_123235.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555546670)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190417_191440.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555546620)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190417_191531.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555546620)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190417_192034.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555546821)
I am also surprised that the sap didn't gum up your blade? smiley_headscratch
that is a good view of the pith , nice logs , best of success with your new job .
Quote from: olcowhand on April 17, 2019, 05:55:49 PM
I always wanted to be my own Boss, but I hate working for pompous, opiniated, lazy, know- nothing Horse's- Axxes :). That cuts me out!
Good Luck, Deese
Steve
When my son told me years ago that he wanted to start his own business and work for himself because everyone else were jackasses to work for, I told him that no matter where you work, the boss is always a jackass, when you are self employed it is no different. When I was was self employed I worked on every holiday at least part of the day (taking time out for the family dinner, or opening presents, or 'cake time', then back in the shop). I canceled or postponed family vacations at the last minute because a good client had an emergency. I worked 90 hour weeks often. I finally gave up the business for a reliable salary and health insurance for my family. That worked for me. Others were better than me and made it work for them. I didn't have what it takes, but others do and I give them a lot of credit for pulling it off. Good Luck and God's speed.
Quote from: Magicman on April 17, 2019, 08:40:35 PM
I am also surprised that the sap didn't gum up your blade? smiley_headscratch
Well, let me clarify. I keep a spray bottle filled with diesel fuel with me when I'm sawimg. There were times when you could see a patch of resin building on the blade as it was cutting. Easy for the eye to see. A flash of white against the background of the dark metal blade. I just squirt a couple shots of diesel on top and bottom while it's moving through the log and it keeps things flowing. So, Yes...I did have a sap issue but never let it become a problem. I should have been more specific.
One would have to have sawn Longleaf Pine to really understand just how sappy it is. I'm sure that there are other species that may be as sappy, but I haven't sawn it yet.
that's a good size pile of Pine, looks like you will be busy for a while,
good start to going full time
The next job I've got lined up is going to be another adventure somewhat like this one...somewhat. But much bigger. Meeting with the landowner on Saturday. Looks like I'll be down here on the coast until Friday night, or early Saturday morning.
Great News !! I have followed your progress since day one...Got really got excited about the Final Four to no avail....
Wait until next year...Go Spartans !!! Congrats on your decision and best of luck.....Fat Olde Elf...
John,
Sounds like it's been a great start. Keep it up.
Congrats at this rate someday you will be a big lumber baron.
Congrats on making this bold decision while you're still young! Too many of us waited too long to make the leap. Now, a little word of advice: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! You have just made your healthy body your most important asset. Get innovative in your log & lumber handling with safety in mind. You do not want to land behind somebody else's desk with a bad back after having been your own boss! ;)
All I'll say is I should have started when I was 25, not 55 as I did.. Best job I've ever had. Do good work and the work will come to you. Steve
Ladylake,
I suspect you were like me and many others at that stage just starting out in life and you did what you had to do to make a living instead of what you wanted to do. When you got older and the kids were out of school, most of the bills were paid, etc. then you could afford to gamble on something you wanted to do. Not true for all of us but is for many which is why I think you see so many senior citizens as sawmill owning and operating members of this forum now.
Quote from: WV Sawmiller on April 18, 2019, 08:32:59 PMwhich is why I think you see so many senior citizens as sawmill owning and operating members of this forum now.
Holy can 'o worms Batman... :D Some glad I didn't post that!! :-X
I started at 33 years old! ;D Never looked back..finished this little table today
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/26820/0418191636d.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555643037)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/26820/FB_IMG_1555630791937.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555643054)
Full day of sawing ahead. About to head toward jobsite. There's at least 3.5mb still on the ground but most of it will be 4x12 beams so I should finish today.
Dawg,
You do nice work.
Quote from: Southside on April 18, 2019, 10:45:49 PM
Quote from: WV Sawmiller on April 18, 2019, 08:32:59 PMwhich is why I think you see so many senior citizens as sawmill owning and operating members of this forum now.
Holy can 'o worms Batman... :D Some glad I didn't post that!! :-X
Simple fact! Jeff includes that neat little age factoid with each of our poster's ID/profile and since I now fall in that elite group I figure I can post the obvious. :o ;)
Quote from: WV Sawmiller on April 18, 2019, 08:32:59 PMsenior citizens as sawmill owning and operating members of this forum now
I am now more senior and sawing more than I ever have. Yearly sawing is steadily increasing and I am supposed to be "retired". :-X
They say, "the difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude". You have the right attitude sooooo....... good days a coming smiley_thumbsup smiley_thumbsup
And the harder you work the luckier you get. ;)
Congrats Deese!! Sure you will do well. You have some great mentors, learn all you can from them. Dang is right about keeping yourself healthy. Good advise. Look forward to hearing about your first year milling at the next Project.
Did not finish yesterday and stayed at a different location last night. Running a tad behind. It's 6:07AM and it's already daylight. I've got some help showing up at 8AM so things should go a little faster. You all have a great day!
Good job, keep it up.
Well, Saturday's sawing was challenging. Nails. Lots of them. When I hit a nail opening a log, I try to stay with that same blade and go ahead and open the other faces if possible because the likelihood of hitting another nail is much higher than usual. Then I will change the blade and continue. Sometimes that works and sometimes it does not...I also hit something deep within one log that stopped the show for about 30 minutes. I was cruising along pretty fast and the blade met something it couldn't handle and broke almost all the teeth off. Long story short, I just got back down here to finish 11 logs and relocate to another customer's property even closer to the coastline. I sharpened blades until 9:30pm, loaded them up along with 20 new blades, plus UPS is delivering more bandwheel belts and other stuff near the jobsite tomorrow. Let the sawing continue. Up in 5 hours and should be making sawdust before 6AM.
Here's a pic of some of the material I've produced thus far... Almost all 18'-20' long.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190420_185809.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555911482)
Glad to see you are getting your exercise in.
Did you ever find out what the show stopper was deep in the log?
Southside, I sure didn't. Never had time to check it out. Finished the job and just now got to my room. Worn slam out. I'll figure board footage here shortly. Meeting another customer and his logs early in the morning.
I'll triple check my math tomorrow but it looks like 8830BF. Bedtime. Back up in 6 hours. Big syp job tomorrow. I started running 1.5" wide .055" thick 7° Kasko blades today and it has turned my sawmill into a wood chewing beast. I was sawing 12" wide syp 4x12's almost as fast as you can walk. That Cat51hp was grunting today. Lumber flat as can be, even through the occasional big knot. Kicking myself for not using these earlier. Unbelievable.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190419_104425.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555990723)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190420_122025.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555990733)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190419_104441.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555990746)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190420_135956.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555990752)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190420_122727.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1555990762)
That last one looks a bit PITCHY.
I wish we had SYP
The only stuff we get is PT all fast growth cut right down the pith.
The stuff you southern folks saw looks great.
Quote from: WDH on April 23, 2019, 07:29:09 AM
That last one looks a bit PITCHY.
Yes many of them were. When the sawblade would start fluttering, I knew pitch was building up under the bandwheel belts. Kept having to stop, remove blade and belt on the drive side and scrape it clean with a flathead screwdriver. I bet I did it 20 times.
Went to the new job this morning. Around 2x as many logs as customer said, which is good! I set up and we sawed all day long. Low production because we got all the shorter logs done first. A bunch of 6'-8' long logs. Plus I had to get them in a good routine. We just got to the 12' and 14' long logs at quitting time. Hopefully tomorrow will be a more productive day.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/Snapchat-1448047554.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556066133)
Good job Deese. Nice tight growth rings on pretty clear pine.
I appreciate the performance report on the 1 1/2" Kasco bands. John and I were talking to Richard at Jake's project about them. He stated that we would see results similar to what you described.
I sawed syp 1x8's and 1x10's for 11 hours straight today. Never sat down. Not once. DanG tired. Back up in 7 hours and sawing in 8. Never worked harder in my life.
Git it! The harder you work...the harder you going to work!
You making me tired and I'm already tired.
Quote from: Deese on April 23, 2019, 08:40:15 PM
Quote from: WDH on April 23, 2019, 07:29:09 AM
That last one looks a bit PITCHY.
Yes many of them were. When the sawblade would start fluttering, I knew pitch was building up under the bandwheel belts. Kept having to stop, remove blade and belt on the drive side and scrape it clean with a flathead screwdriver. I bet I did it 20 times.
Time for B56 belts. Steve
Made it up before 5AM. Haha. About to head out.
Yes Steve, I should have ordered them yesterday. Ordering them today along with a new drive belt. It's still tight but noticing little cracks forming
Only got around 800BF of 1x10x10's sawed before the weather alerts started going off on the radio. Had to wrap it up at 1pm today. Was planning on going home tonight but will give it another stab tomorrow. Got me a Motel 6 room 2 miles from Orange Beach. About to try and catch the sunset. Life is rough.
I caught the tail end of it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190425_194546.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556241087)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190425_194505.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556241066)
Nice bon_fire
Finished the job and headed home. 2 more hours to go. 4088bf of syp 1x6's,8's, and 10's.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190426_151512.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556316844)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190426_155557.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556316844)
Did you offload? or did you have help on that job?
Dat's what I love about portable sawing. smiley_thumbsup Saws um and leaves um. 8)
Quote from: Peter Drouin on April 27, 2019, 06:41:55 AM
Did you offload? or did you have help on that job?
I had 1 helper most of the time. Sometimes another man would be present. The real time killer was the edging. I edged against the cant on each log as I went. I kept the edger boards on the loading arms. The largest size they wanted was 1x10", so I had a PILE of boards to edge from the bigger logs.
Very smart. Edge as you finish sawing each log. I try not to think of it as a time killer but as just part of the job and you are getting boards as you edge. Think Positive. smiley_thumbsup
I don't know how you guys do it. I sawed about 900 bf yesterday, pulling and stacking myself, and it done kicked my butt!
Quote from: Peter Drouin on April 27, 2019, 06:41:55 AM
Did you offload? or did you have help on that job?
Peter has the answer . . . or the question to your question . . . barbender.
By yourself = kicked butt.
Tailgunner = full day.
Tailgunner and loaderstacker = 8)
Yeah I know it. I've never worked my mill for a full day with a tailgunner. I need to put up a nice deck of logs and hire a young guy to wear out!😊 I don't think my poor LT40 Super, Diesel, has ever even hit 1000 board feet in a day😂 I think it feels ashamed😬
Use a contract, and in the contract, state that the customer is responsible to provide an off-loader!
End of discussion! ;)
Next thing you know you'll be pulling a B train with and edger and a sawmill like Jake used to do.
If someone has a big enough check I still would.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11861/image~25.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1442534850)
Just like this.
I parked the sawmill and made some memories with my boy this weekend. We had a real, jam-up good time wrestling in the tent. Our dog, Jace, was right there with us every step of the way. We slept down by our pond. The last pic shows what we saw when we unzipped the door Sunday morning. I think I needed it more than he did. I planted that bald cypress several years ago.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/Snapchat-1583343315.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556592049)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/Snapchat-1092110977.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556592091)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/Snapchat-185773209.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556592187)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190428_062403.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556592274)
Here's my boy standing in front of it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190428_092714.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556592992)
Don't get no better than that.
Way to go man!
Those photos show that you've got the best parts of life figured out.
😎
I very happy for you that your busy :)
Always remember your family
I didn't when I first started and I'm paying for it now.
Yesterday was spent doing maintenance on the sawmill and sharpening sawblades. Bad solenoid on one of the hyd pumps. Ordered new solenoid, b56 and b57 belts, autoclutch belt, new track wiper, air filter, yesterday. Capping the non-functuonal hyd pump off this morning and sawing pine later today..hopefully.
All I see is happy!!!!!
Quote from: thecfarm on April 30, 2019, 01:47:52 PM
All I see is happy!!!!!
I am pleased with things thus far. Working double time in preparation for slower times around the bend. I'll be sawing tomorrow about an hour from home. I have a 4mbf job starting early next week. I should have done this years ago.
Good on ya for letting the boy and dog take you camping!👍👍👍
Glad to see you are living the dream. If you wake up in the morning and look forward to your work it will be a good day. Camping with your son is the best part of life.
I started sawing for a new customer 2 days ago. Very nice Longleaf pine and poplar logs. It is a humongous job. Over 300 pine logs. He isn't in a hurry and his help is limited. So, I'll be sawing his logs on and off over the next several weeks in between other jobs. It is a nice arrangement. I've got a killer syp sawing job scheduled for next week. I'm worn slam out but motivated and pressing forward.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/Snapchat-2012124219.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556850558)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190502_191300.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556850536)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190502_175813.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556850528)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190502_174450.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556850522)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190501_151226.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556850507)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190501_152113.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556850515)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/Snapchat-1355578980.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556850449)
Before long a stationary mill, edgers, equipment, employees, timber buyer, etc. Keep it going. You will make it big.
Quote from: Woodpecker52 on May 02, 2019, 10:42:38 PM
Before long a stationary mill, edgers, equipment, employees, timber buyer, etc. Keep it going. You will make it big.
NO. Steve
In the woods tonight boys and girls. Sleeping a couple hundred yards from the work area. Didn't feel like driving home so I will wake up next to the skidsteeer and will watch the sun rise as I'm getting work done. Someone bring me coffee in 7 hours please. Mosquitoes are back in full force. Bring it.
Can't sleep. Here's a pic right before sunset today. I think this one turned out to be 4"x10"x20's. Got a tad close to the pith but what the heck. This stuff is dense and stable. Ain't going anywhere.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190503_183227.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1556942475)
Y'all my life is so crazy right now and I love every single bit of it. I have learned so many new things about sawmilling and everything associated with it over the past month or so...Things you can only learn when you actually rely on your sawmill to pay your bills, to support your child, to pay your electric bill...It is not fun and games anymore. I view it as Life or Death, and buddy all I can say is that it's a totally different experience. I'm all in!
Just got home from a job. I'll be sawing cedar here at the house tomorrow and then moving to the big pine job Monday morning. I've never worked harder, but never been as happy in my life as I am right now. I don't mind the work and will outwork 2 guys half my age and I'm not even joking. It won't always be this way but I must do what I have to do to reach the next goal I've set for myself. My life may be crazy, but I am 10x crazier! Ha. I've Got This.
You da man. Full steam ahead. 8)
Beast level 10! Sometimes life puts you in those sink or swim circumstances, I can see you're swimming just fine👍
So, I had to cut down a big cedar on a fenceline this morning. It was a dangerous situation but I survived! Called my brother to bring his tractor to move the log for me. Tree was literally covered in poison ivy. Tried to do my best to stay out of it. Got several 8x8x10 posts already presold that will come from this solid log. Things are looking good my friends...oh wait, my...um...arm just started itching!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190505_122000.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1557104830)
Well, I got a good dose of poison ivy. Eyes were almost swollen shut 2 days later. This is me after a steroid shot in the rump a few days afterwards but I never slowed down. The latest customer was bewildered and said I was crazy when I kept showing up each morning to saw his logs. He had two of the best Mexican workers that I have ever seen in my life. One of them watched me change the sawblade one time, and he did that for me for the entire job. I was sawing as fast as the sawmill would allow and they had another log on the loading arms before I could turn my head. Spent lots of time on super big 36"+ diameter syp logs, then flew through several thousand BF of 16"-18" diameter logs. Old men were driving up, pulling out their chairs and watching. I would stop, go over and respectfully shake their hand and tell them how nice it was to meet them and to not hesitate if they ever needed a hand with anything. I am making new friends by the truckload. I Love what I do.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/41138~0.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1557548357)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190510_225515.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1557547101)
I've got more work right now than I can handle. Working 18+ hours every single day sawing and sharpening sawblades. I'm getting phone calls from people everywhere wanting all sorts of stuff, from trailer decking to 12"x12"x21' beams for new houses. Y'all it takes big, straight syp logs to get clear 12"x12"x21' beams. Got a pile of beams that are due in 7 days. Getting my boy tomorrow and forgetting about work for 2 days. Then got to find those big SYP logs starting Monday. Go BIG or go home.
Sounds like you are doing good. Except for the poison ivy. :(
My Father would have enjoyed watching you. We looked at the one I bought many times. And I do mean many. He never got to see me buy it.
When Magic Man retires,he'll send you all of his customers. :D :D
You're doing just what I did for years. Then I had made so many friends milling all over the state.
I started getting orders for lumber. I told them I do on the road sawing I'm not a lumber yard.
When the road work slow down because Ross [Wood Mizer of Maine sold tons of mill on the east coast] :D :D :D ;)
Then some sawing wood for half of what I get for sawing.
That's when I took the next step.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22511/SAM_1905.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1524999632)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22511/SAM_1908.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1524999666)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22511/SAM_1895.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1523189912)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22511/SAM_1893.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1523189871)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22511/SAM_1885.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1522271873)
This is a lot of work for sure. Good luck and work hard, Just think what you're going on a job and what the customer wants you to do. Sometimes a customer wants you to do something that will hurt the mill or you. Then you don't work. Sometimes you have to say NO.
Quote from: Deese on May 11, 2019, 12:42:01 AM
Then got to find those big SYP logs starting Monday. Go BIG or go home.
Jake has a whack of them....
Quote from: thecfarm on May 11, 2019, 05:50:18 AMWhen Magic Man retires,he'll send you all of his customers.
Actually I did send the customer to him that was overlooking Mobile Bay a couple of weeks ago. ;D It was 185 miles from me which was OK, but I as tied up sawing the "sand pit" job. I couldn't saw both, so I kicked it to Deese.
QuoteActually I did send the customer to him that was overlooking Mobile Bay a couple of weeks ago. (https://forestryforum.com/board/Smileys/default/grin.gif) It was 185 miles from me which was OK, but I as tied up sawing the "sand pit" job. I couldn't saw both, so I kicked it to Deese.
Magicman sure did, and he knows how much I appreciated it. I still do. He trusted me enough to put his name on the line to help me out. In return, I made danG sure I went above and beyond to do the best job possible. I had been wanting to dive into the sawmilling world full time for quite a while, but I kept telling myself that I would know when the right time to do so would eventually present itself. There were several factors that were pushing me in this direction, and that sawing job was one of them.
Sharpening sawblades at the moment. Making ERC sawdust in roughly 8 hours.
Quote from: WDH on May 11, 2019, 07:24:33 AM
Quote from: Deese on May 11, 2019, 12:42:01 AM
Then got to find those big SYP logs starting Monday. Go BIG or go home.
Jake has a whack of them....
I might be running a little low now. Y'all have any more of them SYP logs left?
I got into some poison oak/ivy a few weeks ago and after several days of worsening rash and swelling, tried a product called Zanfel that really cleared things up quick. Expensive, but worth it in my experience.
Enjoying this thread, congrats on your success. smiley_thumbsup
I've been stashing logs everywhere for the past couple years...Finished this erc around 11AM this morning. I will deliver two or three 8x8x10's tonight and the rest is mainly 3x6's. I needed 33 total and only got 20 or so from the logs at this spot. Moving to the other logs I've got and finishing the 3x6 order this evening and delivering them tomorrow.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190513_133023.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1557773342)
Looking good bud, run like hell!
Wearing me out just reading about you adventure. Great job glad you are doing what you love!
Got a stomach/intestinal virus (stomach flu) and was completely shut down Tuesday - Friday. I was SICK SICK Monday night through Wednesday. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy (I don't have any). Tried to finish sawing some ERC on Thursday and immediately broke out in a cold sweat and heart pounding couldn't keep my breath. I was bad dehydrated. Made the 20 minute drive into town and bought 2 gallons of off brand Pedialyte and chugged it for the next 24 hours and I started feeling better over the weekend. It was probably Sunday before I had that "pep in my step" again and felt close to 100%.
I've had the "stomach bug" before, but nothing NOTHING like this time. Looking back, I'm pretty sure I know why...I had been pushing myself so hard and was already bad dehydrated when the symptoms hit. So, my body took a double beating. Leason learned. I've always taken my health for granted and pushed too hard, and I'll admit I stayed bad dehydrated pretty much since I started working for myself. I was "too busy" taking care of everything else instead of my body. I will not let that happen again.
The past two days have been wild crazy busy, trying to catch up. I got up at 5am this morning visiting a new customer and his logs...He's the largest landowner in the county adjacent to me. The number of logs is mind boggling. Then spent the remainder of the day sawing southern red oak and syp that customers had dropped off. Not much, around 450bf. It's close to midnight and I just finished sharpening sawblades trying to get ready for a nice portable job this Thursday sawing 60 bald cypress logs. I don't think they are crazy big, and good equipment and help will be there so hopefully I can finish it all in 12 hours. The only thing I must do tomorrow is saw 300bf of syp 1x8x14's and a few 4x12x20 syp beams.
Oh yeah one last thing, I've got a customer wanting live edge slabs from a 40"+ diameter magnolia log. Wants the entire thing slabbed libe edge. What type chainsaw mill should I buy to get this job done? I've got a Stihl 661 chainsaw. Any advice would be appreciated
Pass on that slabbing job. You have plenty of work and it is outside the scope of what you can efficiently do.
Glad to hear you are feeling better. Be sure to take care of yourself first. Your body is the most important asset you have.
Grandenburg makes one of the best chainsaw mills. I have one and it has worked great. One man can handle it fairly well. Get it with the winch. Only cost about $100 and it is worth every penny. I have the 72 in that will cut 56 in wide. We run a Stihl 880 power head. They have a chart on the website that will tell you what size mill will fit your power head.
These machines are now where near as fast as the Woodmizer so pricing out these jobs are a bit different. Check out some of the threads on pricing there is some good advise here.
I'd buy a wide bandsaw mill instead of a chainsaw mill. Quit working those 18 hour days, you'll get burnt out. Steve
On the Magnolia log, tell the customer to take it to Gasawyer or Nomad.
Good advice from Dennis, Steve and Danny. Concentrate on your present sawing and pass odd jobs that would require more equipment, time, and expense.
Good advice on the slabbing job. A chainsaw slabber like the Grandburg has it's place, but only in very limited terms. If you want to cut really big slabs, get a really big slabber. But don't try to be everything for everybody; it'll always come back to bite you on the backside.
Deese
Please take care of yourself first.
Take it from me the long hours and no down time take a toll on your health.
I enjoy working it was the only thing I was ever good at.
It very painful when that's taken from you.
You best insurance in life is your health more so when you are self-employed.
Bruno
You could offer to split it in half or quarters with your chainsaw and then mill it on the band mill. I would start such an offer by asking if they are sure they want it that wide, the widest containing the pith, how would they machine it for example, thick wood takes a while to dry, wide slabs like that will be heavy and the slabs might not have a pleasing shape if the log is tapered etc etc-keep in mind you are presenting all this in a very positive light, Especially since cutting it in half and putting it on the bandsaw can avoid all these problems.😁 As well as giving stable quartersawn wood with one natural edge which they can book match into a 4 foot wide table with riftsawn legs, none of this sounding heavy or slow anymore. 😆😆Your goal being to score a nice job for a day that you can take in stride with your other jobs, and make it home before dark not feeling like you've been stepped on. And giving the customer excellent results at a great price for both of you.Just another way to think about it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_2059.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1488501514)
Cypress butt too big to saw so let's split it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_2061.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1488501493)
Making the cut.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_2066.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1488501461)
Successfully split.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_2069.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1488501441)
One half loaded onto the sawmill.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_2073.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1488501404)
A few of the boards.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_2076.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1488501375)
Bookmatched and stickered.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_2084.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1488502284)
Another view of the whack.
I was going to echo what others have said, the most important piece of your equipment is yourself. I used to push real hard, and then while I was laying in the hospital with my new titanium total hip replacement I calculated that in that one year alone I had lifted, toted, carried or otherwise hefted a little over 1.14 million pounds of wood. I had burned out pretty much every piece of equipment I had, including myself. There's a topic I started in the Business section about it called "Change of Business Plan."
Anyway, don't worry, you will get all the work you can possibly do, but you can't do it stuck on your back.
So keep up the good work, but also realize as I did, that you, as a piece of business equipment, are a consumable, will "depreciate" and wear out. So, as I learned the hard way, managing and rationing my physical work was one of the most important parts of managing the business. Work hard, work smart, and "Take steps to save steps."
Congratulations on your business, it's taking off.
Well said YH
Agree completely with YH there, and I can add that it only takes a moment and one wrong step to put you at a complete stop for a long, long time. We break fast, but heal slowly, even at your age.
I've been working 5 or 6 10 to 12 hr days for 8 years now sawmilling and woodworking...my grandpa is 87 yrs old and still farms about 50 acres (500 in his hay days)...he told me to make sure I EAT GOOD everyday the way I work...best advice EVER :D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/26820/0430191224~2~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1557106374)
Dawg - I did't realize you were partially retired now. Good going. :D
Thanks my friends. Excellent advice. Worn out but felt like I needed to at least type a quick response before bed. I will discuss other options with the customer. If he insists on slabbing it, then I will put him in contact with a forum friend who can handle it better than I. Dangit guys! I was kinda excited about sawing it! I see it as a challenge but I do have plenty of work at this present time...Anyways, Just now finished setting teeth on a bunch of my resharpened 7° 1 1/2" .055's in preparation for tomorrow's bald cypress portable job. Setting up at 6AM. It's only a 20 minute drive so I'm good. I've never sawed b cypress on the LT40 so we're going to see just how fast the 51hp diesel and .055's can blow through them. I AM Excited. Put your seatbelts on.
Oh yeah forgot to mention that I got this on Sunday. Only 200 hours on machine. Man oh man...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/41735.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1558585957)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190521_134108.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1558585963)
Nice score on the bota 8)
Like others have said, don't work yourself to death.
One of my part time gigs is helping a friend with her rural mail run. It's one of the bigger routes, not so much in mileage, but the number of mail boxes. She initially thought that she could do it single handed, but realistically that would mean 6 x 12 hour days every week. Lady on another slightly smaller run tried that, and basically had a breakdown.
Now she basically has a team of 2 of us part timers to handle the sorting for the next day, and a "relief" driver that drives for 1 or 2 days a week. Sure it costs some wages, but it keeps her work hours down to 50-60 a week vs 70+
Sure we can do 12 hours days, and 7 day weeks, for a short while. But long term you are going to burn out.
Find some reliable folks you can palm some of the work off to, and you should live a lot longer. Someone with a Swing Mill / Slabber is just the thing for that oversize log. Palm that work off to him, and keep the jobs that suit your equipment.
And that little boy of yours will remember the fishing trips and the camping out with his Father. He will also remember the sawing days that kept you away. Which one will he remember the best? ;)
We have all had good times and bad times,meaning money times. But even in the bad money times,we still get by. Yes,it's hard,but we made it through it. Enjoy that son of yours!!! Family too.
All the comments and advice given sounds like lessons learned Deese.
Hoping that you take it to heart, and more importantly, into making your daily work plans.
Good to hear that you're back in action,
and that skid steer really is looking great!
JFD,
Don't spread yourself too thin.
Famous quote, "A man's got to know his limitations." (Inspector Harry Callahan, 1973).
;) ;)
Finished the job in 12 hours yesterday. Small logs 10'-12' long. Then 3 nice hickory logs. 63 total.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190523_181555.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1558666337)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190523_174507.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1558666329)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190523_174555.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1558666475)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190523_175711.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1558666478)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190523_175803.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1558666540)
And you also learned to take three extra steps away from the sawmill before starting your slab pile. ;D
Quote from: Magicman on May 24, 2019, 09:04:03 AM
And you also learned to take three extra steps away from the sawmill before starting your slab pile. ;D
Haha yes sir! Still have so much to learn. Spent the day today fetching syp logs from a nearby property for 2 beam orders due soon. 12x12x21's and various other dimensions. I've had enough headache sawing 20' timbers, so fitting a 21' just right on the mill will be tricky with these big logs. But the skidsteer will help tremendously. Anyways, all natural growth (no plantation pine) and good, tight growth rings. Creek bottom stuff. I had to drag them down the narrow roads in reverse with the skidsteer. I could only fit 4 of them on the trailer, and it was a heavy load easing home. About to head back to get the skidsteer. It was a great day!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190524_170918.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1558746531)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190524_173208.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1558746538)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190524_184340.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1558746468)
Deese - the State of Alabama called - they want their forest back. :D
The skidsteer is changing everything. Went and got this fella last night. Just unloaded it. Meeting customer to pick up an order in 30 minutes. I know of a sweet little boy that will be super excited about daddy's new skidsteer. Picking him up within an hour. No work and all play for the next few days. I need it as bad as he does. Have a great weekend everyone!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190525_071703.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1558787435)
You to sawing brother
Enjoy
Sawed 12x12x21's till noon, then ate a quick bite at dad's house and went for another log run. Came home with these 21 footers. All to be sawed into beams in the next few days. Left skidsteer on site, but will be back to load her up by 5AM. Got to saw more 12x12's and other stuff then deliver in Auburn (70 miles) by noon at the latest. Then going to get oak logs at a few other locations. It's hot!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190527_214623.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1559015348)
Before long will have own logging crew!
Haven't been on the forum the past week or three but things are super. Too much work for just one man so I've got an employee starting Monday, 5 days/week. I simply need someone to help me save steps throughout the day. The future looks bright and I am motivated.
Wishing you all the best and all the fun too!
Good luck with the new employee. :)
Setting up on the new site this morning did not go smoothly but things turned out well in the end. It is in a residential area, front yard, 70 miles away. I visited the site about a month ago before the trees were dropped. Big longleaf pine. The trees had to go because the customer is putting in a new driveway and the roots have cracked the cement. The guy that dropped the trees also has a sawmill, so I got him to stage the logs for me a few days ago while I was working elsewhere. I arrived this morning to find 2 huge stacks piled 5-6 logs high. Move one log and it would have been an avalanche. Luckily he was working 2 houses down and he gladly relocated the logs where I wanted them. It was nice to meet someone roughly my age that enjoyed the same type of hard work as I...Great guy.
I sawed around 500bf and then it began to rain, so I checked the radar and got the heck out of there. We will be back first thing tomorrow morning.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190618_114019.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1560900915)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190618_114146.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1560900956)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190618_115607.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1560900912)
Semi-bummer dude. Drive 70 miles each way for 500 bf. Oh well, sounds like you are ready to kick it into high gear in the morning. I talked to a repeat customer this morning who wants me to come 50 miles and sit around and hope to saw between thunderstorms. I told him we'd watch the weather for a clear day. He only has about 1200-1400 bf so I plan to go, saw and return the same day. Actually I plan to drop the mill off on the way back for a job for another customer to reduce my expenses.
I charge for travel so it's all good. But yes sir, 500bf stinks. Hopefully tomorrow will be a great day
Some jobs are like that.
Hope that you have plenty of cotton picker spindle cleaner :).
Quote from: WDH on June 18, 2019, 09:07:11 PM
Hope that you have plenty of cotton picker spindle cleaner :).
Guess I'll have to try that stuff. I've had good luck with really soapy water and a squirt of diesel every now and then. Only problem is that I go through LOTS of water and soap. Does it really cut back on water usage that much in really pitchy pine?
Try mixing in some of the RV anti freeze too. Red stuff, Tractor Supply has it for $2.50 ish a gallon. On plain old Lob I run that at 1 gallon per water jug and keep my lube mizer on the lowest setting, bands come off clean. It's non toxic and has a solvent in it which is why it works.
Not tried the RV antifreeze, but the cotton picker spindle cleaner really helps. Be sure and get the cotton picker spindle cleaner, not the cotton picker spindle lube. You can get it at the John Deere dealer but you can order it on-line for about half the John Deere price.
This should be it: LINK (https://qualityfarmsupply.com/Category/COTTON-PICKER-AND-STRIPPER-PARTS/SPINDLE-LUBRICANT)
There you go trying to be Happy for the rest of your Life! Well I think you may have just done it😊
Just run a separate tank and line for diesel fuel, sometimes I will start with diesel, then add the water and after the cut kick a little fuel on the blade to clean. Never had a problem with it and v belts.
Just got home from a long, but good day. Haven't had a chance to tally it up yet but it's around 2mbf I'm guessing. Not bad but can do better. About halfway through the logs. I'm taking tomorrow off and spending the day with my boy. Sawing will continue Friday and most likely Saturday. I'm stretched thin...Got another nice portable job I've got to finish once I get the mill back home. I have cedar orders, 6 trailer decking orders, pine beam orders from 1 contractor, it's a great problem to have but I have discovered that no matter how hard I work, I can only do so much in a day...I am stumped. My productivity is unsatisfactory to put it nicely. In fact I am disgusted considering the energy and time I am investing in this. I have people throwing their money at me and I simply cannot provide my services fast enough. I am happier than I've ever been in my life and easily paying the bills but I can do so much better with this...And don't give me the "work smarter not harder" bull...Anyways, here's 2 pics I had a chance to snap today. One was from this morning and the other is a 30' gooseneck that has a bunch of nice lumber piled on it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190619_082432.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1560998671)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190619_200106.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1560998636)
I don't think it's so much work smarter as it is finding the balance of what you can do, what you need to do to keep the bills paid and the customers still coming in, and what you can afford to do equipment wise. I was buried with my 35, so I bought a 70 thinking it would free me up more - nope, just as buried as I was before, now with more happening in the same time frame. Not complaining, just saying there is no silver bullet answer.
You should seriously think about raising your prices.
Quote from: Deese on June 19, 2019, 11:08:25 PMI have discovered that no matter how hard I work, I can only do so much in a day.
In fact I am disgusted considering the energy and time I am investing in this. I have people throwing their money at me and I simply cannot provide my services fast enough.
You are in the next phase of your business and it needs to be addressed for it to thrive.
This is a problem every successful business with a desirable product undergoes, and certainly one we have dealt with. So congratualtions, your business is doing well.
1. You know you daily production rate. It may not be as high as you desire, but you are at a wall, and it is there.
2. You are stretched thin, meaning you have exceeded, or are at your maximum production capability with your current setup and business model.
3. You are paying the bills, I.e. making a profit so you know your required gross and net income. You are not losing money or in a net deficit.
4. You will continue to get more and more jobs as your business gets more exposure and good word of mouth, so the problem will get worse, until you are turning away customers. However, you may already be losing some due to booking delays.
The answer is simple, you need to raise your price until some of your customers back off and turn away. This is a normal price vs production trade study that most big businesses address quarterly in their board meetings.
Until then you are too inexpensive. Your customer base may change, but your business will make make more money per job and whatever customers you lose will be replaced with new ones.
Adjust your prices reasonably, so you will make more money and work less. Or you can make even more money by working the same amount.
You "have people throwing money at you" so catch it.
Buy a used LT70 and edger
I like Yellowhammers response. I have never been in this situation, BUT I do know of a local fella that is. He has a well service business, he does everything but drills wells and he contracts that part out to another reputable fella. This guy gets more work than he can handle. His prices are a little higher than many around here, but he is the best. He may keep you waiting for 'elective' work, but if you have an emergency (no water, lightening strike, etc) he is there in no time, and he comes to play. none of that "well, I have to go back to the shop for a part" and you don't see him again for 3 hours nonsense. He has done my well pump twice, (both times on a Sunday) full change out both times on a few hours notice, and he was done in 3 hours, new pump, pipe, and wires, packed up and moved on. When folks ask for a reference, I tell them to call Tony. They say, oh, 'he has a list' and I say 'yup, there is a reason for that, call Tony.' I don't mind paying what he asks, he is always top shelf work and done quick because he is busy. he guarantees his work. I don't mind waiting either, because I know I am on his list and he WILL get to me. All the contractors I know feel the same about him and use him unless their customer makes other demands or are in a hurry.
The point is, if this is how you are perceived, folks will pay a little more or wait a little longer. The ones shopping for price alone will always find somebody cheaper or available now, and they will get what they paid for, which is not the kind of service you render.
Count me as another vote for a price raise. Make hay when the sun shines.
It becomes a matter of scale do I add equipment and manpower to increase production and market or increase price and stay same size. Farmers face it every day, get big or get out, they have little control over prices so they have to scale up and increase productivity. The only way to cut more wood is to spend less time hauling the equipment etc. Stationary mill, edgers, planners, kiln, lumber sheds, manpower, lifts, log storage etc. marketing etc. log purchasing etc. it becomes a cycle. It is hard to do it on your own. Look at how the successful guys on this forum do it and the advantages of stationary and selling wood products vs service cutting. It is ideal to be the own man and try to control the variables but the most successful men I have met are the coach type businessmen who put together a team around them and manage they usually find out its the team that is bringing a lot of the success.
Raise price less work still same income. Now you have time to breathe and spend with your family. 14+ hours days is bs! your body will fail sooner than later.
My biggest complaint I have from when I was a kid was the lack of time I got to spend with my dad. Either due to work or other. Don't let that be any of your kids regrets.
If you really want go ahead and upgrade your mill. But keep in mind now that is another expense you need to cover which means you need to raise your prices but still continue your same work load. In my opinion upgrading the mill is not something I would look into at this time.
Red,
I can see the LT70 but why the edger? He is sawing mobile and that would require another prime mover to haul it and hiring another helper to run it.
Rasie your prices
Spend time with your son
I'm a father and I didn't spend enough time with my daughter and I got no call on father's day.
When I think about it it hurts but I'm the only one to blame
Been following this thread with great interest and my suggestion to you is simple stay in control , your in a good place right now take advantage of it keep learning, don't outdrive your headlights so to speak ,take your time so you can see clearly which way to go,this is your first season buying a bigger mill does'nt make you a better sawyer, learn your trade, remember there are career sawyers and there are retired tinkerers with enough money to buy a mill . I learnt more custom sawmilling on the road because of the diversity of interest my customers had and filling there needs provided a variety of sawmill work and eventually i found what i preferred and concentrated on that.Just some advice ,we all wish nothing but success for you .
Look around and see what folks want and can't find. Portable sawing is obviously one, but you can only add so much value to your time as you have discovered.
I found a niche, or more like it found me. I do some portable work, but honestly mostly because I see the lumber again many times for further value adding.
There is a multiple of value in selling niche lumber over just sawing it for someone. I am not talking high end walnut or massive KD slabs, I am taking about the same very nice Long Leaf you are sawing right now. Customers are returning to real wood, siding, flooring, etc. I am not saying go out and buy a kiln and moulder on day one, but I bet you could find someone to contract with and by controlling the product to the end come out way ahead as a result.
Adding a kiln to your operation might make sense, because it mostly "works" without you being there.
Sure you have to load. monitor, unload it. But the rest of the time it's quietly sitting there, humming away, making you money.
A moulder can certainly make money, but you have to actually operate that, and you can't be doing something else while you are running. So the mill sits idle while you run other machinery. Now if you have help, and can have both machines running that's different.
But expanding like that is a whole other can of worms. Like Southside says, contracting that work out might be an option. You are still offering the "logs -> KD flooring" service.
All super great advice here, only thing I can add is get a few days rest before making any decisions. Clear your head, if you have someone to talk to bounce ideas off them. If you don't talk out loud while you are thinking that helps me a lot, hope this helps. Take the rest the work will still be there.
Tim
Quote from: TimGA on June 22, 2019, 07:38:06 AMIf you don't talk out loud while you are thinking
Just don't do that in front of others.....sure get strange looks, at least I do. :D I have learned to pretend I am on the phone with an ear bud they can't see - then scoot quickly!! ;D
First off, I'm happy for you and your success! I don't really have any great advice you, other than to say good job taking the day off to spend with your son. I would think the advice about raising your prices would be good as long as you do it incrementally. Keep up the good work
Thanks everyone for taking the time to offer your advice. Haven't been on here in a while. To say that I am covered up with work is an understatement. This is definitely a learning process...I have made the mistake of putting too many "irons in the fire" (old saying) but am figuring things out. I'm doing great work, and I am excellent with people. Word has really got out and I literally must leave my phone in the truck while working. If only I could quickly do all of the work I have scheduled...But I've learned that I'll never "catch up". Just need to continue to find ways to be more efficient. A kiln is in the near future. Can't live without it.
Quote from: Deese on July 29, 2019, 04:50:08 PMIf only I could quickly do all of the work I have scheduled...But I've learned that I'll never "catch up"
That's great you're doing so well. It sounds like you could stand to raise your prices. Running yourself into the ground doesn't bode well for the business's future. Raising prices should eliminate some of the customers so you can do less work and make the same amount of money. Or find some good people to work for you that allows you to do more work in less time. Or just tell people they'll have to wait and cut back on your hours.
Burnout is real and happens to many people.
Alan
Deese,
Congratulations on your success to date. A quick question or two - why must a kiln be in the future? Who is going to run it and where will you find the time? Will a kiln add proportionately more money to your processing than just using that extra time and equipment doing more customer sawing? Are you figuring on selling lumber or will you KD it for your customers. War Eagle.
Did you put the lumber on the trailer? and are you sawing by the BF?
I do not desire to stay on the road doing portable sawing. It is perfectly fine right now because I am still learning and building my customer base. The portable jobs are getting out of hand and I am struggling to find that smooth transition. A kiln is an absolute must have. Building longterm repeat customers is a crucial task and I am doing very well with that, in my opinion. I do excellent work and make friends wherever I go. It's just my nature. Currenty, I am doing a combination of portable sawing and custom sawing jobs at home. I am also still in the firewood business, been doing that for many years. I'll have over 100 truckloads split, stacked and dried ready for delivery this winter. I am a worker. I am a salesman. I don't sit around watching TV in the evenings. I work. I left a job many only dream of to saw timber. I am wide slam open sawing 12-18hrs/day at home and on the road and am learning and loving every minute of it. The last job I quoted .40/bf and ended up loading the trailer by my DanG self and the customer decided to pay me .60/bf. Those are the people/customers I am after. Hard work does pay off and I am still, and always be busting it and scratching for more. Then when I'm an old man, my boy will have the choice to take it over or sell it. Won't matter to me as long as he's happy.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190731_200030.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1564628011)
Deese - what kind of band you using to cut those logs with the chains in them? :D
Quote from: Southside on July 31, 2019, 11:38:07 PM
Deese - what kind of band you using to cut those logs with the chains in them? :D
This current job has whooped my tail and I ain't even joking. Finishing in the AM before customer picks this last load up to TAKE TO A KILN. 3rd load he has taken TO A KILN. I'm an idiot for not already having one. I could have paid for 1/3 of the kiln just on this job. Perfect explanation of why Deese Custom Sawmilling will have a kiln before 2020. Go big or go home. I learned that from someone on here...I am just crazy enough to actually bring my dream to life. You can rest when you die.
Southside, I need to borrow your skidder :)
Quote from: Nomad on April 14, 2019, 05:58:11 AM
Congrats! You've made a decision. Now make it be right!
Nomad I still remember our conversation and think of this almost every single day. Just so you know...
Quote from: Deese on August 01, 2019, 12:08:17 AM
Southside, I need to borrow your skidder :)
Disconnect is on the passenger side by the front wheel, she is full of fuel.
Quote from: Deese on August 01, 2019, 12:00:15 AMI'm an idiot for not already having one. I could have paid for 1/3 of the kiln just on this job.
Advantage of adding a kiln, it can be sitting there with a load of wood, quietly earning money for you, while you are out doing other work. You don't have to be there operating it all the time.
Other machinery you might invest in, you have to operate, and that means less time for the milling, so you may not really get any extra income. Of course you have some time spent loading and unloading, but the rest of the week it can basically be left to do it's thing.
Kiln with no power can also build a mold pile quickly..there are also many concerns with selling "kiln dried" wood vs "air dried" when it comes to sticklers on furniture making or custom interior jobs, so be careful what you wish for.
If too busy raise prices and reduce the "touch" points where possible. Each time a piece is moved you should be adding a total cost to it.
Keep up the good work, love to see people succeed regardless of their size of operation.
Part of what makes all of this fun is the fact that I started from scratch. Daddy didn't hand me a check to get started, I started by getting a $5k loan from my local bank and bought the EZ JR sawmill. Great machine by the way. I've now got my LT40SHDD51, new skidsteer, and my old 3/4 ton pickup. Truck and mill is paid off. I've got a LONG way to go but there's a thrill building my dream piece by piece. It means more when you've got to scratch and claw to earn it. I also take all of y'alls advice to heart and it means a lot knowing there are others out there that enjoy this type of work. Finishing this job this morning and moving to another location. Have a great day folks. Thanks again.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190801_074348.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1564663605)
Deese are you doing these portable jobs alone or with customer helpers?
This past one was just me. But the board foot fee was twice my normal rate. The one I have scheduled for Saturday-Sunday will have customer paid help.
Have them bring the logs to you and use your equipment, since you charge by the bdft, the faster and more efficient you are, the more you make. That's what I did and it's amazing how fast you can saw at home with all the equipment.
Get a 4,000 bdft kiln and charge for both the kiln drying and the air drying because lots of folks don't want the wood to just sit in their yard, they much prefer to keep it at "Uncle Bob's" storage and pay a monthly fee.
Then get a decent planer, and charge 50 cents per bdft to plane the wood. Mine does 400 bdft per hour, or $200 per hour. Not bad for mindless work.
Lots of money to be had and the customers want and will pay to have it done.
Quote from: YellowHammer on August 01, 2019, 05:07:35 PM
Have them bring the logs to you and use your equipment, since you charge by the bdft, the faster and more efficient you are, the more you make. That's what I did and it's amazing how fast you can saw at home with all the equipment.
Get a 4,000 bdft kiln and charge for both the kiln drying and the air drying because lots of folks don't want the wood to just sit in their yard, they much prefer to keep it at "Uncle Bob's" storage and pay a monthly fee.
Then get a decent planer, and charge 50 cents per bdft to plane the wood. Mine does 400 bdft per hour, or $200 per hour. Not bad for mindless work.
Lots of money to be had and the customers want and will pay to have it done.
Wow, all this I tried years ago with no luck at all. Rotted piles of lumber that no one came back for. Planing and cutting to length, what a loss that was. Taking down payments was another mistake. They never come back and even if they do they want something different now. Nowadays I only saw my logs and own everything in the yard most times and am doing better than ever this way. I must of had a bad approach.
If your price was right you would make a living working 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year and have two weeks modest vacation money. No big improvements no big failings business wise. Raise your price to where that works. Then work all the extra you want to grow money wise, but if you are not reading and studying an hour a day business wise you will find yourself in trouble one day when your not so capable. Get smarter! Someone will figure out you are under charginging all other things being equal and will exploit it. All while telling you how great you are doing. Let's say I know someone who is in the midst of financial ruin who did this.
Yes! I agree on all accounts. I had a customer a few weeks back that had a portable guy scheduled to saw his logs. Well, he had some excuse for not showing. Then the customer found me and I did a killer job. The other sawyer was going to charge him an INSANE amount. Nothing against whoever it was...I just couldn't believe it. I won't even say how much it was but it was more than I would sell my air dried pine lumber for. However, I made out well and guess what, I made a new contact and gained his trust. I think that is what is most important over everything else. New business has sprouted because of how I treated the customer. Lots to learn and learning quickly. I feel that when I do make the big move, I will have a strong customer base whose trust I've earned backing me from day #1 of the next phase of this adventure. Thank goodness for the Forestry Forum and the great folks who participate, simply wanting to see someone succeed. That's what it's all about.
Quote from: ScottCC on August 01, 2019, 06:52:34 PMIf your price was right you would make a living working 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year and have two weeks modest vacation money. No big improvements no big failings business wise. Raise your price to where that works.
That makes sense on the surface until you try to capitalize without taking on debt, which is really the only safe way to grow a business like this. Capital is essential in order to diversify so that more value can be captured from each customer. Some of that is passive value, as in a kiln - obviously requires some work but mine is making money as I type this - and some is active value as in a moulder / planer, but there is more value to be captured as a % of the work you do, the further you take a raw product to a finished good.
When you get your rates figured out so that both you and your customers are happy and you maintain that relationship then you will do well now and your customers will automatically think of you when they need sawmill services worked for me and continues to work.
I read and studied all about this wonderful occupation for roughly 7 years while at my previous job, and sawing on the weekends. The reading helped. It helped me quite a bit. However, for me, there was nothing that could've adequately prepared me for the reality of actually, physically doing it every day and the pressure of making that ever so essential income requirement by the end of each month. It may be much easier for others that aren't as hard headed as I am. For some reason, generally speaking, I've still had to try many things my way, and I've discovered that some of "my ways" worked better for my situation. When that actually happens, I've learned to take joy out of that experience. I've also failed and wasted lots of energy and time trying to do certain things my own way. But you know what? What I have learned, I mean really learned...it was all through experience. That of which simply cannot be replaced...hands own experience through trial and error. The most experienced sawyers will tell you...well, the ones that are passionate about their work...that they are still learning, and always open to new suggestions and ideas. But I admit that I still do a poor job at stopping, taking a step back, and viewing my efforts from a broader perspective. In other words, I need to improve my critical thinking skills and be more open to change. I believe that's my next best move before doing anything different. ((For those of you that are cavemen (sorry Caveman), that last line was supposed to be funny.))
"It's so easy even @caveman (http://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=12883) can do it" :D :D :D sorry Kyle, first thing that came to mind after reading Deeses post. You can get me back next year when we do the"Danny walk" ;D
BOOM! My attempt at humor was a success.
Kyle will know he was the one I was referring to. Kyle, by the way--lets go fishing soon. Hang on and let me ask my boss when I can take off...Okay, he said it was up to me to decide. He's a pretty cool dude.
Deese, I would love to take you fishing but my boat has not been in the water since August 3, last year. Yesterday I was thinking I may have to start working in a few hours a week to do some close to home, freshwater fishing. Lately, the only thing on the menu has been a steady supply of little pieces of elephant. Your work ethic and passion for what you are doing are inspiring.
It is easy to go too long or too hard when you are good at what you do and enjoy what you do. Only you know when it will be time to draw back a bit before you hit the wall but those who are close to you and whose analysis/observations you respect should be carefully factored in. For me, it was my Daddy who would let me know when it was time to back off a tad.
John is here so I guess it is time to go get some more of that elephant. I appreciate the caveman reference.
Please tell John I said hey! Kyle, you're lucky to have such a great guy as your work partner. That dude keeps my laughing
Still alive and well here. Still sawing. There have been many ups and downs thus far but I'm still chugging along and finally getting a little sense of direction business wise. Bought me an old knuckleboom truck a while back so now I buy my logs and have them delivered. I'm trying to stay away from portable jobs if possible, but still go for the big ones. Been sawing a lot of bald cypress and pine lately. I've recently relocated into vacant commercial chicken house a few miles down the road. Next on the list is a kiln. Most likely the L200 or something similar. My old lab is still with us, and my boy is growing like a weed. I love them both.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20191017_140512.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1574825479)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20191017_140025.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1574825335)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20191014_120030.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1574825448)
Good to hear from you Deese. I did a portable job on Sunday and was wondering how you were making out, sounds like it's going well.
Southside, I'm having the time of my life. I'm broke but happy! Haha! But I am excited. Sky is the limit! We're going to find out just how broke one can get :D
Deese,
I am glad you took the time to give us who don't do Facebook an update. I am thankful that you are enjoying living the life. I suspect you are staying busy as a bee. Post some pictures from time to time and keep us old curmudgeons inspired by your progress. Have a good Thanks Giving. Have you kept track of how many engine hours you have put on the lt-40 since you brought it home?
Quote from: Deese on November 27, 2019, 02:22:09 AMWe're going to find out just how broke one can get
So you are going to start farming too? :D
It's so good of you come back to the FF and give us an update on your sawing activities Frank. It's been too long.
I agree, sawing Cypress is a pure dream. 8)
It's really good to become active here on the FF once again. I don't intentionally disappear, life has a way of getting a tight grip on you and boom you look up and months have passed like it was just yesterday. Man, life is so short.
Anyways, I started getting that dreaded washboard bumpy surface on my lumber last night. I was in a big hurry finishing a cypress order that I delivered this morning. When I noticed the issue, I eliminated it by increasing my feed rate.
I tried a couple different sawblades with same result. I noticed the bandwheel on the idle side has a very, very small amount of"play" in it. But I mean it's not much. I've decided to go ahead and replace the bearing to be safe. Don't have one in stock so I'll order one Monday.
I then went ahead and replaced the bandwheel belts. My blade guides are still firm as well. My adjustable blade guide arm was loose, so that's most likely what's causing the problem.
So I arm dialing it al back in as we speak. Then I'll try another log. But the idle bandwheel having alittle play in it still sits in the back of my mind. In not talking much at all, and maybe it's been this way for a long while without me noticing but I've never changed it (or noticed it) in the 1000+ hours I've put on this mill. Playing it safe and at least ordering the bearing for extra parts next week
Problem solved and back running. Everything on outside blade control assembly was out of whack. Inside roller guide was tilted horizontally in wrong direction and horizontal tilt on the adjustable arm was off. Had me scratching my head for a minute
Good to see you, Are you going into the wholesale market??
It's good to hear you are still going full bore, just in a different direction. Good job.
I was thinking about you the other week, and wanted to say, thanks for the FF update.
It's good to hear that you're livin' the dream, and now there's a "chicken ranch" in your business life.
Chickens seem to be a secret ingredient to the sawmilling business in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. In the kiln or under the mill; whatever it takes, you'll figure it out.
Keep on truckin' !
With the chickens, now you are set to dry some white oak and pecan ( smiley_devil).
Quote from: Peter Drouin on November 28, 2019, 06:52:35 AM
Good to see you, Are you going into the wholesale market??
Hey Peter,
I am not currently. However I recently spoke with someone about it and that's definitely still on the table.
Andries and WDH,
I just now realized what you guys were talking about with the chickens :D smiley_mad_crazy
Quote from: caveman on November 27, 2019, 08:52:05 AM
Deese,
I am glad you took the time to give us who don't do Facebook an update. I am thankful that you are enjoying living the life. I suspect you are staying busy as a bee. Post some pictures from time to time and keep us old curmudgeons inspired by your progress. Have a good Thanks Giving. Have you kept track of how many engine hours you have put on the lt-40 since you brought it home?
Hey my friend! Roughly around 1000hrs. I've got so many cool pics on my phone that I wouldn't really know where to start. I'l see if I careen find a couple good ones
Here you go caveman,
This isn't sawing related but much cooler 8)
My Great Grandmother owned and ran a little country store many years ago. A very tough lady that came up hard, raised all 8 of her children including my Grandfather who will be 80 years old this February. I can remember her when I was little, maybe 5 years old. She dipped snuff that was in a metal yellow can and I believe it was called Dental Sweet. I remember her letting me open the can and smell it and she would laugh at my expression. She always carried a gun on her hip while at the store. Anyways, one of my 2nd cousins came by a few months back and gave me that .38 and actual leather holster and bullets she wrote on her hip. I cried.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190814_190919.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1575266804)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20190814_190813.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1575266818)
It was my Great Grandfather's before he died many years earlier when my Grandfather was still young.
That's awesome, Deese! She sounds like the kind of lady no one messed with👍
Very nice gun,, Your hands tell the story of you working hard.
Now if I could find a man with hands like that to work for me I'd be in heaven.
smiley_thumbsup Best of luck to you sir.
"Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant? " - Henry David Thoreau
Briefly taking him by the sawmill each time we are together has become part of our special routine. I have been awarded the honor and responsibility of helping shape his childhood memories. We're going to make them fond. He deserves that. In return, he fills every space within my heart, providing motivation to press onward through those times in life when it seems there is nothing left to fight for. That is sufficient, and just fine with me.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20191203_003446.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1575355899)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20191203_010023.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1575356358)
Good deal, Deese. You are blessed.
Looks like you've got your priorities lined up the right way.
Good on you man!
Merry Christmas guys and gals.
Question... Does anyone know the cost of the 6' bed extension for my mill? I know it's going to be pretty high considering I've got the command control. But then I believe I could fairly easily saw 30' beams. Might be smarter to simply buy another manual mill on tracks... just tossing some ideas around
Tried to look it up, says to call in. Item is BX6. I believe it is approximately $2000.
Quote from: terrifictimbersllc on December 25, 2019, 10:01:15 AM
Tried to look it up, says to call in. Item is BX6. I believe it is approximately $2000.
Wow I hope you're at least somewhat close with that number. I wonder if it comes with a whole new wiring harness or if it connects to the existing one. I need a new harness as it is, and that joker is around $900 alone
As I understand it that gets you a metal frame and a longer chain, at least for my 70 it was that way, no additional harness or anything like that, it simply uses up every last inch of cat track travel.
Quote from: Southside on December 25, 2019, 11:24:38 AM
As I understand it that gets you a metal frame and a longer chain, at least for my 70 it was that way, no additional harness or anything like that, it simply uses up every last inch of cat track travel.
Makes sense.
Back in the Spring when I was just starting out full time, I made a BIG dummy mistake by smashing my harness in b/t the tongue and asphalt driveway on a portable job 200 miles away. Had to splice every single wire back together and let me tell you right now that was not an enjoyable task. It's still that way so I'll probably leave it be.
I think the 6' extension would be a smart move for me.
Very nice posts. The calloused hands speak louder than words as does that little boy's smile. I also inherited a 38 colt like that only in 38 s&w not 38 special. I envy you [or is it you'all] in Ala. Making it legally mine here in N.Y. took 7 months and that's if you know the right people.
Shall not be infringed....
Quote from: Southside on December 26, 2019, 09:29:15 AM
Shall not be infringed....
It amazes me how many ways they find to interpret that.....
Deese,
I have a 6' extension that came with my mill. I have never used it and am thinking about selling it.
@Deese (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=23361), cherish every day you get to spend with that young man, they grow up too fast, caught up on this thread and it made me a little sad my as oldest is in Kansas City getting settled in his first apartment to start his new career. I'm proud of him but I'd go back in a second to the TBall years and do it again if I could. Enjoy it.
I got John Frank to saw some of that cedar up for me, so I went to Ramer, AL to pick it up. It was good to spend some time with him. Look at that beautiful cedar! He ain't bad lookin' either :D.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_3120.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1577623850)
Congrats and good luck!
WOW! I didn't realize just how dang good looking I was. Thanks WDH for reminding me.
And it looks a lot different in here compared to yesterday. I got some help and we widened the opening to 15' and took all of the hanging feeders, feed and water lines down. Really opened the place up. Now about to reposition the mill so that it's parallel to the new entrance. I've done so much with so little these past several months that I now really take more joy and have a greater appreciation for "little things" such as this. It has been very, very hard but I wouldn't go back and change things if I could. I find it quite remarkable how hard times and experiences can drastically change one's perspective. I am truly enjoying this adventure.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20191229_165529.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1577660016)
Quote from: WDH on December 29, 2019, 07:58:55 AMHe ain't bad lookin' either .
@WDH (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=4370)
Man Crush?
Definitely not..... He is an Auburn Grad.
Oh, wow.....I didn't realize that.... :D
I knew there was something I liked about the guy. Just looks like someone you know is intelligent, hard working, dependable and trustworthy. :D
Quote from: WDH on December 30, 2019, 11:53:22 AM
Definitely not..... He is an Auburn Grad.
WAR EAGLE!!!!!
My wife's first cousin is torn between her loyalty to U of A and Ohio State. She has been having a lot of problems with tigers at every turn this season.
Looks like it will be a gaggle of tigers :), but without the War Eagles.
This is true. smiley_confused :(
Don't even get me started about football. Go SEC!
But back to Auburn. ;D How many Auburn grads does it take to screw in a light bulb? Nobody knows, they've never been able to do it. Roll Tide!
45-48. Nuff said.
We are smart enough to count when there are 12 men on the field. :D
Starting this off with a friendly ROLL TIDE.
Dee, it looks like your really making it man. I mean honestly hats off to you. I highly doubt that even 25 percent of those who decide this is the life they want, and dive in, have as productive and dare I say profitable first year.
I just finished all 13 pages, it's been emotional.
Started off with excitement as I am leaving tomorrow to pick up my first mill, with the hope of being where your at pretty soon. Then some laughter at the Auburn/Alabama banter (let me just reiterate ROLL TIDE). Then the advice from our more seasoned sawyers to provide as much time as financially capable for family time (got a 15 month old and a 6 month old tearing up the house these days). Then you've got all the seasoned advice causing me to take screenshots and try my hardest to commit to memory all the pointers throughout this post. I'm transitioning from 9 years of active duty, 6 combat deployments, seen friends die and taken countless lives, never considering myself an emotional man, but these babies, they'll statch up a heart string faster than anything I've ever known, dam near put a man in tears just realizing how fast they grow up, and how much of their entire being just revolves around mommy and daddy's emotions.
Keep the little ones close, teach em the value of a hard days work, and show them there is nothing that can't be accomplished when you set your mind to it. Their father is a shining example of just that.
Warm regards and happy holidays. I'll even forgo wishing nails, lag bolts, ceramic bulb fittings, and alternators into the logs of Auburn grads, at least until the new year.
First and foremost thanks for your service.
Second - you are right about the kids growing up too fast then the same with the grandkids. Spend all the quality time you can with them and build all the memories you can with them for both of you. There is no better time spent.
Finally - There is no Friendly Roll Tide. (May the fleas from a thousand camels infest your tent! :D)
Dang fellas, I leave you guys unsupervised for just a few days and y'all run wild. Listen guys, be considerate and tread lightly around the Alabama fans for the time being. Their head is still throbbing from that beating they received from Auburn.
Speaking of Auburn, I'll be pulling the sawmill there tomorrow evening in preparation to take care of these syp and poplar logs that were just staged this afternoon. Looks to be roughly 7-8mbf and I'm curious to see if I can do it in 2 days. I do not have the cut list yet. Will get that in the AM.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/60716.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1578443622)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/60715.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1578443653)
Oh Yeah.....
WAR EAGLE.
Dam deese, you make it really hard for me to call this my favorite thread. Glad to see still sawing away, hope to be on your level one of these days. Oh well little steps, just picked my mill up a week ago, and got 2 jobs lined up next week.
??? ??? ??? Looked good to me. :D
In reply #258 I guessed 7-8mbf based off the two photos. I wish I could say my guess was dead-on accurate but there was a 3rd slightly smaller whack of syp logs when I arrived and I knocked it all out in 3 days sawing. Had to relocate the mill 3 times to each whack, maybe 1/2 mile apart. We easily received 3"+ of rain that week. It took a week to get the mill back home, but 3 days of sawing. Always bring extra boots...extra everything when portable sawing. Mainly all 4/4 lumber just under 3mbf/day. Around 8500BF total. I can honestly say that I have never witnessed an offbearer work as hard as the man they provided. He was over 50 years old and the mill was sending him 14' boards almost as fast as he could catch them. Much different compared to sawing in August/September.
I was on a portable sawing job sometime early last Summer where I swapped contact info with one of the landowner's hired helpers. I remember how hard he worked, ignoring the intense heat. We recently got back together and now he is working for me (with me). We spent most of yesterday organizing, deadstacking air-dried cypress lumber and making more pallets, stronger pallets made from air dried syp 2x6's. Living my dream. Wow, what a fun, wild ride I am on.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20200130_133656.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1580455818)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20200128_183733.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1580455852)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20200130_130352.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1580455840)
Now that's a woodshed!!! My kids are glad I don't have one that long.
Old chicken barn ??
That is NICE! I with I had a covered area like that.
Wow. What a transformation!
Quote from: WDH on January 31, 2020, 08:34:34 AM
Wow. What a transformation!
Yes sir, I was juuuust on the brink when you visited. Old chicken house 40'x500'
Quote from: Deese on January 31, 2020, 09:06:47 AMOld chicken house 40'x500'
That should just about be big enough, for a couple years anyways:D
Good morning folks. I hope you all are doing well. Reality check for me this morning...17 months have passed since my last post. Time flies and life is short.
On a more serious note, I'm fairly confident that this will put both WDH and Yellowhammer in a state of full-blown panic as they scramble to check for mathematical errors. They didn't think Auburn grads could count that high.
I'm just lucky I didn't wait another 4 months. Why you ask? Because this 'ole boy ain't got but so many toes. ;D
Have a great day everyone
Good to hear from you.
He only made that post to get his post count to 1300. Now he's going to start acting like a teenager. :D
Glad you are doing well Deese.
Welcome back Deese!
When you dropped out of sight, I was hoping you'd won the lottery or something.
Good to hear from you,always look to see if you posted any news on how your doing and then boom there's an update from Deese, fantastic.
You never fail to surprise me, John Frank.
It's been a busy year. I wonder how many miles I've walked inside this barn. It's time for a golf cart. My feet hurt.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20210607_175103.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1625336676)
I like your setup and glad you're doing well.
That boy is a go-getter.
One of the reasons there have been so many successful immigrant entrepreneurs throughout our country's history is because of fear. They had nothing to fall back on. There is absolutely nothing more powerful than a man motivated by fear. Nothing.
Agreed, Deese.
Fear does wonders to kickstart all of us into a 'fight or flight' high energy.
However, that adrenalin is hot stuff and if it goes on for too long, people burn out.
The transition to the next long term motivator is key. They can be any of the following:
* Pride in workmanship or trade.
* Competition - beating out your competitor.
* Money. . . for your self and family.
* Teamwork - building something larger than one man band.
* the list is endless.
.
My point is, start with the sprint, then shift gears to the marathon.
.
And, btw, it looks like you could run a marathon in that lil' shed of yours. Nice!
An old excavator operator told me years back: "It's a pace, not a race." Keep moving, but not so hard as to burn yourself out. And make sure to stop a moment and enjoy each day you have, what you have, and what is most important. smiley_thumbsup
I just call that "eating out of the bowl of have to soup."
The snakes are really moving here. I saw another large rat snake last night while moving logs with skidsteer and just now killed this cottonmouth with my shovel. Less than 10 steps away from the mill. They are just plain nasty and mean.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20210705_094109.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1625496392)
Nice to see you posting here, enjoyed your thread ....Glad that snakes a good snake now.
My cows absolutely destroyed a copperhead last week. I was moving temporary paddock fence and there he was, hooved to pieces. Nobody seemed hurt. Funny how they know, never seen them harm a black snake.
Scaled things back the past few months and now back at it full time. Unstacking, edging, and deadstacking. Mainly 16' lengths. Did those yesterday. Sawing 20' beams, 2x6's and 1x12's next week. Yeehaw.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20220416_090110.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1650118039)
I couldn't produce lumber this nice before the edger.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20220416_094424.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1650120024)
Good for you my friend !!! thumbs-up
Edgers are game changers.
Looking good Deese!
I for one am glad to see you posting again. The step into full-time sawing and more importantly business ownership is ballsy. Since purchasing the engineering/surveying company that I now own, I am continuously learning and I hope the same for you. As I tell everyone that takes the step you did back in 2019, I hope you enjoy every day and make obscene amounts of money, because you deserve it.
Got some nice pine logs coming in. 2 more loads coming tomorrow.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20220502_185050.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1651536395)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20220502_185404.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1651536377)
14--4x12x18's are up next. This log illustrates what CustomSawyer has taught me over the years. When centering the pith, don't focus solely on pith location at each end of the log. Instead, use the cathedral grain pattern as your guide. Here you can see I've contained the pith in the center beam for the first 15'-16', and then it rises sharply upward. I've started practicing by measuring the cathedral grain at several points along the length of the cant and writing it with a lumber crayon.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20220502_190239.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1651536382)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20220502_190434.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1651536363)
The pith rises into the top beam in the last 4' of the beam. It isn't ideal, but is the best option in this scenario. You can also see how the log was positioned so that any stress would be relieved as bow, not crook.
The top beam appears to show crook, but that's just where I slid it over so that the camera would show where the cuts were made corresponding with the cathedral grain.
Nice work Deese, looks good.
I was jealous of the gigantic sawmill shed . . . until you posted the picture of the cottonmouth. :D ;) :D
You're doing fine there whippersnapper.
Sawing some daggum hogs this morning.
This one was 2 logs ago, squared out to be roughly 12x16x18 clear southern yellow pine.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20220503_035434.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1651574499)
And should get 5 beams out of this one I just loaded.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20220503_045407.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1651574416)
Hey Jeff, notice anything new?
I appreciate the stickers 👍
Looking good, JFD. Those look like nice (loblolly?) logs. You seem to be working smarter by using your toe boards to raise them and hopefully handle with your skid steer. That one butt log looked like it was lightning struck or got some other injury somewhere along the line. You have a lot of folks pulling for you and who enjoy seeing you have success.
73--1x12x16' & 18's in ~4 hours. The Kubota did not like that lower bundle. Tight grain and very heavy lumber.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20220508_115115.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1652030458)
You had to get a picture of the long covered building that would come in very handy 😂💪
Quote from: Walnut Beast on May 08, 2022, 03:24:47 PM
You had to get a picture of the long covered building that would come in very handy 😂💪
There's 8 of them. That one's #5.
Deese
Are those for storing your lumber???
:D
@Deese (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=23361)
Deese, Looks like you are making some some fine lumber at the chicken house mill. Keep up the good work, be safe.
Quote from: Deese on May 03, 2022, 06:57:09 AM
Hey Jeff, notice anything new?
I appreciate the stickers 👍
I do! Kewl!!
Business has picked up significantly since I returned to full time sawing. My load of cedar came in today. They aren't as big as I had anticipated, but maybe 50% will still make good 8x8's and every single one of them appear to be rock solid free of rot. I am pleased. These should sell very well.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20220517_122050.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1652825992)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33361/20220517_130756.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1652825975)
Nice load. I was going to ask you how you unloaded them, then I saw the next picture.
Nice load of cedar. If that was me every order for the next little bit will be 10' long. :D