I'm a newcomer on the Forum , but I've been reading the FF and doing my homework and have narrowed my first mill down to several brands: WMLT10, Norwood LM29, TK1200 and maybe the Timbery M280. They are all within the same price range (+/- a few hundred $$) and the horsepowers are about the same. I went to the WoodMizer dealer 45 minutes away and they showed me the LT15.....should have never looked!!
I plan to mill lumber for a 40x60 barn, a greenhouse, shed, etc over the years out of southern pine and cedar.
My question is this: will the 10-14 hp be enough, or should I consider jumping my budget and investing in the next level?
Hello Petfixer, and Welcome to the Forestry forum. I have never heard of anyone removing a larger engine and installing a smaller one. ;D There are several members here that have upgraded from an LT10 to a LT15.
Welcome. The first mill I ever set eyes on was an lt10. I asked the owner who I know only because he is the brother of a coworker about pushing the blade through the whole length of the log. He said that it can be hard work.
I went with the lt15 and the power feed. I did went with Woodmizer mainly because there is a woodmizer dealer nearby. However I am soooooooo glad I at least got the power feed.
No one is kidding when they say manual mills are a lot of work. For what it's worth, having a power feed is a must for any type of volume sawing. From what you described I consider you to be sawing in volume for a while.
A big motor probably helps too I have no experiance with that one.
John
Welcome to the forum Petfixer,
Go bigger you will not regret it, and make sure you look at all the vendors on the left side
and top of the FF page.
DGDrls
Petfixer......I'm gonna go out on a limb here........are you a Veterinarian?
Quote from: POSTONLT40HD on March 15, 2014, 10:34:10 PM
Petfixer......I'm gonna go out on a limb here........are you a Veterinarian?
Now why are you accusing Petfixer of being a
vegetarian. After da pets are fixed dere's always meat on da table. :D :D
Welcome Petfixer
I have an LT 15 with 25 HP and power feed, only way to go.
Quote from: Magicman on March 15, 2014, 10:18:24 PM
Hello Petfixer, and Welcome to the Forestry forum. I have never heard of anyone removing a larger engine and installing a smaller one. ;D There are several members here that have upgraded from an LT10 to a LT15.
Personally that's 1 reason I went with the EZboardwalk, bigger motors work better at my altitude especially.
Welcome the Forum, Petfixer. Power feed allows me to to rest a few seconds between all the other manual tasks of milling. When I had a helper with the LT10, I sat on a bench at the end, set the head height and let him push the head back and forth. I liked that :D
I've mentioned in several threads that I waited 10 years to buy a mill I could afford. I ended up with a very used lt40. I could have a much nicer mill but each board has 0 financial stress attached. You will be happier with a larger engine etc. just balance that with the satisfaction of staying in budget.
Have been treating dogs & cats for 26 years, and enjoying it still! Now starting to have some time for hobbies!! Thanks for your input, need to do a little more research on a higher price point.....
welcome to you petfixer. As soon as a prospective sawyer mentions the budget, I must remind them of the USED sawmill market. This will definitely open up options for power feeds, etc. I think I'm hearing you say that there's a lot of projects around your place needing lumber, but that you can take them on one by one and not rush them. I have a manual mill, bought it used. I was on a strict budget. I believe I got 3 to 4 times the mill than had I bought new with cash. Also, they hold their value as well as any machinery I've been around
if you get a chance, add some info to your profile. Yup, we're a nosey group ;D. But It may also help us help you
mark
Petfixer,welcome to the forum. How much will this mill be used? Kinda looks like you will do the same as me,saw a while,build awhile,saw awhile,build a while. I suppose you have your own land with trees? How will you get the trees out? I have a Thomas manaul saw mill. No auto nothing,just a very simple mill, I have been pushing that head through the logs since 2002. Even had my 13 year old grandson do it. It must of been easy or he would not of done it. It does not even rake,too much like work for him. ::)
Petfix, your back is well worth upgrading to a hydraulic mill with all the fixens, don't cheap out, we only go this way once. If milling doesn't tickle you right you can always sell the mill with little loss. Oh and welcome. Don't overlook used mills if you can find one. You didn't say where your from, I'am sure we have members close and you could try different mills. Frank C.
Welcome. Visit a couple of members, and play with their mill. MOST of us are pretty agreeable folks. I am SURE anyone with a manual mill will let you push for a while! 8)
Where in the world are you?
Frank
Quote from: elk42 on March 15, 2014, 11:05:56 PM
Welcome Petfixer
I have an LT 15 with 25 HP and power feed, only way to go.
I agree. That is a fine combination. The powerfeed is wonderful.
We have a small piece of land outside of Auburn, Alabama with lots of pines and hardwoods. Will be building a house (contractor, not me) this year and I will be building everything else. Hope to build a barn, greenhouse/gardening shed, outbuildings, forts for grandchildren, etc...
I'm might know where a good used lt40 super hyd is for around 6k
I have an lt10 and love it. The larger engine option for an LT10 adds about $400.00 over rthe smaller engine. It's all I need and it cost less than half the cost for an lt15. It really boils downj to your choice of purchase price. The mobility of the factory installed wheels is A nice feature on the lt15. With a sharp blade the LT10 slips easily through a log
rimshot
You should have never entered this forum.You are a doomed man.If the humor doesn't get you,it will be grits,and there is always an up grade and never ending more equipment to buy,swap or borrow.My two cents-WM LT-15,power feed,lots of hp.
Good luck,welcome home,nice picture of you and dad.
Mick
Welcome to the forum. Say safe out there.
I have been fighting the grit battle for many years. It's a never ending battle to keep them things out of this Great State of Maine. One must never turn your back and let thier guard down,or terrible unimaginable wicked severe things will encroach on the ground that I so cherish and hold dear to my heart. I can not let my Yankee counter parts down in this ever lasting and time consuming battle. Amen
PetFixer, welcome to the Forum, or, if talking about grits, the Foray. I'll leave the sawmill choice to the experts.
Quote from: thecfarm on March 16, 2014, 02:39:23 PM
I have been fighting the grit battle for many years. It's a never ending battle to keep them things out of this Great State of Maine. One must never turn your back and let thier guard down,or terrible unimaginable wicked severe things will encroach on the ground that I so cherish and hold dear to my heart. I can not let my Yankee counter parts down in this ever lasting and time consuming battle. Amen
And, like EAB and other infestations, once grits have invaded, there is no known natural predator ...
I sawed for 16 years using 16 horsepower and power feed. The power feed added to productivity...I could sticker and stack while the mill sawed. 16 horsepower was adequate up to around 14" hardwood logs. Speed of sawing slowed rapidly after that point. A 24" hardwood log would be excruciating slow.
Another drawback with small engines is the band speed. As soon as the blade slows the band will want to create waves. A larger engine can keep the band speed up even as the band starts to dull. Of course this obstacle can be mostly overcome by experience.
The 25 HP on the LT-15 sounds like a wining combination. I don't know what other manufactures offer and they may also have good combinations.
Welcome to the forum Petfixer. Her cat has adhd, I need a good petfixer. :D
Petfixer, welcome to the forum. I've been well pleased with the Norwood HD36, which you can buy as a manual and upgrade to whatever hydraulics you want. It is a good, solid mill. So far I've run it as a manual mill, and pushing is more an issue of time than effort. On the other hand, you don't want to be too far away stacking boards when you hear the sound of the saw blade against a clamp!
I too have just bought a new to me mill. I was leaning toward a turbosaw but ended up with a TimberKing 1600. Really pumped about the TimberKing. What are you or are you not doing about insurance. I probably need to set up a new thread.
This is the only pic I have of it at the time I will have to uncover it and take some more
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33951/image%7E44.jpg)
Hi TractorBoy78,
Welcome to the Forestry Forum. As a Sponsor on FF, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding insuring your mill. Please reply or call me at 888-796-2411.
Thanks so much and have a great day,
DJ