Which Swingblade mill should I buy??

[acco1840]

G'day. am in Australia and am looking at buying a swingblade mill. I used a Lucas 8-30 for 3 months and it was good, but used another and it was a problem child. I have seen Peterson portable sawmills ASM and used it, but sadly, my budget is not that good. Anyone had experience with ther Peterson ATS??

Not too keen on band mills as am milling big hardwoods and have tried CSMing. That is just hard work!!
(I have my CSM for sale!!)

I will be cutting mostly 4" x 8" Sleepers from 7 feet long.

[woodcrazy]

You might check out the MOBILE DIMENSION MILL before you decide, ask for their free video.     WOODCRAZY

[acco1840]

never heard of one.....will have a look.

Ok, just had a look. THAT is a mill!!

http://www.mobilemfg.com/

[Ron Wenrich]

Mahoe is in New Zealand, and makes a double cut mill.  You might want to take a look at them, as well.  The minimax is their smaller mill. 

http://www.sawmills.co.nz/minimax.html

[Silver_Eagle]

Here is a current price list on the Mahoe mill's I had emailed on request fyi. Seem's to be a very very nice mill imho.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------


Sawmills New Zealand Ltd            1st May2011
PO Box 510                  09 4059 708
Kerikeri 0245                  www.sawmills.co.nz
Price List
The Mahoe range of sawmills are all robust and strongly built. They are lever operated and return the finished board to the operator. The Mahoe sawmills are easy to set up, easy to load logs into the mill and easy to operate, requiring the minimum of labour.  Fine kerf blades are available.

Mahoe Minimax 12" x 8"
Briggs and Stratton 35hp petrol            $32,000.00
Khola 40hp petrol                  $33,500.00
Optional Extras
Extra set of weld on tipped blades            $ 1,200.00
Fine kerf blade with collars               $ 1,000.00
761mm inserted tooth blade               $ 1,497.00
560mm inserted tooth blade               $ 1,085.00 
Trailer   with dura torques                $ 3,200.00
Light Board                     $    200.00
Set of Log Dogs                  $    800.00

Supermill 12" x 8" with hydraulic rise and fall
Kubota 42hp turbo diesel               $60,000.00
Supermill 12" x 8" with manual rise and fall
Kubota 42hp turbo diesel               $48,000.00
Optional Extras
Extra set of weld on tipped blades            $ 1,200.00
Fine kerf blade with collars               $ 1,000.00
761mm inserted tooth blade               $ 1,497.00
560mm inserted tooth blade               $ 1,085.00
Trailer with suspension               $ 3,200.00 
Light board                     $    200.00
Set of Log Dogs                   $    800.00
All the sawmills come with one set of weld on tipped blades, jockey grinder for sharpening and Cut to Taper.

Slabbing Attachment
The Slabber is power fed; you can set the feed speed which leaves you free to wedge the slab.                        $ 3,000.00
Packaging and freight to Port of Auckland (for export)       $ 1,800.00
Insurance (for export)                     $    300.00
A 20% deposit confirms order. Balance due ex our yard. All prices quoted are + GST

[logboy]

Here is a Mahoe video I just found.  They look like a great mill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5zYDN7CaqY

[logboy]

Here is another one.  I was told by David Bolstad (before he unfortunately passed) that its easier to saw by yourself with one of these than with a typical swingblade mill. Its also a lot less work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLdMNFbtvLc&feature=endscreen&NR=1v

[acco1840]

A mate has a swingblade mill for sale. Just found out last night. It is mounted on a tandem axle trailer. It has an Isuzu 4 cylinder diesel engine and the saw is driven by a hydraulic motor. I have not seen it yet, but it sounds promising. So does the price of $3000 8). Will get pictures soon. Anyone used a hydraulic powered swingmill before??

[acco1840]

Sadly, I was a bit late and missed it............bugger :'(

[Okrafarmer]

So sad. You will surely find another.....

[LOGDOG]

That Mahoe mill looks an awful lot like the Turb-o-saw or vice versa. Doesn't it?