Good Mill Hunting

[LSUNo1]

Sold my manual mill and am leaving out early tomorrow morning to deliver to a fellow in Valley, AL. On return I'll be stopping to look at 3 Woodmizers LT40HD's and a Peterson 8".

The orange ones all have betweeen 450 and 1000 hrs. From speaking to the owners sounds like they have been reasonably well maintained. Just wondering at these hours, are there any normal scheduled part replacements or maintenance that might require significant dollars. From what I've read on this forum sounds like these hours are minimal but thought I'd ask.

The Peterson is about 2 years old and I dont really know much about them except from video and literature. If anyone can offer any tips as to deal killers to look for I'd appreciate it.

As always thanks for any help....Mitch

[ronwood]

LSUNo1,

I would recommend to go to www.sawmillexhange.com to get a feel for the prices on the Woodmizer and the peterson. Brian who runs the sight is quite helpful.

I bought a new LT40HG25 this winter and am very happy with it. Last winter Woodmizer had a good deal on the price of the new one and I decided to buy new to get the warrenty. It seem to me it was worth the extra money. You might ask the owners for the maintaince manual. Woodmizer provided an area in the book to log the dates and hours of service. They also have a list some of the parts with the expected service life. If you would like I could send it to you.

Don't know much about the Peterson other that the gentleman that I saw for regularly has a 6" Lucas. It does well for what it was designed for. Logs to big to be put on my mill are sawed with it. He would like to have 8 " Peterson so that he could saw wider board and cants.

Good luck on your search!   8)

[LSUNo1]

Ronwood, thanks for the reply. I am familiar Sawmill Exchange, thats how I sold mine and found the WM's I'll be looking at. I'll be sure to ask the owners for any records. I'd like nothing better than to buy new, but I'm still kinda wading into this stuff and looks like there are some good used machines for good prices right now. Gonna try this route for now. Thanks again!

[ronwood]

It appears that the prices have came down somewhat on the used ones. One thing that I wanted was the 2 plane clamp system that Woodmizer had. I believe some of the other mills may have them too.

At the time I bought mine I could not find a used one (with hydraulics) close by and the price differential was not that great. I think you can get a better deal now.  I do enjoy having the hydraulics even with the addtional cost. Thought it would be a lot safer not having to turn the big logs by hand. I have had several logs (greater that 4500lbs) though that I had to use the cant hook with. Turner had a hard time tuning it without some asistance.   ;)

[woodbeard]

Mitch, if you end up passing on the Peterson, please drop me a line. I been looking at that literature and video, too. ;)
Thanks, George

[DanG]

I bought my mill through SawmillExchange, too. Brian seems to have built himself a good little business with that. We talk about developing "niche" markets all the time. I guess he be the King of that.

[Bibbyman]

DanG,   We bought a Wood-Mizer edger through Sawmill Exchange.  

Maybe someone should invite Brian to come on over to the FF and get his link put over one of the Categories.  Maybe the Items For Sale section?