Sure have enjoyed this place, more knowledge than I will ever use here. So far have only used a chainsaw mill but have bought an LT15 Wide that I'll pick up when I get home in March.
Here's a pick of a mesquite I milled.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58539/20171123_165549.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1580632057)
Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Wattsranch4!
Wattsranch4, welcome to the forum. What's the lumber going to be used for? You will like that LT15 wide. Buy a Logrite peavey or cantdog. logrite_cool Sponsor on the left, nice people.
Welcome to the FF Wattsranch4.
D
Very nice looking mesquite. What is mesquite used for?
And Welcome!
Welcome.... I didn't realize mesquite got that big or was quit that dark of wood. Post pictures of the new addition when you get it set up.
That looks more like black walnut?
You can put your location in your profile and it will show up in each post so we know where you are. It helps when answering questions sometimes.
Welcome!
Welcome WattsRanch4! Lots of friendly folks, information, and knowledge on this forum.
The mesquite was used for slab stair treads, I will see if I can find a decent pic. Mesquite in our area, Coleman TX actually can get bigger and have a couple that have been laying about a year just waiting to get milled.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58539/20181105_111349.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1580678555)
Welcome to the forestry forum watts ranch4.
Lots of information here and experienced people too.
Zeke
Also have a stack of pecan I have milled from. They died standing more than 25 years ago.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58539/20181027_170140.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1580632133)
Welcome to the forum, have a brother in law at weatherford tx. Trees just don't grow well on the prairie but you cut what you have to cut and they burn good for firewood. Mesquite has been made into nice furniture since Cortez.
A chicken house from the pecan.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58539/20190516_193256~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1580680793)
Welcome to a fellow Texan, a few more of us and we can declare us a nation. Wait, they did that a few years back. Have fun, this a great bunch.
Couple of questions guys, what blades should I run to cut the pecan and mesquite? Kinda like to know before I pick my mill up so I can buy them then.
I use 10° for most things, I use 7° for harder woods. Remind me what kind of mill. WM had all kinds of blades varying degree and gullet. others will chime in. Kasco was at @customsawyer (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=1861) last year and a gentleman (no offense) that does custom sharpening. lots of opinions. @tule peak timber (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=25190) mills some really hard wood and I think Mesquite. , @Southside (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=24297) @YellowHammer (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=11488) may have some opinions as well. the blade profile may also be dependent on you mill HP. so you might add more info. maybe I missed it.
If it's the LT15 mentioned above then a 4° would be the safest bet for wood that hard.
We use 7 degree on an Lt-15 wide for hard or soft woods. Only I sharpen the blades. My philosophy on blades is that the "rubber meets the road" at the tip of the blade no matter what mill you run. If the mill isn't performing then it is my fault not the guys running it. This has worked out pretty darn well......... ;D
BTW you have lucky chickens !
The only 7° band we ran on our lt-28 did well for just a few minutes in ash until it encountered a screw. We used 10s and 4's. The 4° Kasco and WM blades performed well for a variety of woods including hard stuff (Ipe, live oak).
oh good God @tule peak timber (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=25190) you know not to bring up chickens, @southside will hear you!!! :) good advise.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/35190/turkey~4.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1580763323)
Are you picking up your mill at a location that has a Resharp center? If so, spend a few minutes with the guys who resharpen blades to get an education on blades, blade geometry and which blades work for what. Then come back and reread here. Once you saw for a few weeks and try some blades you will develop your own thoughts on what works for you.
WM says 10° is a general purpose blade. They only work for me in softwoods and poplar. I started using 4° blades exclusively when I started. Now I use Turbo 7s as my general purpose blade and 4° blades in harder hardwoods. 4° blades cut softwood just fine.
I think I recall that Kasco will ship a variety pack for you to try if you contact them. looks like they are a sponcer and a link is located at the left of the forum page. I am sure that WM is putting some blades with the pkg. but let them know you may try the Kasco blades and they may offer a variety bonus pack for you to try.
@tule peak timber (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=25190) you got big chickens
Will pick it up in Kirbyville Tx, not sure what they will have. Been dealing with Jay Durham there, guess I could call and ask.
It always comes back to the chickens, even big chickens.
I have heard nothing but great things about WM service and I am sure they will steer you in the right direction. good luck.
With my LT15 I used the standard WM 7's for 90% of about 20 different species of hardwood.
Then I sawed my first pecan lien and the band got so hot it smoked and scorched the band. So I put in another band, and did it again. Oops. I switched to WM 4's and they worked fine. So my standard bullpen strategy was to use used .045" 4's for pecan, hickory and white oak, 7's for everything else.
The LT15 was a great mill, it cut very flat lumber and my never gave me a minutes worth of trouble.