I started a new sawing venture this spring. I'm getting debarked pine logs from the production mill next door to me. They have been kicked out of the sawing line because of metal. I'm getting high quality lumber out of them to sell . Out of 3 tri axle loads I have only lost 3 bands . The others I have been able to sharpen. It's much better this spring than last year. Folks are buying. I hope all is well with everyone.
I sure wish I had access to something like that here. Maybe I do if I start looking. I can always use framing lumber around here.
I have to buy it because they own a pulp mill and would send it there. But I don't pay much compared to the market price on white pine. Most of the logs I can clear boards out of them. Some off metal , I can find on the outside of the logs. It's so competitive around here now. Guys are selling for so cheap. They really don't factor all the cost.
I'm not buying hemlock logs much because a guy a few towns over is stocking sawn hemlock from an Amish mill in New York.
I can't compete with his prices.
That seems like a good deal, Bruno. I ruin a lot more blades per logs sawn than that on logs that "they are sure have no metal in them".
That's when a metal detector starts looking like a good investment. ffsmiley
It's good to see that your venture is being successful. :thumbsup:
Keeping busy anyway, hopefully it's profitable for you. :thumbsup:
Ya know, I suspect the odds of hitting metal in a log that you are pretty sure has metal in it, is actually less than hitting metal in any other log. If you think there is metal, you do everything you can to avoid it. If you are just sawing carefree and not looking for metal, you are going to eventually smack sumpthin good.
About 30 years ago I was buying tractor trailer loads of logs with meta that was hit by the debarker or hit with their mill when they prepped for veneer. Lots of white oak and walnut veneer logs. I would use a metal detector and after defecting the logs, saw them into beautiful clear wood. Also got the 1/2 logs that split or bowed in the vat when they cooked them. Very profitable. Have 1/4 saw ash for flooring and perfectly 1/4 sawn backing boards for our cabinets.
The mill figured out how to defect and that was the end of that. Got the loads for $200 plus $100 for delivery. Full tractor trailer loads.
I still hit metal once in a while.
they had been cutting them all up for firewood.
So Bruno, milk that cow til it dries up.
Good for you, I hope it works out.
You're right about cheap lumber, it's everywhere.
And a ton of sawmills 4 sale too.
That looks good bruno, I like the debarked part. I buy all my logs pine and hardwood, from the arborist up the road, He uses a mini ex on all his arborists jobs. He sells pine to me and a few chainsaw carvers and I take any really nice looking hardwood logs. Metal is part of the process.
lots of little sawmills selling stuff dirt cheap for sure.
Quote from: Stephen1 on Yesterday at 07:44:02 AMlots of little sawmills selling stuff dirt cheap for sure.
True.
Makes me think high end semi-finished hardwood may be the preferred business model - or the other side of the fence: a mobile milling operation.
I can't sell a board of hardwood for a profit. Last spring I bought a semi load of red elm. Sawed out beautiful. Had to sell it for $1.00 bdft . No more hardwood for me unless my tree service guy brings it. I gave up my dunage and pallet account when I went back to one helper.
I stick with the softwood it always sells. I have a chance at making things more profitable with the metal logs. I got another sharpener to help with the damaged bands. The profiled cbn wheel don't like the damaged bands .
I do them with a drag sharpener. It's been working good so far.