The Forestry Forum

Gday

This is a poll I have been meaning to start for a while now I thought it May be of help to People looking into sawmill types that would suit their needs I have restricted the voting to peope who post as I would also like you to see what type of mill you use please only vote on what is your main target production sizes above and what percentage you do in that range  ;)

I run 8" and 10" Lucas Mills and what my main target sizes have been over the years is about 80% has been 8" and under in Custom work,Framing ,Garden ties and Boards inc pallet timber and dunnage   ;)  

The rest of my work is that and above in custom milling long lengths and slabs  which the mills have no drama with doing either ;)

Thanks for Voting  and Regards Chris

LT10, 90% 10x and under boards, occasional beams or posts.

i fit in all those catagories some weeks.
my custom sawing has me making some live edge 20'' to 36'' wide slabs.
i cut serveral tailer floors that are 6'' , 8'' , 10'' , and 12'' wide boards.
i cut a few ties when i get logs that are good enough.
i cut pallet material quite regularly too.
jack of all trades?
i have to say though my most favrite size log to saw is about 14'' to 18''.
pc

i cut mainly fence material, 3x1.5 up to 6x2 rails, 4x3 3x3 and 4x4 posts, some 8x8 and 10x 10,

we do a lot of 4x1 and 6x1 for flooring feedstock, as well as structural sizes up to 8", althow there is a lot of 12" stuff being used now to.

About 90% 1 1/8" random width hardwood.

--Peter

My main objective is just to get it cut into a demention someone has heard of ;D ;D
I cut 1x8,10 and 12 for sideing and 1x4 for bats in 2in 6,8,10,12 widths(lots of trailer decks) for everybody but me my deck still shot >:( >:( and always find homes for 4x4 and 6x6 beams

90% 2x6, 8, and 10 white oak for trailer decking.

Since I acquired the 618 Lucas mostly I cut 1x6's and 2x6's.  Very small logs and anything wider is cut on the bandmill.  With the exception of large slabs.  The very nice thing about cutting large slabs with Lucas is the log doesn't need moving.

1x12 and 2x12 followed by 2x6 and 14"- 24" wide boards. Just don't cut much 2x4 and smaller stuff.

- 6x8 to 10x12 timbers cut to order.
- typical lengths are 8' to 16'.
- I can (and do) cut up to 32', but I price anything over 20' very high.
- Unless I have a special order for thin stuff, all the side lumber is 1".

We have done a lot of different stuff on the LT-40, but lately it's been driven by our timber frame projects. We are getting a 24' extension in January, for a capacity of 45', or a little more if you slide the log. ;) We've got some 45' + timbers to cut this winter.

I'm running a commercial circle mill in hardwood.  So, my cutting targets vary with the species, grade and length.  Markets dictate size, and not one size fits all.

For the grade, I run random width and length.  But, I like to get a target size of 6"+ on the first boards, as that makes the upper grades in most hardwoods.  So, my opening face target is 6" x 8'.  On some species, you can drop that down to a 4" x 6'.  I don't chase anything smaller than a 4x6, as the commercial buyers can't use them due to the automatic stackers.

For pallet grade, my target sizes are 4" or 6".  I can take low grade boards and rip them into several boards, if necessary.  But, all our pallet must be either 4" or 6". 

For hearts, my target varies widely.  I have a market for 7x9 ties.  That market is heavy to 8'6" ties, but I also have a consistent market for 22' switch ties.  The price is a lot better than the standard tie.  We cut as much straight oak into these lengths.  The jacket boards are cut back for grade.  There are also markets for 13'-18' switch ties.  23' is the maximum length for our mill.

Logs that don't make ties are usually cut into pallet cants.  The most popular is a 3½x6.  We separate by length.  We also have a 5¼x6 market for oak.  Its used for supports for house movers.  Much better price, and a better quality of material. 

Softwoods are cut for custom orders.  We don't cut on speculation.  We let the logs lay until there is an order.  Orders can range in size from 1x2 to 12x12. 

Largest custom order I had was for 10x20 white oak.  We used to get bridge orders from the railroad.  Those would range in size of 8x8 to 12x13 in oak.  I haven't seen one of those in years. 

There is very little lumber that is cut without an order.  So, markets drive the sizes.

Most of my sawing is 2x4, 2x6, and 1x 4,6,8,&10. Once in a while a customer will want 2x10 or 2x12 for floor joists.

Length is usually 8', 10', 12', & 16'.

Once is a while someone will want 4x4, 4x6, 6x8, or 8x8.

Mostly everything random width 1x, some 2x random width and an ocassional post or beam for a project around the place. Most of my sawing is just for my own use.
KTF

Mostly hardwoods cut 5/4 and random widths. Do cut some 8/4 and 12/4 for use in bowl turning and to supply bowl turning customers. Don't go for volume, obviosly since I saw using and LT10, but try to go for higher dollar, more unique offerings like cedar, basswod, and hardwoods with distinctive patterns in their grain.

Would like to build a chainsaw slabbing mill and am thinking about fabricating one that could use the same carriage tracks as the LT-10.

Mostly 2x for studs and a fair amount of 1x for wood shop use.  Still have an addition to the house to cut for, and will be cutting 1x black ash for trim and a set of kitchen cabinets as well.  Still cutting for personal use so mostly construction sizes.

Lately mostly 10 & up, for board & batten siding.

 10" and under Framing material more than anything, that includes plenty of beams and timbers for framing as well, but not the ,majority. Maybe 60/40. Whenever possible it is really 8" and less due to my 8" mill.

framing and siding as wide as the logs allow unless we hit the target # of boards then what other sizes we need ect...

Gday

Thanks Guys Keep Em Coming  ;) ;D 8) 8) Its good to see the mix of what we are aiming at as far as target sizes and products like the saying No Two Sawmillers are Exactly The Same  ;) ;D ;D 8) 8) 8) unless you a big sausage factory mill that is but they aint mill in my book they are factorys  :( :) ??? ;) :D :D :D 

Regards Chris

I cut a lot of cedar and find that most like it at 1*6*8' or 10' LT-15 mizer