Im about to get my fathers band mill that he purchase before he passed ten yrs ago and i'm getting the bug to run it! How much should I offer a guy I know for cherry, red oak, and ash trees that have been down a couple years in his woods?
He has already told me I can have them and we'll figure a price later.
Are they still alive or been dead? If dead and down, they will be all stained. The price drops significantly if I was the buyer. Might end up being next winter's firewood.
Korey,A lot depends on the condition of the logs and the type of wood and size of the logs. If you want to be fair with the man,offer him about 1/3 the price that he would get at the mill for these logs,and with out even seeing them you might be paying way to much for them.If they are more than a year old on the ground rot has already started in on them.they are worth firewood prices,might be better to barter with the man.see what he needs for them and offer something of equal in exchange.win/win. Tim
Korey,welcome to the forum. What kind of sawmill? Been around it before?
First, Welcome to the Forestry Forum Korey. :)
Trees that are suspended by the limbs and root balls may me sawable, but will still have deterioration. Under those circumstances, I would be inclined to just offer him a portion of the lumber. If you will have to do the "logging" certainly not more than half.
What kind of sawmill is it? Where are you located? If I am understanding that the sawmill has not been run in 10 years, you may have some "cobwebs" to work out.
Morning Korey and welcome to the pack. What ever you decide to do they (logs) will be great practice to work out the kinks. With it being down for a while and the logs possibly being hard as a rock this will be a good learning curve. Did you have the chance to work the mill with your father? That would have been real nice if you had. Be extra careful loading and transporting them if they are in any shape to cut. They will still be heavy and try to roll around on you. Proper PPE and keep the kiddies away till you get the hang of things. Enjoy the ride. We do. Chuck
Maybe you can saw several logs on the property first then see whether you want more of the wood? All the best in getting the mill in shape and starting sawing.
Welome to the addiction! Once you start, you will never stop. And once word gets out that you have a mill, the wood will flow..
Those logs might not be worth much, but then, some might be spalted, or wormy or a dozen other things that a craftsman might desire...I am turning some old pecan into gorgeous cheese and bread serving trays now...wormy, spalted and curly in the same boards!
Where are you located?
Thanks for all the advice and questions! A lot of the trees that are down are off the ground directly(suspended) by branches or over low spots of the terrain and do not look rotten. The mill has been used a few times by my brother over the last 10 years, i have no idea about the quality of how it cuts. I cant remember the brand but I do remember its one I hadn't heard of it, which doesn't mean a thing because I am very new to this. My dad didn't get a chance to even see it set up, he passed shortly after he purchased it. He paid a little over 4k from what my mom can recall, it was used. Ive seriously been shopping for a new mobile mill but decided using this one for a while would make more sense. The "guy i know" is actually my brother so neither of us are to worried about payment but I wanted to get an idea of what to offer him. Addicted is right!! Thanks again everyone!
Forgot to give my location...Southern tip of Indiana. Just outside Evansville, in Fort Branch IN
Welcome Korey smiley_beertoast. You'll have fun at the Forum.
I would maybe consider asking my Brother if he needs any other logs sawed from his place. You could kinda trade some sawing for the logs you want. Just a thought. smiley_thumbsup
Welcome Korey looking forward too hearing more about your mill and how those logs worked out for you.
Quote from: Korey on November 28, 2011, 04:04:17 AM
He has already told me I can have them and we'll figure a price later.
Personally, (that is if it were my deal), I'd pass. But since it's your brother and you want and need some place to get your feet wet sawing, just go for it. The only way you can lose is if you get hurt or break something.
But one thing to think about, logs that have been cut for more than a few months tend to be a lot harder and take more time to saw than fresh cut logs. You'll be starting out with a handicap.
Also, welcome to the Forum.
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome Korey, glad to see another Hoosier on board. Just through your territory about three weeks ago on my way to pick up a drying kiln.
Korey,
Suspended trees/leaner's can be extremely dangerous to fall. They have tension built up in places you may not anticipate and rotten limbs that can break and fall as soon as you move them. Unless you are an experienced faller or have experienced help with the proper equipment I would leave them alone. I agree with Bibby, they will be dry and a pain to cut(or rotted and useless) and I would pass on them.
As far as the mill, can you post what brand it is and even better shoot some pic's of it? Without this info giving you a price is kinda like giving a haircut over the phone :D
What I've done in the past is, saw it,sort it, when it was sold, people got pad. you want to get at less 1/2 just to cover cost and time. Do'nt forget to have some fun and carefull getting that stuff down. J.
log like that are worth the cost of getting them to the mill
logs like that are well worth cutting as your first logs ona a new mill
logs like that you don't want to settle up after the good stuff is cut
logs like that ifin I say that again I am gonna break into west side I mean west log story.......... :P :D
logs like that will kill your brother
:D Westside. :D What about da nortside? ;D