Last summer I ordered the harbor freight ban saw. It was on sale and with it shipped to my door was less than $1700. I did have my doubts about getting it. It was back ordered several time and HP was good about contacting me to see if I still wanted it. I think it came about thanksgiving time. I was slow about getting it together even though it was very easy. Really only a couple of hours. After I put it together I knew the track just wasn't long enough, and they wanted to much for extensions and they would be on back order. So I decided to build new ones. the angle iron they had was an odd size so I could find it to extend what came with it. I lucked out and found some used 3X4 angle iron 22' long. Three of them for $225. They work perfectly. I can cut 19'+ and can add 10'ft more if needed. I can pick them up with my skid steer and move them in one piece. Today I fired her up. First I canted a 18' small oak I had cut 2 years ago. It gave me a 7"x8" cant. It cut good but ruff saw marks. then I cut some pine 16"to 18", 9'to 18'. It really likes the pine.Cut straight but still ruff saw marks. It is safe to say the blade it came with is crap. I have the two new blades Cooks sent me for free to try. I will put them on now the I have some experience. I know they will make the saw.I can't believe how fast it cut even with the crap blade,its only 7hp. I will test it next week on some 20" stuff. I will try to post some pic, they are in my gallery if it doesn't work.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16896/DSC_0012.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16896/DSC_0006.JPG)
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Good job on the extension.
ozarkian(sp?) will be excited to see this, he has been looking for a cheap mill and was asking about a review of this mill i think...
i'm suprised to hear that that 7hp is doing so well, but life i full of suprises.
it sounds like you did a great job on that track extensions....
:o
IT WORKS!?!?
:P
But... But... it's from Harbor Freight... And everybody... :P Yep, said it wouldn't!!! You painted your Woodmizer green didn't you? You tried to pass one off on us. You little trickster you! ::)
No, but on a serious note... It looks like it is working well for ya! You think it could take a bigger motor fairly easy, if one were to buy it and try to slap say.. a 13 or 14 hp in it smiley_dark_bulb??? That could be a cool way around the teeny tiny motor, and get a bit more oomph than the one they put in there.
How long approx would you say it takes per pass? A video on Youtube would be kinda cool. ;D
I think I am gonna go ahead and follow this topic, very interested to see how she lasts through the abuse. :)
You are one of the very, I mean very, select few to post a review on this thing. I am sure I am not the only one eager to learn more about it. Thank you Hunterbuild!
HP has a 13hp that will bolt on for under $400 if I think I need more. The motor seems well built, it starts 1st or 2nd pull. I do have to do some tweaking, needs a couple of log dogs and odds and ends. I use a grizzly $2 scissor jack to level logs.
HARBOR FREIGHT...is a chinese knock off.
im curious as to what it is similar to
There was lots of rumour and another post about it being an Hudson, but many design points are different. Regarldles for $1700 it works as well as any other.
Most of the parts appears to be stock off the shelf stuff. The motor is the China built Predator that HF carries.
I am by no means an expert but the HF mills looks very similar to the Woodland Mills one. Square and round tubes on the mill head frame, similar level adjustments, both made in china ( I think) , even looks as if the band wheel adjustment is the same. maybe they are just coping a good design.:) ...just my observations. Swamp
That is exactly what I think. The band adjustment and posts are the same.
sounds like a simple machine, and if it fits in the budget, Great! Mine is simple, I'm happy for now.
I'm sure that you'll get your money out of it
It seems that everyone that owns one, likes them.
Those that never used one or even seen one say there junk. ;D
Maybe it is just me but if it is made in China it probably is a knockoff of one of our American made and developed sawmills. I'll just stick with the FF Sponsors listed on the left.
Magicman I know what your saying, but if all you have is $1700, thats better then no sawmill.
For the price of the EZ Boardwalk Jr. (listed on the left), that's good value. But it's not $1700.
I remember being poor growing up. I will never forget those days and I'm glad for that.
Those days are coming again, soon !
Oh, I fully understand poor. I grew up in Red Lick, Ms. ;D I just hate Chinese knockoffs that have no factory support and questionable replacement parts.
howdy all
i believe you are right swamp buggy they do look like a woodland mill. i went to hf and down loaded the manual . its close to the tee .
It is very similar to the woodland mills design, but they are not the same mill. The HF mill will only take a 22" log where the Woodland mills machine will take a 26" log. The woodland mills also has more of a "gas and go" throttle design. As ozarkian has stated before you can call woodland mills and talk to the person that designed the mill. For what it's with.
Steve
The other difference I forgot to mention is the HF model has a 7 HP predator motor and the woodland mills has a 9.5 HP Kohler. I just purchase the woodland mills mill and so far am happy with it.
steve
Make note that on their website Woodlands Mill list their model HM126 as a "Hobby Sawmill". Neither this sawmill nor any comparable sawmill from any manufacturer is intended for production work.
Sure, you can saw logs, make lumber, and even make a profit with it, but that does not make it a production sawmill intended for daily high output sawing.
I dont understand how they can make that mill and ship it over here and then sell it for 1700 bucks. Theres got to be a lot of man hours and parts to make that thing. I know the man hours are cheap but it still surprises me. Im curious how many they sell
My friend is the plastic injection molding business in MN. He needed to set up a joint venture in China to compete on the low tech products. He established a connection three years ago near Canton, China. At that time, the labor rate was 22 cents per hour! There were 50 to 100 people hanging out near the plant waiting for someone to get hurt, or fired, so they might get a job. That explains why some of their products are priced so cheap. He said there were already issues between the
"haves" and the "have nots" in that region.
Sparky
They have gone up quite a bit. $2400 the last I checked. I need it for my own milling. not big production. Building a pole barn with it. It was all I could justify with wife and afford.
That mill will have cost you less then the sawing of the barn had you contracted any sawyer to saw the wood for the pole barn, well I should not saye that not knowing the size of the pole barn :-\ I do know that it don't take a big pile of lumber sawed to make a 2000$ budget. :)
As far as I am concerned you did good, I hope the mill cuts to your liking :)
The pole barn will be around 28'x30', two and a half stories tall. So much for just milling my own stuff. A neighbor seen me sawing and want a few pine log milled and a friend of his has some walnut logs he wants cut. This was the first day I was cutting with it.
Be nice toi have pics of the mill and of it making sawdust :) :)
How is it working out ???
There are pic's on page one.
::) I had seen those too.... Getting older :-\ Thanks .
They do say that the mind is the first thing to go... ;)
My knees would tend to disagree with that though.
As luck would have it I was up by lake Sinclair today looking at a portable job. On my way back I saw this nice looking little shop beside a house and the shop had some nice looking board and batten on it and there was a stack of logs and sawdust just to the side. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that the owner was walking around in the back yard so I just wiped in to complement him on his shed. It turns out that he cut it all out his self on one of these mills. Well I got my first look at one. I will say that it will cut wood but I think it would leave a lot to be desired. The outside blade guide roller is not moveable so if you are cutting narrow lumber like 1X4s then the guide is a long ways off. I am not trying to knock on this mill but I would hesitate to recommend it.
customsawyer;
The blade guides on the WM LT-10 is built the same way. The outside guide blade roller is also not movable. It cannot be adjusted to close the gap for narrow cuts.
_______________________
I read that the Woodland Mill's HM126 was very similar in comparison to the Harbor Freight Sawmill. So I took it upon myself to do a little bit of investigating and compare the spec's of the machines directly from the website of each vendor.
Here is the comparison I have come to. The machines are similar in "design", but they are not the same machines. The Woodland Mill's has several features that are not available on the Harbor Freight Sawmill. See below.
Woodland Mills HM126
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Item Description:
Gasoline Engine 9.5 HP Kohler
Maximum log diameter 26" (660mm)
Maximum Board Width 21" (533mm)
Blade Size 1-1/4 x 144" (32 x 3657mm)
1 year warranty on the sawmill against manufacturers defect, which only excludes wearing parts such as blades, belts and bearings. The Kohler engine is covered by a 3 year commercial warranty which can be serviced through your local Kohler dealer.
Other features that do not appear on the Harbor Freight Sawmill:
Adjustable Reinforced Rear Handle Structure
Gas and Go Throttle,
Aluminum Lube Tank
Track Sweepers
Rectangle Track Cross Supports
Customer Service:
The Website for WoodlandMills . ca offer's their Mailing address, toll-free #, e-mail, and a web submission form.
*From my PERSONAL experience, I have called 2 times. Both times I reached one of the owner's who was extremely pleasent and helpful to communicate with. I have also sent an e-mail to the address provided under their contact section of the website, and received a response within 1 hour from the SAME individual! Very prompt service and willing to answer any questions.
Harbor Freight - ITEM # 67138 MANUFACTURER: CENTRAL MACHINERY INDUSTRIAL
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Item Description:
Saw mill with 7 HP industrial gas engine.
Maximum log diameter: 22"
Maximum board width: 20"
Blade size: 1-1/4" W x 144" L x 0.048" T
Limited 90 Day Warranty. The 1995 and later engines are warranted for two (2) years.
If any emission-related part on your engine is defective,
the part will be repaired or replaced by HFT.
Customer Service:
Website has a wide variety of options regarding contacting customer support. 24/7 support available, Fax, toll-free number(s), and mailing address.
* From my PERSONAL experience, I called to speak to somebody regarding the Sawmill they carry. First, I called my local retail location in Springfield, Mo. and spoke with the store manager directly. He out right said "we have nothing to do with the items on the website if they are not carried in our store". I proceeded to ask if he knew anything about the sawmill, and he said he had never even seen it, nor' could have the item shipped to store for pick-up.
So I called the toll-free # off the website. Went through a few automated prompts and finally got to a customer service rep. Was definitely a language barrier, she sounded like a recording and asked for my name multiple times as she could not understand me... Already frustrated, I proceeded to request information regarding the sawmill. She could not answer any questions as she had never seen or used the item before. I had to locate and provide the specific item # 67138 for her to locate it. All she could provide me with was the price. I asked how long for shipping and she said she does not know as it would have to be in stock and freight shipped. I would not call it customer service, yet customer aggrivator >:(.
Conclusion:
The Sawmill's may have similar design's. But the Woodland Mills version appears to be larger, have more options, more reviews, and better customer service. I have never seen or used neither mill in person - these are my observations after comparing direct from the website. Woodland Mill's also provides very good demonstrations of their mill which can be found on their website and on YouTube.
If one is able to afford the Woodland Mill's model for the additional money, I would say it probably would be worth it. But, like many of us who would like to cut a few logs off our own land with the least monetary investment possible than the Harbor Freight Sawmill may be worth a shot. That is ONLY with utilization of the 20% off coupon that brings the advertised price of $2,500 down to $2,000 + shipping/tax.
My $.02, take it as you will. 8)
-Ozarkian
They probably will not honer the 20% off coupon for their s4awmill. they do not take it off of many items compressors welders ect...
I have looked at them our local one had a return in store for somewhere around 1500 AND stated it was missing parts. what parts??? no idea. it looked like it had never been assembled so hard to say. I talked to the woman about it and went back to take a closer look next day or two and it was sold, price had been parked down to 1200 and manager said guy bought it about an hour prior.
mark
you get what you pay for
Quote from: cypresskayaksllc on January 23, 2012, 10:25:01 PM
you get what you pay for
In many cases you also pay for the "brand". Comparing apples to apples, I like the apples of the Woodland Mills HM126 more than the apples of the WM LT10. When i bought my mill the Woodlands was a major consideration, and I spent alot of time speaking with the owners (Neil and........???that other guy) they were 100% honest and answered every mechanical/technical question I had. At the time they were still in pre-production, and it was too far for me to travel to see and limited production mill. So instead I chose another route, based upon touching and feeling one.
Hamish, I agree with you 100%. I spoke with a Woodmizer rep today, and mentioned the Woodland Mill's and the price difference. I asked him how they compared... All he could say is that if I purchased the WM LT-10 I would get 5% off of blades for life from the leading company in the industry. Well... That did not do much for me. So I have decided if I purchase NEW, I am getting the Woodland Mills HM126.
Other than the motor the Hp is the same as the woodland. I ck'ed my saw and it will cut over 21" The track and cross members are the same. The log dog is the same. the band wheels the same. I would not be afraid to order any part from woodland for the HF saw. I don't expect the service will be the same from HF. I don't see much that could go wrong that I couldn't fix. The motor would be an easy change out. I was going to build one. But this was all the basics for less than I could do it for.
I dont mind shopping at Harbor Freight. Unlike Lowes or Home Depot you actually get helped on. Locally even Hardware sales you only go when you need that special bolt or screw. But other than that places sell the same products harbor freight does and all things are made in china. I just bought a seal kit with many rubbers in the kit for 8 bucks. At Netter Hydraulics they want 1.50 an O ring. The welding rod last time I checked is made in italy and the grinding disks I have used a lot of them and not one has exploded on me to rebuild my MD 127 electric and other toys I have. I just wish they would sell wire and bolts. I sure do love the cheap electrical connectors. And volt meters and surveillance equipment and motion sensor lights. :)
Slingshot thanks for the info. I did not know that.
MORE PICTURES!
I will try to have a friend help me with a video this week-end. If not will get more pic up.
Hooray! 8) Or you can do like the Woodland Mill's people did in their video titled " 12" Walnut - Woodland Mills Portable Sawmill " on Youtube. It's the operator's point of view through the entire process cutting a huge walnut tree. Makes me wish I had a mill already :'(.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16896/DSC_0004%7E0.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16896/DSC_0002%7E0.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16896/DSC_0001.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16896/DSC_0008.JPG) Had a little time to cut up a small birch. It was ruff been on ground a while. Got two 2x7s 10' and a 2x7 10'.
Very nice, staying quite busy it looks like. How's it holding up? Thanks for the pics!
So far it is taking what I give it. Hope to get a big log to put it to the test. I do love the saw. With the skid steer I can handle it by myself and not get worn out. I have to get it off the ground a bit more. The snow and sawdust built up under the track.
Raising it up about 18 inches to knee height will make a huge difference.
I would also keep the skid steer away from it. I would run into it first thing. ::) I put down 2 logs that I slabbed on one side. Left the slab side to put my logs onto,than roll them onto the mill. I have 2 pieces of 1/4 X 4 Inch flat stock to go from the slabbed logs to the sawmill. Have fun.
There must be fourty-eleven makers of small mills in this country not to mention as many in Canada . I've seen them in all colors of the rainbow at the Paul Bunyan show and Ohio lumber show .
They are all light gauge stuff and use low horse power engines .They're really designed as "hobby " mills and as such from what I saw did okay on 14" stuff .Fact some will only handle up to 18" by maybe 12 feet long .
They aren't designed as stated for a production mill nor cutting 36" oak by any figment of the imagination .I suppose though an oak could be ripped into cants with a chainsaw and solve that problem .
No way can a person compair one of these things to say a Woodmizer Lt 40 .That would be like a Yugo to a Cadillac .
Al_Smith, I don't believe anybody is comparing this product to anything similar to a LT-40.
This topic is regarding one of - if not - the cheapest entry level band mills on the market and a review of it from somebody who has purchased it.
Some individuals are only looking for something with the capabilities this and other mill's similar to it offer. And those individuals have every right to get a fair user review without belittlement. There are more "hobby" users, than there are high production users. Their opinion matters.
-Ozarkian
:D Wow did I push a button and ruffle your tail feathers .
Pardon me but at no time did I belittle a little mill now did I ? It was an observation on my part not an ultimatum and certanly nothing to become overly dramatic about .
Fact if you really want to know I have two friends that have little mills and it does them just fine .One is a little Oscar I think and I believe one was made of components from Cooks .
I will not nor ever degraded how or what a person uses to reach an end goal .In the case of lumber if they want to use a pit saw that's just fine with me . ;D
Tail feathers are fine, no ruffles. Just stating the purpose to this topic. By comparing the obvious, "Yugo to Cadillac", is a belittlement - whether intended or not.
For those of us who can not afford or have need for a mill of that scale, these are our options.
Text can and often is misinterpreted by the reader. My initial reaction to that comment may have been misunderstood, yet, I still believe what I wrote.
-Ozarkian
Well Ozark it just depends on how one looks on things and ones sense of humor how things are taken as far as text .
Obviously your sense of humor and mine are not on the same page .
A mini mill is one option.There are others but that deserves another thread so saying that please do continue your discussion .I'll sit quietly on the side lines :-X
So, my question is, is this mill made in china?
Quote from: bedway on January 25, 2012, 12:52:41 PM
is this mill made in china?
Good question... I for one do not know! I would think some of the part's are made in China (i.e. the motor). However, I could not locate anywhere listed in the Downloadable PDF Manual or on the product website stating where the Sawmill is manufactured.
-Ozarkian
Hey all...I reckon I'll throw my 2 cents worth in. Before this thread got started I had the same thoughts about the similiar construction of these mills. I started look DEEP in the web and actually llocated and chatted with "customer service" at a chinese manufacturer. I was told, "We cannot sell this mill to an individual because 2 companies in North America are the authorized distributors" And I was then directed to make contact through the websites of each. Guess who: Harbor Freight and Woodland Mills. Yes subtle differences...enough to allow a sellable item by a different company/country.
A few years back northern tool
Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company had issues trying to sell theirs here because Harbor Freight was already carrying them. Northern had theirs painted red. They were in the catalog and I was hell bent to buy one (price)...Waited 4 months "On Backorder" then they called and said it was no longer available. Owners manual were almost a picture image. I ended up buying a much larger mill instead....but always wanted to tryone to see.
If you look at the parts list in each manual....look at the pics and numbers...a match. At least the parts are on this continent.
If it was me I would go with Woodland Mills (IMO).....customer service/support, speak english, parts, and they are a SPONSER! I already showed their site to a couple people wanting to mill their own stuff. Best of luck with your new mill!!
A friend had use of a large diesel powered all hydraulic Woodmizer. I had 50 ton of maple logs some of which were 4' or bigger around.We had great fun and put up several thousand board ft of mostly 1" stuff 12 to 16' long. He took some for helping me and the rest is stacked in my garage.So I have drove the Caddie. It was with out any comparison to my HF. That being said it took two of us to keep up with it. I will be working alone cutting mostly pine. If I get a few big logs I can break them down with my Alaskan csm.If by any miracle I get into another find like the maple I will find a big mill to cut it for me. I don't know if the HF will make me any money but I'm having fun. I have two people to do some small cutting for.I"m starting a job next month redoing a store inside and out.My client found out I had a saw and want a rustic look. He Loves the ruff sawed pine and beams. Maybe I can pay for my saw in one job!
A saw sure can pay for itself in one job. Mine did and it cost about$7k.
The framing lumber for my house would have cost more than that and at the time my logs weren't worth cutting to haul to a pallet mill. I not only framed my house but I cut all my own paneling too. It has a unique rustic look and didn't cost me anything but the labor. The house was finished in 6 months and the mill has made me an income when farming is slow for 3 1/2 years now.
Call me real pleased. :) PC
Paul,
Do you have pictures showing your house you built? Would be interested in seeing, as that is my long term goal after finishing my barn and getting my woodworking shop set up.
-Ozarkian
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20540/2940/Paul_s_house_pict_%282%29.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20540/2940/Paul_s_house_pict_%283%29.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20540/2940/Paul_s_house_pict_%284%29.JPG)
The first pic is the exterior. The second is some rustic red oak paneling. I cut 3/8''x8'' and put on like lap siding with sheetrock screws into the studs. The 3rd pic is some erc live edge paneling put up with sheetrock screws and cut 3/8'' thick. Part of the house was moved in was built by my grandpa in the early 50's and it measured 44'x26'. We added 58' x26'. IT hasd 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths. Total cost from moving the house and mill was less than$45k. It appraised for $119k. PC
Paul: Wow! Very impressive work, thank you for sharing. Can't beat the price - great investment!
Very nice Paul, and that i built it myself feeling, you cant put a price tag on :)