Okay, so I'm brazenly stealing SawyerAl's idea from another forum (WoodWeb: Sawing and Drying)
Whatever you mill with.... Please give a quick description of what you cut, where you are and make and model.
And make it snappy! 8)
Phil L. Central/South Georgia, USA 090 Stihl w/ Alaskan mill. Mainly want to focus on unusual cuts, not dimension wood.
I have one on my forehead but it`s almost healed .
(https://forestryforum.com/board/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww3.sympatico.ca%2Fkvn.rob%2Freallyhurts.gif&hash=8fb0555819d0bfda0ef576ce76d1ac205b6493ae)
Well Phil, I don't mind reporting that I have sawn in N. Florida and S. Ga. with a Woodmizer LT40HD on a trailer for the past 12 years and belong to their Million Foot club. I have cut Oak, Pine, Bay, Gum, Holly and Camphor to name a few of the local woods and have been lucky enough to be asked to cut imports from Australia, S. America, South Florida and other foreign lands.
I have cut trees with history, The Spyglass Oak and Ohio's champion Cottonwood. I have sawed pine planted by an older generation and used in Grandsons and Great Grandsons homes today. That little mill and I have sawed the wood for barns, houses, fences, churches, trailer decks, furniture, paneling, cabinets, baseball bats, laminated bows, bowls, wagons and boats in a circle around Jacksonville, Fl. from St. Mary's Ga. to Race Pond and Folkston to St. George to McClenny Fl. and around to Middleburg and St. Augustine. We have traveled to jobs as far away as Two Egg in the Panhandle and Ft. Pierce on the east coast. It needs rebuilding but is still functional and a fine machine. :)
(https://forestryforum.com/images/YaBBImages/userpics/Diaz%20atlantic%20bch.jpg)
I also have a Baker 3638D.
CMC Technologies Full Auto Commercial. With 3 blade vertical edger and full lasers. 20,000 to 30,000 bf avg production per day. Species: Northern Hardwoods.
Northern lower Michigan.
8)
woodmizer hd-40, cut native NH wood have some ongoing contracts and some just customers. part time so far about 80,000 bd ft per year, 6 years into it. used to be just a firewood maker. still a high school physics teacher. still make firewood.
Morbark of Canada circle mill with 2 saw vertical edger. Cutting grade lumber and blocking. Average production 12-18 Mbf, depending on species and log size.
Primary species are red oak, tulip poplar, ash and white oak. Minor species include hickory, cherry, walnut, maple, black locust, white pine and hemlock.
Products sawn is primarily 4/4 lumber for the cabinet, furniture and casket markets. Also saw 5/4 and 6/4 oak, 10/4, 12/4, 16/4 tulip poplar for the Canadian market.
Blocking is primarily 3 1/2 x 6 for the pallet market. Also saw 7 x 9 railroad ties and railroad bridge timbers from 8 x 8 to 10 x 17
Morbark of Canada? Ron, I'll bet that mill was built in my backyard and just sold through Canada. Morbark plant is 1/2 hour from here in Winn Michigan. The founder of Morbark Norval "Nubb" Morey was my boss's brother in law.
Our first mill was a morbark, which we wore out and replaced with the CMC. CMC is the old Forestall company, and the Morbark sawmilll is simply a knockoff of that. So, I imagine our mills are vey much alike.
Funny, when we bought a new mill, we could have gotten one from down the road but we bought the CMC out of New Hampshire. I think the Company is now called Hilltop supply.
Well, it looks like only Kevin can read directions.
(He can't take care of himself, but at least he reads the directions.)
Phil L.
Keep 'em comin', millers!
This sawmill was made at North Bay, Ont. They came in and low balled all the competition, then cut corners to make a profit. We had major problems with design and some of their quality. They used cheap bearings, for example. Fast forward wasn't very fast.
We have eventually re-engineered everything. We do that with most equipment that have engineers who do the design, but have never used the equipment. It helps to have a mechanical engineer that can design things when I tell him what I want.
Morbark sold the Canadian operations a number of years ago, probably about 10. The Canadian managment eventually run it into financial trouble. Since then, it has been sold to a Canadian mill manufacturer, but I can't remember the name right now.
I went with Canadian Morbark, since their design was identical to the US Morbark. I knew the parts would be interchangable. We are still dealing with unknown cyclinders that no one seems to know where they came from.
I have 2 Mobile Dimension Mill, both Model 128's. The first mill is inside of a building, the second on a factory trailer. It is one of a kind, however. It has a number of bells and whistles in the form of hydraulics: loaders, log rollers, automatic log dogs, rack and pinion lifting of carrage and track. The third is a head rig with a 52" blade. the Mobile Mills can cut logs 4 1/2 ' in diameter, the one inside cuts up to 24' and the outside 18'. The head rig is limited to 24' also. I cut primarely Douglas fir dimensional lumber for construction as well as a large variety of hardwoods for woodworkers.
Ron, your choice between the Canadian and U.S. Morbark was based on price then? That was why we chose the cmc. But over the years we would have saved the cost of the mill if we would have bought the morbark simply in reduced down time. Its pretty handy when the part we need is only a half hour away, problem is only about half the time is the morbark part the same as the CMC.
I guess that is a good concideration when these guys are looking to buy a mill. Price of the mill means only a little in the scheme of things. Quality, part availability, and parts compatability are a much more important aspect then sticker price.
Price was the ONLY issue. Montgomery mills are within 50 miles, and they are a Frick knockoff. Mills are well made, and custom built. We had talked to them prior, but never had them come up with a design.
We were running Jackson mills. They are a great little mill, especially their portable jobs. Very low tech. Their commercial mills are well built. Mgmt never contacted them.
We had a local mill salesman come up with a design. His theory is if he doesn't handle it, you don't need it. His prices were too high, so we went factory direct.
I came up with a mill design, then the salesmen took over. We also had an industrial engineer at our disposal. Mgmt decided to listen to the salesman, and froze me and the engineer out of the process. So, I got to sit back and get entertained.
The salesman sold us a 40 yr old gen set. It was off of an on dozer, and was barely enough power for our needs. Then we had to get electric motors that fit the Canadian power scheme. Those are primarily used in mining and are hard to find and expensive to replace. They also sold us a new saw that I couldn't even buy teeth for unless it was special order.
Morbark does have an excellent mill. It is heavy duty and runs well, now that we've made some improvements. In this case, their support equipment was sub-par.
The point of this story is that equipment should be bought with the guys who know something about how they should operate and how they should be built. Salesman are only interested in the deal and moving merchandise.
Ok I use a Husky. But I don't mill with it so I guess that leaves me out of this thread. :D
But I do use it to saw the logs to take to the mill. ;)
Afterall someone has to get the logs for all of you to saw.
Gordon
Delaware
Come on guys,
Tell us what you use. There must be plenty more sawyers out there in ForestryForum land.
Phil L.
Started out in 94 with a Wood-Mizer LT40G18. A couple of years ago we added a 96 Wood-Mizer LT40HDG35 Super. Sold the 96 Super a couple of weeks before Christmas and ordered a new Wood-Mizer LT40HDE25-RA. Then a little over a week ago we sold the 94 LT40G18.
We installed the new Super at the end of last week and just have 5 hours on it.
We saw grade hardwood - mostly red oak, farm lumber, shipping blocking, novelty blanks, survey stakes, and aromatic red cedar. We also do custom sawing and have a Blockbuster firewood processor.
Alright! 8) That's one more.
Keep 'em comin', guys.
Phil L.
Don't worry, Bibbyman,
We haven't forgotten the real secret to your success:
The Proverbs Woman, Mary. ;)
How does the verse go?
She considereth a woodlot and buyeth the timber thereon.
Makes so much money a sawin', makes other work seem ... just for fun. ;D
Phil L.
OK Phil, If you insist:
I have a custom mill that I built and it looks very much like any four post machine with an 18 hp vangard engine. It takes a 13'2" 11/4blade and will saw up to 36 diameter logs. It is on a trailer and will saw 9'6" logs. I plan to build an extension next year. Have all the material, just have not found the time.
Just finished painting it real Ford Red. It is so pretty. ;D
I whack logs part-time on weekends. Mostly Oak.
Thank goodness, Papa,
You didn't paint it you-know-who ORANGE! :D
Thanks,
Phil L.
A Wood Wizard, all manual, does a decent job. Mill mostly hardwood, main hobby.
Since I'm new hear I figure this is a good thread to introduce myself with. I bought my first mill in 1978 and milled in Washington, Alaska and Oregon. I have lived here in Hawaii for 10 years now and just bought a new Mobile Dimension. I saw hardwoods here for grade, Koa when I can get it and Mango and other woods when available. I saw a lot of big rough logs some only yielding 50% or less of gross scale. The wood is very valuable and getting the best grade is very important. Here are some pictures of the first log with this new mill. http:www.curlykoa.com/gallery
Steve
Hey Steve be sure to add your website address to your profile. I did some looking around and I wanted to post this link to a page on your site. It's a good one :)
http://www.curlykoa.com/maunakea/tippedtruck.html
We now have forum members from all 4 corners plus Alaska and Hawaii!
Steve, I hope you have some pictures you can share with us, you ought to be really able to challange us in the tree I.D. forum! Welcome and thanks for introducing yourself.
New at milling here in NH.Been researching for quite some time. Bought mag subscriptions and went to a show in Bangor Maine.
Ended the search with a Baker all manual. Having the time of
my life. Best way to get all the necessary exercise.
So far only sawwed pine. Built the building around it with
harvest from where the building is. Now making shingles to side my existing buildings.
Steve,
Awesome pics! I,ve never done that to a big truck :D, did it to a little truck full of molding right in front of the boss one time ::). Koa is beautiful stuff, i've only gotten my mitts on it a coupla times and I can see why its hard to keep, don't even have a sample anymore, everyone loves it on sight.
Great pictrues, Steve. Welcome to the Forum. It is sure nice to have another Mobile Dimension Mill owner "on board". I have two of them and I am located in Dallas, Oregon. ;)
Nice pictures of the truck. My wife thinks I resemble that sometimes with the loads I put on mine. :D Had he backed up the hill he would probably not had a problem. :D :D
Welcome to the world of sawing, Shinglemaker. It sure is a fun way to relax for me. Making the materials for the building you work from sure adds more of that stuff called satisfaction, and the shingles to boot. Glad to have you "aboard". ;)
Thank You Frank. I am new at this sawyer business, (actually
only a hobby) and got a lot to learn. I have about 30 squares of wood shingles to make (got about a quarter done) to cover
my existing buildings and then who knows what.
Looking forward to milling some oak.
Alright!
There have been some great posts while have been away!
I'm about to be out of touch again for three days. Keep 'em comin', sawyers!
Phil L.
QuoteNew at milling here in NH.Been researching for quite some time. Bought mag subscriptions and went to a show in Bangor Maine.
Ended the search with a Baker all manual. Having the time of
my life. Best way to get all the necessary exercise.
So far only sawwed pine. Built the building around it with
harvest from where the building is. Now making shingles to side my existing buildings.
Hi Shingle! I don't have a mill yet- that would probably be on the 3-5 year plan- but that show in Bangor- is it an annual thing? I'm down in Hollis- York Co., Maine. My sister lives in Winterport- not too far from Bangor. If you let me know the name of the show or whatever, it could help me catch up to some info. lw
L the north east show alternates between Bangor and Springfield Mass. this year it is in Sprigfield in early may.
Show is at Springfield, MA, May 3-4. Equipment displays are Friday May 3, 9 AM - 5 PM and Saturday, May 4, 9 AM - 4 PM The show has a website at http://nefpexpo.com
Yes, everyone's post is right Frank. I haven't been to the Springfield show before but going this May.
Great way to learn more just by watching and talking to others
I am new to this so every bit of new info helps.
Shinglemaker :)
hey there is a post on the other forum that says meet at the woodmizer exhibit tent at noon saturday. lets go there at noon and hold up signs like limo drivers. :D :D :D
J T here in Ky .Got me an old corley afew days ago. It is in at least a dozen parts. Have a 50'' blade with it. I know i can make it run someday.
Hay there, J-T. Welcome to the board board. We got a few ex-spurts here that can probably give you some guidance on that ol' Corley. Tell us more about it. Did you get the engine, carriage, etc with it?
Thanks Dan. Yes i have 3 headblock carrage 6cy ind. Ford motor,belt drive govonor. The carrage rail is mounted on full size railroad iron. I like to hear old circle mills run and always wanted one so I got me one more project. I also own a scrap yard so i have a good cutting torch and welder to start with.
Whoopee, another circ mill'r, we're gainin on 'em ;D
Welcome JT, When he drops in from having fun we got another Corley on the board, do you know the model and year on yours?
8) Another Corley! Mine's a 1948 Corley #5, 54' of track, 3 headblock 16' long, 46 3/4" wide carriage, headblocks open to 40", double acting setworks and is on the original wood. It's powered by a G403 Minneapolis Moline four cylinder gas engine. From what I've been told the easiest way to tell the different Corleys apart is by feed belt width. The #1 mill had 3" belts, the 395 had 4" belts, the 440 had 5" ones, the #5 has 6" ones and the big # 8 had 8" belts. I've talked to the people at Corley and they are very helpful. They were able to identify mine as being a 1948 #5. E-mail sales@corleymfg.com Phone #423 698 0284 They told me that some parts are still available for these old mills and to check with them if I needed anything. Have fun and keep us posted.
Thank all you for all the info. I neaded that phone number.My carrage feed has been changed to hydrolick(can't spell ) This carrage is wood at present gopher wood i think from Noah supply from it's looks. Thinking about building one out of steel and putting air cylinders on dogs I have a lot of problems with my joints in my old body.
All's I can say about air dogs is, you better have a DanG good air drying system if you're sawing in sub freezing weather, and then it can't be trusted. Used to have em on a Renco circle mill I ran in the early 80's. Farmers used to watch through the holes in the end of the pole barn as I sawed. They'd get some pretty funny looks on thier faces when I'd tell them how those holes got there.
It gets that cold i hope i can go to the house and open a qt of purple hull peas. Thanks I didn't thank about that. This is what I like about this site is every one passing on their experences saves me and others learning things the hard way Thanks again
My mill has Knight dogs. They work fairly easy as long as you give 'em a shot of fuel oil where they slide up and down. If you don't they get "sticky" and you don't realize they are working you harder until they are lubed again. I wouldn't use anything heavier than fuel oil. It would collect dust and gum up and in cold weather they'd really be stiff.
I use 1/2 motor oil 15/40 cause we have it, and 1/2 tractor transmission oil (The hi grade hydrolic) as my lube concoction. Just a shot on each slide each morning and noon. I also use it on my log turner and vertical edger shaft. A gallon will last me about a week, unless I am cutting dusty hardwoods, then it is about twice that.
Grandpa showed me the fuel oil trick. It was what he always used. He kept a gear lube bottle full of it on the husk along with a canthook, broom, belt dressing and a dirt scaper. The bottle is great for squirting it where it's needed. Also use it on the edger shaft so the saws slide easier and on the knees. He'd also give the head saw a shot on ocassion. Don't stand in line with the saw when doing this I speak from experience ;D
Just in case anyone is interested in a old sawmill I found this on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1511382066
I bought a used 1986 WM three years ago cut mostley pine and oak. Last year bought a National Crane to puckup and move the logs around.
Welcome Woodman! Some how you slipped by me, I saw your second post on another thread and went looking for the first. Glad to have you as part of the forestry forum. Where are you from?
Since we've got interest again in who's running what brand of mill, I'll just post on this thread and bring it back to top also.
Anybody keeping count? ::)
P.S. Update. We've been running our 2002 LT40HDE25-RA for a little over 2 years now. Sawed out a cuple houndred thousand bf on it and it's still sawing great.
Count me in with the circle saw guys. We run a Frick 01 handset mill, right hand. It's all steel with a 20' , 5 headblock carriage, tapers and dogs on all the headblocks. It was originally built in 1961, and rebuilt top to bottom in 1997. We run it off a 471 Detroit, yes it leaks, but not too bad. Have a 54" saw and a 50" saw for it. The 50" Atkins was bought brand new around 1950 for $125.00, which was alot of money back then.
1995 Timberharvester 30 HT with some modifications. I saw hardwoods in western PA. Cherry, RO, WO,Maple, Sycmore what ever the customer wants.I'll saw softwood for special orders.
Custom built stationary vertical band (1.5 wide). It works like a circle mill the log rides on a carriage and the band stays put.
Have bought and sold 3 circle mills without even setting them up in the past 2 years.
It is time to get one set it up and sell the band.
I cut mostly red and white oak, cheery, white pine, and hemlock.
It mostly goes to 4/4 lumber, ties and blocking for the hard wood.
framing and sheeting lumber for the soft wood
Woody
Lucas 618 here, portable milling in Chelan Co. WA. Will mill most any kind of logs, especially free ones. Tommorrow it's Cottonwood, found a buyer for 500bdft 8). BWW
Peterson 8" WPF powered by a Stihl 090. Noisey, but it makes the sawdust fly :)
Picking on the free logs that would otherwise rot or be cut up for firewood.
Have trailer, will travel 8)
Ian
066 with 24" Alaskan, E. Tenn., mostly syp killed by the bark beetles. Just cuttin' stuff for my own projects.
Tom, how's come you gave your offbearer's picture to Jeff to use for an atvar? ::)
smwwoody,
Your name should be "Sawmilltrader"
:)
Late to the party, but I'll play (mixed metaphor, eh?).
Woodmizer LT30G14, 1984. Also Stihl MS390 and 025. Saw a lot of white pine lately, plus native hardwoods, mostly white ash, cherry, basswood; plus whatever I can scrounge or beg for from local tree guys and excavators
Want to upgrade to a new LT40 Hydraulic.
At the first of the year I drug home an lt40hdd42 super. since then I have been sawing black walnut, english walnut, water oak. I will be getting some cottonwood in the near future. I have a 72 gmc boom truck and big trailor to drag home these beauties. Kiln next year or sooner LCR
8)
2003 LT15 with a fue modifications walnut,cherry ,pine
Had my LT40 for 2 months now. Milling mostly Fir, did some Redwood the other day, smells good and cuts like butter. So far just cutting my own trees for my own projects.
I see people posting the number of board feet in lumber for what they cut last year or how many board feet they have cut total etc... How are you recording this? Writing it down at the end of each day? Is it important to keep a running total?
I am recording my bf. &, time by the job on the calender book 8)
I've got a "Breezewood" band mill bought new in 94 ?. 18 Ft. X 30 " / with a Kubota Diesel on it. I cut part time when ever I have a chance to. Cut Cherry, Oak, Poplar, Ash & telephone poles. I've been thinking about going full time. Up to now it has only been "word of mouth" advertising.