Hello I'm new here I'm having a tuff time deciding on what mill to purchase I have it somewhat narrowed down between the woodland mills hm-126, Norwood's frontier os27, and WoodMaxx sm-26. Iam wondering if anyone here has any of these mills and what they think of them. Watched numerous videos of the hm 126 and they look like a solid mill. Haven't found very many on the frontier or the WoodMaxx but they both look like a good mill. I like features on all of them. I don't know which one to buy
I have a hm126 & am sorry to say I regret buying it. I have had it for 2 years & have had nothing but problems since day 1. Save yourself the stress & spend a little extra money now & get a better mill. It could actually save you money in the long run. If not you may end up like me & spending time & money fixing something that may never work as it should. I'm not familiar with the other mills, but the woodmizer lt10 is only a $1000 more than the 126 & is a much better mill. My neighbor has 1 & has no problems in the couple of years he has had it. I'm selling my 126 to get a woodmizer. Hope this helps.
Something to think about. if the woodmizer indeed is only a thousand bucks more, 2,3 or 5 years down the road when you decide to upgrade, move on, whatever be the case, that grand may be the best bucks you have ever spent.
I've got an HM130 and I couldn't be happier. The Woodmizer was an option too, but I didn't want to wait a month for delivery. Southwood's experience with Woodland Mills isn't typical compared to most HM126 owners that post on the forum. But if you're concerned about having a mill that will work out of the gate then the Woodmizer might be the better option if you don't mind the premium for the Woodmizer brand of support.
If I was to get a wood mizer it would have to be the lt 15 and that starts out at 7 grand which I don't have that much to spend on a mill. Does anyone here have the frontier os-27?
I have a 126 for almost three years. Very little to no trouble with it at all. It is a good buy. I saw just for myself and it has never let me down. Is it a production mill? I would say not really due to being a manual mill. Would I buy another knowing what I know now? Yes.
I sawed enough lumber to build a guest house that I am still working on. Also built a new shop/mill shack that is 16'x 36'. For the amount of lumber I sawed, it has paid for itself. ;D
Woodland does have a good support team too.
I have had my hm126 for 3 years and have had no issues with it. They are a well built mill that performs very well . I have had 4 of my friends buy them and all are very happy with them.
Can't comment on either mill other than the Norwood Frontier is fairly recently released offering from Norwood. Probably why you aren't finding as much on it. Norwood itself has been around a while though. This model is a smaller offering compared to their larger mills.
There are quite a few people that like Woodland Mills and Norwood.
The os27 is made in China.
I have the HM130--- no problems, and mills everything I set on it, and I don't do many small logs. Ran the LT10 and the HM130 gets more points from me-------and I didn't pay more for the orange paint and fancy name.
Go lay your eyes and hands on the machines you want to compare. Go to the farm/machinery shows, dealers location or find owners near you and get a demo. Purchases like a sawmill deserve the time and effort no matter what your budget.
I just went through the purchase process. My fear was that I would buy an economy model and find it lacked capacity, durability or production rate. Then I would lose interest. That would be bad.
I bought my HM126 4 years agao I've had little to no problems with it just small things that ware out over time.
Idont knoe how much lumber i have cut with it at least 5 semi loads of logs just wish spring would get here its tough looking at the mill when its this cold out and not being able to run it
Dirtymaxx what part of Mn you from? if you are not to far from me when it warms up some your more than welcome to come over and try out my HM 126
I had a HM126 also and didn't have any trouble with it, if I did have trouble there support team was excellent to work with and send out parts for no charge. I used it for 1 1/2 years, cut a lot of lumber then decided to buy a hydraulic Woodmizer. When I sold my Woodlands 126 I got all my money back out of it. I had built a trailer for it so I did not get anything for my time or labor building the trailer but got my money that I had into the mill and material for trailer back. I would not be afraid to buy another one for they are a great mill for the money.
X2 what Deere80 said, I bought my HM126 used, and sold It again for what I paid for it. Very simple, easy to operate beginner mill. No matter which mill you buy, get lots of sharp blades, keep them tight, and keep your track straight and your in business. Good luck!
@goose63 I'm about 4 hours away from Hankinson I sometimes make a run to Dakota magic casino to buy some chew cause it's ridiculously high here in mn.
What's better the guide block that woodland and the WoodMaxx has the adjustable one like on the hm 130 or a roller guide like the frontier has but not adjustable . Yes iam well aware they're all made in China I believe.
I'm really just looking for a mill that will cut a few trees I bought a 250 acre farm last year and 80 of it is open 150 acres of trees. I have a few projects planned fixing the barn up building a tree fort and I have the help to do so I have 6 boys. The boys are really excited to start milling if I can ever make up my mind on what mill to get
Hay I'm 9 milest west of the casino will send you a pm with my cell
You might also check out EZ Boardwalk. I have the Jr model which is comparable size-wise to what you are looking at and more than comparable price wise. The best thing that I like about their mills is they are made with real steel! I don't think they do any bragging about what gauge steel they use, they measure metal in inches. Any replacement parts can be found at your local parts house. It shows up to you already assembled. Made in USA and darned good folks to do business with.
If you can weld, talk with them on giving you a break on price if you supply your own tracks. Maybe they still do this and you can save yourself a good bit of money.
X2 on Eazyboardwalk
Honda powered and better built frame
To over looked in my book
I like that part about made in the USA, myself.
Bruno and me have a USA built one too. Thomas Bandsaw Mills. Built with real steel,I like that. That's how Thomas is built too. I almost think I could pick up a cornor of my mill,shake it around and set it back down and it would still saw straight lumber.
I have never heard anything but good concerning how robust the Thomas mills are built and mills and robust SHOULD go hand in hand. I am not in the market, but do they build a small entry level manual mill comparable to what the op is looking at, and how comparable are they price wise.
I have a hard time even contemplating an import when a comparable product is built here.
Quote from: Dirtymaxx on January 31, 2018, 02:40:01 AM
If I was to get a wood mizer it would have to be the lt 15 and that starts out at 7 grand which I don't have that much to spend on a mill. Does anyone here have the frontier os-27?
I have no experience with the mills you list however, did you look at the WM LT10?
Dandy hobby mill with WM support. Have you considered a used mill?
Before you buy if at all possible test drive first!!
D
I think they start at $4700.
The double frame on the Thomas is built like a tank with real steel
There is a small mill made in Canada with a few options gas or electric. With the dollar exchange it might be cheaper. Here's a link.
http://www.smgchampion.com/en/Company.shtml
ez boardwalk jr was the way to go for me. blows away lt10 specs at the entry level price point. In fact it is much closer to lt15 specs/performance than it's price would suggest. If I had more budget at the time probably would have gone for woodmizer brand but only had so much money to spend so went with the jr. It has over performed from day one. Simple, sturdy, and paid for itself in less than a year. I can pick the whole unit up with my pallet jack and move around my paved driveway by hand. Full width of cut(important for us that do live edge work) bigger than most if not all units in this price point. Also great people do deal with on purchase/pick-up. I drove over there day after christmas and was trained/loaded/on the road home quickly. Sawed my first log at home later that day and havent stopped yet.
The Thomas mills looks like a really good solid mill. I emailed them they said they were redesigning the 2411 model and there would be a slight price change and they would be ready in 2 months looks like I will be waiting to check that mill out I have time any way since I won't be cutting in this -30 below weather brrrr.
I also had the Woodland mill a few years ago. I added the trailer and made a log turner. Had a few issues at first. No vent on gas cap;clutch burn out fast. Tough on belts. They were great and sent replacement parts. Ok for a basic entry level but I out grew it fast. I by chance came across an older Enercraft 30 HTL. No comparison. Was able to easily sell the Woodland mill. I needed the hydraulics for the amount I now mill. If I had to do it again I would also try and test machines that your interested in.
I have the Woodmaxx . Very well thought out mill and great value . Sure there are mills with more frills , but at a higher cost . I went right to the home of this company where they make this saw . Very nice people and very nice buildings and organized and neat . By the way , this manufacturer is located right in upstate NY , home of the infamous Adolf Cuomo .
Quote from: SawyerTed on January 31, 2018, 09:13:54 AM
Go lay your eyes and hands on the machines you want to compare. Go to the farm/machinery shows, dealers location or find owners near you and get a demo. Purchases like a sawmill deserve the time and effort no matter what your budget.
I just went through the purchase process. My fear was that I would buy an economy model and find it lacked capacity, durability or production rate. Then I would lose interest. That would be bad.
I couldn't agree more. There are many entry level manual mills doing nothing rusting due to the work Involved with running them. I am 60 years old and not as tough as I once was but was bent upon an entry level band mill. But after watching all types work at a logging show I changed my entire outlook and ended up with a JR Peterson swing mill. It's a LOT less work than a manual band mill (and more money) but lots less money than a hydraulic band mill. Travelling to a show is well worth the time and effort, you will see minuses that are never shown on YouTube or factory promo materials.
Another Canadian mill and with the American dollar worth about $1.30 Canadian , it could be a good buy. Thae have a few different models.
http://www.portablebandsawmills.ca/
I have a Peterson WPF model very good mill.
dirtymaxx, if you are near duluth mn i have a ez boardwalk jr you can check out. once the snow and cold go i'll wake her up. so it would be in april. jg
Recently found smg champion from quebec. If you live in thay area may be worth looking into. Have messaged some owners who are extremely pleased with their purchase. Also good value for the money.
Quote from: Dirtymaxx on January 31, 2018, 02:40:01 AM
If I was to get a wood mizer it would have to be the lt 15 and that starts out at 7 grand which I don't have that much to spend on a mill. Does anyone here have the frontier os-27?
I got a new LT15 on Black Friday deal, with extra blades ,gloves, canthook for around $5500.
With a little luck, you will get 5495 back for it in 5 or more years too.
If the idea of an imported mill doesn't appeal to you, Norwood has some small mills made with U.S. & Canadian components. Yes, some assembly is required, but it isn't too hard, if you follow the instructions. The MN26 and larger LM29 might be worth looking at, and you'll find a lot of info on those.
I'm another very satisfied Woodland Mills HM126 owner. It is extremely well built and easy to use. A great value for the price.
Quote from: starmac on February 08, 2018, 09:26:27 PM
With a little luck, you will get 5495 back for it in 5 or more years too.
Starmac - why do you think he will take that big of a loss on it? :D
You got 250 acres? Put up a hand set circle mill used. Put it on concrete and have a new mandrel made. get a roof over it and your set for life.