Sawmill suggestions

KWood255 · November 11, 2015, 08:59:51 AM

Good day. I am interested in buying a new sawmill for hobby use. I have not been around many mills and I am looking for suggestions or pro's and con's on different units. We have a Woodmizer dealer nearby, and I like the LT35 model. Can anyone provide their experience on the LT35? Thanks.

Kingmt · November 11, 2015, 10:42:00 AM

It seems that it would depend on what kind of logs you have to saw. 8" logs vs 40" would make a big difference in suggestions.

Ox · November 11, 2015, 10:54:02 AM

Welcome to the forum! Woodmizer has a large and loyal following all around the world. I personally don't own one but have heard about them and seen them run. They are among the best available. Customer support is second to none. Someone will be along shortly who will be able to provide better words than I can. Any of the mill manufacturers to the left here would be a good choice. If they are a sponsor here, you can bet folding money that they are a good company.

Kingmt · November 11, 2015, 11:11:44 AM

I can't speak about their mills but I will say I've enjoyed my dealings with Left Coast Supply.

SawyerBrown · November 11, 2015, 11:27:45 AM

Good morning, KWood255!

I've got a 2012 LT35HD, and absolutely love it! Virtually no problems (other than the ones I've created! :D ) and the thing runs like a champ. The debarker was not well thought out, in my opinion ... I've modified mine slightly to help, but in the meantime I've heard that WM has changed the design anyway. Other than that, I love everything about the design. And I agree with Ox, customer support is second to none.

Kingmt has a good point, though. The only time I've regretted not going to a 40 was when I've been asked to do some 32"+ logs. The 40 can do another 4" over my 35. So if you're going to do a lot of logs bigger than 32", you might want to look at other alternatives. Or, just resign yourself to the fact that you'll have to do some chainsawing to make it work.

I give the LT35 two thumbs up. Good luck to ya!

WV Sawmiller · November 11, 2015, 05:51:21 PM

Kwood,

Welcome to FF. Please update your profile to show us more detail especially your home area and equipment.

I have an LT35HD I got in January with 147 hours on it and around 19K bf. Cut 862 bf of red oak today. Have a couple weeks backlog and more queries coming in every day or so.

I am very happy with my mill. It is very straight forward to operate and I've gotten very good customer support from all branches of WM.

KWood255 · November 11, 2015, 10:14:37 PM

Thanks a lot for the replies. Regarding the wood here, we will mostly be sawing softwood such as jack pine, red pine, white spruce and cedar and poplar. The only real hardwood we have is black ash.

Our white spruce are the largest trees in the area. A huge one might go 30" across the stump.

We would like the option to cut 16-18' long boards in the future. The idea for the mill is for a hobby and not employment.

Thanks again for the tips.

Stuart Caruk · November 12, 2015, 07:27:03 PM

I have an LT35 hyd and love it. The choice for the budget was a manual LT40 of the smaller capacity LT35 Hyd. Having run it for a while now, I'd say the hydraulics definitely is the way to go. Unless you are milling tiny logs the hydraulic handling tools are essential.

The log clamp is probably my favorite tool of the bunch. It clamps logs, flips can't both ways without scarring the log, and helps to load and unload logs and beams from the table.

Biggest log I've fit on it is just over 44" x around 28". It took a bit of whittling and turning but It was a simple enough process. By hand it would have been impossible.

The biggest drawback to me is sawing clear of heart beams. About the biggest you can get before the throat gets in the way is 9" x 20". For straight logs under 28" or so, this machine rocks.

To be fair, it does take a bit of creativity on larger logs. You need to stick the guide arms way down so the log parks about 4" or so past the normal clamping area, while still allowing room for the head to travel down the rails. THe weight of the log supported by the clamp and sometimes the log turner helps to get the first cut in. Once you have a flat side you can slide the log back as far as you want it and saw it without the clamps. The weight of the log holds it in place. By the time you get down to where the log is lighter, it fits back inside the clamps anyway.

Have fun.

WV Sawmiller · November 12, 2015, 07:55:06 PM

KWood,

Longest I have cut has been 20'6" so 18-19 foot logs should be no problem. As mentioned you may have to whittle down huge logs to fit but that is not difficult either. From the description of what you are planning to cut you should have no problem with an LT 35HD. I got the 25 hp gas motor but if I were doing it over I might would have paid the extra for the diesel.

I did my 150 hour service on my mill today and it is very straight forward even to a non-mechanic like me. One issue I have had was has been intermittent power to my hydraulics and called WM Indiana today and the electrical tech who picked up (I did not hear his name because of background noise) told me which 2 nuts to loosen and which contactor to move 1/16" and it fixed my whole issue in under 5 minutes. They are great with customer support.

Good luck and keep us informed.