Considering a Thomas or EZ boardwalk Sawmill

[Verticaltrx]

Just another thought, if you have a 10K budget you could get a Woodmizer LT15 (28" cap.) for around $7K, or an LT15 Wide (36" cap.) for just under $10K. From what I've heard the Thomas and EZ Boardwalk are good mills, but I can also say you absolutely wouldn't be disappointed with a Woodmizer. Norwood also has several mills that fits your needs and budget.

[DDobbs]

I just sold my EZ Boardwalk Jr.
I was going to move up to a hydraulic mill.
But since have changed my mind.
I am going to go get a EZ Boardwalk 40
They are so well built and easy to use.
I never had any problems what so ever with my Jr.
I just wanted to be able to mill bigger slabs.
I mostly mill Osage / Hedge , Maple and Walnut.
Stanton and Ed at EZ Boardwalk are great to talk with. Give them a call.
  Welcome to FF

[yukon cornelius]

i mill almost daily with my ez jr. I have had it for 3 years and not a single problem with the mill. I have a 10 ft. extension and the siding/shingle attachment.  very easy to use and install. they were also very great to deal with. I would buy again.

[47sawdust]

Either mill will serve you well.For me ,hands on experience,would be really important.Also, the fact that a dealer was just down the road would give me piece of mind.
You probably know this,but there is a WM dealer in Chesterville,Me.,they might have something that would fit your budget.
Best of luck,
Mick

[Downstream]

I just bought an EZ Boardwalk Jr last week so thought I would add comments on my decision.   First of all I had hard cash limit of about $4500 for a bandsaw mill.  Had been looking daily on craigslist and other mill exchange sites for over 6 months looking for used EZ, Woodmizer, TimberKing, and Norwood with no luck. Narrowed down to Woodmizer LT10 and EZ Jr.  Went with EZ for because it had the following features i really felt made it the best value for me.  First of all 13hp honda or 14hp subaru for engine.  Ive heard it a million times on the forums hp is king on bandsaw mill.  Second, hand crank height adjust for ease and better repeatability of thickness.  Third log size and width of cut.  I make mostly live edge furniture so wanted as much cut width as I could afford at my price point.  Many other things such as welded c-channel rails, 4-post structural tube frame, 2 clamps come std, auto lube on/off valve, adjustable band guide, fully assembled at the factory, etc put me over the edge.  Can't comment on the Thomas because it was never really on the list for me.  Not because I did not like it,but just because it was not as talked about during my research.  Just to give you and idea of how rugged the construction on the EZ is they picked up the entire mill including rails as one piece and placed it on my trailer at the shop using a welded lift lug that is placed to balance the unit and the yard truck.  took about a minute.  unfortunately unloading at home was not quite as easy because i do not have lifting machine, but it still pretty easy. 

[Kbeitz]

I bet you just cant wait to get started....

[etroup10]

I can't say anything about Thomas since I have never seen one. But I do own an EZ 40. I like it a lot! If I remember correctly shipping to me in Pennsylvania was around $450-500. The mill is really well thought out and is simple. Most of the parts would be pretty easy to get. It's nice having the throttle, blade engage and lube all turn on when pulling the lever. The angled cut is nice and the mill includes a moveable bunk for cutting short logs. Probably the only thing I don't like on the mills is the dogs. They can be finicky at times to get just right. I can't help you with the siding attachment. I don't have a track extension but I wish I did. It would make cutting 16' logs a lot nicer. I'm sure Thomas makes a good mill too so you'll probably be fine with either choice! Sounds like you'll be having fun soon!

[thecfarm]

If I could find all the options with another mill that I mentioned in reply #13,Than I MIGHT just give another brand a look see. Also the thinkness of the metal that is used too.
I forgot about the dogs. I have never had trouble with them,as long as I use them right. It's hard to explain,but when you go to Brooks you will see the simple design.

[Downstream]

Fortunately I had a few days off last week so I was able to level the mill and rolled a couple of small logs up to try it out.  Milled one 4x8x8 beam and some 4/4 boards  and 8/4 slabs.  What a difference vs my chainsaw mill and everything was flat/smooth.    I tested the 15 degree angle cut theory and was actually able to push it through a 14" log with one finger.  I also have set the mill up with an ever so slight downhill slope which is a trick that most chainsaw mill owners learn quickly.   Hope to mill again tomorrow.

[Jimpa]

Judging by the number of satisfied users of both mills I guess my decision will come down to features that best suit the milling I will be doing. The lap siding attachment will be a big deal because I will need to mill approximately 12000 lin. feet of siding out of pine.  I thank all of you who have contributed to this discussion your input is greatly valued.

[Bullett442]

Jimpa, which mill did you end up with?  I am looking at both of the same mills right now and wondered how you made out with your decision.  Thanks!

[Magicman]

EZ BOARDWALK is a Forestry Forum Sponsor.  LINK  Thomas is not a sponsor.

You may very well also need a peavey or canthook. LINK
LOGRITE is also a sponsor.

And, Welcome to the Forestry Forum.  Finish filling out your Profile so that we will know and remember. 

[Gere Flewelling]

Jimpa, I have been to Brooks to check out the Thomas operation.  It was a summer day and we were in the area on vacation.  I called ahead and drove over there in the late morning in the middle of the week.  Jon dropped everything and came out and demo'd a mill he had set up and even allowed me to operate it.  Showed me around the facility and gave me a good sales pitch.  Had I not committed to purchasing another brand, I likely would have purchased a mill from Thomas.  I remember him showing me the lap siding set up on the mill I operated.  Very simple and it is always installed on the machine and there is nothing to add or adjust when you want to start making siding or stop making siding.  There new version of mills have it included as a standard feature.  If you go to check them out, I think you will be impressed.  If you think of it, suggest they consider or reconsider becoming a sponsor on FF.  I think discussions of their mills would occur a little more often that way.  Good Luck! GF

[Bruno of NH]

I had mentioned it to Jon about becoming a sponsor of the FF.
I think he would sell alot more mills and edgers.
But no luck.