Beginner sawmill?

[gman98]

Hello guys.  I've been tossing around the idea of getting myself a small sawmill to play around with and possibly try to make some money on the side with.  I'm mostly looking to saw softwood.  I'd like a mill with the ability to saw shingles as well.  I was wondering what you guys would recommend for a good beginner mill that won't break the bank?

Thanks

[WDH]

Woodmizer LT15

[dgdrls]

Hi gman98,


I guess you could saw a wide cant  and make shingles on most any band mill.
I believe a few of the sponsors to the left on the page make a purpose built shiplap and shingle tool.

I suggest you test drive a bunch of mills before you decide.
FWIW you'll want as big a mill as you can fit into the budget ;)


D

[sawmilljoe]

Any of the Woodland Mills  will serve you well

[YellowHammer]

 I vote for LT15.  It's a workhorse.

[Southside]

Good advice for sure, but another way to look at it is like removing a bandage, it's always more painful to do the slow pick and pull, just get it over with and order an LT Super 70 Wide.  :D

[thecfarm]

Thomas Bandsaw in Brooks Maine. They have changed some. Some for the better,some not. I like the moveable bunks on mine. I can can cut a stove wood piece of wood.When Jon brought the mill to me back in 2007,we levered it. Have not levered it again. Been some good size logs that got turned and banged down on that bed too.But all this does add to the cost too. Only trouble I had was a guide bearing.
I saw them just tilt the head to make clap boards at a show. Use to have to saw cants,than buy a clapboard jig and put the cants back on. Tilting the head allows less handling. Saw the cant than tilt the head to make clapboards.

[SawyerTed]

Good advice for sure, but another way to look at it is like removing a bandage, it's always more painful to do the slow pick and pull, just get it over with and order an LT Super 70 Wide.  :D

!  My beginner mill was a chainsaw mill.  My beginner band sawmill is an LT35.

[rjwoelk]

Lt15 was my choice.

[Magicman]

Timbery is owned by Wood-Mizer is is another entry level sawmill choice:  Timbery Portable Sawmills

[pwrwagontom]

I've found the newer production Wood-mizer LT10 to need a few minor modifications as I've learned, however it was built extremely well, customer service was excellent, and I have sawed a hell of a lot of lumber on it in the last two years.

This being said, if I had to do it all over again?  I would order an LT15...if $$$$ is the main issue, buy the new LT15 START.  You can add all the other LT15 extensions, and accessories to it as you get more experienced, and want to do more.  Trust me this is going to happen!!!