Woodlands HM126 VS Wood-Miser LX50Super

[TriumphTriple]

Hello All. Looking to get my first mill. I was fairly set on getting a HM126 but saw the LX50Super and wondering if it worth the extra money. The HM126 is $3700 plus $200 shipping. The LX50Super is $4300 with free shipping. So not a huge price difference but the LX50super is more. Not knowing what I am getting into, what would be the better option?  The specs look to be the similar but look like the LX50super has the edge, but is it worth it. I am just doing hobby milling for use on my property. Almost all my wood is Oak, Maple, Hickory and ash. Mostly using the wood for structural purposes, bridges, animal shelters, storage buildings, fencing ect...

They have the same motor- 14hp Kohler
They have the same max log diameter at 26"
HM126 stock length of cut is 10'5" vs the LX50Super has more at 12'5". Not sure if I would get an extension. 16ft would be the most I would ever want to do.
I read something about the blades wheels and the HM126 has 19" and LX50Super has 16". I think it was bigger is better.
HM126 has a larger blade lubrication tank, more than double.

The LX50super bed frame looks bigger and more heavy duty.

Any thoughts?

[Gere Flewelling]

TriumphTriple- I believe it is a relatively common theory that band wheels smaller than 19" tend to be a little more prone to breaking bands as there is more flexing taking place in the band when sawing.  I have heard from one of my sharpening customers that The HM-126 has had some issues with the bearings in the idle side band wheel bearings. The issues I have been told about seem to originate in the wheel- bearing fit. Most noticeable when trying to adjust the tracking of the band under tension.  I am hoping Woodland Mills has addressed the issue on their mills as they certainly are a very popular in the sawmill world.  They are a very nice looking mill with their shiny aluminum water tank and green paint. Those things catch my eye at first glance.  WoodMizer is also a very popular name and other than the band wheel size, they are also likely as good a mill as you will find. Good luck with your decision.

[Magicman]

If you ever upgrade, think about the resale value.

[thecfarm]

Have not used either mill, but welcome to the forum.
Extension??
You got the money for it? Get it!!!
I have a manual mill that will cut a 20 foot log. I got it longer just in case. 
I had no idea how much easier it is to put a 16 foot log on a 20 foot bed. No need to put the log on just right. I have four feet instead of inches. 
With a manual mill it's very very hard to move the log a few inches when it's on the bed in the wrong place.
Also allows me to get the head out of the way too.
Get a Logrite cantdog or peavey. Sponsor on the bottom of the page. Nice people, made in the USA!!!

[Wlmedley]

I have the Woodland HM126 and am quite satisfied with it but I'd say either one would do a good job. I also recommend getting extension because it makes it a lot easier to get a log on mill without worrying about hitting head.

[SawyerTed]

As far as sawing logs into lumber, both are capable mills, I'm sure.   

I'm more inclined to look at the heavier bed/frame as more important than wheel diameter on a hobby mill if other things are equal.   Blades will be thinner and more flexible  - .042" or .045" - on those mills.

Support and parts supply for the Woodmizer will be very good.  Not saying the other mill won't have comparable support, I just know Woodmizer's level of support. 

[ladylake]

 What kind of guides do both have, I'd want roller guides if possible.  16" are too small.  Steve

[Nebraska]

Ez Boardwalk,   take a look. 

[Tony Sawmill]

I can't speak to the woodmizer but I had my woodland mills 126 for about the past year that I just sold last week.  As far as resale...my phone blew up with messages when I posted it on marketplace.  Sold it to the first guy that looked at it for basically what I paid for it new.  Woodland Mills has a huge following and they are extremely beginner friendly with strong support so if you buy either one you should have no issue selling I wouldn't think.
As noted above, I'd definitely get the rail extension for either.  Even if you aren't milling longer logs, it makes it a lot easier to load logs on it.
I'd also give the Woodland Mills 130 Maxx with electric start engine a hard look.  It's a lot of saw for the money.  I'd be very happy with that saw as a hobby mill.

[TriumphTriple]

Ez Boardwalk,  take a look.

Thats out of my price range. Thanks though.

[SawyerTed]

Just throwing this out as an idea for discussion, $4,000 will buy a sawmill.  From there it's blades, fuel, maintenance, repairs and supporting tools and equipment.  I imagine short of buying a tractor or skid steer, an additional $1,000 to $1,500 for cant hooks, blades and miscellaneous other stuff is needed to get to sawing.  

For that $4,000, you could hire a sawyer and portable mill.  For simple math let's say that sawyer can produce 300 board feet per hour of lumber at $125 per hour.  That's 32 hours of sawing.  32 x 300 = 9,600 board feet of lumber.  For an idea, that's 1,800 2x4x8 or 1x8x8.

If a budget is tight, it might be easier to hire a sawyer several times to get the lumber you need/want.  

All that means nothing if you have a sawdust addiction and can't get a sawmill out of your mind.  It took me 8 or 10 years of trying NOT to buy a mill until I did. I'm a lost cause now..

[Magicman]

And then I grew weary hauling logs to a sawyer and told PatD that I was gonna buy a sawmill.  She gave me the wide eyed; With what? Why? You have never run a sawmill in your life? Who are you gonna saw for? How are you gonna pay for it? Are you crazy? 

In less than a month I had found my used sawmill and have been full speed ahead for over 22 years. 

[jpassardi]

Both mills would serve you well. The roller guides and more ridged bed of the LX50 would be the deciding factor for me - a couple hundred bucks would be money well spent in my opinion.
Good luck.

[TriumphTriple]

Just throwing this out as an idea for discussion, $4,000 will buy a sawmill.  From there it's blades, fuel, maintenance, repairs and supporting tools and equipment.  I imagine short of buying a tractor or skid steer, an additional $1,000 to $1,500 for cant hooks, blades and miscellaneous other stuff is needed to get to sawing. 

For that $4,000, you could hire a sawyer and portable mill.  For simple math let's say that sawyer can produce 300 board feet per hour of lumber at $125 per hour.  That's 32 hours of sawing.  32 x 300 = 9,600 board feet of lumber.  For an idea, that's 1,800 2x4x8 or 1x8x8.

If a budget is tight, it might be easier to hire a sawyer several times to get the lumber you need/want. 

All that means nothing if you have a sawdust addiction and can't get a sawmill out of your mind.  It took me 8 or 10 years of trying NOT to buy a mill until I did. I'm a lost cause now..

I considered hiring but I like to do things on my schedule and do as little or as much as I want. Luckily, I have a tractor with pallet forks already. I already have a woodmizer cant for my firewood production. This is my forever home so I see tools like this as an investment. I likely will only use the mill 3-5 times a year but that adds up over a lifetime. I also want to instill working the land and hard work to my young kids. They help me clean the woods, firewood, chip wood, use the tractor/sxs, help with animals, veggie garden, maple syrup, metal working, ect... They are excited to build a treehouse with the wood they help make.

[TriumphTriple]

Both mills would serve you well. The roller guides and more ridged bed of the LX50 would be the deciding factor for me - a couple hundred bucks would be money well spent in my opinion.
Good luck.

I agree, it looks like I am going with the LX50super. No I have to figure out the time frame. 6 week turn around time works in my favor.

[Magicman]

If you are concerned about the 16" bandwheels, just drop back to the .035 or .042 Silvertip or Doublehards and you should be OK.  It looks like the 135" blades are only offered in 9° & 10° but that should not be an issue.  I sawed my first million bf using nothing but 10° blades.

I wish you the best but always remember, we all love to spend someone else's $$. 

[SawyerTed]

@TriumphTriple it would appear you have the same problem the rest of us have...a need to make sawdust.  

You'll enjoy sawmilling.  It is the hardest work fun you'll ever have!

[jpassardi]

I couldn't have said it better Ted. 

[Ianab]

I considered hiring but I like to do things on my schedule and do as little or as much as I want. Luckily, I have a tractor with pallet forks already. I already have a woodmizer cant for my firewood production. This is my forever home so I see tools like this as an investment. I likely will only use the mill 3-5 times a year but that adds up over a lifetime. I also want to instill working the land and hard work to my young kids. They help me clean the woods, firewood, chip wood, use the tractor/sxs, help with animals, veggie garden, maple syrup, metal working, ect... They are excited to build a treehouse with the wood they help make.

That's a good enough reason to buy a small sawmill. Realistically it's "hobby" levels of investment. No one would think twice if you spent that amount money on a jetski / boat / snowmobile etc. My friend's boat is worth about 3X what my sawmill is, but I tease him that I've cut more boards than he's caught fish. 

If you have trees, the other basic tools, and the use for various boards... No reason NOT to buy a small sawmill. 

[TriumphTriple]

If you are concerned about the 16" bandwheels, just drop back to the .035 or .042 Silvertip or Doublehards and you should be OK.  It looks like the 135" blades are only offered in 9° & 10° but that should not be an issue.  I sawed my first million bf using nothing but 10° blades.

I wish you the best but always remember, we all love to spend someone else's $$. 

I found some 4 and 7 degree blades that I ordered. It seems like what I am milling it would be the best choice.

[Magicman]

Sounds like you have it under control. 

[Ljohnsaw]

Can you get a larger engine? I have an 18hp twin on my mill. Wish I had 24.

[SawyerTed]

It's a slippery slope,  I had a 25hp and wanted a 35 hp.  Now I wonder what 55hp would be like. 

Realistically it's best to get the most hp you can afford.  Nobody ever said this sawmill has too much hp...

[jpassardi]

Yeah, I'm currently upgrading from 15 to 25 hp.

[Magicman]

In November I had to go from a 40hp Turbo Diesel to the same engine, non-turbo.  The difference is quite noticeable.

I do not want less hp.