84 miles to saw 2 logs.

DR Buck · February 18, 2012, 07:13:26 AM

This morning I'm off do do one of those jobs that don't even come close to my mini mun charge for going portable. It's 42 miles each way. I will have more driving time that sawing time. There is somewhere between 250 and 280 board feet total. I told the customer if he brought the logs to me it would be much cheaper. His response was "I would rather you come here". :

Cha-Ching $$$ $$$

I should be home by noon. ;D

Meadows Miller · February 18, 2012, 07:45:21 AM

Gday

One A them jobs ;) Well Im in two minds Myself atm as to either buy a block and go a Static with a Circular mill and get a semi with a trailer mount crane (couple off loaders) and just haul everything back to the mill or be portable and drag myself alover with a portable as when you get big n small jobs you just do a run out n mark the logs load up n come home saw it athen drop it back off when your heading out for another load decisions decisions but I think Im leaning towards having a nice circular in a shed ive had enough off workin out in the rain hail or shine

;)

Regards Chris

Magicman · February 18, 2012, 08:26:18 AM

Yup, we all get them occasionally. I think that it is kinda nice having customers with that kind of confidence in our sawing ability. I asked a customer last year "why he did not get someone closer than 162 miles (one way) to saw his logs"? He said, "because I want you to saw them".

Red Pill · February 18, 2012, 08:33:43 AM

I'm curious. What is your minimum charge, DR_Buck?

Jim_Rogers · February 18, 2012, 08:54:13 AM

Last fall, I drove 40 miles to measure a walnut tree's logs. I figured it was about $200 worth of milling at my rate.

I suggested the customer pay his landscaper to haul the logs here and it would save him a lot of money even after he paid the landscaper.

He choose to have the three logs milled at his site.

We did this on Tuesday this past week.

We were there about three hours and charged a full day's rate and mileage to get there as well.

This is what he wanted and we did what he wanted done.

Not too often that these jobs come along.

Jim Rogers

Nomad · February 18, 2012, 09:19:36 AM

A little while back I did a job like that. A guy had a piece of live oak he wanted to make into a mantle. It had been chain saw cut from a log and needed to be cleaned up. With what he needed, I could only cut 3 sides without going under his target size. Took about 45 minutes, including set up and tear down. He was happy enough to pay my minimum and include a 50% tip!
Now if I could just find a dozen or so jobs like that per week...

DR Buck · February 18, 2012, 11:01:11 AM

Home at 10:45 AM.

Logs were cherry. One was 22" diameter and the other was 20". I cut the 20" into four 16/4 pieces. The 22" into 6/4 and 8/4 slabs.

Quote from: Red Pill on February 18, 2012, 08:33:43 AM
I'm curious. What is your minimum charge, DR_Buck?

I don't hook the mill to the truck for less than $350.

tcsmpsi · February 18, 2012, 12:35:24 PM

Quote from: Red Pill on February 18, 2012, 08:33:43 AM
I'm curious. What is your minimum charge, DR_Buck?

I don't hook the mill to the truck for less than $350.
[/quote]

Now that, sounds reasonable.

Magicman · February 18, 2012, 01:17:59 PM

Most portable sawyers require a minimum of 1Mbf or the equivalent thereof plus traveling/setup.

I got a call Friday about sawing 4 Pecan logs. The job would be 386 miles round trip and I gave him a price. I doubt that he calls back. :

Jim_Rogers · February 18, 2012, 03:36:59 PM

When I can schedule two jobs in a row, so that I don't have to unload all the tools from my SUV and then load them up again. And unbolt my bed extension and have to bolt it up again, I get a $300 minimum, plus mileage if further then 15 miles.

When they want it done right away or when there are no other jobs to "piggy back" with I get a $500 minimum because of all the time it takes me to unbolt and bolt up the extension.

My price is based on what the guy closest to me get for his mill. And he only saws on site, not in his yard.

Jim Rogers

Kansas · February 18, 2012, 06:55:25 PM

Quote from: Magicman on February 18, 2012, 01:17:59 PM
Most portable sawyers require a minimum of 1Mbf or the equivalent thereof plus traveling/setup.

I got a call Friday about sawing 4 Pecan logs. The job would be 386 miles round trip and I gave him a price. I doubt that he calls back. :

The worst part is, suppose you get there and discover they are full of metal, or totally junk. Of course, its just about as bad as if you insisted he bring them to you. Then have to tell him you can't cut them. i am surprised. Would have thought you would have had more mills around the area.

Magicman · February 18, 2012, 07:14:27 PM

I guess that I have about put all of them out of business. ;D ;D :D

Jim_Rogers · February 19, 2012, 09:43:24 AM

Quote from: Kansas on February 18, 2012, 06:55:25 PM

The worst part is, suppose you get there and discover they are full of metal, or totally junk.

Usually before I commit to a "road job" I go to the customer's site and view the logs.
And give them a package of information about my sawmill service.
In this information package is a page on rates. And there is a section on foreign object damage to blades. It used to say metal damage, but after hitting some rocks in the frozen bark of a customer's logs, I changed it to foreign non wood objects, to cover my butt in case someone says that rocks, dirt and sand aren't covered.
Also, it says if I have to spend time cutting up logs to get them off the mill because they are loaded with metal that I get paid for my time above the standard milling by the bdft rate. Or to get them out of the log pile so that I can move on.

Experience in dealing with logs on site has taught me to try and cover all the bases so as to not get stuck.

Jim Rogers

Magicman · February 19, 2012, 09:51:10 AM

I am leaving this afternoon on a 110 mile away saw job. I'll set up and be ready to saw first thing in the morning. PatD is driving the RV for our sleeping/eating arrangements. No way could I pre-survey it, but I guess that I could have asked for pictures. The customer said 80 logs. ;D

Kansas · February 19, 2012, 10:13:27 AM

That's going to take a fair amount of whittling. Good thing you are taking the RV. First thing that is likely to happen when you start is a neighbor will show up, watch, and decide he wants some cutting done.

Magicman · February 19, 2012, 01:17:28 PM

Yup I know.

Good and Bad. About every three jobs produces a new customer with a saw job. I really do not want any more jobs. After I finish this one, there are 17 more on the list. :-\ I gotta get back on my Cabin Addition.