Bandmill decision

[Cjross73]

I've been doing quite a bit of research and am kind of down to 2 possibilities. Looking at the WM lt15 wide or the EZ Boardwalk 40. I'd love to hear some opinions from people that own or have owned these Mills. The initial plan is to mill the lumber to build my house and barns but also have several hardwood butt logs to make furniture. I've searched the forum but haven't really found discussions specific to these. Thanks for any input

Chuck

[Mike W]

Chuck,

bought a WM LT15 wide last year, great running mill if you have the support to handle a manual mill, I am fortunate to have two adult boys that work by my side milling, construction, and running a store along with ample support equipment to use.  spent close to a year looking at all the ins and outs of every mill type I could find, including looking into building my own wide mill set up, settled on the WM, great sales support and after purchase support by these guys.  Cant speak to the EZ, but know there are guys on here with them and will chime in on this I'm sure.

Best of luck, once you catch the sawdust bug, you'll never be the same again  8)

[Cjross73]

Mike, thanks for the response. I like some features of both but the WM dealer is only 3 hrs away so that is going to be a consideration. Are you still happy with your decision after the first year?

[Mike W]

The short answer, absolutely yes.  been a great running, problem free unit, it cuts true and smooth, I didn't up-size the engine as an option, stuck with the 25 hp gas, starts and runs great, and to date, hasn't had any issues slicing through what we throw at it.  

I bought mine through the Portland dealer, wanted all taxes, shipping, et all included as final price, also bought a box of blades as they were on sale and planned on dulling them in short order.  after I sent payment, I received tracking from the dealer my shipment left that day with FedEx freight.  although i was contact by the manager and there was a goof during the order and the extra blades were not included, I initially thought "oh great, now how much more and shipping is this going to cost me?" the response was, we at WM dropped the ball and are sending you the blades free of charge, that is the way to start a relationship in my book.

as mentioned i have seen several posts regarding the EZ so there is gents/gals on here that can add to the evaluation, i personally have not seen one in action so can not speak to that front, can say i was heavily leaning towards the Hudson Oscar 36, well that went to the wayside quickly as customer service and response time was lacking to be kind in a sense, as well as them wanting me to pay 50% up front and when they got a full truck load worth of units, mine would be shipped to their facility for me to come pick up, so WM got my money and business.

let me know if I can add any more to the equation, milling has been a great experience thus far especially as mentioned doing so with my two sons whom also has the dreaded saw dust disease, which i am told very few ever become cured of.

[hackberry jake]

I'll bet you won't go wrong with either. Wood master probably has more engineering in their mills, where as ez boardwalk makes a heavier more robust mill. Both solid performers. 

[thecfarm]

I have a Thomas,I think built like a EZ. I have used the mill enough to say I have only needed to call the dealer once and that was for another guide wheel. A short piece of cedar jammed in between the wheel and the blade. That did that wheel in. Not much to go wrong with a EZ or a Thomas. Those mills are built tough. I have only levered my mill once,when he came to set it up. I never moved it and when I turn a good size logs it falls heavier than what I like too.

[Nebraska]

I really like my EZ Jr it's so simple even I could fix it.  It's well built and the log clamps are awesome.  I went with them because of proximity to my location and at that price point  it wasn't made in China and imported. I know the Lt 15 is good as well and probably a coin flip difference. 

[Brad_bb]

The clincher for me was the MP100 mill planer so I could plane beams.  It runs on the LT15 track.  I can also flatten slabs up to about 26 inches or so.  So I'm a biased Lt15 owner.  I have the standard 19hp gas engine.  I make more beams than anything- for timberframing my eventual house.  Already built a shop, and horse barn. 

Manual mills, including the LT15 are not nearly as fast as hydraulic mills as far as producing lumber.  I don't think the hydraulic mills are that much better though when it comes to producing long beams.

If they offered hydraulics on the LT15 platform, I'd be a customer.  When it comes to logs 16' and less, I think hydraulics would really be nice - hydraulic clamps, turner, and toe boards.

With a manual mill, with what you're going to do, it's best to have a good forklift or FEL.  I prefer a compact, tight turning, rough terrain forklift.  And if you can get someone to work with you things can go a lot better.  Just have jobs they can do in between pulling wood off, cleaning up sawdust and bark, etc.  My off bearer does things like, draw knifing bark off live edge pieces and sanding them, loading the burn barrels with bark and dust, draw knifing pegs on the shaving horse, making large stickers(two 4' 2x4's screwed together or scrap pieces screwed to a solid 2x4), debarking, etc.

I'm planning to switch to the LT15wide at the end of the year, but I also have to adapt/modify the MP100 to work on that bed.

[Cjross73]

Thanks for everyone's advice, it doesn't seem like anyone has a negative opinion of either. I like things about both Mills, but it's going to be a tough decision. 

Brad, I hadn't thought about the planer for the lt15, I'm planning on the house and barns being timber frame so that is definitely food for thought