Thomas 3220 Information

[backhoebucket]

Good morning everyone,

I am considering purchasing a Thomas 3220 with the trailer package. Like anyone that has been in my shoes, I have watched all videos available, perused the forums for information, been on the MFG website, and spoke with the folks at the company.  I really like the simplicity of the mill and its' apparent ruggedness. There are a lot of features that I find appealing. I was hoping someone who owns a Thomas Mill could tell me about their experience.  What they like AND (maybe more important) what they don't like about their experience so far with the mill and working with the company.  Ideally, I would like to go see one in operation (I live in SE Michigan). Any insight would be helpful.  Thank you very much.   

[Gere Flewelling]

backhoebucket- I looked into purchasing a Thomas Bandsaw Mill several years ago.  I live nearby in NH and happened to be vacationing in Maine near the town where they are made.  I had been doing lots of research for some time trying to  decide what to purchase for my first mill.  I was not aware of this forum back then and just used You-Tube for my research,  It was while I was on vacation in Maine that I became aware of the Thomas Company.  I called them and they invited me to come over to their facility to have a look and a demo.  I went over there and met John the owner.  He was working in their shop building mills and dropped everything and took me out to where they had a mill set up.  He went over it thoroughly and let me saw a couple of boards out of a pine log he put on the mill.  I was quite impressed with their mill though I didn't really know  much about bandsaw mills from an owners perspective.   He quoted me a price, but I had already placed an order for another brand mill and had left a $1,000. deposit on it by the time we were there.  I did not purchase a Thomas Mill.  I think that if I had found out about the Thomas Mill a few weeks sooner, I likely would have purchased one of their mills.  I know they make an edger I have on my wish list.  A couple of years ago they redesigned their mills and have made many improvements to the design of the mill carriage.  They look to be very user friendly and quite sturdy.
Since then I have seen their mills set up and operating at the North East Logging Expositions each year and have studied how their mills work and how their features compare to the mill I purchased and the sawing experience I now have.  They have some features that I don't care for as they are quite different from my mill (that I am used to), but for the most part their products seem to be very well thought out and they produce some great manual mills that have the potential to cut some fine lumber for anyone fortunate enough to own one.  Sorry I can't give you owner experience.  I think you will be pleased with one of their made in America Made Mills should you decide to purchase one.  Good Luck!

[Bruno of NH]

I got started in milling with one of the old style 3213 mills . The things I didn't like about it have all been addressed. 
They only one that hasn't is resale value. Woodmizer has that covered.
If I was to start over it would be Woodmizer Lt 15 or Lt 15 wide.
Or a swing mill Turbo saw or a Peterson Jr
So you know I have an Lt 40 wide now and saw full time .

[Bruno of NH]

Gere
I called Thomas this spring about an edger and was told they aren't making them they are to busy with mills.
I was going to buy one.

[backhoebucket]

"Sorry I can't give you owner experience.  I think you will be pleased with one of their made in America Made Mills should you decide to purchase one.  Good Luck!"

Gere, no need to apologize.  Your information is really helpful. Your personal experience with them at their shop with the owner as he allowed you to run one of their mills says a lot about them. I like that. It is a big thing for me is trying to understand the people behind their products, how helpful they are, and whether they will be around when you have a problem. An important information box to check. Thank you for that!  -Mike (aka-backhoebucket) 

[thecfarm]

I have a Thomas for about 15 years. 
I don't saw a lot but have used it enough to know I like it.
I see they don't have the movable bunks. That was one or the reason I bought it. I can cut a piece of stove wood without a jig.
But I like how the head moves to cut clapboards, no jig!!! Before you have to saw cants, then put the clapboard jig on and reload the cants.
You will probably have more trouble with the motor than the mill. I've been to the Honda dealer many times for parts. 
Not much to go wrong with a manual mill.
I did bung up one roller one day, they had one in stock, but could have ordered it from another place.
I did get the no flex track and a 4 foot extension. I feel I could pick up my mill by a corner, shake it around and put it back down and would not have to relevel it. 
I've had mine for years and never had to relevel it. I've had many cants, when I turn them, over hit that bed hard.
The 4 foot extension gets the head out of the way too. I did not think of that until I started sawing. Then too, I can roll a 16 foot log on and I can cut it without having to move it. I have four feet of room instead of inches.
I really doubt you will have any problems with the mill.
I never had to call them.

[Gere Flewelling]

Bruno- When I talked with Jon at the Bangor Exposition last Sept. he was saying that he was so short on help that he decided to focus on sawmills instead of the edger.  He said the shipyards we stealing all the metal workers in the area with promises of high pay.  I was hoping that might have changed by now, but I guess not.  I hope they get back to building edgers again.  There's are nice looking machines.  At one of the earlier Expos they pulled off some of the guards on one so you could see how they were built.  By the time I get past the hobby milling (if it ever happens), maybe they will be making them again. :-\

[Bruno of NH]

I want one 
I should have got one the first time

[KenMac]

Backhoebucket, or anyone interested, there is a 2019 WM LT15 on Birmingham Craigslist today with 25 hp Kohler. Price is $8,500.

[backhoebucket]

Backhoebucket, or anyone interested, there is a 2019 WM LT15 on Birmingham Craigslist today with 25 hp Kohler. Price is $8,500.

Thanks for the heads up. Appreciate it!

[bobnic]

I have a Thomas 2413 with the no flex track and trailer package that I got in 2018 just after they came out with the new models.  The new head design is very robust and the no flex track is really heavy duty.  I visited their shop in Maine before purchasing and Jon Thomas took me around and showed me their whole operation and discussed the details of the recent redesign of their mills.  As a retired mechanical engineer I was quite impressed with both the design and construction quality of their mills.  Jon himself delivered my mill to me in NH and spent a few hours helping me set it up and saw the first log.  It is a great family run company building a quality product in the USA.

I really like the fact that every bunk has both a log post and a log dog.  This makes edging even a single board very solid.  The tool-less blade tensioning works great as does the roller chain head lift.  I have not used the trailer feature as I have the mill stationary, with a shed at one end that the head rolls into for weather protection.  I like the fact that the trailer axle, fenders, and wheels are removable as a unit so they are not in the way if you mainly use the mill stationary.  The no flex track is so robust I have not had to re-level it at all.  Some might not like the rather simple design of the log dogs which can mare the wood slightly, but I really like the fact that each of the five bunks has a dog and a post.  It would be nice if the bunks had stainless steel covers, but that is really the only thing I feel is lacking on the mill.

[backhoebucket]

Thank you bobnic. Your information is very helpful.  I find many of the same things appealing about the Thomas Mill (design of head, rugged no-flex track, extra dogs & stops, included siding capability). I appreciate the fact that you were able to visit their shop and had the owner go through things with you. It would be nice to have stainless steel bunk covers, I agree. I would also say that it would be nice to have an adjustable toe board.  How has your experience been with obtaining parts? (wear parts, new blades, breakage parts, etc..) Being in Michigan this distance from Maine, getting parts quickly is something to think about. How has the Honda motor worked for you?  What do you use for blade lube? Thanks again for your help.

[bobnic]

How has your experience been with obtaining parts? (wear parts, new blades, breakage parts, etc..) Being in Michigan this distance from Maine, getting parts quickly is something to think about. How has the Honda motor worked for you?  What do you use for blade lube

The idler pulley was the only part I have had to replace and they sent it out to me right away under warranty.  There really isn't much to wear out on these mills.  I also purchased a spare belt but have yet to need to replace the original.  I did buy a new carb for the Honda (from an online parts supplier) when it started to run rough and stall and I plan to rebuild the original carb.  It's a 13hp pull start Honda and it has always started very easily in the spring after sitting unused all winter.  I believe the 3220 mill you are interested in has electric start.  I have purchased blades direct from Timber Wolf and have had them resharpened locally.  

Most of my sawing is hemlock and I use no blade lube for that and found it is not necessary (as Jon Thomas told me) since hemlock is somewhat wet and not at all sappy like pine.  When sawing pine I have a squirt bottle with half diesel half chainsaw bar oil mixture that I spray on the blade to clean it as needed.  The only time I ever used the lube tank was with water when sawing a 16 inch wide red oak cant.  I just never liked the idea of having water flowing on the blade and wetting sawdust making a mess and possibly causing rust. Although I know many if not most folks do use it.  After sawing hemlock or any other wood, I always wipe down the blade with the diesel mix before putting the saw away and never have any blade rust.

Concerning a toe board, I simply use a scissor jack on a 2x6 cut to fit between the rails with a cordless impact driver to raise it up and down to center the pith and then stick shims between the log and the bunk.

[backhoebucket]

Great info bobnic. Thank you. Everyone has been very helpful with the detail.  Your approach with the blade lube makes total sense. So does your simple solution for the toeboard (I was hoping it would be that easy).  One more question: is the minimum raise/lower head increment 1/8" or 1/16" on your 2413? I don't imagine it would make a difference with me. Just curious. Thanks again!

[bobnic]

One more question: is the minimum raise/lower head increment 1/8" or 1/16" on your 2413? I don't imagine it would make a difference with me. Just curious

1/16"