Looking to get started sawmilling, need advice

gates · May 12, 2005, 01:53:37 PM

I have found a wealth of information here on this board. Thanks to all. I am looking to buy a small mill to learn on and to keep my Father-in-law busy. He is retired and does some woodworking. He mows a few churches and graveyards in the summer but bugs me to death all winter with nothing to do because wood is to expensive. I mentioned a small sawmill and solar kiln and he thinks it is a great idea, as long as I finance the operation. There is only 1 custom saywer in the area and he is part time. So I am looking at the LT15 with an extra bed section. I can not find a good used manual mill close. I would like to have a LT40 with basic Hyd. I have about 190 acres of woods on my farm. We have not cut any timber in over 15 years on most of the farm but some 30 acres has 20+ " timber on it. I have a tractor with loader and forks, a 13' flatbed truck, and some winches and an electric hoist to put in the mill shed(after we cut enough lumber to build one, lol). So to the question.

What do I need to buy to hanldle the logs and start sawing besides the mill, specifics would be nice? What book can I buy to help us learn to cut the logs?

Right now the plan is

Buy Mill
Build Mill shed
Build Solar kiln
Dry wood
Make bird houses
Possibly sell wood
Last, Possibly do some custom cutting on the new LT40Hyd(a few years down the road)

Anyone live in south central KY that could use a couple of guys to help them cut while we learn and watch?

Hope to someday be able to answer other people's questions on milling.

Thanks in advance and for all the help you have given me so far.

James Gates

Frank_Pender · May 12, 2005, 03:08:15 PM

Well, other than perhaps a LogRite PV, it sounds as though you have all that is needed. Does your loader have a set of forks? They are always very handy as well ans some lifting tongs. Good luck with your venture and welcome to the Forum. 8)

Timo · May 12, 2005, 05:16:00 PM

8)
Welcome to the Forum Gates!!!

What kind of timber do you have on your 190 acres? That sounds like a lot of bird houses

;)

customsawyer · May 12, 2005, 06:20:10 PM

Welcome to the forum gates.
The main thing that you are going to need is a big plate of grits and eggs When you get done with that eat some more grits for good maeasure cause the mileage on dem dar GRITS ain't so good when you are moving logs. :D :D

KILROY · May 13, 2005, 10:44:50 AM

Welcome to the forum Gates.
Like you have discovered, one of the best places for information is right here. Read through the different forums for a lot of ideas.
With the timber and equipment you have a used hydraulic mill would fit well.
If you look around there are some used ones out there. Don't be afraid to get an older one if the price is right. Parts are available to fix anything on the saw.
Good luck with your future endeavors.

gates · May 13, 2005, 10:56:03 AM

Thanks for the replys. I have the normal KY stuff, red, white, pin, and a few other oaks, hickory, sycamore, ash, cherry, walnut (some 20"), beech, cedar, and about 2 acres of loblolly pine about 24"+ and 80'+tall. I don't know what is good for what. That is why I plan on 1 year just learning tree id and uses. My dad also has about 10 acres of mixed wood that hasn't been cut in 20+ years. He has some cedar that must be 30" said I can have all I want as long as I keep him in boards for around the house projects.

My tractor is 4X4 and does have a set of pallet forks. I have one set of log lifting tongs that will hook on about a 30" log to drag out. I may take the flat of my 68 chevy 50 and put on some steel just to haul the logs. I also have on old trailer to use behing the tractor to put logs on. My plan is to keep the logs clean and not drag them through the dirt. I have 2 sthil chainsaws that are in good shape. My father in law mentioned geting a mill to his cousin that builds houses. He said he has some logs already cut needing milled. He alos said he runs across logs clearing land for houses from time to time. We may have a job and not even have mill yet. I also have a friend that does excavating. I am going to hit him up for some logs. My father has a good metal detector he bought to look for gold out west. He said it is top of the line rechargable ($600) and I can use it all I want. He even said he would work for free off loading to help pay for the mill. I am going to look at a used 04 LT15 Saturday morning. I wish I could find a good used LT30 or 40 manual or Hyd though.

I will definatly be posting more on this forum. Looks like sawyers are a great buch of people and I hope to one day share some knowlege myself.

Thanks,
James

OneWithWood · May 13, 2005, 11:18:09 AM

Welcome, James.

Enroll yourself in a chainsaw class like the game of logging. The info will serve you well as you fall your own trees and process them. Check out as many mills in your area as you can to get a good idea of a layout for your building. I learned tons by asking folks what they would do different if they were to start from scratch again.

Larry · May 13, 2005, 12:39:01 PM

Welcome gates...ya learn a lot here.

From your comments I think you already realize an LT-15 is not going to be adequate for your uses. I would sit tight and wait for a LT-30 or 40 to pop up...either manual or hydraulic. Even if you have to make a trip cross country to get it. Lot of WM owners here that would be more than glad to help you out.

Sawing Logz · May 17, 2005, 09:44:12 PM

Welcome to the FF. I do not own an orange mill but a hydro. mill will fit in your set of tools. Got a Timber Harvester

. I will tell you if I did it again I would try to find a good used mill, sawmillexchange.com has good finds.

Jeff

Brad_S. · May 17, 2005, 10:16:36 PM

Welcome to the forum. 8)

My two cents: :

I too would skip the manual mill and save up for the hydro mill. I can tell you from experience that the idea of starting small and upgrading in a few years doesn't work because there is never any 'extra' money to upgrade. You keep telling yourself you'll get by with what you have a little while longer and upgrade tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes.
I've often bought 'OK for now' and soon wished I had bigger, but have never bought big and wished I had smaller.
Timber Harvester markets a series of saw milling videos. There is one in particular that demonstrates grade and quarter sawing. You can usually find them in Sawmill and Woodlot magazine, which if you don't subscribe to, you should.

bull · May 18, 2005, 02:14:28 PM

Sorry Guys,I can't agree w/ you.... I started w/ an LT 15 only way to start. I was able to Justify owning a mill,Establishing a customer base and make enough money to keep the wife happy. Enough so she agreed with my going fulltime into business.
Parttime for three years was able to update my shop etc. In my 2nd year I bought a Bake PAQ resaw and kept on growing In my 4th year I ordered the LT 40 Super 36G.
and a 4610 Kubota tractor, also bought a used F450.
The nice part of the LT 15 is its on the ground and your not killing your self getting logs on the deck like the other manual WM's... And if you are milling long large logs the 15 can handle any lenght,just keep adding on the extensions. You can start with a 20' Mill brand new for under $7000.00 and it can be shipped direct.... I also had no trouble selling the LT 15. Although i wish i hadn't...... No electrical or hyralic problem, never a break down, and a hell of a good work out.... Better than a Gym
membership any day......... 8) 8) 8) 8)

ARKANSAWYER · May 19, 2005, 05:40:57 AM

A bit slow on the draw here but I would get ahold of sawmill exchange and look for a used LT15. Often you will get extra blades and stuff to go with it. The new LT15's have some nice upgrades and features.
Since you have a loader and truck I wouild pour a pad and set the LT15 up under a shed and bring the logs to the mill.

DO NOT TELL ANY ONE YOU HAVE THE MILL TILL YOU GET SOME OF YOUR STUFF DONE FIRST. If you learn to saw good lumber it is like ants to a picknick, once they start they just keep coming.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
ARKANSAWYER