Newbie Log Prices

Crazy Rusyn · May 15, 2008, 03:21:09 AM

Once again I turn to your collective wisdom.

As some of you know, I bought a LT-15/DT10. It's sitting here waiting to be set up....right after planting time.

My neighbor, who is a logger, took me to some of his woodlots, and offered to sell me various hardwood logs for .50 a brd ft. delivered to me. He had 8', 10', 12' logs that his big customers really wouldn't use because of a couple minor flaws. These were red oak, hard maple, birch, etc. He showed me how he measured for the brd ft using the International scale at the smaller end and measuring from just inside the bark. I will obviously not be buying huge quanities of logs and he can cut/get any logs I'd like. There are oodles of loggers in the area, but I think my neighbor is a honest and trustworthy guy. I'd like to think this is a fair deal. I will be sawing "woodworking" wood and timbers for my own projects over the coming years. What are your thoughts? And, thanks!

Bibbyman · May 15, 2008, 03:52:07 AM

That don't sound too far off if they're mostly butt cuts or clear second cuts with no more than one defect on one face.

I'd only have experience with red oak on your list. We always use the Doyle scale here. It's not as kind on the smaller logs but is about the same as International when the logs get bigger.

Does he have a truck with a knuckle boom loader to unload the logs? Or do you have a loader big enough to unload him? Do you have a place where he can pull in and turn around and unload? Often times it's hard for a logger to do business with a place where he can't get in and turn around or can't unload him.

woodmills1 · May 15, 2008, 06:36:35 AM

I have sold quite a few logs in the past 2 years. While the 50 cents sounds good, I am not sure it is a good price. Here are examples from my last few hardwood sales: black oak pallet 21 cents, red oak #1 40 cents, red oak select 48 cents, black oak #1 29 cents, soft maple select 26 cents. these prices are for logs I delivered to a concentration yard. I will say that I know the yard pays a little less but I use them because it cuts down on my travel distance.

With that said, if you can't find other sources in your area then maybe try some of his logs and see if you are happy. I am getting around $1.50 for my cut red oak and would not be making much profit if I was paying 50 cents for it

I also wonder about "the big customers don't wan't/ a couple of minor flaws" It doesn't take much to drop a log a grade or 2. I would love to get 50 cents for my logs no one else wanted since I would only get half as much as firewood.

can you post a picture of some of the logs? It would help us to advise if it is a good deal or not.

Ironwood · May 15, 2008, 06:48:25 AM

I am with Woodmills on this one. An across the board price .....seems interesting.

Ironwood

ARKANSAWYER · May 15, 2008, 10:49:34 AM

First I would ask where you live. Here in north central Arkansas that would be the price for good butt cuts with no defect and all logs buyers would want them logs. Tie logs run $0.35 and good red and white oak bring $0.60 with no defects delivered. Most of the time the loads come in whole log for $45 a ton. Hard maple would fetch a bit more and birch less then oak.
Shop around.
Also most people will not mess with small loads or once a year sales. So given that fact you may be ok on the deal. But if you are happy with the logs and they saw out well then you are doing good.

Sawyerfortyish · May 15, 2008, 01:03:34 PM

We've been paying .35 and getting a lot of decent logs with clear lumber in them. But we also get the logs that have knots and limbs to. I love black oak because they wont buy it for veneer anymore here. That means there are better logs that have to be sold as saw logs. I do a lot of flooring and no one has ever told me thats not red oak it's black oak. As for .50 a foot I think it's a good deal for him but sounds a little high to me. But if your just getting started and you need logs it opens the door for ya. But before you buy any logs why don't you call a couple small mills around tell them you have some logs to sell and see what there prices are.

woodmills1 · May 15, 2008, 09:41:45 PM

or get some naily iron logs for free, thats how I started.

MikeH · May 17, 2008, 08:18:27 PM

That is great to have a neighbor like that. You are not going to get rich at sawmilling no matter who your dealing with. Sounds like a good way to be buddy's with a neighbor. He will be able to find you some weird rare stuff BIG sawmills don't care about!