Any idea what make & model of this sawmill might be?

[LoomBuilder]

I've been searching for a sawmill for quite a long time but never got to the point of actually making a purchase.  This turned up tonight and I don't think I've seen anything quite like it.  There's no manufacturer name or model listed in the ad or in the photos.  It appears to have at least some hydraulics based on the second small motor and hoses and while the outboard wheels and cables and the double bed look familiar I just can't place what this thing is.  Can any of my fellow forum members identify this mill?  The seller is asking $3,000 for it as-is including all the miscellaneous sawing stuff he has lying around.  It could be a deal or it could be a mess and I'll have to check it out in person to be sure but I thought I'd ask to see if anyone here could give me any clues from the photos.  Thanks in advance for any answers you can give.

Larry



  

  

 

[thecfarm]

Looks homemade,maybe?
What thing I would not like,seem like you would be reaching to get to the work area on that. Looks like lots of things to run your knees into too.

[drobertson]

Looks homemade,maybe?
What thing I would not like,seem like you would be reaching to get to the work area on that. Looks like lots of things to run your knees into too.

I was thinking the same too,

[47sawdust]

If you have the time,patience,and an obliging wife I would go get it today.It does look familiar but no positive I.D.You might contact the Sawmill Exchange,they have seen just about all sawmills.

[plowboyswr]

The guarding on the head looks like a Turner mill. The engine is sitting in the correct direction and driving the same side as the Turner mills do. If it is it has been heavily modified.

[LoomBuilder]

Mystery solved!  I spoke with the sellers yesterday evening, an elderly WWII vet and his wife, and found that he designed the mill himself about 10 years ago.  They were both delightful people and he was justifiably proud of his design and build as he seems to have put a good deal of thought and engineering into the mill.  It has hydraulic feed and head raise/lower and the rollers you can see in the photo are part of a loading system that uses the hydraulics to run a winch.  The shop vac in the photos is attached to the mill and used for dust collection which I imagine he has to empty on just about every pass.  The collector is essential since he lives in a residential neighborhood and needs to keep the dust contained but that won't be a problem out here in the country.  He says that it's running and cutting great and that it's ready to hitch up and tow away.  If at all possible I'm going to go and check it out as it could be a great way to finally end my search for a mill. I've been focused on finding a used manufactured mill so I can get some level of support but I guess buying a homemade mill might have its advantages in terms of maintenance cost even though I'd be on my own (with the help of this forum, of course!).  I think this is an option worth checking out and if I do see the mill I'll let you know what I find.  Thanks for all your input!

[TKehl]

Any info you can glean now from the builder about bearing numbers, chain info, etc. can save a lot of time down the road.  If he's got a file of receipts, that can gold.

Bandmills are overall pretty simple.  I'd prefer to see a demo cut, but wouldn't let that stop me if there is a valid reason he can't.