New mill arrives today

Obiwan · November 09, 2021, 01:30:46 PM

After several months of waiting, my new mill arrives today. It's a woodlandmills hm130max woodlander with extension.

I'm sure it'll take a me a while to assemble it, but I'm looking forward to it. I do have some questions. Hopefully they aren't too bad.

1. For those who have assembled a woodlander, what's the best way to get the unit on the trailer? I have a small tractor with a FEL (deere 2305), but it can only lift about 800 or so lbs. My forks bring that down to about 500-600.

2. While I've been waiting, I've been looking for logs and for kiln drying services. I'm around Birmingham, AL - and what I'm seeing on facebook for logs seems to mostly be "make offer". While I'm not opposed to this, I don't yet quite know to make a reasonable offer. Does anyone from this area have any recommendations on how to find pricing per board foot or lbs? I've read enough to know how to use the doyle scale to estimate bf and seen some cheat sheets to convert bf to lbs per species, but I'm having a hard time finding pricing to go along with that other than some general "hardwood timber" prices that would seem to imply they lumped all species together . I'm open to any suggestions.

3. Also, any suggestions for kilns around central AL? I saw some on facebook months ago, but forgot to bookmark them. Now I can't find them.

Thanks in advance!

Southside · November 09, 2021, 01:52:26 PM

My advice, starting out, find what you can for free logs. In many cases they will be worth exactly what you paid for them, but when you turn them into designer firewood at least you are not throwing away money you had into the log.

As far as a kiln goes. You will have a learning curve to saw lumber worth drying. Sticker your first work and let it air dry. See what moves, what falls apart, what turns out good. As your sawing skill set improves you will produce better results that will be worth drying.

Congrats on the mill and enjoy making sawdust.

jpassardi · November 09, 2021, 02:02:22 PM

I can't speak for pricing in Alabama as I'm in Yankee country but congrats on the new mill.
I believe you made a good decision on your purchase: good product for the dollar.

maple flats · November 09, 2021, 02:50:01 PM

Congratulations on your HM130MAX, good choice for a manual mill. The saw head will weigh more like 800-900 lbs. Think about setting up a way to hoist the mill head. You can lift more, if you sling it under the bucket, but lift height may be a problem. Do you have a friend or neighbor who has a bigger tractor (or excavator)? I lifted mine on with my excavator but it can lift well over 2000 lbs

SawyerTed · November 09, 2021, 03:18:34 PM

Now that I have become both log buyer and seller, I can tell you it can be down right mystical how log prices are so secret. Study on log grades while you wait on assembling the mill. Log grade translates into lumber grade eventually (if the sawing is done right the grade of log will show in the lumber or can be enhanced by the sawing).

It is hit and miss but a way to get at log prices is to call the commercial mills in the area for a price list. Some will send it to you some won't. But if you get a couple to send a list then you will know what they are paying for logs delivered to their yard.

Depending upon whether the log owner can deliver or not, you adjust your offer for logs if you have to load and haul. If you do, then the log owner shouldn't expect more than the stumpage price (price for the log standing in tree form) for the log. If they will deliver, they should expect closer to the commercial sawmill price.

Some guys will stop when they see a tree service working and leave contact info. Tree guys really like sawmill guys because they can collect twice for the log - they collect the disposal fee from the owner then sell the log to the sawmill guy. Double dipping. They DO NOT like you to point that out to them.

Sometimes loggers will sell logs to a small sawmill guy. I have stopped around lunch or quitting time with a cooler of Gatorade to get the logging guys to stop and talk a few minutes.

Tree service logs are often not top grade logs. For some reason, even when using a tape measure they can't seem to cut an 8'6" log. It either is 7'11" or it is 9'10". Same is true for a 10'6" log, it is either 9'11" or 11'6". I don't know why but it has happened to me with the couple of tree services I've worked with. Tree service logs are yard logs usually. Yard logs have a host of issues like nails and other hardware, growing issues like excessive sapwood (Walnut) or defects. Even if you get them free, they won't be.

Stephen1 · November 09, 2021, 07:21:25 PM

Ted, arborists really only know how to make firewood :D. I went out and purchased new tapes for my local arborists crew.

Southside · November 09, 2021, 07:34:14 PM

Buddy of mine who has a tree service showed me once how he measures logs. Yup, 10 feet means 10 heel to toe steps. Instantly noticed he has the smallest feet I have ever seen on a man 6' tall, something like size 9.

Ahhh... Therein lies the problem. :D

Dave Shepard · November 09, 2021, 07:57:25 PM

Unless they are bucking for sale, the size of the log is usually based on what they could rig or pick at "x" distance. Be careful, a tree service will try to send you a couple good logs if you take the junk. Don't fall for it! Pay a fair price for the good log, and let them take the junk wherever they were going to take it anyway, they've budgeted for it. Around here I think I heard dumping fees are around $20/yard, plus your trucking.

Obiwan · November 10, 2021, 06:32:34 PM

Thanks for all the replies!

I'll be on the look out for arborists and loggers. I did talk to one arborist earlier, and that's where I got my first log - a small bradford pear - for free, but haven't heard anything from them in a month or 2. Maybe I should have bribed them. I'm still learning the etiquette of asking about logs, so I'll bring some gatorade, donuts or a little money next time!

I'll also try to find some commercial mills and ask what they pay. Like you said, it can't hurt to ask. Fingers crossed that at least one of them will give some prices.

SawyerTed · November 10, 2021, 08:36:39 PM

Quote from: Stephen1 on November 09, 2021, 07:21:25 PM
Ted, arborists really only know how to make firewood :D. I went out and purchased new tapes for my local arborists crew.

I did the same with two crews - Nice new neon green tape measures. One crew still uses them. One crew left them laying at the first couple of jobs. I picked them up after they left.
Guess who I still do business with.. lol

Daburner87 · November 10, 2021, 09:12:04 PM

I built a crane out of pressure treated lumber from Home Depot. I just don't have access to heavy machinery, and with rain in the forecast I didn't want my saw sitting out there in the elements. It worked great, and I figure I can use it for other stuff in the future(engines, etc...).